Pena Named ECAC Rookie of the Year, Santisteban Named All-ECAC First Team
MAAC Sports
DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced its 2016 Division I Baseball All-ECAC Selections and major award winners.
Deon Stafford, Jr., of Saint Joseph’s University was voted as the ECAC DI Baseball Player of the Year, and Northeastern University’s Aaron Civale took home the accolade for top pitcher. Fabian Pena, Manhattan College’s hard-hitting catcher, bookended his freshman season with the ECAC DI Rookie of the Year honor, while Bryant University Head Coach Steve Owens capped off the major awards with the award for coach of the year.
Rookie of the Year
Fabian Pena – Manhattan College, Fr., Catcher
Pena’s recognition as the ECAC’s top rookie comes following a breakout rookie campaign for the Jaspers. The freshman batted .344 during the regular season, roping 67 hits including 30 for extra bases, and led the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in total bases with 113. Pena drove in 47 runs and scored 32 of his own, all while playing sound defense behind the plate; the catcher closed the regular season with just five errors, good for a fielding percentage of .984.
All-ECAC First Team
C: Deon Stafford, Jr., - Saint Joseph’s University, So.
1B: Robby Rinn – Bryant University, Sr.
2B: Reed Gamache – Binghamton University, Sr.
3B: Willy Yahn – University of Connecticut, So.
SS: Charles Leblanc – University of Pittsburgh, So.
DH: Tim Graul – University of Pennsylvania, Jr.
OF: Christian Santisteban – Manhattan College, Sr.
OF: Matt Albanese – Bryant University, Jr.
OF: Joe DaRoche-Duffin – University of Connecticut, Sr.
UTIL: Nick Zammarelli – Elon University, Jr.
P: Tyler Wilson – University of Rhode Island, So.
P: Aaron Civale – Northeastern University, Jr.
P: James Karinchak – Bryant University, So.
ABOUT THE ECAC
In the 76 years since its inception, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has emerged as the nation's largest Conference. The ECAC has grown considerably from its charter membership of 58, boasting over 300 member schools in Divisions I, II and III, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. In the 2015-16 academic year, the ECAC will host nearly 100 championships in 32 men’s and women's sports as the sponsors of over 5,800 varsity teams and 111,000 male and female Players. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay updated on the latest news, championships and more by connecting with the ECAC on Facebook (ECACSports), Twitter (@ECACSports) and Instagram (@ECACSports).