Devils among DIII leaders
Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136
CONTACT: Matt Palisin,
Sports Information Dept.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Baseball
FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Following the 2009 season, the Blue Devils found themselves ranked nationally in Division III in a number of statistical categories.
Of the 359 teams in Division III, the Devils were ranked ninth in fewest walks per nine innings, at 2.63. Lynchberg was tops at 2.06. Individually, Andy Dlugosz (Lackawanna/Bishop Timon) ranked 13th nationally at 1.13 per game, with five basses on balls in 40.1 innings pitched. Ricky Carlson (Frewsberg) was also stingy with free passes, ranking 45th with a 1.45 ratio, giving up 13 walks in 74 innings. Justin Nowak (Cheektowaga/Maryvale), at 1.8 (eight in 40 innings), was the third Devil to walk fewer than two per game.
The Devils ranked 11th in stolen bases per game (2.89 per contest) and 17th in total stolen bases (110). Baruch College led the nation at 4.06 per game, while Manhattanville's 162 were the highest total. Jordan Basile (Jamestown) led the squad with 20 swipes.
The Devils placed 21st in ERA at 3.77. Carlson topped the Devils at 2.42, 42nd nationally, followed closely by freshman Nick Cummings (Akron) at 2.45. Cummings also boasted a 5-0 record with three saves in his inaugural season. No pitcher that threw over 15 innings had an ERA higher than 4.05.
The Devils were 35th in batting average at .343. The team had the top three hitters in the SUNYAC, with Basile (.420), Josh Melquist (Jamestown) (.412) and Josh Greco (Lockport) (.397) topping the conference. Curry College was No. 1 at .370.
All this culminated in the team's most successful season ever, with a 26-12 record.