Photo Credit: Texas Tech Athletics, UCI Athletics, Scott W. Coleman (Max Belyeu), Ben Massey (Ben Hansen)

By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute, and Dylan Wickman

With another week of the 2023 CCL Season in the books comes the latest installment of CCL North and South Players of the Week. Representing the North Division is Walnut Creek Crawdads outfielder Ryan Brome – who’s coming off his sophomore season at Texas Tech – and Lincoln Potters right-hander Cooper Robinson (UC Irvine). In the South, Santa Barbara Foresters outfielder Max Belyeu (Texas) and Orange County Riptide RHP Ben Hansen (BYU). Learn more about each of these player’s performances as well as notes from the 2023 NCAA season below.

CCL North Division // Hitter of the Week

This week, the CCL saw its first cycle of the year as Ryan Brome (Texas Tech) did it in the Walnut Creek Crawdads’ 18-7 win over the CCL Affiliate Bay Area Admirals. The performance was great, and along with amazing numbers across the whole week, Brome was awarded with the Week 4 CCL Hitter of the Week. 

In Brome’s cycle performance against the Admirals, he finished the night going 5-for-6 with a whopping nine RBI. Each of Brome’s five hits came with a runner in scoring position, resulting in the crazy RBI total. Nine RBI ties the Crawdad record for most in a single game, and Brome’s cycle was just the second in franchise history. 

Helped by his career performance against the Admirals, Brome finished the week going 10-for-23 with 14 RBI and five walks along with three stolen bases. His 14 RBI this week have launched him to the top of the CCL RBI leaderboards, as he currently sits at 23 on the season.

So far this season, Brome has slashed .321/.418/.500 with 18 hits in 56 at-bats, tallying two doubles, two home runs and nine walks. Brome will look to stay hot as the Crawdads prepare for a tough CCL North Division battle with the Healdsburg Prune Packers.

CCL North Division // Pitcher of the Week

Lincoln Potters RHP Cooper Robinson (UC Irvine) is the second Potter to take the CCL Pitcher of the Week Honors this season thanks to a great performance in a shutout win against the Sonoma Stompers. The Fulsom, California native struck out seven out of 18 batters en route to the 11-0 victory on Thursday.

After giving up a leadoff triple in the first, Robinson responded immediately, striking out the next three hitters to end the Stompers’ scoring prospect before it started. He didn’t look back from that point on, only relinquishing one more hit for the rest of his time on the mound.

Robinson is coming off a solid sophomore season for UC Irvine that saw him total 28 strikeouts in 16 appearances. He was a valuable part of the Anteaters’ bullpen, which accounted for 19 wins, 12 saves and a 3.84 ERA over the season and helped UC Irvine finish 38-17.

Robinson’s showing against Sonoma was only his second league appearance this summer, but he’ll hope to be a big part of the Potters’ rotation going forward as they compete in a tough CCL North Division.

CCL South Division // Hitter of the Week

Santa Barbara Foresters outfielder Max Belyeu (Texas) has secured Week 4 CCL Player of the Week honors thanks to a productive and efficient week at the dish. His standout performance this week is a testament to his contributions throughout the season – the Aledo, Texas native has spearheaded Santa Barbara’s offense almost all summer long.

Suiting up for all five of the Foresters’ games this week, Belyeu went 9-for-16 with two doubles, five walks and three RBI while only striking out twice. Belyeu’s best showing came on Sunday against the Saints, when he logged two singles, a double, and a walk, helping fuel a 10-1 ‘Sters victory.

As a freshman on Texas’ 2023 squad that reached the Stanford Super Regional, Belyeu started four games in a crowded Longhorns outfield that featured former Foresters Eric Kennedy (2019) and Dylan Campbell (2021-22). However, Perfect Game’s No. 6-ranked Texas high school outfielder in 2021 is certainly making his case for an expanded role next spring, as he currently leads Santa Barbara in hits (19), average (.380), walks (12) and RBI (8) during league play.

With Santa Barbara sitting in first place in the CCL South Division, Belyeu will likely continue to be a catalyst as the Foresters battle for their third consecutive CCL South regular season title.

CCL South Division // Pitcher of the Week

This week’s CCL South Division Pitcher of the Week is Orange County Riptide right-handed pitcher Ben Hansen (BYU), who put together his best start of the season in a 6-4 win over the Conejo Oaks on Sunday. Beginning the summer as a member of the Riptide’s bullpen, Hansen now has three starts under his belt, with his most recent showing great promise for the rest of the season.

In 5.0 innings on the hill, Hansen struck out five of the 19 batters he faced while maintaining a sub-one WHIP, good enough to achieve his first win of the 2023 campaign. The rising sophomore has enjoyed a solid season to date, posting 12 strikeouts, a 2.19 ERA and .89 WHIP in 12.1 frames of work.

Hansen saw a solid workload during his freshman season at BYU, pitching 55.0 innings and starting in ten games. His best performance of 2023 came on Feb. 22 against Louisiana – Lafayette, when he allowed two hits, two walks and an unearned run while retiring nine via the strikeout in 7.0 frames of work.

The Pleasanton, Calif. native will look to build off his impressive outing on Sunday and remain a key member of the ‘Tide rotation down the stretch.