CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has selected its first Athlete and Pitcher of the Week awards for the 2018 season. Cortland outfielder Colin BeVard has been selected as this week's Athlete of the Week, while Cortland pitcher Noah Ernst has been selected as this week's Pitcher of the Week.

BeVard batted .667 (6-for-9) with a homer, double, four RBI, four walks, two steals and five runs as nationally first place ranked Cortland opened the season with a two-game sweep at nationally 18th ranked Salisbury. In the Red Dragons' 9-6, 14-inning win Sunday, BeVard went 4-for-5 with a double, three walks, a steal, an RBI, and three runs scored. He reached base safely in his final seven plate appearances. The previous day he hit a three-run homer and finished 2-for-4 with a walk, a steal, three RBI and two runs in a 5-4 victory.

Ernst pitched five and a third innings of scoreless relief in Cortland's win at Salisbury on Sunday. He allowed just one hit and three walks and fanned four batters. Ernst entered the game with two outs in the bottom of the seventh after Salisbury tied the game at 6-6. After an initial walk, he got the next batter out to end the inning, then retired the side in order in the eighth and ninth. He allowed one walk each in the 10th and 11th and hit a batter in the 12th. The lone hit he allowed was an infield single to start the 13th inning.

The Red Dragons begin their season with a 2-0 record. The team will travel to Lexington, Virginia to face Washington and Lee in a three game series this weekend.