NEC Player of the Week: Brian Sanders, FDU
NEC Pitcher of the Week: Jake Babuschak, SHU
NEC Rookie of the Week: Gavin Donohue, SHU
Previous NEC Releases: May 14 |
May 7 |
April 30 |
April 23 |
April 16 |
April; 9 |
April 2 |
March 26 |
March 19 |
March 12 |
March 5 |
February 27 |
February 20 |
Preseason Poll Release
NEC BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brian Sanders, FDU
Gr., OF
La Ceiba, Honduras/Dominican (N.Y.)
In a must-win scenario for FDU, Sanders stepped up big time over the weekend. The graduate student went 4-for-5 while hitting a homer and batting in five more runs for the Knights in their season finale 9-5 win at Wagner. The win secured the Knights the final spot in the NEC Tournament. Sanders helped lead FDU to three victories last week, including a series win over the Seahawks. The Honduras native posted a .476 / .952 / .476 slash for a 1.428 OPS last week along with scoring six runs and driving in nine more. He added four doubles. Sanders became the first Knight to take home NEC Player of the Week honors in 2024. FDU will be the sixth seed in the upcoming conference tournament and will play third-seeded Merrimack in the opening round on Wednesday.
NEC BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Jake Babuschak, Sacred Heart
Sr., RHP
Jobstown, NJ/North Burlington
Babuschak tossed a complete game shutout against Maryland Eastern Shore to play his part in making history for Sacred Heart as the Pioneers clinched their first-ever NEC regular season title. The senior righthander allowed only two hits and walked two batters while striking out 10 to claim his second NEC Pitcher of the Week award of the year. In nine innings of work, Babuschak tossed 71 strikes and did not allow a runner to advance to third base during the 18-0 win against the Hawks on Thursday. SHU will be the top-seed in the 2024 NEC Tournament and will look to take home the title for the first time since 2015 and fourth time overall.
NEC BASEBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Gavin Donohue, Sacred Heart
Fr., SS
Melrose, MA
Donohue was the top-performing rookie in the conference last week as SHU registered a 4-0 record. The freshman shortstop ripped two homers and scored eight runs while driving in nine more. Donohue’s strong performance at the plate included a two-run walkoff single in the ninth inning in the Pioneers' 18-17 win over Quinnipiac. The Melrose, MA also recorded five hits in SHU’s sweep of UMES. This marked the second time Donohue has been named NEC Rookie of the Week in 2024.
NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
Jeff Nicol, CCSU, Sr., C
.500 BA, 7-for-14, 5 runs, 3 2Bs, 5 RBIs, 3 BBs, .588 OBP, .714 slug%, 1.303 OPS
Vladimir Ceverino, FDU, Gr., RHP
5.0 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 ER, 2 BBs, 9 Ks, 2 saves, .800 WHIP
Brian Sanders, FDU, Gr., OF
.476 BA, 10-for-21, 6 runs, 4 2Bs, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs, .476 OBP, .952 slug%, 1.428 OPS
NEC Player of the Week.
Jarod Wade, LIU, R-Jr., UTIL
.308 BA, 4-for-13, 2 runs, 1 2B, 6 RBIs, 1 SB, .308 OBP, .385 slug%, .692 OPS
Cavan Brady, MC, Gr., IF
.500 BA. 5-for-10, 5 runs, 1 2B, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 3 BBs, 1 SB, .615 OBP, 1.200 slug%, 1.815 OPS
Frankie Ferrentino, MC, So., C/DH
.462 BA, 6-for-13, 6 runs, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, .429 OBP, .923 slug%, 1.352 OPS
Jake Babuschak, SHU, Sr., RHP
9.0 IP, 2 hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks, 1 shutout win
NEC Pitcher of the Week.
Dante D'Amore, SHU, Jr., 1B/DH
.588 BA, 10-for-17, 7 runs, 2 2Bs, 2 HRs, 12 RBIs, 4 BBs, .636 OBP, 1.059 slug%, 1.695 OPS
Michael Simonelli, SHU, So., LF
.643 BA, 9-for-14, 9 runs, 3 2Bs, 1 HR, 7 RBIs, 3 BBs, 2 SBs, .667 OBP, 1.071 slug%, 1.738 OPS
Blaine Lidsky, STO, Sr., C/OF
.556 BA, 10-for-18, 5 runs, 1 2B, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs, 1 BB, .579 OBP, 1.111 slug%, 1.690 OPS
Jack Thorbahn, STO, R-Jr., 1B
.313 BA, 5-for-16, 5 runs, 4 HRs, 6 RBIs, 1 BB, .353 OBP, 1.063 slug%, 1.415 OPS
David Melfi, WC, Gr., C
.385 BA, 5-for-13, 4 runs, 1 2B, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 3 BBs, .556 OBP, .923 slug%, 1.479 OPS
2024 Baseball Weekly Award Winners:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 20: Chris Amparo, DSU
Feb. 27: Brody Keneston, LEM
Mar. 5: Nick Nevins, LEM
Mar. 12: Samuel Nieves, CSU
Mar. 19: Justin Journette, NSU
Mar. 26: Dawson Bryce, MC
Apr. 2: Benji Ries, LEM
Apr. 9: Zack Kovalchik, SHU
Apr. 16: Chris Marte, CSU & Krew Bouldin, DSU
Apr. 23: Gianno Merlonghi, CCSU & Christian Scanlon, MC
Apr. 30: Frankie Ferrentino, MC & Trey Ciulla-Hall, STO
May 7: Dewey Roden, LEM
May 14: Krew Bouldin, DSU
May 20: Brian Sanders, FDU
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 20: Kieran Etwaru, DSU
Feb. 27: Brayden Ryan, MC
Mar. 5: Zach Gleason, STO
Mar. 12: Jake Babuschak, SHU
Mar. 19: Zac Capps, FDU
Mar. 26: Dominic Pieto, LIU
Apr. 2: Jacob Crystal, LEM
Apr. 9: Patrick Gardner, FDU
Apr. 16: Liam McCallum, CSU
Apr. 23: Vincent Spizzoucco, CCSU
Apr. 30: Jake Neuman, CCSU
May 7: Jake McDowell, SHU
May 14: Zac Capps, FDU
May 20: Jake Babuschak, SHU
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Feb. 20: Connor Roche, WC
Feb. 27: Dawson Bryce, MC
Mar. 5: Jalan Jones, NSU
Mar. 12: Dawson Bryce, MC
Mar. 19: Josiah Ross, WC
Mar. 26: Dawson Bryce, MC
Apr. 2: Gavin Donohue, SHU
Apr. 9: Mike Whelhan, LEM & Diego Tavarez, WC
Apr. 16: Chris Marte, CSU
Apr. 23: Dawson Bryce, MC
Apr. 30: Ryan LeClair, STO
May 7: Dawson Bryce, MC
May 14: Dawson Bryce, MC
May 20: Gavin Donohue, SHU