SALISBURY, N.C. – USCA freshman standout Ben Shepherd has been named the NCBWA Southeast Region Pitcher of the Week, as announced by the organization Tuesday afternoon.

Shepherd, a freshman from Trion, Ga., recorded the program's second no-hit bid in USCA's Division II history. He had five strikeouts while issuing just one walk in 9.0 innings pitched (91 pitches). In the nightcap victory over Mars Hill, he had 15 fly ball outs and seven groundouts. The NCAA believes he is the first student-athlete to record a no-hitter in his collegiate debut and the first to do so on Opening Day.

The Southeast Region Player of the Week was CJ Dean of North Greenville. Dean, a senior from Columbus, Ohio, led the offense in wins over Alabama Huntsville, second-ranked Central Missouri and Rollins. For the week, he hit batted .583 with seven hits, five runs and six runs batted in. He also ripped one home run and one double while taking two walks. He drove in two runs on one hit in a win over Alabama Huntsville before posting three hits and scoring two runs against second-ranked Central Missouri. He closed the week with three hits, including a double and a home run, two runs scored and three runs batted in against Rollins.

Dean and Shepherd will advance to NCBWA National Player and Pitcher of the Week consideration, which is released on Thursday.