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Kean University senior outfielder
Derek Gianakas and Rowan University senior left-hander Ryan Kulik
have been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Baseball Player and
Pitcher of the Year respectively for the 2008 season.
A two-time first-team all-conference selection, Gianakas currently leads
the NJAC in both slugging percentage (.746) and home runs (11). A two-time
NJAC Player of the Week selection, he also ranks second in total bases
(100) and third in runs scored (45). Against NJAC pitching, Gianakas hit
.400 and posted league-best totals in slugging percentage (.917); runs
scored (24); home runs (7); and total bases (55).
Kulik’s selection as NJAC Pitcher of the Year marks the second time that
he has garnered the league’s top pitching honor, and the fifth time in six
seasons that a Prof hurler has earned the selection. A two-time first-team
all-conference selection, he currently leads the NJAC in opposing batting
average (.173); innings pitched (73.0); strikeouts (112); wins (7); and
games started (11). A four-time NJAC Player of the Week selection and the
current NCAA Division III national leader in strikeouts, Kulik posted
league-best conference-only marks in opposing batting average (.163) and
strikeouts (55).
Kean junior right-hander Brandon Aich was named the league’s
Fireman of the Year as the conference’s top relief pitcher. He currently
ranks second in the NJAC in earned run average (1.72), opposing batting
average (.174), and wins (6). Against NJAC competition, Aich posted a
league-high five victories and ranked second in both earned run average
(1.53), and opposing batting average (.167).
Rutgers-Newark freshman second baseman Matt Connors was named NJAC
Rookie of the Year. A four-time NJAC Rookie of the Week selection, he hit
.382 overall and currently ranks second in the league in hits (65) and
third in the conference in runs scored (45). Connors finished the NJAC
conference season ranked second in total hits (30).
One year after leading the Cougars to the NCAA Division III National
Championship, Kean head coach Neil Ioviero was selected as NJAC Coach of
the Year for the second consecutive season by his peers. Ioviero has led
the Cougars to a 30-9 overall record, and their second consecutive NJAC
regular season championship via a 14-4 conference mark. In 12 seasons at
the helm of the Kean program, Ioviero has guided the Cougars to an overall
record of 311-134.-2.
2008 NJAC BASEBALL ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS |