May 17, 2001

Marist lefthander Chris Tracz (North Branford, CT) was chosen as the 2001 MAAC Rookie of the Year, it was announced today by the conference, hilighting four Red Fox conference honorees. The freshman pitcher led the Red Foxes with a perfect 9-0 record on the mound and a 2.71 ERA. He also recorded 67 strikeouts and held opponents to a .253 batting average.

Siena College junior outfielder Ryan Finn was chosen as the 2001 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Baseball Player of the Year. Finn had a stellar season, batting .332 with 51 RBI and 40 runs scored. He collected 66 hits, 15 doubles, two triples and stole 13 bases. Finn received MAAC Player of the Week honors on March 26 and April 30.

Chris Begg of Niagara has been selected as the Pitcher of the Year. Begg led the Purple Eagles with an 8-3 record and a 2.63 ERA. He also recorded 86 strikeouts and held opponents to a .266 batting average. Begg earned MAAC Pitcher of the Week honors on April 9 and April 23.

The rest of the All-MAAC team includes catcher Brett Woodcock (.338 BA, 47 H, 26 RBI) of LeMoyne, Ryan Bittner of Fairfield (.364 BA, 63 H, 31 RBI) at first base, and Siena's Kevin Roberts (.312 BA, 67 H, 32 RBI) earned second base honors. At shortstop was Rider's Tim Superka (.328 BA, 63 H, 35 RBI) and at third base was fellow Bronc Kevin Riley (.328 BA, 58 H, 41 RBI). Finn is in the outfield, along with Anthony Bocchino (Brooklyn, NY) of Marist (.420 BA, 74 H, 55 RBI) and Pete Nastasi of Niagara (.380 BA, 65 H, 52 R). Marist's Tim Bitnner (Wilmington, DE) (.413 BA, 69 H, 28 RBI) is the designated hitter, and Iona's Luke Lambo (0-4, 4.72 ERA and .312 BA, 34 RBI) is the utility player. Kevin Barry of Rider (5-3, 3.46 ERA, 91 K) was selected along with Begg for the pitching corp.

Rider coach Sonny Pittaro and Siena coach Tony Rossi have been named the 2001 Spalding MAAC Co-Coaches of the Year. Pittaro led the Broncs to an 18-9 conference mark and a 25-25 overall record. Rossi led the Saints to earn the MAAC Regular Season title with an overall record of 29-27 and a 19-8 mark in the MAAC.

Sophomore pitcher Kevin Ool (Middletown, NY) was named to the MAAC All-Academic team rounding out the Red Fox awards. The second-year lefthander maintained a GPA of over a 3.2 along with this athletic prowess on the diamond to be honored as a member of the team.