Shepherd designated hitter Nathan Minnich was tabbed the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II Atlantic Regional Player of the Year Wednesday.
Minnich batted .433 with 14 home runs, nine doubles and 38 RBI during the 2011 season.
Four WVIAC players garnered first-team honors while five were named to the second team and five picked up third-team accolades. Seven were on the honorable mention squad.
Joining Minnich on the first team from the WVIAC were West Virginia Wesleyan’s Gene Franks (1B), Seton Hill’s Tom Deangelis (3B) and WV State’s outfielder Robert Hawkins.
First-team all-region selections are now eligible for NCBWA All-America honors.
The complete list of NCBWA Division II All-Atlantic Region performers included:
Player of the Year – Nathan Minnich, Shepherd
Pitcher of the Year – Jeremy Gigliotti, East Stroudsburg
Coach of the Year – Joe Spano, Mercyhurst
FIRST TEAM
Starting Pitcher – Eric Aschley, Mercyhurst
Starting Pitcher – * Jeremy Gigliotti, East Stroudsburg
Starting Pitcher – Randy Sturgill, California (Pa.)
Relief Pitcher – Ryan Oglesby, Slippery Rock
Catcher – Brian Kochik, Lock Haven
First Baseman – Gene Franks, West Virginia Wesleyan
Second Baseman – Joe Wendle, West Chester
Shortstop – Mike August, Bloomsburg
Third Baseman – Tom Deangelis, Seton Hill
Outfielder – Robert Hawkins, West Virginia State
Outfielder – Shane Houck, Kutztown
Outfielder – * Matt Howard, Slippery Rock
Designated Hitter/Utility Player – Nathan Minnich, Shepherd
* Received the most votes
SECOND TEAM
Starting Pitcher – Zach McElroy, Davis & Elkins
Starting Pitcher – Cy Mozingo, West Virginia Wesleyan
Starting Pitcher – Brooks Rothschild, Millersville
Relief Pitcher – Brian Warheit, Seton Hill
Catcher – Eric Doyle, Davis & Elkins
First Baseman – Kyle Meads, Elizabeth City State
Second Baseman – Zak Blair, Mercyhurst
Shortstop – Rashad Ingram, St. Augustine’s
Third Baseman – Josh Wenger, Concord
Outfielder – Bo Darby, West Virginia State
Outfielder – Evan Gazza, Davis & Elkins
Outfielder – Kevin McCall, Mercyhurst
Designated Hitter/Utility Player – Ryan Moore, Chowan
THIRD TEAM
Starting Pitcher – Mike McGonigle, Millersville
Starting Pitcher – John Gale, West Virginia State
Starting Pitcher – Brandon Stewart, St. Augustine’s
Relief Pitcher – Sam O’Neill, Mercyhurst
Catcher – Matt Albaugh, Kutztown
First Baseman – Justin Bagbey, Chowan
Second Baseman – Joey Ianiero, Bloomsburg
Shortstop – Keith Morrisroe, Concord
Third Baseman – John Schraer, Charleston
Outfielder – Andy Leach, Fairmont State
Outfielder – Melvin Robinson, Lincoln (Pa.)
Outfielder – Joe Pierce, St. Augustine’s
Designated Hitter/Utility Player – Zach Martin, Pitt-Johnstown
HONORABLE MENTION
Starting Pitcher – Tom Bush, Shippensburg; Nick Gillung, Mercyhurst; Zach Jeney, Slippery Rock; Chase Pickering, West Virginia State; Rick Raraigh, Seton Hill; Ben Rawding, Mercyhurst; Brad Schnelle, Seton Hill; Lou Trivino, Slippery Rock. Relief Pitcher – Zach Eckley, Millersville; Evan Kendall, West Virginia State. Catcher – Kyle Morrow, Pitt-Johnstown; Kyle Petty, California (Pa.). First Baseman – Derek Kline, Millersville; Jerry Lloyd, Bloomsburg. Second Baseman – Nick Barbera, Pitt-Johnstown; Colby Wiggins, Chowan. Shortstop – Cody Young, Lock Haven. Third Baseman – Alex Howard, St. Augustine’s; Vern Powell, Indiana (Pa.). Outfielder – Mike Dugan, Kutztown; Chris Edgar, Millersville; Shane Latshaw, Mercyhurst; Wayne Lewis, St. Augustine’s; Josh Logan, Seton Hill; Kevin Miller, Mansfield; Frank Sirolli, Indiana (Pa.). Designated Hitter/Utility Player – Kevin Cressman, Lock Haven; Bill Gerstenslager, Mercyhurst; Eric Herman, Shippensburg; Ethan Santora, Mercyhurst; Darryl Stringfield, Virginia State.