DALLAS -- University of Central Missouri Mules Baseball pitcher Gavin Williams has been named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II National Pitcher of the Week for his performance on the baseball diamond during the week of March 2-8, it was announced by the NCBWA on Thursday, March 12. 

Williams, a freshman right-hander from St. Elizabeth, Mo., who was also voted NCBWA Central Region Pitcher of the Week and the MIAA Pitcher of the Week, threw the ninth overall no-hitter and seventh solo no-hitter in Mules Baseball history in the Mules' 16-0, seven-inning, run-rule win over Missouri Western State University in game two of a doubleheader on Saturday, March 7, in Warrensburg. Williams secured the first solo no-no since Danny Powers in 2004 after giving up zero earned runs on zero hits with a career-best 11 strikeouts and just two walks in seven innings and 101 pitches.

No. 6 Mules Baseball is scheduled to travel to Pittsburg, Kan., for a three-game MIAA series at No. 4 Pittsburg State March 13-15. 

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters, and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates, and official votes in the Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player of the Year, and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.