NEC Player of the Week: Matt Graziose, CCSU
NEC Pitcher of the Week: Kyle Salvati, CCSU
NEC Rookie of the Week: Brendan McLoughlin, WAG
Previous NEC Releases: May 5 |
April 28 |
April 21 |
April 14 |
April 7 |
March 31 |
March 24 |
March 17 |
March 10 |
March 3 |
February 24 |
February 17 |
Preseason Poll Release
NEC BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Matt Graziose, Central Connecticut
So., INF
Woodmere, NY/George Hewlett
Leading Central Connecticut to a 3-1 week, Graziose caught fire at the plate for the Blue Devils. The sophomore infielder went 7-for-16 (.438) in the batter’s box, while hitting four over the fence through four contests. Graziose also scored four runs and drove in eight more. The Woodmere, NY native registered back-to-back games with two homers in wins over Sacred Heart and Mercyhurst. In four road games last week, Graziose combined for a 1.662 OPS off a 1.188 slugging percentage and .474 OBP. This is the fifth straight season a Blue Devil has taken home NEC Player of the Week accolades. It is also Graziose’s first career weekly award.
NEC BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Kyle Salvati, Central Connecticut
Sr., RHP
Mount Sinai, NY/Mount Sinai (Franklin Pierce)
Salvati tossed a complete game in CCSU’s 5-1 series opening victory at Mercyhurst on Friday. The senior righty struck out 11 batters, while allowing just five hits and one earned run. Salvati limited the Lakers’ lineup to a .161 batting average as he faced 33 batters. The CCSU hurler completed the week with a 1.00 ERA and a .667 WHIP. It marked his second victory on the mound this season. Salvati ranks second in the conference in opposing batting average (.240) and runs allowed (35). The Mount Sinai, NY native is the first Blue Devil ace to throw a complete 9.0 inning game since Jake Neuman in 2024 and to rifle off at least 10 punch outs since Vincent Borgese last season. This marks the sixth straight year a CCSU player has claimed NEC Pitcher of the Week honors. It is also Salvati’s first career weekly award.
NEC BASEBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Brendan McLoughlin, Wagner
Fr., C
Latham, NY/Shaker
Taking home his second NEC Rookie of the Week award, McLoughlin was instrumental in Wagner’s series win over Coppin State that clinched the Seahawks a spot in the conference tournament. On the weekend, the freshman catcher hit .375 while scoring three runs and driving three more throughout a trio of games. McLoughlin hit a clutch 2 RBI single to left field to even the game at 4-4 before a Evan McRae homer would go on to give Wagner the lead. McLoughlin finished the week with a .830 OPS off a .375 slugging percentage and a .455 OBP. This marks the second consecutive season a Seahawk freshman has won multiple NEC Rookie of the Week awards.
NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
Matt Graziose, So., INF, CCSU
Tabbed NEC Player of the Week.
.438 BA, 7-for-16, 4 runs, 8 RBIs, 4 HRs, 1 BB, 1.188 slug%, .474 OBP, 1.662 OPS
Kyle Salvati, Sr., RHP, CCSU
Named NEC Pitcher of the Week.
9.0 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB 11 Ks, 1 CG, 1.00 ERA, 1 win, .667 WHIP
Terrell Millner, Jr., OF, CSU
.400 BA, 6-for-15, 1 run, 8 RBIs, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 BBs, 2 SBs, .667 slug%, .500 OBP, 1.167 OPS
Caleb Walker, Gr., INF, FDU
.364 BA, 4-for-11, 5 runs, 5 RBIs, 2 2Bs, 1 HR, 3 SBs, .818 slug%, .500 OBP, 1.315 OPS
AJ Petraitis, R-Jr., RHP, LEM
7.0 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER, 4 BBs, 3 Ks, 1 win, 1.29 ERA, 1.143 WHIP
Adam Sullivan, Sr., SS, LEM
.545 BA, 6-for-11, 6 runs, 4 RBIs, 1 2B, 1 SB, .636 slug%, .467 OBP, 1.103 OPS
Mike Whelehan, Jr., 2B, LEM
.455 BA, 5-for-11, 6 runs, 6 RBIs, 1 HR, 4 BBs, 1 SB, .727 slug%, .600 OBP, 1.327 OPS
Justin DeCastro, Sr., RHP, LIU
8.1 IP, 7 hits, 2 ERs, 0 BBs, 4 Ks, 1 win, 2.16 ERA, .840 WHIP
Elijah Fairchild, Jr., SS/2B, LIU
.400 BA, 4-for-10, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, 1 3B, 4 BBs, 5 SBs, .600 slug%, .571 OBP, 1.171 OPS
Julian Jimenez, Sr., CF, UMES
.316 BA, 6-for-19, 7 runs, 6 RBIs, 2 2Bs, 3 HRs, 2 BBs, .895 slug%, .409 OBP, 1.309 OPS
Justin Journette, Sr., OF, NSU
.357 BA, 5-for-14, 3 runs, 9 RBIs, 1 2B, 2 HRs, 4 BBs, 1 IBB, .857 slug%, .500 OBP, 1.357 OPS
Joseph Mennella, Jr., INF, WAG
.545 BA, 6-for-11, 4 runs, 4 RBIs, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 BBs, .909 slug%, .643 OBP, 1.552 OPS
2026 NEC BASEBALL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 17: Ryan Rivera, LIU
Feb. 24: Justin Journette, NSU
Mar. 3: Joseph Mennella, WAG
Mar. 10: Jack Cannon, LEM
Mar. 17: Johnathan Gomez, FDU
Mar. 24: Jeremy Cheeseman, FDU
Mar. 31: Jake Russo, NHVN
Apr. 7: Hunter Ray, FDU
Apr. 14: Cord Dobrinski, LIU & Jonathan Gonzalez Perez, UMES
Apr. 21: Hunter Ray, FDU & Cord Dobrinski, LIU
Apr. 28: Joseph Mennella, WAG
May 5: Hunter Ray, FDU
May 11: Matt Graziose, CCSU
May 18:
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 17: Ethan Blakeney, NSU
Feb. 24: Chris Messina, FDU
Mar. 3: Richard De Jesus, UMES
Mar. 10: Jake Cumming, CSU
Mar. 17: Ryan Douglas, STO
Mar. 24: Colin Trizuto, WAG
Mar. 31: Parker Hampton, NSU
Apr. 7: Dan Lang, STO
Apr. 14: Nicholas Finarelli, LIU
Apr. 21: AJ Petraitis, LEM
Apr. 28: Max Hilsenroth, NHVN
May 5: Colin Trizuto, WAG
May 11: Kyle Salvati, CCSU
May 18:
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Feb. 17: Kacin Robinson, STO
Feb. 24: Mason Mompoint, NSU
Mar. 3: Richard De Jesus, UMES
Mar. 10: Isaac Brozon, LEM
Mar. 17: Jaylin Manson, NHVN
Mar. 24: Kacin Robinson, STO
Mar. 31: Drew Cisney, FDU
Apr. 7: Brendan McLoughlin, WAG
Apr. 14: Nick Fox, CCSU
Apr. 21: Nick Fox, CCSU
Apr. 28: Max Hilsenroth, NHVN & Armanis Romero, STO
May 5: Angel Garcia, CSU
May 11: Brendan McLoughlin, WAG
May 18: