WNEC Baseball

Western New England College Spring Sports Banquet
Sunday, May 4, 2003
List of Award Recipients

Baseball
Silver Slugger Award - Sophomore Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT)
Cy Young Award - Freshman Jason Connelly (Scituate, MA)
10th Player Award - Sophomore Jeff Maurutis (Milford, CT)

Thursday, May 1, 2003
Albertus Magnus 5, WNEC 0
(Championship game of the GNAC Tournament, Pierce Stadium, East Providence, RI)

Tuesday, Apr. 29, 2003
Albertus Magnus 8, WNEC 0
(GNAC Tournament, Pierce Stadium, East Providence, RI)

Sunday, Apr. 27, 2003
WNEC 10, Suffolk 7
WNEC 7, Albertus Magnus 0
(GNAC Tournament, Pierce Stadium, East Providence, RI)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 22, 2003) — Freshmen Jason Connelly (Scituate, MA) was honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Connelly, a second baseman/pitcher, hit .313 (5-for-16) in five baseball games, including a 2-for-5 performance with four RBI in the first game of a doubleheader against Norwich University. He then earned a save in the second game against Norwich.

Connelly had a complete game win at Albertus Magnus College and had the game-winning homer in the top of the seventh in the 3-2 victory.

A sociology major, Connelly also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Rookie-of-the-Week.

Sunday, Apr. 13, 2003
WNEC 22, Southern Vermont 0
WNEC 20, Southern Vermont 1

Thursday, Apr. 3, 2003
Wesleyan 5, WNEC 0
(Game called after six innings because of darkness.)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 31, 2003) — Western New England College was ranked tied for eighth with Williams College in the inaugural 2003 New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) Division III poll released Monday.

Defending NCAA Division III champion Eastern Connecticut was ranked first followed by Wheaton, Tufts, Trinity, Suffolk, Worcester State, and Amherst. Southern Maine, Framingham State, and Wesleyan also received votes.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 18, 2003) — Sophomore Jeff Maurutis (Milford, CT) was honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Maurutis, an outfielder/catcher, hit .400 (12-for-30) in seven games at the Homestead Challenge in Florida during spring break. He went 4-for-6 with a double and two RBI in the season opener against Becker College (Mass.).

A marketing major, Maurutis also had two hits against Upper Iowa College and Mount Marty College (S.D.). He hit safely in every game as the Golden Bears won four of seven games during their visit to the Sunshine State.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 17, 2003) — Western New England College is eagerly anticipating another successful season in 2003. The Golden Bears return several key performers from a school record 29 win campaign that culminated with a runner-up finish at the ECAC Division III Tournament.

WNEC (29-12) also captured the regular season Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title in 2002.

After winning the conference tournament crown in 2001 and advancing to the school's first NCAA Division III Tournament, Western New England has become an established force in the New England region.

Fourth-year head coach Matt LaBranche is pleased with the progress of the team during his tenure and is optimistic about the future of the program.

"With the addition of each new recruiting class we are building a foundation that will support a high level of regional success for years to come" says LaBranche.

This year, the Golden Bears have a talented pitching staff that finished with a 3.16 ERA and held opponents to a .238 batting average in 2002.

Juniors Dave Gwozdz (9-1, 3.02 ERA) and Joe Golec (6-1, 1.98 ERA) accounted for a combined 15 wins. Gwozdz' nine wins was the second highest total in school history. He made the All-GNAC First Team while Golec was an All-GNAC Second Team selection. Both players also were selected to the 2002 All-New England Division III Second Team.

Sophomores John-Michael Dillon (2-1, 2.41 ERA) and Matt Robertson (1-1, 2.18 ERA) distinguished themselves in spot starts last year and will push for permanent spots in the rotation.

WNEC is extremely talented behind the plate. Sophomore and All-GNAC Second Team choice Matt Hackney returns as the team's leading hitter (.345). Sophomore Jeff Maurutis (.250) is an outstanding player who will see time behind the plate and in the outfield. Maurutis combines a unique blend of speed and power, and he led the team in home runs (2) and stolen bases (12) as a rookie.

Sophomore shortstop Justin McGee returns to anchor the infield. He had a strong freshman campaign (.372) that was cut short by injury. Although he missed 19 games, McGee still was named to the All-GNAC Second Team.

Junior Jason Engelhart, the 2001 GNAC Freshman of the Year, will be expected to hold down first base and be a run producer in the middle of the lineup.

Competition for outfield jobs will be wide open as the team graduated three seniors and two starters, including All-GNAC Second Team performer Thomas Allessio.

In addition to Maurutis, sophomore Kyle Hackney (.308, 19 RBI) returns with a potent bat and the ability to play a variety of positions.

Western New England's goal is to capture the conference title and return to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

"This is a team with terrific chemistry that plays well together," notes LaBranche. "We are loaded with high character players who will play hard every day and give us a chance to win every game."

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Former Golden Bears standout Alan Fabian '89 and coaching legend Pat Ricci were among six individuals inducted into the fourth annual Western New England College Downes Athletic Hall of Fame on September 21, 2002, during Homecoming Weekend.

Fabian, a native of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, compiled a school record .377 career batting average in four years, including a .414 mark his junior season. A catcher, he was named to several All-Star teams, including the 1986 All-New England squad. Fabian also played in the 1986 New England All-Star Game at Fenway Park. He holds numerous other school records, including career marks for hits (144), runs-batted-in (126), and home runs (24). Fabian earned his bachelor of science degree in computer information systems. He resides in Youngsville, Louisiana.

Ricci is the winningest baseball coach in school history with a 205-174-3 record from 1974-81 and 1983-87. His teams participated in 10 NAIA Tournaments while winning three District 5 playoffs. Ricci was twice named NAIA District 5 and Area 8 Coach-of-the-Year, and was a former president of the NAIA Baseball Coaches Association. Ricci coached numerous All-Stars, including Fabian.

A native of Port Chester, New York, Ricci also was the first women's soccer coach in school history compiling a 15-11 record in 1984 and 1985. He led the Golden Bears to a 12-5 mark and a second place showing in the NAIA Eastern Regional playoffs in only their second year of competition. Ricci also coached the women's tennis team at Western New England College for two seasons (1978, 1979). The former Longmeadow resident now resides in San Diego, California.

Western New England College's Athletic Hall of Fame is named in honor of former professor and present men's golf coach William Arthur (Red) Downes who was among the inaugural group inducted in 1999.

The Class of 2002 also featured Peter Black '87, men's lacrosse; Joy E. Clark Cunningham '95, women's basketball/soccer; Brian J. Solomon '84 and his brother Gary J. Solomon '86, both wrestling.

SOPHOMORE DAVID GWOZDZ HEADS LIST OF FIVE GOLDEN BEARS NAMED TO ALL-GNAC TEAM

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 22, 2002) — Western New England College sophomore pitcher David Gwozdz (Ludlow, MA — Ludlow High School) was named Wednesday (May 22) to the All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball First Team.

All-GNAC Second Team honors went to senior centerfielder Thomas Allessio (Dalton, MA — Taconic High School), sophomore pitcher Joe Golec (Florence, MA — Northampton High School), freshman catcher Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT — Bristol Central High School), and freshman shortstop Justin McGee (Wilbraham, MA — Minnechaug Regional High School).

Gwozdz compiled a 9-1 record, which was the second highest win total in the program's 34-year history. He had a 3.02 earned-run-average with 49 strikeouts and 20 walks in 65.2 innings.

Golec posted a 6-1 mark and 1.98 ERA in his first year as a pitcher. He was a reserve outfielder last season. Golec struck out 46 and walked 27 in 68.1 innings.

Hackney batted .345 in 40 games and led the Golden Bears in hits (49) doubles (11), and tied for the team lead in runs (35).

Allessio hit .273 in 41 contests and was second on the squad in stolen bases (10).

Western New England College finished with a 29-12 record that was a school record for wins in a season. The Golden Bears captured the GNAC regular season title with a 15-1 mark and placed second in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Tournament.

