Official Release
Senior Matt Dishong was named North Coast Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year while he and Gator catcher Ben Lowmaster were selected to the All-NCAC First Team, which was announced by the league on Tuesday.
In total, eight Gators were recognized by the NCAC, including Eric Hansen, Andy Schleihauf, Matt Stahl and David Strawser on the Second Team and James Fago and Aaron Lynch as Honorable Mentions.
Dishong, a right-hander who never received All-NCAC recognition before 2010, was among the NCAC leaders in several categories. He topped the conference in strikeouts and was second in both earned-run average (2.65) and innings pitched (68). Dishong also was fifth in opposing batting average with a team-leading .238.
Dishong carried a 5-3 record during the season, finishing with four complete games -- one of which was a shutout. He made 14 appearances, including nine starts.
With the recognition, Dishong claimed the Gators' sixth NCAC Pitcher of the Year award and first since Jeff Mountain won the distinction in back-to-back seasons (1999-2000). Tim Brudzewicz (1988), Pat Broadwater (1993) and Chuck Stefanini (1997) also won the honor.
Lowmaster, a sophomore, had a solid year while taking over full-time catching duties. He finished second in the NCAC with a team-leading 15 doubles and was 11th in batting average (.389). Lowmaster also finished second on the team in hits (56), RBIs (32) and slugging (.528). He scored 31 runs and had one triple and one home run while becoming the the fifth Gator catcher to earn All-NCAC honors.
Stahl, a junior first baseman, was Allegheny's most feared hitter in 2010 -- evidenced by his team-leading five intentional walks. He topped the NCAC with his .500 batting average and .562 on-base percentage while tying for fourth in hits (61).
Stahl led the Gators in several categories, including RBIs (39), total bases (83) and slugging (.680). He tied for the team lead in homers (4) and was second in runs scored (36). Stahl added 10 doubles to his season totals and struck out only seven times in 122 at-bats. The honor was Stahl's second in as many years; he was an Honorable Mention in 2009.
Hansen, Allegheny's freshman center fielder, emerged onto the scene as a leadoff hitter for the Blue and Gold. He ranked first in the NCAC in times hit-by-pitch (15), was second in stolen bases (17) and fourth in runs (50), leading the team in each category. Hansen also was fourth in on-base percentage (.527) and ninth in batting (.409).
The Gator leadoff man was among team leaders in several other categories. He topped the roster with two triples and 19 walks. Hansen also contributed 54 hits, including 10 doubles, and a .515 slugging percentage.
Schleihauf, a senior, saw time as a catcher, left fielder and designated hitter in 2010. He batted .325 with 18 walks and 28 RBIs and tied for the team lead with four homers.
Strawser, a junior right-hander who was an Honorable Mention in '08, had a 4-4 record during the 2010 season. In 12 appearances, he made nine starts and fired one complete game, finishing with a 5.57 ERA.
Lynch was one of two Gators to start in all 40 games; the other was Schleihauf. Lynch did not put up monster numbers, batting .275 with 34 runs and 17 RBIs, but led the conference in sacrifice bunts (10) and was third in defensive assists (112). The junior shortstop showed marked improvement in the field, increasing his .884 fielding percentage of '09 to .920 in 2010.
Fago, a senior, finished out his collegiate career in a three-way tie for the team lead in homers (4). He saw time as both an outfielder and a pitcher. At the plate, he batted .292 with six doubles, 16 runs and 20 RBIs. On the mound, he tied for the team lead in wins with a 5-3 record and compiled a 4.13 ERA.
The Gators finished with a 25-15 record in 2010 -- their highest win output since a 25-9 slate in '02.