Central Islip, N.Y. - After capturing the ECC
regular season title, the Molloy College Lions swept the ECC
Baseball All-Conference major awards as voted on by the
league’s coaches. Senior catcher Robert LaRusso was named
Player of the Year, junior pitcher Chuck Fontana took home the
Pitcher of the Year, Carlos Guzman was tabbed Rookie of the Year,
and Head Coach Joe Fucarino finishes the sweep with the Coach of
the Year honor.
LaRusso wrapped up his stellar career at Molloy with another
outstanding campaign in 2011. LaRusso, who batted .292 on the
season, led the conference in five different offensive categories
including homeruns (9), RBI (48), total bases (94), walks (41), and
slugging percentage (.560). He also finished second in the
conference with 14 doubles and fifth with a .442 on-base
percentage.
Fontana was dominant on the mound in 2011, posting a 9-0 record to
lead the conference in victories. He also led the conference in
innings pitched (76.0), strikeouts (101), and strikeouts per nine
innings (11.96). Fontana amassed his strikeout total with six games
tallying double digit K’s, including an ECC high 15 in a
complete game shutout against Mercy. He also finished third in the
ECC in ERA at 1.78 and opponents batting average at .185.
Guzman, a five-time Rookie of the Week, posted a .359 batting
average to rank second in the ECC this season. Guzman
recorded 65 hits, 42 runs, and 28 stolen bases to lead the
conference in each category. He also finished third in the
conference with 29 walks and a .458 on-base percentage.
Molloy head coach Joe Fucarino was named the 2011 Coach of the
Year by his peers. Fucarino guided the Lions to an overall
record of 31-18 and the East Coast Conference Regular Season
title. Currently, the Lions are ranked No. 8 in the East
Region.
2011 Baseball
All-Conference
First Team
C - Robert LaRusso, Sr., Molloy
1B - Vin Malzahn, Sr., STAC
2B - Frank Salerno, So., STAC
3B - Ryan Akers, Jr., Molloy
SS - Eddie Squeri, Sr., Dowling
DH - Fred Moore, Sr., STAC
OF - Peter Barrows, Sr., Bridgeport
OF - Brian Ferguson, Sr., Dowling
OF - Carlos Guzman, Fr., Molloy
SP - Gabriel Duran, Sr., Dowling
SP - Chuck Fontana, Jr., Molloy
SP - Mark Fochesato, Sr., STAC
RP - Matt Bartolomei, Jr., Bridgeport
Second Team
C - George Wargo, Jr., St. Thomas Aquinas
1B - Eric Schlitter, Jr. Bridgeport
2B - Casey McKay, So. C.W. Post
3B - Erik Cabrera, Sr., Dowling
SS - Gaetano Giunta, Sr., Bridgeport
DH - Nick Compito, Jr., C.W. Post
OF - Joe Candela, So., Dowling
OF - Carmine Pellechia, Jr., Molloy
OF - Matt Walsh, Sr., Mercy
SP - Bo Budkevis, So., C.W. Post
SP - Jason Lembo, Jr., Molloy
SP - Marc Rutledge, Jr., Dowling
SP - Tyler Savin, Jr., Mercy
RP - Tom Wiacek, Jr., Bridgeport
Player of the Year: Robert LaRusso, Sr., C,
Molloy
Pitcher of the Year: Chuck Fontana, Jr.,
Molloy
Rookie of the Year: Carlos Guzman, OF, Molloy
Coach of the Year: Joe Fucarino, Molloy
