Gibson Named AMCC Newcomer of the Year; Nine Lions Earn All-Conference Honors

ERIE, Pa. – Penn State Behrend baseball freshman third baseman David Gibson (North East, PA/North East) was named the 2024 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Newcomer of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team, while eight other Lions secured All-Conference honors.

Gibson finished his first collegiate regular season with a .344 batting average (22-for-64) in 16 conference games, finishing second on the team with 15 RBIs and two home runs to go along with a triple and 14 runs scored. He tallied 18 multi-hit games and 10 contests with two or more RBIs. Seven of those multi-hit games were in conference games during the regular season. After three postseason games, Gibson sits first in the AMCC with 47 runs batted in and tied for third with five home runs, recording a .362 batting average (55-for-152) to stand fifth on the team, while notching five triples, four doubles, and 32 runs scored.

First team honorees were shortstop Silvio Ionadi (Pittsburgh, PA/Plum), left fielder Anthony Slate (Hopewell, PA/Hopewell), designated hitter Daniel Boehme (Peters Township, PA/Seton LaSalle), and relief pitcher Jake Manendo (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep).

Ionadi, a Second Team selection a season ago, was first in the conference play with 21 runs scored and tied for second with two triples, while finishing second on the team with a .368 batting average (21-for-57) to go along with two home runs in 16 conference games played. During the regular season, he tallied 15 multi-hit games and eight contests with two or more runs batted in. Seven of those multi-hit games were in conference games. After the AMCC Tournament, Ionadi ranks first in the conference with 51 runs scored and six triples, third with a .392 batting average (51-for-130) and led the team with 14 stolen bases and tied for second on the team with 31 runs batted in.

Slate registered a .393 batting average (24-for-61) in AMCC play which was good for 10th in the conference rankings and tied for fifth in the conference with 24 hits to go along with 10 RBIs in 16 games played. Slate tallied 13 multi-hit games and 16 contests with two or more runs batted in during the regular season. Seven of those multi-hit games were in conference games. Slate delivered his 100^th career hit against Wells. After three postseason games, his average for the year settled in at .366 (48-for-131), to stand eighth in the rankings to go along with eight doubles, four triples, 28 RBIs, and 32 runs scored.

Boehme hit .364 (20-for-55) with four doubles, one home run, and 14 RBIs in 16 conference games played. During the regular season, Boehme registered 11 multi-hit games and eight contests with two or more runs batted. Five of his multi-hit games were in conference play. He earned his 100^th career hit at Adrian. After the AMCC Tournament, Boehme has an average of .329 (47-for-131) and eight doubles, while being tied for second in the team rankings with 31 RBIs and three home runs.

In five appearances for the Lions in conference play (16.1 innings), Manendo recorded a 1.10 ERA to lead the AMCC. He finished first on the team with three wins in conference play to go along with one save and 21 strikeouts, while only walking six hitters. For the season, Manendo has delivered a 1.24 ERA for a 4-0 record in 29.0 innings (12 appearances) with 34 strikeouts.

Joining Gibson on the All-AMCC Second Team is freshman starting pitcher Colin Bolla (Fairview, PA/Fairview), who ranked sixth in conference play with a 2.74 ERA and tied for seventh with 28 strikeouts. He led all Behrend starters during the regular season with a 2.60 ERA and 58 strikeouts to go along with a 4-2 record in 45.0 innings pitched (six starts). Bolla threw a complete game shutout against Pitt-Greensburg to go along with a season-high 12 strikeouts. In his first AMCC Tournament start, he tossed 7.1 innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits and striking out seven against La Roche.

The All-AMCC Third Team consisted of second basemen Dylan Barnes (Pittsburgh, PA/North Hills), right-handed pitcher Jeff Zick (Moon, PA/Our Lady of Sacred Heart), and catcher Thomas Nicely (Delmont, PA/Franklin Regional).

Barnes hit .270 (17-for-63) with six RBIs and one home run, while being second on the team with 15 runs scored in 16 conference games played. Barnes tallied 16 multi-hit games and seven contests with two or more runs batted in during the regular season. Five of those multi-hit games were in conference games. His average is currently fifth on the team at .357 (55-for-154) to go along with a team-high 13 doubles, three home runs, 43 runs scored, and 28 RBIs. Barnes is tied for fourth in the conference with Gibson in hits (55). For his efforts in the AMCC Tournament, he was named to the All-Tournament Team

Zick recorded a 2.31 ERA in four conference appearances, striking-out 13 batters and pitching to a 1-1 record over 11.2 innings pitched in conference play. In regular season play, he tied for second in the AMCC with five wins, making seven starts with a 3.18 ERA and striking out 24 batters in 28.1 innings. Zick tossed five shutout innings and struck out six in a win at Alfred State.

Nicely tallied a .313 average (15-for-48) with two homers and 11 RBIs in 15 conference games played. During the regular season, Nicely notched nine multi-hit games and seven games with two or more RBIs. Three of his multi-hit games were in conference play. Currently, he holds a .315 average (34-for-108) with three home runs and 27 RBIs. Behind the plate, Nicely has  a .989 fielding percentage and has thrown out 10 base runners attempting to steal.