Dallas, Texas - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released the NCAA Division II National Players of the Week and for the first time in program history the Lions have the National Hitter of the Week in Nate Mieszkowski.

Mieszkowski has now been named the MIAA, NCBWA Central Region and National Hitter of the Week for the first time in his career after hitting .722 (13-for-18) with four home runs, 10 RBIs, 10 runs scored, two doubles while having an 2.200 OPS (1.500 slugging percentage and .700 on-base percentage) last week. The sophomore from Grayslake, Ill hit a home run in four straight games, scored one run and had three or more hits in five straight games and raised his season batting average from .290 to .449 with his performances and currently in the MIAA ranks tied for first in at bats, second in hits, tied for third in doubles, tied for fifth in runs scored, tied for sixth in home runs, ninth in slugging percentage and OPS, tenth for RBIs and defensively is fourth in assists and has helped turn nine double plays. 

Southern and Mieszkowski will be back in action this weekend to begin MIAA play at Pittsburg State in a three game series from Al Ortolani Field. First pitch times are set for 3:00pm on Friday, 2:00pm on Saturday and 12:00pm for Sunday in Pittsburg, Kan.