May 9, 2013
2013 SUNYAC Baseball Awards Announced
The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has announced the 2013 baseball awards as voted on by the conference coaches.
2013 Baseball All-Conference
Bob Wallace Player of the Year: Zack Gracyzk, Cortland
Zack Graczyk is a senior outfielder for SUNY Cortland from Carmel, NY. This season, Graczyk led the SUNYAC S in hitting with a .429 batting average. He tallied 45 runs and 30 RBIs, with a .547 slugging percentage. He was also the leader in hits with 69 and doubles with 14. Graczyk only had one error this season and a .987 fielding percentage. Graczyk is ranked 10th nationally with his 69 hits and his .429 batting average ranks 26th in the nation for Division III baseball.
When asked about Zach, Cortland’s head baseball coach responded, “He’s an elite person, he really is.” Coach Brown notes that Graczyk dominates on the field and in the classroom. He was the baseball team’s Red Letter Award Winner. The Cortland Athletic Department bestows the Red Letter Award upon a player from each team that exemplifies top student-athletes based on their performance and grades. Graczyk has received math and science teaching awards. One of Zack’s most notable accomplishment includes recently being admitted to the New York state graduate level, Clinically Rich Teacher Preparation Pilot Program.
Don Axtell Pitcher of the Year: Kyle Barkley, Cortland
Kyle Barkley has been picked as the 2013 Don Axtell Pitcher of the Year after leading the conference with a 1.59 ERA. Barkley, a senior at Cortland, is 7-1 overall this season. He pitched 51 innings, struck out 38 and held his opponents to 40 hits. In the SUNYAC tournament Kyle earned the win against No. 4 Oswego, 8-3, before Cortland went on to win its 31st overall title. Joe Brown, Cortland’s head coach described Barkley as having an amazing comeback story. Barkley did not pitch at all last season due to a shoulder injury. “He started out in the bullpen and became a dominant starter in both the conference and the state.”
Clark V. Whited Rookie of the Year: Brandon Serio, Cortland
Brandon Serio is from Bedford Hills, NY. He is a freshman pitcher for the Cortland Red Dragons. According to Cortland’s head coach Joe Brown, “Brandon made an immediate impact in the conference and will be one of our top starters next year.” Serio earned a 1.7 ERA in conference play. He had a 2-0 conference record through three starts. His overall ERA was 1.45, and an overall record of 4-1. One of Brandon’s most notable performances was against Plattsburgh State. In five scoreless innings on March 31st, Serio allowed only one hit, struck out nine and did not walk anyone. He retired the first 14 batters he faced.
Walter Nitardy Coach of the Year: Matt Griffiths, New Paltz
Matt Griffiths recently finished his seventh season as men’s baseball head coach at the State University of New York at New Paltz. He previously served as an assistant coach for New Paltz for two seasons. He was named Walter Nitardy Coach of the Year during the 2010 season. His overall SUNYAC coaching record is now 43-53.
New Paltz finished the regular-season ranked second in the conference, 12-6, and finished with an overall record of 16-19. Griffiths had one player, David Lostaglio earn SUNYAC All-Tournament honors.
The Hawks were second best in the conference in fielding statistics. They had the lowest errors in the conference with 39 and a .969 fielding percentage. They also were second best in the conference in pitching percentages. They had the second lowest ERA in the SUNYAC with 3.68. New Paltz’s impressive fielding percentage gave them a 20th place ranking in the NCAA’s Division III. They were ranked 21st for hits per nine innings with 8.16.
Joe DeRosa, Zach Potter, and Sean Buchanan assist with the Hawks’ coaching duties.
2013 Baseball All-Conference
Bob Wallace Player of the Year: Zack Gracyzk, Cortland
Zack Graczyk is a senior outfielder for SUNY Cortland from Carmel, NY. This season, Graczyk led the SUNYAC S in hitting with a .429 batting average. He tallied 45 runs and 30 RBIs, with a .547 slugging percentage. He was also the leader in hits with 69 and doubles with 14. Graczyk only had one error this season and a .987 fielding percentage. Graczyk is ranked 10th nationally with his 69 hits and his .429 batting average ranks 26th in the nation for Division III baseball.
When asked about Zach, Cortland’s head baseball coach responded, “He’s an elite person, he really is.” Coach Brown notes that Graczyk dominates on the field and in the classroom. He was the baseball team’s Red Letter Award Winner. The Cortland Athletic Department bestows the Red Letter Award upon a player from each team that exemplifies top student-athletes based on their performance and grades. Graczyk has received math and science teaching awards. One of Zack’s most notable accomplishment includes recently being admitted to the New York state graduate level, Clinically Rich Teacher Preparation Pilot Program.
Don Axtell Pitcher of the Year: Kyle Barkley, Cortland
Kyle Barkley has been picked as the 2013 Don Axtell Pitcher of the Year after leading the conference with a 1.59 ERA. Barkley, a senior at Cortland, is 7-1 overall this season. He pitched 51 innings, struck out 38 and held his opponents to 40 hits. In the SUNYAC tournament Kyle earned the win against No. 4 Oswego, 8-3, before Cortland went on to win its 31st overall title. Joe Brown, Cortland’s head coach described Barkley as having an amazing comeback story. Barkley did not pitch at all last season due to a shoulder injury. “He started out in the bullpen and became a dominant starter in both the conference and the state.”
Clark V. Whited Rookie of the Year: Brandon Serio, Cortland
Brandon Serio is from Bedford Hills, NY. He is a freshman pitcher for the Cortland Red Dragons. According to Cortland’s head coach Joe Brown, “Brandon made an immediate impact in the conference and will be one of our top starters next year.” Serio earned a 1.7 ERA in conference play. He had a 2-0 conference record through three starts. His overall ERA was 1.45, and an overall record of 4-1. One of Brandon’s most notable performances was against Plattsburgh State. In five scoreless innings on March 31st, Serio allowed only one hit, struck out nine and did not walk anyone. He retired the first 14 batters he faced.
Walter Nitardy Coach of the Year: Matt Griffiths, New Paltz
Matt Griffiths recently finished his seventh season as men’s baseball head coach at the State University of New York at New Paltz. He previously served as an assistant coach for New Paltz for two seasons. He was named Walter Nitardy Coach of the Year during the 2010 season. His overall SUNYAC coaching record is now 43-53.
New Paltz finished the regular-season ranked second in the conference, 12-6, and finished with an overall record of 16-19. Griffiths had one player, David Lostaglio earn SUNYAC All-Tournament honors.
The Hawks were second best in the conference in fielding statistics. They had the lowest errors in the conference with 39 and a .969 fielding percentage. They also were second best in the conference in pitching percentages. They had the second lowest ERA in the SUNYAC with 3.68. New Paltz’s impressive fielding percentage gave them a 20th place ranking in the NCAA’s Division III. They were ranked 21st for hits per nine innings with 8.16.
Joe DeRosa, Zach Potter, and Sean Buchanan assist with the Hawks’ coaching duties.