WNEC 4, Nichols 0
Coast Guard 2, Mass. College 0
Babson 9, Castleton State 3
Endicott 12, Albertus Magnus 5

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND SET TO HOST ECAC NEW ENGLAND DIVISION III TOURNAMENT FRIDAY-SATURDAY

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College will host the 2002 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Baseball Tournament Friday and Saturday (May 10-11) at Suprenant Field on the WNEC campus and at AIC Park on the American International College campus.

WNEC is seeded second in the eight-team field. The Golden Bears will play seventh-seeded Nichols College at noon Friday at Suprenant Field.

In the other game Friday at WNEC, top-seeded Babson College will play eight-seeded Castleton State College at 3:30 p.m.

Also Friday, third-seeded Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will play sixth-seeded U.S. Coast Guard Academy at noon at AIC while fourth-seeded Albertus Magnus College will meet fifth-seeded Endicott College at 3:30 p.m., also at AIC.

Western New England has a 27-11 record this spring, which is a school record for wins in a season.

Friday, May 10, 2002 (Springfield, Mass.) Seedings: 1. Babson, 2. Western New England, 3. Massachusetts College, 4. Albertus Magnus, 5. Endicott, 6. Coast Guard, 7. Nichols, 8. Castleton State.

WNEC/Nichols winner vs. Massachusetts College/Coast Guard winner, 12:00 p.m. (Game at WNEC)

Babson/Castleton State winner vs. Albertus Magnus/Endicott winner, 12:00 p.m. (Game at AIC)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Apr. 16, 2002) — Freshman baseball twins Kyle and Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT — Bristol Central High School) were honored Tuesday (April 16) as the Western New England College Male Athletes-of-the-Week.

Kyle Hackney, an outfielder/first baseman, hit .381 (8-for-21) in six games with eight runs-batted-in and six runs. He had a season high three hits and five RBI in a victory over Clark University.

Matt Hackney, a catcher/designated hitter, batted .484 (15-for-31) in seven games with 10 runs and three runs-batted-in. He went 5-for-7 in a doubleheader sweep over Emerson College and extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 9, 2002) — Senior baseball standout Kraig Feighery (Stamford, CT — Trinity Catholic High School) was honored Tuesday (April 9) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Feighery, a leftfielder, hit .500 (9-for-18) in six games with six runs and no errors in 14 chances. He also had three multi-hit contests in raising his batting average to a team high .367.

WNEC freshman shortstop Justin McGee (Wilbraham, MA — Minnechaug Regional High School) was named the GNAC Baseball Rookie-of-the-Week on April 8. McGee hit .375 in six games with seven runs and a pair of runs-batted-in. He is second on the team in hitting with a .327 average.

WNEC 14, Southern Vermont 0 (Apr. 6)
WNEC 12, Southern Vermont 0 (Apr. 6)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 2, 2002) — Western New England College senior second baseman Thomas Allessio (Dalton, MA — Taconic High School) received his second straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Player-of-the-Week Award on April 1. He hit .455 (5-for-11) and had three steals in four wins. Allessio is a business major at Western New England College.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 27, 2002) — Senior baseball co-captain Thomas Allessio (Dalton, MA — Taconic High School) was honored Tuesday (March 26) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Allessio, an outfielder, hit .391 in seven games as the Golden Bears posted a 5-2 record at the Homestead Challenge in Homestead, Florida. He also had the game-winning hit in a 2-1, 12-inning victory over host Johnson & Wales University on March 24.

Allessio, a business major, also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Player-of-the-Week.

WNEC 2, Johnson & Wales 1 (12 inn.) (Mar. 24)
WNEC 5, Johnson & Wales 0 (Mar. 24)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 20, 2002) — Western New England College posted an impressive 5-2 record at the Homestead Challenge in Florida during spring break.

Senior outfielder Thomas Allessio (Dalton, MA) was the top hitter with a .391 average while freshman catcher Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT) chipped in with a .364 mark.

Senior Tom Chantrell (Niantic, CT), junior Nick Ziminsky (Chelmsford, MA), sophomores Joe Golec (Florence, MA) and David Gwozdz (Ludlow, MA), and freshman Ryan MacDonald (Milford, CT) each recorded a pitching win. Golec had a 2.13 earned-run-average in 12.2 innings.

