Bryant's Gasper, UConn's Feole, Binghamton Duo Headline ECAC DI Baseball Awards, All-ECAC Selections
DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced its 2017 Division I Baseball Awards and All-ECAC selections.
Bryant University catcher Mickey Gasper was named the ECAC Player of the Year, while Mason Feole from the University of Connecticut received the award for Rookie of the Year. Binghamton University claimed the two remaining major accolades; sophomore Nick Gallagher took home the honor for Pitcher of the Year and Tim Sinicki garnered ECAC Coach of the Year to complete the annual awards.
Faced with the tall task of replacing an all-conference catcher, Gasper rose to the challenge for the Bulldogs in 2017. The junior started every game during the regular season for Bryant, batting .348 with 53 RBIs and 20 extra-base hits. His RBIs and on-base percentage (.471) paced the conference leader boards, while his batting average ranked him fifth among Northeast Conference (NEC) players. Gasper ended the regular season with 65 hits and 44 runs scored while slugging .540, helping the Bulldogs claim the NEC regular-season title.
Gallagher’s ECAC Pitcher of the Year honor comes after a season that saw the sophomore anchor the Binghamton pitching staff. The second-year starter went 8-2 with a 2.33 ERA during the regular season, tying a school record for wins in a single campaign. Gallagher fanned 55 and only allowed 48 hits in 65.2 innings pitched, holding opposing batters to a .203 average. The right-hander led all America East pitchers in wins, ERA and strikeouts during the regular season, and earned America East Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-America East honors for his efforts.
Feole enjoyed a strong debut campaign for UConn, earning American Athletic Conference Rookie Pitcher of the Year as a result. The freshman went 7-3 with a 3.10 ERA in 14 appearances, striking out 72 in 78.1 innings pitched. In addition to his Rookie Pitcher of the Year award, Feole also earned First Team All-AAC recognition.
Sinicki led his Bearcats to a memorable 2017 season. Under his guidance, Binghamton went 30-11 during the regular season, including a 15-4 mark in America East play to capture the regular-season championship. Additionally, Sinicki helped seven Bearcat players earn All-America East honors at season’s end, highlighted by four first-team selections and Gallagher’s America East Pitcher of the Year award.
Player of the Year
Mickey Gasper – Bryant University, Jr.
Pitcher of the Year
Nick Gallagher – Binghamton University, So.
Rookie of the Year
Mason Feole – University of Connecticut, Fr.
Coach of the Year
Tim Sinicki – Binghamton University
All-ECAC First Team
Joe Drpich – Siena College, Jr.
Chris Hess – University of Rhode Island, Jr.
Matt O’Neil – University of Rhode Island, Sr.
Mickey Gasper – Bryant University, Jr.
Benny Wanger – Yale University, So.
Jake Lumley – Canisius College, Sr.
Jacen Nalesnik – Lehigh University, Sr.
Tim Graul – University of Pennsylvania, Sr.
Mike Corin – University of Rhode Island, Sr.
Patrick Robinson – Harvard University, So.
Nick Gallagher – Binghamton University, So.
Zach Prendergast – Seton Hall University, Sr.
Danny Marsh – Wagner College, Sr.
All-ECAC Second Team*
Cullen Large – College of William & Mary, Jr.
Justin Drpich – Binghamton University, Fr.
Dean Lockery – Central Connecticut State University, Jr.
Justin Yurchak – Binghamton University, r-So.
Connor Donovan – Lehigh University, Sr.
Travis Blue – United States Naval Academy, Sr.
Brett Smith – Bucknell University, Sr.
Leland Saile – United States Naval Academy, Sr.
Logan Knowles – United States Naval Academy, Jr.
Anthony Godino – Wagner College, Jr.
Nick Angelini – Bryant University, Sr.
Kyle Condry – United States Naval Academy, Sr.
Charlie Jerla – Marist College, Jr.
Connor Van Hoose – Bucknell University, Jr.
Scott Politz – Yale University, So.
Jacob Wloczewski – Binghamton University, Jr.
Tim Cate – University of Connecticut, So.
Austin Goeke – Wagner College, Sr.
Steve Theetge – Bryant University, Sr.
*Additional Players Added Due to Ties in Voting
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In the 77 years since its inception, the ECAC has emerged as the nation's largest Conference, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. In 2015-16, the ECAC hosted nearly 100 championships in men's and women's sports as the sponsors of over 5,800 varsity teams and 111,000 student-athletes. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com.
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