March 6, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - In voting conducted this week by Philadelphia Big 5 Baseball, La Salle senior pitcher Dan Waters and Villanova junior James Dolbier were named the Big 5 Baseball Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively.

Waters allowed one earned run over six innings to beat Jacksonville, while Dolbier batted .416 and posted a .833 slugging percentage for the Wildcats. The organization, which was called the Philadelphia Diamond Five last season, is now under the umbrella of the Philadelphia Big Five office.

Waters improved to 2-0 this season after the strong outing, which included season team-highs with 6.0 innings pitched and five strikeouts. He allowed just three hits and one earned run and then the Explorers held off a late Jacksonville charge to win the opener of a four-game set, 11-7.

The victory was his third straight win dating back to last season, and the honor is his fourth from the organization, getting three Pitcher of the Week nods in 2006.

Formed with the mission of increasing the exposure of college baseball in the area, Philadelphia Big 5 Baseball is comprised of the five Division I universities in Philadelphia that sponsor baseball. The Big 5 will announce a Player and Pitcher of the Week every Monday during the season. The second annual All-Big 5 baseball team will be announced at the conclusion of the season.