From NYU Athletics
Three members of the New York University baseball team were honored for their strong play this season, as three different organizations released their postseason awards on Tuesday, May 23.
Jonathan Iaione and Jack Walter each received recognition from the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), and were joined by teammate Colman Hendershot on the American Baseball Coaches Association's (ABCA) All-New York Region Team. Iaione and Hendershot were also named All-New York Region by D3Baseball.com.
Iaione was named First Team All-ECAC Metro and First Team All-New York Region by the ABCA as a "utility" player, and Second Team All-New York Region as a shortstop by D3Baseball.com. The junior started all 36 NYU games this season, displaying versatility by splitting time between shortstop (20 games), left field (8), designated hitter (6), and first base (2). Iaione recorded a .447 batting average, which was the highest in the University Athletic Association (UAA) and ranks 10th in NCAA Division III. He also led the UAA in hits (59) and finished second in doubles (15), RBIs (44) and home runs (3).
Walter, an outfielder, was named First Team All-ECAC Metro and Second Team All-New York Region by the ABCA. The sophomore led the UAA in runs (51) and walks (25), while his 1.5 runs per game ranks fourth-best in NCAA Division III. His .506 on-base percentage ranked 2nd in the UAA, while his .377 batting average was the third-highest on the team and ninth-best in the UAA. Walter played in and started 34 games in center field this season, committing only one error in 82 chances (.988 fielding percentage).
Hendershot earned Second Team All-New York Region honors from D3Baseball.com and Third Team All-New York Region honors from the ABCA. The sophomore first baseman led the UAA in RBIs (51), home runs (5) and slugging percentage (.662). Hendershot started all 33 games in which he played for NYU in 2017, tallying multiple RBIs 14 times, including eight games with three or more. His 1.55 RBIs per game ranks fourth in NCAA Division III.
Earlier this month, the trio earned postseason honors from the UAA as Iaione was named the Association's Position Player of the Year and was joined on the All-UAA First Team by Hendershot. Walter took home Second Team All-UAA honors.
"These guys did a tremendous job of leading our team and putting us in a position to have a successful season," said Head Coach Doug Kimbler. "They worked diligently with our Varsity Performance Center staff all season long to get into the best baseball shape possible. They have certainly earned the recognition they're receiving."
NYU finished its season with a 23-13 record, setting a new program record for most victories in a season.