HOLLY SPRINGS – The Coastal Plain League announced today that a pair of Peninsula Pilots — infielder Aaron Manias and right-handed pitcher Nick Willard — were named the Hitter and Pitcher of the Week respectively for the fourth week (June 19 – June 25) of the 2023 CPL season. CPL Players of the Week are brought to you by TrackMan Baseball, providing players and coaches next-generation analytical data all season long.
Manias played in all six games for Peninsula, finishing with a .600 average, tied for the highest mark on the week. He also led the league with nine hits, while tying for the highest on-base percentage at .714. Manias scored four runs, collected three RBIs, drew five walks and added a stolen bag. He slugged .600 and had an OPS of 1.314. Having played at Howard College, Manias is signed to play at Nebraska starting in the fall. On the summer season, he is slashing .308/.478/.327 with 15 walks, seven runs and eight RBIs.
Fellow teammate, Willard, was practically untouchable on the mound in his two relief appearances for the Pilots. The 6-3, 170-pound junior from Liberty pitched a total of five innings, surrendering just two hits, while walking none and striking out12 batters, tied for the league-high on the week. He collected one save to go with a 0.00 ERA. Further, Willard featured a 0.40 WHIP, .118 BAA and 21.600 K/9. Overall, he is 0-0 with two saves and a 1.12 ERA through eight innings of work. He’s given up five walks, a run (earned), walked four and struck out 14.
About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 14 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had nearly 1,750 alumni drafted and 176 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm, Jake Cave, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.