Castleton Collects Multiple Accolades to Headline DIII New England Baseball All-ECAC Awards, Honorees
DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced its 2017 Division III New England Baseball Awards and All-ECAC selections.
Castleton University took three major awards to cap a successful season for the Spartans. Michael Labeau was voted the ECAC Pitcher of the Year, while Davis Mikell earned Rookie of the Year distinction. Ted Shipley completed the major awards with the ECAC Coach of the Year honor.
Labeau helped anchor a Castleton pitching staff that led the North Atlantic Conference in team ERA. The NAC Pitcher of the Year posted a 1.74 ERA with a 5-3 record during the regular season and NAC tournament, fanning 53 in 57 innings pitched while holding opposing hitters to a .239 batting average. Labeau tossed six complete games, including two shutouts, and also posted a save in 2017.
Mikell proved to be an all-around performer for the Spartans in his first season of collegiate competition. In 42 games played during the regular season and NAC tournament, the freshman batted .326 with 32 RBIs and 21 extra-base hits, including nine home runs to tie him for the league lead. On the mound, Mikell posted a 6-1 record and 0.96 ERA in eight appearances, throwing three complete games and striking out 63. In addition to his ECAC accolades, D3Baseball.com recently named Mikell Second Team All-New England Region.
Shipley led his team to its fourth-consecutive NAC Championship title in 2017, compiling 34 wins to tie for the most in a single season in program history. The 34 wins also marks the first time Castleton has ever posted three consecutive 30-win seasons. This year also saw the Spartans defeat then-No. 2 SUNY Cortland, marking the highest-ranked opponent that Castleton has beaten in program history. Under Shipley’s guidance, six Spartans earned All-NAC honors at the end of the year, with three players receiving major awards.
Pitcher of the Year
Michael Labeau – Castleton University, Sr.
Rookie of the Year
Davis Mikell – Castleton University, Fr.
Coach of the Year
Ted Shipley – Castleton University
All-ECAC
Doug Avellino – Colby-Sawyer College, Jr.
Nathan Littman – Fitchburg State University, Sr.
Sam Huston – Husson University, So.
Dillon Benham – Castleton University, So.
Noah Milliard – Fitchburg State University, So.
Michael Labeau – Castleton University, Sr.
Devin Hayes – Castleton University, Sr.
David Griifin – Curry College, Jr.
Kevin Connelly – Framingham State University, So.
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