ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend baseball team has announced the 2012 team awards.
The program’s Most Valuable Player award went to Ryan Geibel (East Butler, PA/Bulter). The senior hit .344 with 16 doubles, two triples, and two home runs while driving in 43 runs. Geibel started in every game and eclipsed 100 career hits and RBIs. He also received Second-Team All-Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) honors.
Ryan Jacobs (Port Vue, PA/South Allegheny) was tabbed as the team’s Most Valuable Pitcher. Jacobs was dominating on the mound all season, leading the team in strikeouts (83), innings pitched (69.2), and wins (8). He tied the single-season record for strikeouts and earned First-Team All-AMCC accolades.
Senior Joe Paterniti (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown) was named the Most Improved Player. Paterniti played in 34 games, recording 15 hits, two doubles, and two triples. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Tournament after going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored in the championship game.
The Rookie of the Year award went to Jory Okerlund (Smethport, PA/Smethport). Okerlund made an immediate impact for the Lions out of the pen. The freshman hurler went 2-2 on the bump with two saves.
Ryan Kragnes (Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park) was awarded the team’s Golden Glove for his stellar defensive play. Kragnes started in every game and earned First-Team All-AMCC honors for the second consecutive season. The junior only made one error in center field.
The Hustle and Spirit award went to Dante DeSantis (DuBois, PA/DuBois Central Catholic) who was instrumental in Behrend’s success. The versatile sophomore played in 35 games, alternating positions between outfield, pitcher, and pinch hitter. On the mound, DeSantis picked up six wins while striking out 76 batters in 64.1 innings of work. In the box, he recorded 12 hits and scored seven runs.
The Scholarship and Leadership award went to the two lone seniors on the squad, Geible and Paterniti. The duo led the Lions both on and off the field and represented the university in a positive manner.
