NEWBERG, OR—Rutgers-Newark junior outfielder Michael Cassese has been selected as the NCAA Division III National Hitter of the Week for the third week of the 2010 season covering games of March 15-22. The selection was made by a panel of D-III members of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

Cassese earned NJAC and ECAC Metro Player of the Week honors after hitting .500 (12-24) with a 1.042 slugging percentage, including one double, four home runs, 17 RBI, and eight runs scored during five games played for the Scarlet Raptors in California.  He opened the week by going 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, five RBI, and two runs scored in a 16-4 victory over Ithaca.  One day later, in a 17-12 and 22-12 doubleheader sweep of California Lutheran, he went a combined 6-for-11 with three home runs, 12 RBI, and four runs scored.  Cassese, who hit safely in all five games, including a three home-run performance in the game-one victory over Cal Lutheran, currently leads the NJAC in RBI (20).