The Northeast Conference (NEC) tabbed UMES right-handed-pitcher Richard De Jesus as the conference pitcher of the week and rookie of the week of February 23, 2026. 

"It is a major step for us to have the opportunity to have Richard on our pitching staff," said head coach Danny Acosta. "We are very lucky to have him and he means a lot to our program."

In the Hawks' three-game series against Manhattan, De Jesus tallied an impressive 5.1 shutout innings, striking out five batters. The freshman pitcher from Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, only allowed three hits and limited the Jaspers offense to a .158 batting average.

At the end of week three, De Jesus, who pitched for Puerto Rico at the 2025 18-U Baseball World Cup, ranks third in the NEC in strikeouts with 12 and sixth in ERA with a 3.95 mark.

Since joining the conference in 2024, De Jesus is the first UMES Hawk to earn two major NEC baseball weekly awards in the same week. He joins his teammate Jonah Stepner (2025 season) as Hawk pitchers to be named NEC Pitcher of the Week and his teammate Carter Champey (2025 season) as Hawks to be named NEC Rookie of the Week. 

De Jesus is expected to make his next appearance in UMES' upcoming weekend series against Central Connecticut State from Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8.

Official NEC Press Release

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