The Iona College baseball team had three players represented with Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference post season awards, it was announced today. Senior outfielder
Rob Fortner-Villanova (Mahopac, NY) and junior southpaw
Sean Kramer (New Windsor, NY) were both named to the All-MAAC second team, while teammate
Brian Parish (Mahopac, NY) was named the MAAC's first ever Relief Pitcher of the Year.
Villanova had a solid senior campaign, etching his mark into the Iona record book by meeting or breaking several school records in 2004. He led all MAAC performers and tied a school mark with 16 home runs this season. He was also third in the conference in slugging pct (.667) and total bases (136), while finishing fourth with a team best 49 runs batted in. In the final home series of the season, Villanova broke Iona's all-time career hits record recording his 209th hit on a home run vs. Rider on May 16. He fell just two hits shy of the single season record and recorded the third highest RBI total in school history with his 49 driven in.
Kramer had an equally solid year, rewriting the record book with 108 strikeouts in 107 innings pitched. He became the only pitcher in school history to record 100 innings as well as 100 strikeouts. He shattered both marks, leading the next competitor by 16 strikeouts and 20.2 innings pitched. He held a 6-8 record with a team best 3.45 ERA in 18 appearances and 14 games started. The junior southpaw's win total matched the third highest total in school history.
Parish, the Gaels' fireball closer, earned MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year, despite not earning a selection to the All-MAAC team. The honor marks the first time the conference has handed out the particular award. The junior righty saved nine games this season, breaking the previous best of six set during the 2000 season by Steve Fugarino and matched in 2001 by Luke Lambo. Parish appeared in 22 games, the second highest total both this season and in school history. He tossed 31.2 innings posting a 3-3 record and was second on the team with a 3.98 ERA. His 32 strikeouts accounted for a team best 9.1 K/9 ratio.
The Gaels finished the season with a 21-31 overall record and fell short of the MAAC Championship with an 11-14 conference mark.
2004 ALL-MAAC BASEBALL FIRST TEAM
|
| Name | School | Pos.
|
| Sean Whalen | Rider | C
|
| Keith Connors | Le Moyne | 1B
|
| Anthony Aquilino | Le Moyne | 2B
|
| Blake Hanan | Siena | SS
|
| Tony Cipolla | Siena | 3B
|
| Kyle Brown | Le Moyne | OF
|
| Jeff Justice | Le Moyne | OF
|
| Scott Rich | Rider | OF
|
| John Fitzpatrick | Manhattan | DH
|
| Jimmy Board | Marist | UT
|
| Matt Scherer | Le Moyne | P
|
| Scott Chambers | Marist | P
|
2004 ALL-MAAC BASEBALL SECOND TEAM
|
| Name | School | Pos.
|
| Bryan Towler | Marist | C
|
| Chris Gaskin | Manhattan | 1B
|
| Vince Ircandia | Niagara | 2B
|
| Reed Eastley | Niagara | SS
|
| Andre Enriquez | Le Moyne | 3B
|
| Rob Fortner-Villanova | Iona | OF
|
| Matt Cucurullo | Manhattan | OF
|
| Keith Brachold | Marist | OF
|
| Mike Alati | Niagara | DH
|
| Steve Ballas | Siena | UT
|
| Sean Kramer | Iona | P
|
| John Lannan | Siena | P
|
MAAC Player of the Year
|
| Jeff Justice | Le Moyne
|
MAAC Pitcher of the Year
|
| Matt Scherer | Le Moyne
|
MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year
|
| Brian Parish | Iona
|
MAAC Rookie of the Year
|
| Bobby Blevins | Le Moyne
|
Anaconda Sports MAAC Coach of the Year
|
| Steve Owens | Le Moyne
|
