OMAHA, Neb. - Former Monmouth University baseball pitcher Pat Light (Colts Neck, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy), who was selected by the Boston Red Sox with the 37th overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft earlier this month, was tabbed to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-American Third Team as well as the First Team All-East Region, organization officials announced this week.
Light, who signed with the Red Sox last week after becoming the highest draft pick in Northeast Conference history, begins his professional career with the Lowell Spinners out of the New York Penn League.
Light, a 28th round selection of the Minnesota Twins in 2009, was 14-14 in his three years at Monmouth. Logging over 234.1 innings on the hill, the local product recorded a career 3.84 ERA with 196 strikeouts, which stands fifth all-time, while allowing just 52 walks. The 6-foot-6 righty had nine career complete games to his credit and held opponents to a .266 average.
Light, an All-Northeast Conference First Team and All-Tournament Team selection, enjoyed his best season in a Monmouth uniform in 2012. The hurler 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 posted 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, excelled especially in league play. With a 5-1 record and 1.62 ERA, the righty registered 78 punch-outs compared to 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), recorded double-digit strikeout totals against Fairleigh Dickinson (13), Wagner (11), Quinnipiac (10), LIU Brooklyn (15) and Sacred Heart (10). The New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association (NJCBA) Pitcher of the Year 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.
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 Ehehalt. The Hawks' 35 wins in 2012 are two shy of the program record of 37, established in 2008.
