May 28, 2007

FAIRFIELD, CT - Senior pitcher Jay Monti (Marlboro, NY), senior utilityman Rob Tencza (Meriden, CT) and junior DH Jeff Hanson (Woodstock, NY) were all named First Team All-Northeast Conference by a vote of NEC coaches.

Monti may have had a better season this year than in 2005, when he was named NEC Pitcher of the Year. Monti, who led the nation in ERA for five straight weeks through mid-May, wrapped up his senior season with an 8-4 record, tying for most wins in the conference. In compiling a minuscule 1.34 ERA, he allowed just 12 earned runs and struck out 63 in 80.1 innings. Opposing batters hit .193 against Monti, the best mark in the conference. He was chosen Akadema/NEC Pitcher of the Week on March 12.

Hanson has stood among league leaders in hitting virtually the entire season and currently sits in fourth with a .376 average. His 19 doubles pace the NEC, while his .607 slugging percentage and 46 RBI rank him second and fourth, respectively. Hanson also teed off against conference pitching, hitting .402 for the year. He earned back-to-back Akadema/NEC Player of the Week awards on April 16 and April 23.

Tencza was the first team pick as a utility player after hitting .293 with four homers, 22 RBI and a .512 slugging percentage, which ranked him second on the Pioneers. The two-way player also won five games on the mound for the Pioneers.