Chris McCartney was a two-time Penn State Behrend Pitcher of the Year for the baseball team from 2002-06. At the conclusion of his career, he was second all-time in career ERA at 2.81 and ranked first in wins in a season with a 10-3 mark as a senior in 2006. The 10 wins in a single season also remained an AMCC all-time high until 2014. McCartney was second all-time in career wins with 23, ranked first for most innings pitched in a season (84 2/3) and second in innings pitched in his career (223). He helped the Lions capture the AMCC & ECAC Championships in 2003, while earning All-AMCC second team honors in his senior year. McCartney was a part of the program’s first-ever AMCC Championship as a freshman in 2003. He helped the Lions post a 33-10 overall record and a 9-3 mark in conference play. Behrend ended the season on a 10-game winning streak, capturing the ECAC Championship with an 11-9 win over Misericordia and a 7-5 decision over Waynesburg.
In his sophomore year, McCartney battled in every outing to lead the team in starts, wins and innings pitched to display a sharp 2.32 ERA. He threw a shutout against Pitt-Bradford in a crucial must-win situation, going seven innings and allowing only six hits with five strikeouts. He went 6-2 in eight starts and 10 appearances to earn the team’s Most Valuable Pitcher award.
McCartney started his junior year with his name on the Division III Players to Watch list according to Collegiate Baseball Magazine. He did not disappoint those who watched, tossing a three-hitter in the AMCC playoffs and helping Behrend go 12-0 at home. McCartney also led the team in strikeouts. He started in 10 games and pitched 61.3 innings for a 5-4 record.
The 2006 season was pivotal for McCartney, who earned his first All-AMCC recognition on the second team, led the AMCC in wins (10) and set the Behrend single-season record. He was also second in the AMCC in innings pitched (79.1), third in strikeouts (74) and third in ERA (2.38). McCartney set the single-season record for strikeouts with 75 and became the all-time leader in career K’s with 170. Once again, he was named the team’s Most Valuable Pitcher.