WNEC 6, Rhode Island College 5, (Mar. 15)
WNEC 8, Swathmore 3 (Mar. 14)
St. Ambrose, Iowa 3, WNEC 0 (Mar. 12)
WNEC 5, St. Mary's 4 (Mar. 12)
Wheaton 6, WNEC 4 (Mar. 11)
WNEC 4, St. Mary's, Md. 3 (Mar. 10)
WNEC 7, Drew 6 (Mar. 9)

BASEBALL TEAM HONORED BY WNEC BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 5, 2002) — Western New England College's baseball team was honored by the school's Board of Trustees during a meeting Tuesday (March 5) on campus.

"The Board of Trustees recognized the record-breaking year by the baseball team last spring that was highlighted by the program's first appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship,' said WNEC athletics director Mike Theulen. "It was a nice gesture on their behalf and we appreciate the sincere interest that Board members have in our athletics program."

WNEC LOOKS TO DEFEND GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (GNAC) TITLE IN 2002

By ERIN SULLIVAN

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Western New England College baseball team is eagerly anticipating another successful season in 2002. The Golden Bears return several key performers from a successful 2001 campaign in which WNEC won 21 games, captured its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament championship, and recorded the first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in the program's history.

Third-year head coach Matt LaBranche is confident that this year's promising recruiting class will bolster a solid nucleus of veterans. "This is certainly the most talented team that I have had the opportunity to coach here at WNEC. A third consecutive trip to the conference title game is a very realistic goal for this team," says LaBranche.

The 2002 squad will be led by senior co-captains Brendan Ketcham and Tom Allessio. Brendan will be entering his third season as the starting catcher. He is an excellent receiver and will also be relied upon as a steady run producer. Allessio returns as the Bears' starting centerfielder. He is an outstanding defensive player and was also the team leader in stolen bases in 2001.

Sophomore Jason Engelhart will start at first base and provide punch in the middle of the lineup. Engelhart is coming off of an outstanding freshman campaign in which he hit .402, was named GNAC Rookie-of-the-Year, and was named to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team.

Senior Zach Holt, an all-conference performer in 2001, has a potent bat (.331) as well as the ability to play several positions. Seniors Joe Farina, Todd Littlefield, and Kraig Feighery were all starter's on the 2001 squad and will once again be expected to make significant contributions.

LaBranche expects several players to make an impact on the mound this season. The pitching staff returns four key performers from last year's squad. Senior Tom Chantrell (4-1), juniors Nick Ziminsky (3-5), and Nick Emmett (4-0), and sophomore Dave Gowzdz (4-1) are all dependable returning starters. Sophomore Joe Golec distinguished himself on the mound last fall and could join with this group to form a formidable staff.

LaBranche is excited about this year's crop of first-year players. Several freshmen played well in the fall and will push for significant playing time this spring. Jeff Maurutis and Matt Hackney are both talented catchers, capable of playing other positions. Justin McGee, Mike Vigorito, and Jeff Adams proved to be outstanding defensive infielders and should improve a Golden Bears defense that struggled at times during 2001. Finally, pitchers John-Michael Dillon and Ryan MacDonald both proved that they have the ability to be successful at the collegiate level.

The 2002 Golden Bears are driven by a desire to defend their conference title and return to the NCAA tournament. "The only question mark for this team will be who can emerge as the ace of the pitching staff," says LaBranche. "Regardless, this is a team with terrific chemistry that plays well together. We are loaded with high character players that will play hard everyday and give us a chance to win every game."

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BASEBALL STATISTICS LEADERS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's final 2001 baseball statistics leaders.

Individual Leaders
Hitting — Jason Engelhart (.402); At-Bats — Derek Higgins (125); Runs — Derek Higgins (35); Hits — Jason Engelhart (47); RBI — Derek Higgins (29); Doubles — Derek Higgins (11); Triples — Zach Holt (3); Home Runs — Derek Higgins (2), John Whelpley (2); Total Bases — Jason Engelhart (56); Slugging Percentage — Jason Engelhart (.479); Walks — Jon Whelpley (25); Hit-by-Pitch — Kraig Feighery (8), Brendan Ketcham (8); Strikeouts — Joe Farina (41); Sacrifices — Todd Littlefield (7); Sacrifice Flies — Joe farina (3), Zach Holt (3); Stolen Bases — Thomas Allessio (9); Putouts — Brendan Ketcham (244); Assists — Joe Farina (102); Fielding Percentage — Brendan Ketcham (.992); On-Base Percentage — Jason Engelhart (.474).

