DeStefano, Franco and Stuart Named MAAC Baseball Players of the Week
Pitcher of the Week
T.J. Stuart, Manhattan
Sr., Milford, CT/Joseph A. Foran
Stuart earned the complete game win over Albany, striking out eight while yielding just one earned run on three hits over 7.0 innings. He set the tone for the game, setting down the first nine batters he faced, striking out six, while yielding Great Dane hitters to a minuscule .125 average. On the year, Stuart is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA with 27 strikeouts over 26.0 innings while limiting opposing hitters to a .196 average.
Player of the Week
Sam Franco, Manhattan
So., Bardonia, NY/Clarkstown South
Franco hit .500 (6-for-12) with three multi-hit performances, two runs, two doubles, one home run and three RBI over three-game series against Albany. The sophomore began the weekend with a solo home run and two hits in the opener. He followed that up by going 2-for-4 with a double, run and RBI. Franco finished up the series with another 2-for-4 showing in the finale, adding an RBI double. He has reached base safely in 11 of the Jaspers' 12 games, including registering a hit 10 times. Franco is hitting .375 with 11 runs, three doubles, two triples, a home run and five RBI.
Rookie of the Week
Mike DeStefano, Canisius
Fr., Liverpool, NY/Liverpool
Mike DeStefano put together another strong weekend for the Golden Griffins, as the freshman collected four hits over two games at Radford, including his first collegiate home run. DeStefano opened the weekend by tallying two hits on Saturday, hitting a leadoff homer for the Griffs in the fifth inning, picking up a single later in the contest. The infielder then notched two hits in the Sunday series finale, doubling and hitting a run-scoring single, along with swiping one base.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 39
th year of competition during the 2019-20 academic year. Current conference members include: 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.