RELEASE DATE: 5/18/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ERIC BAKER NAMED PSAC EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR – BAKER, HOSHAUER, SHOCKLOSS AND RICKABAUGH NAMED TO FIRST TEAM HONORS – WURSTER, LORSON AND STEIN EARN SECOND TEAM HONORS

MANSFIELD – Eric Baker (Apalachin,NY/Owego) was named the 2005 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Player of the Year in voting by the head baseball PSAC East coaches and released today by the PSAC office.

Baker was also named to All-PSAC East First Team honors along with teammates D.J. Hoshauer (Hamburg/Hamburg), Brett Shockloss (Williamsport/Loyalsock) and Colby Rickabaugh (Newville/Big Springs). Travis Wurster (Montoursville/Montoursville), Adam Lorson (Montoursville/Montoursville) and Kane Stein (N. Huntington/Norwin) were all named to Second Team honors.

Baker had the best season at the plate of any player in Mansfield’s illustrious 138-year old baseball history. The senior second baseman led the nation in batting this year, hitting an even .500 over the 46 game season. In 156 at-bats, Baker rapped out 20 doubles and nine home runs while scoring 62 times and driving in 50 RBI’s. Baker led the PSAC in batting, on-base percentage (.585), slugging percentage (.801), walks (29), runs, and hits (78) during the regular season while finishing second in home runs (9) and doubles. He also ranked among the top five in the PSAC in doubles and stolen bases to repeat as a First Team selection.

Hoshauer was almost equally as impressive at the plate this season. In 46 games, the senior first baseman batted .404 with his 65 hits including 16 doubles and a conference best 14 home runs. He drove in a PSAC regular season best 58 runs while scoring 37 times. Hoshauer’s .764 slugging percentage was second only to Baker’s in the PSAC this season and he topped the conference in both home runs and RBI’s.

Shockloss was the third leading hitter on the team this season with a .357 batting average. In 43 games, the junior outfielder had 51 hits including four doubles and 26 RBI’s. He scored 33 times while stealing seven bases and was an outstanding defensive player committing just two errors on the season.

Rickabaugh earn First Team honors at relief pitcher. In 12 mound appearances this season, Rickabaugh posted a 1-0 mark with four saves. In 21.2 innings pitched, he struck out 12 batters while posting a 2.49 ERA. Also the designated hitter for much of the season, Rickabaugh batted .255 on the season with his 27 hits including five doubles, five home runs and 36 RBI’s.

Wurster ended his career in the same manner he started by being named to Second Team honors. A four-year starter at shortstop, Wurster started all 46 games this season with a .271 batting average. His 38 hits included four doubles and two triples with 18 RBI’s and 30 runs.

Lorson earned Second Team honors in his first season after transferring to Mansfield. The junior lefty posted a 7-3 overall record with 11 of his 12 appearance coming as starts. In a team high 61.1 innings pitched, Lorson struck out 32 batters while posting a 3.67 ERA and a team best two shutouts.

Stein scourged off an early season injury to finish 7-1 on the season, including a perfect 7-0 in regular season play. The senior right-hander started six of the eight games he pitched with four complete games. In 48.2 innings worked, Stein recoded 11 strikeouts while posting a 2.40 ERA.

Mansfield ends the season with a 28-18 overall record, finishing second in the PSAC East with a 15-4 conference mark.

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