HICKORY, N.C. — For the second time this season, Catawba Valley Community College second baseman Chandler Blackwelder has been named Player of the Week by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

Blackwelder was grateful when he found out he'd been selected by the NJCAA for yet another weekly honor.

"I am so thankful to have such a good support system, team and coaching staff who believe in me and motivate me constantly," Blackwelder said. "I will always appreciate any recognition I receive. It truly is an honor. However, this award is not the goal. The goal is to win and do all that I can to contribute to my team's overall success."

Last week, Blackwelder tallied a .643 batting average with four home runs and 12 RBI. The highlight of his impressive week came during game one of Sunday's conference doubleheader against Guilford Tech when he recorded three home runs and a program-record 10 RBI in a 23-11 CVCC victory.

The second baseman from Salisbury, N.C. currently leads the Red Hawks in a number of categories, including hits (76), triples (5), home runs (14), RBI (58) and batting average (.487).

Blackwelder becomes the first Catawba Valley baseball player to win a weekly NJCAA honor twice in a season. He won his first weekly honor this spring for his performance in games played March 1-7.

"Honestly it's hard to believe, but I do have high expectations for myself, and I go into every game with a certain standard set," Blackwelder said. "I feel very blessed to be honored twice now, especially considering that hasn't happened in this program, but I play how I expect myself to play regardless of any recognition."