Orlando, FL --- Worcester State University was selected as the recipient of the American Baseball Coaches/TURFACE Athletic Maintenance Award in the College Division.

The award was officially presented at the ABCA annual awards and honors luncheon on January 4 during their annual convention held at the World Center Marriot. TURFACE Athletics presented Worcester State with the prestigious accolade recognizing excellence in field maintenance. 

"It is truly an honor to receive a national award from the ABCA and TURFACE Athletics," said head coach Dr. Dirk Baker. "We look forward to the upcoming season and will make further improvements on the field with the awards we were given."

The award was specifically named to the Kevin Lyons Baseball Diamond at Rockwood Park, which has been the home of the Lancer baseball team since the 2012 season after a $2.8 million renovation project to the field by the City of Worcester and the Worcester State Foundation. 

In addition to a plaque of recognition, the recipient is also awarded one ton of TURFACE MVP clay and a $400 stipend to help defray the cost of maintenance equipment.

Baker, who helps maintain Lyons Diamond throughout the course of the year, stated at the ABCA luncheon that it is important to him and the team to make sure that ballpark is one of the finest in New England.

"It is nice to know that all of our hard work has paid off these past few years with all the improvements we have made," said Baker.

Following the completion of their third full campaign playing at the Kevin Lyons Baseball Diamond in 2014, the Lancers shared their seventh MASCAC Regular Season Crown and earned a berth to their sixth NCAA Division III Tournament after defeating Salem State 5-3 in the MASCAC Tournament Championship game at home.

With the entire starting line-up returning and most of the rotation back from a year ago, the Blue and Gold will try to win back-to-back MASCAC Tournament titles for the first time in program history.

WSU opens their Northern schedule with #24/26 Endicott on Tuesday, March 24.

Pictured Below: Head Coach Dr Dirk Baker with ABCA Executive Director Craig Keilitz

2015 ABCA Honors Luncheon Recap