TROY, N.Y. - The Liberty League has announced its weekly award winners from baseball and three Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) student-athletes have been recognized.
Matt Lawrence was named Performer of the Week, while
Stephen Schiavone and
Brendan McNerney earned Pitcher and Rookie of the Week, respectively.
A junior from Chicago, Ill., Lawrence hit .444 (4 for 9) last week, with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Compiling a .444 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base percentage, he had one sacrifice hit and was perfect on six defensive chances in center field.Â
Lawrence played in 28 games last year, including 20 as a starter. The former University of Chicago High School standout hit .319 (23 for 72) with two doubles, a triple, 15 runs and 11 RBI. Putting up a .375 slugging percentage and a .363 on-base percentage, he also recorded three stolen bases.
A senior captain and righthanded pitcher from White Plains, N.Y., Schiavone picked the win in RPI's season opener against Alvernia, allowing just one run on one hit in 3.2 innings of relief. He struck out six and walked two, as the Engineers held on for a 6-4 victory.
Schiavone went 1-2 with two saves in 19 appearances last season, with a 4.91 earned run average. He allowed 25 runs (18 earned) on 36 hits in 33.0 innings, striking out 20 and walking 16. Opponents hit .277 off the White Plains High School graduate.
A freshman out of Ardsley, N.Y., McNerney went 3.0 innings in his collegiate debut on Sunday, allowing just a single run on one hit. He struck out four and walked two.Â
McNerney attended Arsley High School where was a captain of the baseball team and also played football and basketball. An All-League, All-Section and All-State honoree, he was named Pitcher of the Year in Class B, helping the Panthers to a league championship.
Rensselaer (1-2) is back in action on Saturday, when they travel to Norfolk, Va., to take on Oswego State (9am). The Engineers then face Virginia Wesleyan (2pm). They close out the weekend on Sunday against the Lakers (9am).
