FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Baseball team captain Mike Caruso was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team as announced today for his leadership on and off the diamond. Caruso, who was also named the MAAC Player of the Year, earned a 3.64 GPA as a public health major while also helping the Stags to an historic season.
 
"Being named to the CoSida Academic All American Team is a great honor, and I am very thankful that they have recognized me," Caruso said. "Being a student-athlete involves not only working hard within your sport, but also in the classroom. To be able to be recognized for both academics and athletics is an immense achievement, and I am very grateful to be a part of such an award."

"Mike is a very well rounded student-athlete and a great example for any young player coming into our program," Head Coach Bill Currier said. "He is the heart and soul of our program and his leadership skills are welcomed back this fall to use his fourth year of eligibility as a grad student. We are all proud for him to be recognized on a national level for the All-American CoSida award."
 
Caruso led the MAAC and ranked in the top-10 nationally in both batting average (.414) and on-base percentage (.532). Those statistics helped Caruso to his first-ever major conference award as he was named the MAAC Player of the Year to go along with an All-MAAC First Team selection and a spot on the New England Baseball Journal First Team.
 
As the Stags' catcher and field general, Caruso guided a pitching staff that ranks as the national leader in WHIP (1.09) and second in ERA (3.14) in the NCAA final statistics. His production at the plate and on the field helped the Stags to a program record 39 wins including a 33-1 regular season, the highest regular season winning percentage in NCAA Division I history.
 
Off the diamond, Caruso earned a 3.84 spring GPA and a 3.64 overall mark as a public health major. He will be enrolled in the Fairfield University Graduate School program as he returns for his fifth season on the field while continuing his path for a Masters degree.
 
Caruso was also one of three team captains for the Stags and a integral figure in the team's leadership. After suffering a season ending injury with a broken jaw that forced him from traveling to the NCAA Regionals, Caruso showed his true character by arriving at practice the very next day to get the team prepared to compete in the Austin Regional without him.
 
Caruso becomes the first Fairfield baseball player ever to be named in the CoSIDA All-America group.