Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

Feb. 28, 2026 - In North Central College baseball's first week of competition, sophomore Payton Diaz was named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Hitter of the Week following a four-hit game vs Franklin College.

A CCIW All-Conference selection as a pitcher last season, Diaz started and played first base in both of the Cardinals' contests this past weekend. The Buffalo Grove, Ill. native launched two home runs against the Grizzlies, driving in three runs. His .571 batting average ranked third in the CCIW while his 1.571 slugging percentage and 2.196 OPS lead the league.

This marks Diaz's first CCIW weekly honor of his career. In total, 45 Cardinals have won conference player of the week awards in program history.

North Central heads south to Texas to face the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor for a three-game series beginning Friday evening in Belton, Texas.