Corey Batista Named MASCAC Baseball Player of the Week

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University junior Corey Batista has been selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Baseball Player of the Week.

A native of Fall River, Massachusetts, Batista earned NCAA Division III New England Regional all-tournament honors for the runner-up Bears as he batted .400 (6-15) with two homers, three doubles, four runs scored and five RBI during the tournament.

Batista doubled, homered and drove in three runs in an 8-5 second round win over Rhode Island College and added a two-run round-tripper in a 6-3 elimination round triumph over Wheaton.  He also tossed a complete-game six-hit shutout and fanned seven in 4-0 opening round victory over top-seeded Tufts.

The 2011 MASCAC Pitcher of the Year and a New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) All-New England First Team selection, Batista posted a record of 7-3 with nine complete games and five shutouts in his first season with the Bears.  In 70 2/3 innings of work, he struck out 79 batters and recorded a 1.78 earned run average.

Batista led the MASCAC in strikeouts, complete games, shutouts and innings pitched, and tied for the league lead in wins and games started.  He also finished second in ERA and third in batting average against (.227).   

At the plate, Batista batted .230 (20-87) with six doubles, five home runs, 12 runs scored, 15 RBI and a .471 slugging percentage.  His five homers tied for third among the MASCAC leaders.

The BSU nine completed the 2011 season with a record of 26-17.  The Bears captured the MASCAC Tournament championship and earned a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 13th time in program history.  Seeded eighth at the New England Regional, Bridgewater advanced to the championship round before being eliminated by regional champion Western New England College.