Pitching
Wins — Kyle Snurkowski (5); ERA — Nick Ziminsky (4.41); Games — Kyle Snurkowski (14); Games Started — Kyle Snurkowski (12); Complete Games — Kyle Snurkowski (9); Innings — Kyle Snurkowski (83.2); Hits — Kyle Snurkowski (87); Walks — Gary Rondeau (22); Strikeouts — Kyle Snurkowski (89).

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College freshman first baseman Jason Engelhart (Whitesboro, NY) capped an outstanding rookie season by earning a spot on the 2001 NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional Baseball All-Tournament Team on Sunday (May 20).

Engelhart hit .857 (6-for-7) with two walks, three runs, and two RBI in two national contests last week in Boyertown, Pennsylvania.

He went 2-for-3 with two runs and a walk in an 8-3 loss against No. 22 Johns Hopkins University and had the best day of his collegiate career by going 4-for-4 with a double, walk, run, and two RBI in an 11-4 loss against Elizabethtown College (Pa.).

Engelhart, a sports management major, raised his team high batting average 29 points from .373 to .402 during the tournament. He led the team in hits (47), total bases (56), slugging percentage (.479), and on-base percentage (.474), and was third in RBI (27).

Western New England posted a 21-15 record this spring and captured its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament title. The Golden Bears also participated in their first NCAA Division III Tournament.

NCAA DIVISION III MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL TOURNAMENT (Bear Stadium, Boyertown, Pa.)

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND MEETS NO. 22 JOHNS HOPKINS IN NCAA DIVISION III BASEBALL TOURNAMENT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College will be playing its opening round games of the 2001 NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament in the Commonwealth, but not in its home state of Massachusetts.

In a move that wasn't entirely unexpected, the Golden Bears were switched from the New England Region to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament at Bear Stadium in Boyertown, Pennsylvania.

Western New England (21-13), seeded fifth in the six-team field, will play second-seeded Johns Hopkins University, Maryland (31-12) at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 17. Top-seeded Montclair State University (31-9) opens the double elimination tournament against sixth-seeded Elizabethtown College, Pennsylvania (18-17) at 11 a.m. while third-seeded/host DeSales University, Pennsylvania (30-10) plays fourth-seeded Gwynedd Mercy College, Pennsylvania (30-14) at 7 p.m.

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament continues Friday and Saturday with three games in both the winners and losers brackets. The regional championship contest will be played on Sunday. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament champion will advance to the NCAA Division III World Series May 25-29 in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Western New England earned the opportunity to compete in its first national tournament after capturing the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament with a 7-4 victory over Albertus Magnus College (the regular season conference champion) on April 28. The Golden Bears finished third in the conference during the regular season with an 11-5 mark, but defeated Rivier College (8-3) and defending GNAC Tournament champion Suffolk University (4-2) in the conference playoffs to reach the final.

Freshman first baseman/third baseman Jason Engelhart (Whitesboro, NY — Whitesboro Central High School) played a key role in the team's success this spring. He led the Golden Bears in hitting with a .373 average that was eighth in the conference. Engelhart also led the squad in hits (41) and slugging percentage (.445), and made only eight errors in 203 chances for a respectable .961 fielding percentage.

Engelhart was selected the GNAC Rookie-of-the-Year and was the only Golden Bears' player named to the GNAC All-Star First Team. He was the recipient of the team's Silver Slugger Award.

Senior co-captain Kyle Snurkowski (Griswold, CT — Griswold High School) was named the GNAC Tournament MVP after pitching a complete game over Albertus Magnus. He compiled a 5-6 record with a 4.04 earned-run-average with 80 strikeouts and only 17 walks in 75 2/3 innings. Snurkowski was named to the GNAC All-Star Second Team. He also received the team's Cy Young Award. In 2000, Snurkowski posted a 8-4 record with a 1.02 ERA that was first among NCAA Division III pitchers.

