JERSEY CITY, N.J. - Monmouth University junior pitcher Pat Light (Colts Neck, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) was named New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association Pitcher of the Year, organization officials announced Monday. In addition, senior Jamie Rosenkranz (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) and third baseman Danny Avella (Matawan, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) were added to the First Team All-NJCBA, while sophomore Jake Gronsky (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) was tabbed to the second team.
Light joins Brad Brach, who claimed the award twice, Brett Brach and Bryan Moyer as the Hawks who have been named the state's pitcher of the year. Light, an All-Northeast Conference First Team and All-Tournament Team selection, enjoyed his best season in a Monmouth uniform. The hurler has compiled an 8-3 record in 14 starts for MU. In 101.1 innings of work, a new school record in a single-season, the junior compiled an ERA of 2.60, striking out a Northeast Conference-best and new MU single-season record 102 batters while yielding just 16 walks. Light, who was named NEC Pitcher of the Week two times this season, has excelled especially in league play. With a 5-1 record and 1.62 ERA, the righty has registered 78 punch-outs compared to surrendering just seven free passes while holding opponents to a mere .209 batting average. Light, who took a perfect game into the eighth inning against Wagner (3/23), has recorded double-digit strikeout totals against Fairleigh Dickinson (13), Wagner (11), Quinnipiac (10), LIU Brooklyn (15) and Sacred Heart (10). The two-time NJCBA Pitcher of the Week gained national attention after fanning 15 LIU batters and not allowing a walk to set a new career-best and tie a MU single-game strikeout record. Light, who was added to USA Baseball's Golden Spike Award Watch List, was named Collegiate Baseball's/Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week for his efforts.
Rosenkranz, who was tabbed to the All-NEC Second Team, batted .293 with 66 hits including 15 doubles, three home runs and a triple in 59 starts this season. The senior drove in 28 runs and scored a team-best 43 times during the year, while posting a .409 slugging percentage and a .364 on base percentage. Rosenkranz, who was added to the Capitol One Academic District II First Team last month, connected on his 200th career hit, a home run, in the Hawks victory over Central Connecticut State in April.
Avella, who was named to the 2010 All-NJCBA Rookie Team, led the squad with eight home runs and 45 RBIs. With a .288 average, the third baseman compiled 60 hits, including 17 doubles, and scored 60 times in 59 starts. The junior registered a slugging percentage of .486 and a .389 on base percentage, while also leading the teams in walks, working 30 free passes.
Lastly, Gronsky, a First Team All-NEC selection, earns his second-straight state honor after being tabbed to the all-rookie squad last season. The infielder, who was one of three Hawks to start all 59 games this season, batted .313 (71-for-227) with 20 doubles, two home runs and a triple, driving in 35 runs and scoring 36 times. The second-year Hawk registered a .436 slugging percentage and a .377 on base percentage, while adding four sacrifice hits and was successful in three of his four stolen base attempts. The defensive-minded second baseman compiled a .972 fielding percentage and was involved in 34 of the Hawks' 43 double plays this season. At the Northeast Conference Tournament, the sophomore batted .375 with two of his six hits going for doubles. Gronsky drove in four runs, including the game-winning RBI in the 11th inning of an elimination game against Fairleigh Dickinson, and scored twice to land him on the all-tournament team.
Monmouth completed its fourth 20-win season in NEC play this year. The Hawks won 30 games overall for the second-straight year and the eighth time under Head Coach Dean Ehehalt. The Hawks' 35 wins in 2012 are two shy of the program record of 37, established in 2008.
