Panas Named ABCA All-American, Five Named ABCA All-Region and Two Named ECAC All-Stars
MAAC Sports
Edison, N.J. – Canisius junior Connor Panas has been named a Third-Team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association. The Golden Griffin led the MAAC in five statistical categories with 6 home runs and 51 RBI. Panas’ .574 slugging percentage, 108 total bases and 7 sac flies also ranked first among MAAC hitters. Panas added 68 hits, 16 doubles and 16 stolen bases over 53 games. Panas has accumulated many other awards throughout the year including being named to the ABCA All-Northeast First Team, MAAC Player of the Week on March 25 and May 6, earning Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week honors on May 5 and being named an ECAC First Team All-Star along with being named a unanimous First Team All-MAAC selection and the 2014 MAAC Player of the Year.
Joining Panas on the ABCA All-Northeast First Team is teammate Rohn Pierce. Pierce posted an overall record of 11-3 for the Griffs, leading the MAAC with a 2.18 ERA in 111.2 innings pitched. Pierce was named 2014 MAAC Pitcher of the Year, as a unanimous selection, as well as being named to the All-MAAC First Team. Pierce was a two-time MAAC Pitcher of the Week, February 18 and March 4, and Pierce was also named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week on February 17.
Three MAAC hitters were named to the ABCA All-Northeast Second Team. Canisius’ 1B Jimmy Luppens and SS Anthony Massicci join Fairfield University’s C Ryan Plourde. Plourde, an All-MAAC First team selection, finished the year batting .364 with 30 RBI and 45 runs scored for the Stags to go along with a .473 on base percentage. Massicci, another All-MAAC First Team selection, led the MAAC in three hitting categories with a .364 batting average, 48 runs scored and 42 walks in 52 games. Luppens hit .363 while holding a .490 on-base percentage and added 42 RBI in 55 games to earn his second consecutive ABCA All-Northeast Second-Team selection.
Rider standout Justin Thomas was named an ECAC Second Team All-Star at 1B. The junior was an All-MAAC First Team selection and held a .341 batting average and a .492 slugging percentage while adding 45 RBI during the season.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions for 2014: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University and Siena College. For more on the conference please visit, www.maacsports.com. Be sure to follow the MAAC on Facebook and Twitter: @MAACSports.
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