Junior second baseman Zach Holt (Northampton, MA — Northampton High School) was selected to the GNAC All-Star Second Team after hitting .336 that was second on the team. He was second on the squad in hits (38) and walks (21), and third in runs (31).

Also hitting over .300 this season were junior shortstop Joe Farina (Waterbury, CT — Holy Cross High School), .307; junior designated hitter Derek Higgins (Waltham, MA — Waltham High School), .302, and senior rightfielder Jon Whelpley (Kennebunk, ME — Kennebunk High School), .302. Whelpley also received the team's 10th Player Award.

Western New England also received solid pitching performances from junior Tom Chantrell (Niantic, CT — East Lyme High School) and freshman David Gwozdz (Ludlow, MA — Ludlow High School) who each compiled 4-1 records. Sophomore Nick Ziminsky (Chelmsford, MA — Chelmsford High School) had a 3-4 record with a team best 3.48 ERA in 54.1 innings.

Second-year Western New England College coach Matt LaBranche was named the GNAC Coach-of-the-Year."

Johns Hopkins made the NCAA Division III Tournament after winning the Centennial Conference with a 13-5 record. The Blue Jays are ranked No. 22 in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Collegiate Baseball Division III poll.

Senior Yani Rosenberg (Baltimore, MD — Gilman High School) was voted the CC Pitcher-of-the-Year after compiling an 8-1 record with a 1.32 ERA. Sophomore outfielder Joe Urban (Nanticoke, PA — Bishop Hobanm High School) leads the team in hitting with a .394 average while senior second baseman Karl Sineath (West Chester, PA — West Chester Henderson High School) is second at .379.

Rookie-of-the-Year — Jason Engelhart, Freshman, First Base, Whitesboro, N.Y.

With the win, the Golden Bears (20-11) receive an automatic invitation to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in school history.

Senior Kyle Snurkowski (Griswold, CT) was the winning pitcher as he evened his record at 5-5. Snurkowski was named the GNAC Tournament championship game MVP.

Senior designated hitter Derek Higgins (Waltham, MA) drove in three runs with a two-run homer in the first inning and a RBI single in a four-run fifth inning. Junior leftfielder Keith Feighery (Stamford, CT) and freshman first baseman Jason Engelhart (Whitesboro, NY) each contributed two hits and a RBI.

WNEC and Albertus Magnus split four games this season with the Golden Bears winning the first meeting at the Homestead Challenge in Florida last month. The Falcons (24-9) won both the regular season conference games.

Wednesday, April 25 - Quarterfinals
Albertus Magnus 4, Emerson 0
Suffolk 8, Daniel Webster 2
Western New England 8, Rivier 3
Johnson & Wales 9, Norwich 4

Friday, April 27 - Semifinals
Albertus Magnus 6, Johnson & Wales 5
Western New England 4, Suffolk 2

Saturday, April 28 - Championship Game
Western New England 7, Albertus Magnus 4

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Baseball standout Derek Higgins (Waltham, MA — Waltham High School) was honored Tuesday (Apr. 18) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Higgins, a senior designated hitter, hit .391 (9-for-23) in seven games last week with 10 runs and six runs-batted-in. His best effort was a 3-for-6 performance with four RBI and two runs in a 22-13 victory at Westfield State. An accounting major, Higgins is second on the squad in hitting with a .342 average in 21 games.

Western New England is 11-10 overall and 6-4 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) entering a non-conference contest Thursday (April 19) at Fitchburg State College.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Baseball player Jon Whelpley (Kennebunk, ME — Kennebunk High School) was honored Tuesday (Mar. 27) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Whelpley, a senior outfielder, went 3-for-4 with two runs-batted-in and five walks in a doubleheader sweep over Rivier College last Saturday in Brewster, Massachusetts. The wins gave the Golden Bears a four-game winning streak and improved their record to 5-4.

A sport management major, Whelpley is fourth on the team in hitting with a .357 batting average. He had a grand slam homer against Rhode Island College on March 13 in Homestead, Florida.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Western New England College baseball team is eagerly anticipating another successful season in 2001 thanks to several top returning players and a promising group of newcomers.

