The Penn State Behrend Lions baseball program picked up additional recognition from an outstanding championship season in 2009.
The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) released the Division III South Baseball All-Star Team. David Koerbel (Pittsburgh/Central Catholic) was selected as the ECAC Pitcher of the Year and shortstop Josh Fyffe (Fredonia/Sharpsville) was named the ECAC Player of the Year. Jon Gray (State College/State College) was also named to the First Team as an outfielder.
Koerbel, a senior pitcher was selected as the team's Most Valuable Pitcher. Koerbel, the 2008 and 2009 AMCC Pitcher of the Year, was terrific this season. He led the program with a 9-1 record and 83 K's in 60 plus innings. Koerbel also completed his career as the leader in wins, complete games, and strikeouts. He was also tabbed to the 2009 ABCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region Team for the second straight season. Last year he was also tabbed to the ECAC All-Star Team.
Josh Fyffe adds another honor to an already impressive resume. Fyffe is the 2009 AMCC Player of the Year and First Team shortstop. He hit .406 with a team high 69 hits, 13 doubles, three triples, nine home runs and a new school record for RBIs with 58. Fyffe also swiped 16 bases. Fyffe, a three-time All-AMCC performer, was also named to teh ABCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region Team for the second straight season.
Jon Gray was voted the squad's Golden Glove winner. The junior standout anchored the team from center field. Gray, an AMCC All-Conference and All-Region Player, closed gaps in the outfield and played superb defense all season. He batted a team best .432, with 59 runs scored. Gray also knocked three home runs and drove in 30 while stealing 16 bases.
The 2009 Behrend Lions posted an impressive 16-2 AMCC regular-season record, a regional ranking of fourth in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic region polls, and national rankings in a couple polls. Behrend then earned a berth into the NCAA Tournament and posted the fourth most wins in school history with a 31-13 overall record.
