Matarazzo, Luciani & Pena Earn Baseball Weekly Awards
MAAC Sports
Player of the Week
Lou Matarazzo, Iona
Jr., DH/1B, 6-3, Rockville Centre, NY/South Side
Junior designated hitter Lou Matarazzo was the Iona Gaels standout performer this past week. In Friday’s 12-5 loss at NC A&T, Matarazzo went two for three with a double and one run batted in. Saturday featured free baseball, with the Gaels falling in the 12th inning 14-13. Matarazzo went 3 for 7 in the game with a run scored and double that knocked in two of his three runs batted in. In Sunday’s 7-3 win against the Aggies, Matarazzo went one for four on the day.
Pitcher of the Week
Taylor Luciani, Quinnipiac
So., RHP, 6-1, Berlin, CT/Northwest Catholic
Taylor Luciani delivered his second straight quality start to open up the season to improve to 2-0. Luciani’s seven-inning performance in the Bobcats’ win against Virginia Tech was his longest outing of his career after tossing 6 1/3 innings in the MAAC Tournament last season. Luciani led the Bobcats to their first win against an ACC opponent since 2004 at the University of Virginia. Luciani’s five strikeouts in the game were the second most he recorded in a single game. Despite a shaky first inning, Luciani settled down over the next six innings, scattering just three hits. So far this season, Luciani is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings pitched, allowing four earned runs on 12 hits with eight strikeouts compared to four walks.
Rookie of the Week
Fabian Pena, Manhattan
Fr., C, 5-9, Miami, FL/Calusa Prep
Pena had another solid weekend at No. 6 Miami (FL), batting .231 (3-for-13) with his first collegiate home run, a double, three RBI and two runs … Also was outstanding behind the plate, gunning out 3-of-4 Hurricane runners … Singled in the opener against Miami (FL) before driving in a run in the second game … Capped his weekend by going 2-for-4 with a RBI double and a home run in the finale against the Hurricanes … On the year, is batting a team-best .400 (10-of-25) with a team-leading six runs, four multi-hit games, three doubles, one home run, five RBI and .464 OBP.