WNEC opens its season at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 10, against West Chester University (Pa.) at the Homestead Challenge in Homestead, Florida. The Golden Bears will play seven games in the Sunshine State before returning north to host Anna Maria College at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 20.

Last year Western New England posted a 19-17 record under rookie coach Matt LaBranche and finished second in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) with an 11-5 mark.

The Golden Bears just missed advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament after dropping a heartbreaking 2-1 decision to Suffolk University in the GNAC Tournament championship game.

"This year's roster will be deeper and more versatile at every position," said LaBranche. "I fully expect to return to the conference championship game."

Western New England will be led by GNAC All-Stars, senior co-captain and preseason All-America candidate Kyle Snurkowski (Griswold, CT – Griswold High School) and junior outfielder Kraig Feighery (Stamford, CT – Trinity Catholic High School).

Snurkowski compiled an 8-4 record last spring with an impressive 1.02 ERA that was first among NCAA Division III pitchers. The 6'2" righthander has an opportunity to rewrite the WNEC record book this spring, and his ability should attract several major league scouts to Suprenant Field.

Another player to watch is junior co-captain Brendan Ketcham (Ballston Lake, NY – Burnt Hills High School) who ranks among the top catchers in New England. Ketcham hit a solid .275 last year and made only three errors in 229 chances for a .987 fielding percentage.

LaBranche also welcomes back senior outfielders Derek Higgins (Waltham, MA – Waltham High School) and Jon Whelpley (Kennebunk, ME – Kennebunk High School). Higgins was second on the team in hitting last spring (.365) and boasts a career .345 average, which ranks 10th on the school's all-time list.

Sophomore first baseman/pitcher Nick Ziminsky (Chelmsford, MA – Chelmsford High School) is another key returning player. Ziminsky, who hit .297 a year ago, provides a solid left-handed punch in the middle of the lineup. He also will serve as the number two starting pitcher behind Snurkowski.

Four junior transfers could step into the starting lineup immediately. They are second baseman Tom Allessio (Dalton, MA – Taconic High School/Dean College), shortstop Zach Holt (Northampton, MA – Northampton High School/Bryant College), third baseman Joe Farina (Waterbury, CT – Holy Cross High School/University of New Haven) and utility performer Todd Littlefield (Chelmsford, MA – Chelmsford High School/American International College).

Southpaw Gary Rondeau (North Adams, MA – Drury High School) heads the list of seven freshmen.

"In baseball, it always comes down to pitching," said an upbeat LaBranche. "If we get quality starts on a regular basis, we will have a very successful season.

"Regardless, this is a team that loves to play," continued LaBranche. "We will play hard and be competitive on a regular basis. I am very excited about coaching this team."

The baseball team just missed out on its second consecutive 20-win season, finishing with a 19-17 record. Junior KYLE SNURKOWSKI (Griswold, CT), and sophomores ANDY JOLICOEUR (Easthampton, MA) and KRAIG FEIGHERY (Stamford, CT) were named First Team All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference at the end of the season.

WNEC finished as runner up in the GNAC this season, losing to Suffolk University 2-1 in the final game. Kyle finished with an 8-4 record and a league-leading 1.32 earned run average. He struck out 93 batters in 82 innings of work. He pitched two complete games in three days in the GNAC Tournament. He pitched a 4-0 shutout against Emerson in the first round on Friday, and lost the 2-1 decision to Suffolk in the final while striking out 12 batters.

Jolicoeur, the shortstop, finished with the top batting average for the Golden Bears this season, hitting an impressive .378. He also led the team in doubles with 12 and RBI with 34. Feighery, a center fielder, finished with a .313 batting average this season and played flawless defensively. He was also a favorite target of pitchers, getting hit nine times this season.

After a slow start, junior DEREK HIGGINS (Waltham, MA) finished the season strong and ended up with a career-best .365 average. Freshman NICK ZIMINSKY (Chelmsford, MA) made a big splash in his rookie season, finishing with a .297 batting average and a 2-1 record on the mound with a 2.39 ERA.