NEC Player of the Week: Justin Journette, NSU
NEC Pitcher of the Week: Chris Messina, FDU
NEC Rookie of the Week: Mason Mompoint, NSU
Previous NEC Releases: February 17 |
Preseason Poll Release
NEC BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Justin Journette, Norfolk State
Sr., OF
Richmond, VA/Hermitage HS
In a weekend series against Manhattan, Journette went an impressive 6-for-12 at the plate as Norfolk State got a win off of the Jaspers. The senior outfielder scored six runs and recorded seven RBIs, while cracking a pair of doubles and a homer over the weekend. In the Spartans’ 11-10 win on Saturday, Journette went off with a .667 BA, three runs, two RBIs and a double. The Richmond, VA native added another standout performance on Friday - going 3-for-5 in the batter’s box along with scoring three runs and driving in four more. He added a double and a home run in the 16-10 setback against Manhattan. The 2024 All-NEC second team selection finished the three-game series with a .917 slugging percentage, .571 OBP and a 1.488 OPS. This is Journette’s second career NEC Player of the Week honor with his first coming on March 19, 2024.
NEC BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Chris Messina, FDU
Fr., LHP
East Northport, NY/Commack HS
Messina earned his first career win in his first-ever collegiate appearance on the mound. The rookie lefty pitched 5.0 innings of scoreless ball in a combined 6-0 shutout at Gardner-Webb on opening day for the Knights. Messina struck out four batters, while walking just two in the victory. The East Northport, NY native faced 18 Bulldog batters and limited them to a .063 BA. Messina finished the weekend with a .600 WHIP. This is the fifth straight season that a FDU ace has won NEC Pitcher of the Week honors.
NEC BASEBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Mason Mompoint, Norfolk State
Fr, INF
Newport News, VA/Woodside HS
Mompoint impressed in just his second collegiate series as he put together a .429 BA in a weekend series against Manhattan. The freshman infielder added four runs, two RBIs and a homer off 6-for-14 batting. Mompoint went 2-for-4 in the Spartans’ 11-10 victory, while scoring a pair of runs. He finished the weekend with a .643 slug percentage, a .429 OBP and a 1.072 OPS. Mompoint is the first Norfolk State player to bring home NEC Rookie of the Week accolades since Jalan Jones in 2024.
NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
Jimmy Mantuano, Jr., OF, FDU
.444 BA, 4-for-9, 3 runs, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 SB, .556 slug%, .500 OBP, 1.056 OPS
Chris Messina, Fr., LHP, FDU
Tabbed NEC Pitcher of the Week.
5.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 4 Ks, 2 BBs, 1 CBO, 1 win, .600 WHIP
Hunter Ray, So., OF, FDU
.600 BA, 6-for-10, 2 runs, 1 2B, 4 BBs, 1 SB, .700 slug%, .714 OBP, 1.414 OPS
Diego Urreta, Sr., 3B, FDU
.500 BA, 4-for-8, 1 run, 5 RBIs, 5 BBs, 1 SB, .500 slug%, .643 OBP, 1.143 OPS
Matthew McGurk, R-Jr., OF, LIU
.333 BA, 4-for-12, 4 runs, 3 RBIs, 3 HRs, 1.083 slug%, .333 OBP, 1.416 OPS
Noah Sorensen, R-Jr., 3B, LIU
.500 BA, 7-for-14, 4 runs, 1 2B, 2 BBs, .571 slug%, .563 OBP, 1.134 OPS
Julian Jimenez, Sr., CF, UMES
.400 BA, 4-for-10, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 2 BBs, .500 slug%, .500 OBP, 1.000 OPS
Jonathan Rodriguez, So., SS, UMES
.429 BA, 3-for-7, 2 RBIs, 1 2B, 2 BBs, .571 OBP, .556 OBP, 1.127 OPS
Justin Journette, Sr., OF, NSU
Selected as NEC Player of the Week.
.500 BA, 6-for-12, 6 runs, 7 RBIs, 2 2Bs, 1 HR, 1 BB, .917 slug%, .571 OBP, 1.488 OPS
Mason Mompoint, Fr., INF, NSU
Named NEC Rookie of the Week
.429 BA, 6-for-14, 4 runs, 2 RBIs, 1 HR, .643 slug%, .429 OBP, 1.072 OPS
Ryan LeClair, Jr., INF, STO
.444 BA, 4-for-9, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 SB, .556 slug%, .545 OBP, 1.101 OPS
Lukas Torres, Gr., OF, WAG
.545 BA, 6-for-11, 2 runs, 1 2B, 4 BBs, 1 SB, .636 slug%, .667 OBP, 1.303 OPS
2026 NEC BASEBALL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 17: Ryan Rivera, LIU
Feb. 24: Justin Journette, NSU
Mar. 3:
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 17: Ethan Blakeney, NSU
Feb. 24: Chris Messina, FDU
Mar. 3:
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Feb. 17: Kacin Robinson, STO
Feb. 24: Mason Mompoint, NSU
Mar. 3: