PHILADELPHIA’S MENTZER NAMED CACC BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (May 5, 2010) – Tyler Mentzer of Philadelphia University has been chosen the 2010 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Baseball Player of the Year, as the All-Conference team was released Wednesday. Wilmington University’s Joe Harris was tabbed Pitcher of the Year and Joe Petosa of Felician College was named Rookie of the Year. Wilmington University’s Brian August was voted Coach of the Year, while USP garnered the annual Team Sportsmanship Award.
Mentzer, a 5-11 senior shortstop from Gettysburg, Pa., leads the CACC with a .404 batting average and was the only hitter above .400 at the end of the regular-season. He also leads the conference in numerous other categories, including on-base percentage (.521), slugging percentage (.746), runs scored (39) and home runs with seven. Additionally, he ranks second in total bases (85) and fourth in runs batted in (34). Mentzer is a four-time member of the All-Conference team, including a three-time first team pick. He was selected to the second team as a freshman.
Harris, a 6-3 junior left-hander from Douglassville, Pa., leads the conference in strikeouts (89), and opponent batting average (.192), is second in innings pitched (73.2) and fourth with a 1.82 earned-run average. He finished the regular-season with a 6-1 record and allowed only 51 hits and 19 walks in 73.2 innings of work. Harris and the Wildcats are the top seed for this weekend’s CACC Tournament.
Petosa, a 5-10 freshman outfielder from Spotswood, N.J., wrapped up the regular-season with a .337 batting average with 36 runs scored, 28 RBI, six triples, five doubles and two home runs. He stands first in the conference in doubles, 15th in batting average, is tied for third in runs scored and total bases (80) and fourth with 57 base hits. He was named the CACC Rookie of the Week twice this season.
Brian August was named the Coach of the Year after leading the Wildcats to a regular-season championship and the top seed for the CACC Tournament, which Wilmington will host this weekend. Wilmington enters the postseason with a 28-16 record after compiling a 16-4 mark in conference play. The Wildcats are currently ranked sixth in the NCAA Division II East Region poll.
The complete All-Conference team includes repeat first team selections Mentzer and the Caldwell College senior duo of outfielder Ray Keelan and starting pitcher Buddy Riggs.
