WORCESTER, Mass. – Worcester State University's Ben Palatino (Hudson, Mass.) has been named the Worcester Area Baseball Co-Rookie of the Year, while Adam Barry (Auburn, Mass.), Kyle Sullivan (Hudson, Mass.), and Jake Ryan (Northbridge, Mass.) earn spots on the Worcester Area Baseball All-Star team.
Palatino, who was also tabbed the MASCAC Rookie of the Year and was named to the MASCAC's second-team All-Conference, had a phenomenal first season with the Worcester State baseball team, earning the Worcester Area Co-Rookie of the Year Award. He batted .331 and led the team with a .446 on-base percentage. He collected 11 doubles, a triple, and two home runs. He totaled 24 RBI and scored 35 runs in 40 games played. He also led the team defensively with 322 putouts and 13 assists for a .982 fielding percentage at first base.
Designated player, Barry, has been slotted on the Worcester Area First Team after being named to the MASCAC first team for leading the team in at bats (166), RBI (36) and home runs (4). In his 166 at bats, he registered 57 hits – 10 of which were doubles, two triples, and four home runs – for a .343 batting and a .500 slugging percentage. He currently holds the Worcester State record in career singles (154) and career at bats (593).
Sophomore pitcher, Sullivan, earned a spot on the Worcester Area First Team after leading the team with a 3.06 ERA in 47 innings pitched. He registered an overall record of 6-2 in the 2017 campaign and pitched two complete-games – one of which was a shutout in the MASCAC Tournament Championship game, leading Worcester State to its second title in four years. In his sophomore year, he registered 33 strikeouts, averaging 6.32 per game. His batting average against was .249.
Senior outfielder, Ryan, earned a spot on both the MASCAC and Worcester Area All-Star second team as he led the team in batting average (.360), slugging percentage (.516), runs (44), hits (58), triples (3), walks (20), and stolen bases (7). He concludes his career tied with Eric Swedberg for the Worcester State all-time career record in triples (13) and is second in the books with 64 career walks.
The MASCAC Tournament Champions, Worcester State, wrapped up the 2017 season last week at the NCAA Division III New England Regional Tournament in Harwich, Mass. and concludes the season at 20-22 under the direction of 22nd year head coach Dirk Baker.
Player of the Year: Andrew Jaehnig (Assumption)
Pitcher of the Year: Cal Slepkow (Clark)
Co-Rookie of the Year: Ben Palatino (Worcester State)
Co-Rookie of the Year: Austin Masel (Holy Cross)
Coach of the Year: Mike Callahan (WPI)
FIRST TEAM
C Andrew Jaehnig Assumption Jr. Quincy, Mass.
1B Anthony Critelli Holy Cross Sr. Holmdel, N.J.
2B Cam Cook Nichols Jr. Phoenixville, Pa.
3B Steven Gallagher WPI So. Coventry, R.I.
SS Kyle Bonicki Clark Jr. Waterbury, Conn.
SS Nick Comei WPI Sr. Haverhill, Mass.
OF Ryan Tropeano WPI So. Pembroke, Mass.
OF Austin Masel Holy Cross Fr. Stoneham, Mass.
OF Nick Roy Nichols Jr. Middletown, Conn.
DH Adam Barry Worcester State Sr. Auburn, Mass.
UT Noah Millard Fitchburg State So. Leominster, Mass.
UT Teddy Downing Clark Jr. Cambridge, Mass.
SP Cal Slepkow Clark So. Rehoboth, Mass.
SP Danny Hayden Nichols So. East Greenwich, Conn.
SP Kyle Sullivan Worcester State So. Hudson, Mass.
RP George Capen Holy Cross Sr. Gainesville, Va.
SECOND TEAM
C Nathan Littman Fitchburg State Jr. Abington, Mass.
1B Matt Howard WPI Jr. Worcester, Mass.
2B Jared Brescia Assumption Fr. Brentwood, N.H.
3B Thomas Russo Holy Cross Jr. Weston, Mass.
OF Jake Ryan Worcester State Sr. Northbridge, Mass.
OF Anthony Capuano WPI Gr. Stoneham, Mass.
OF Sean Maki Fitchburg State Jr. Fitchburg, Mass.
DH Adam Chochrek Clark Sr. Foxboro, Mass.
UT Matthew Leahey Anna Maria Sr. Rutland, Mass.
UT Niko Bedell Becker Sr. Manorville, N.Y.
SP Doug Rives WPI So. Bethany, Conn.
SP Brendan King Holy Cross Sr. Brookline, Mass.
SP Adam Rigney Nichols Sr. Niantic, Conn.
RP Mike Duclos WPI Sr. Greenfield, Mass.