Baseball Corrals Top AD3I Accolades; Nine Named to All-Independent Teams

BROOKLYN, N.Y.—For their outstanding performance on the diamond this season, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) senior Thomas McKenna (Bellerose, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) was named the Association of Division III (AD3I) Player of the Year, Mitch Brigando (Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Edmund Prep) was tabbed as the Association's Pitcher of the Year and Bears manager Jerry Sidman was named Coach of the Year.

McKenna and Brigando lead eight Bears on the AD3I All-Independent First Team. Joining them are Brian Luebcke (Astoria, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy), Chris Cutrone (Levittown, N.Y./Island Trees), Nicholas LoPrinzi (Howard Beach, N.Y./St. Francis Prep), Domenick Camerada (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell), Michael Camerada (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell), and Francis Rapp (Baldwin, N.Y./Oceanside). Sophomore pitcher Connor Pasetti (Oceanside, N.Y./Oceanside) rounds out nine on the All-Independent Teams landing a spot on the second team.

The senior McKenna was named Player of the Year after finishing the season leading the Association in batting average (.392), home runs (6), runs batted in (29), runs scored (40) and stolen bases (15). The one-time AD3I Player of the Week capped off his career by setting Bears' all-time records in hits, batting average, and ended the season setting the school's record with a 25-game hitting streak. 

He becomes the second Bear ever, along with Joseph Mendez '14 last season to take home Player of the Year from the Association. This is also his fourth straight season earning a spot on the All-Independent First Team.

Brigando posted a team- and Association-best 8-1 record and a 2.44 earned run average along with 49 strikeouts (second in AD3I) over 51.2 innings pitched. The sophomore is now the fourth pitcher for St. Joseph's to earn Pitcher of the Year along with Cutrone, Rosario DiLorenzo (Howard Beach, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) and Paul Piccirillo.

Cutrone is named to the first team for the fourth consecutive season. He was third in the Association with a .345 batting average with three home runs, 27 RBI and 28 runs scored at the plate. On the mound, he led the AD3I with 44 strikeouts along with two wins over 51.1 innings pitched. He finished his career as the Bears' all-time leader strikeouts (155), appearances (39), innings pitched (226.2) and tied for the program lead in wins (16).

Luebcke is honored with the First Team All-Independent nod for the second time in his career. In 35 games with St. Joseph's, he posted a .370 average, good for second in the AD3I, with 24 runs scored and 21 runs batted in. He also had four wins on the mound, which was tied for second in the AD3I, and was sixth in the Association with 32 strikeouts.

LoPrinzi receives recognition from AD3I for the second time in as many seasons. The sophomore was fourth in the AD3I with a batting average of .331 to go with 21 RBI and 17 runs scored.

Domenick Camerada is recognized by AD3I as for the third straight season and his first time as a First Team selection. The senior behind the plate had a team and AD3I-best 24 walks to go with 25 runs batted in and a .298 batting average.

Michael Camerada grabs a First Team nomination for the first time in his career. His .318 batting average was good for ninth in the Association and sixth on the team. The sophomore also had 24 runs scored and 18 RBI over 40 games played.

Rapp secures his second First Team nod in as many seasons. He was ranked sixth in the AD3I with a .325 hitting average over 120 at-bats. The sophomore added 27 runs scored (third in the Association) and 24 RBI (fourth). 

Pasetti earns All-Independent Second Team honors in his second season with the Bears. The sophomore picked up three wins on the season and notched a save, while striking out 34 batters (third in the AD3I) over 43.2 innings pitched this season. 

Sidman secures the third straight Coach of the Year honor by a Bears manager, following two-time AD3I Coach of the Year Scott Losche. In his first year at the helm of the Bears, he posted an Association-best 24-18 record and clinched fourth place at the USCAA Small College World Series, the Bears' best finish in their third straight appearance in the national championship.