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William
Paterson University senior outfielder Bryan Graham has been named New
Jersey Athletic Conference Baseball Player of the Year for the 2003
season.
A second-team All-NJAC selection following the 2002 season, Graham earns
the league’s top honor after starting 33 games for the Pioneers and
posting a batting average of .445 with 13 doubles, three triples, three
home runs and 36 RBI. Graham led the conference in overall batting average
and hit .475 in 16 conference games against NJAC pitching.
Rowan sophomore lefthander Josh Schwartz was named the 2003 NJAC Pitcher
of the Year after posting a conference-best 9-0 overall record on the
season. In 13 appearances for the Profs, he struck out 70 while logging
78.2 innings. His earned run average of 2.75 ranked sixth among all
conference pitchers. The ace of the Prof pitching staff, Schwartz pitched
the Profs to the 2003 NJAC Tournament Championship with a 9-2 complete
game victory over Kean in the conference tile game.
TCNJ junior right-hander Julius Jenkins was named the league’s Fireman
of the Year after leading the conference in both saves (4) and appearances
(21). Named the NCAA National Division III Pitcher of the Week for the
week ending April 20, Jenkins posted an overall
record of 3-1 with a 2.23 earned run average while holding opposing
hitters to an average of .153 during the 2003 season.
A three-time NJAC Rookie of the Week selection in 2003, Kean freshman
designated hitter Kevin Wright was tabbed NJAC Rookie of the Year. In 36
games played for the Cougars, Wright hit .350 with eight doubles, 11 home
runs and 19 stolen bases. In addition, the Cougar newcomer hit .391 with
seven home runs and 10 stolen bases against NJAC conference competition.
Fifth-year Prof head coach John Cole was named 2003 NJAC Coach of the Year
after guiding Rowan to its first NJAC Baseball Championship since 1999.
With an overall coaching record of 143-53, Cole led the Profs to a 28-8
overall record in 2003 and a first place regular season conference mark of
14-4. After guiding Rowan to three consecutive NJAC Tournament victories
to capture the conference crown, Cole will lead the Profs to the 2003 NCAA
National Tournament with Regional sites and seedings to be announced on
the evening of May 11.
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