At a glance
The Western New York Athletic Conference announced its 2008 All-Conference baseball teams and six Alfred State players have been honored.
The Western New York Athletic Conference announced its 2008 All-Conference baseball teams and six Alfred State players have been honored. Receiving first team honors were pitcher Travis Noyd (Endicott) and outfielder Berto Vargas (New York). Infielders Derek Speaker (North Tonawanda) and Karl Kofmel (Ottowa, ON), Catcher Steve Smith (Hornell), and outfielder Kenny O'Brien (Norwalk, CT) were named honorable mention.
Noyd, an Alfred State freshman, anchored the Pioneer pitching staff this fall with a record of 3-1 with one save in seven appearences. He also led the team in innings pitched (46.1) and ERA (2.33). He pitched two complete games as well as 12 innings in the conference semifinal game that the Pioneers ended up losing 4-3 in 13 innings. In the conference tournament, Noyd pitched 21 innings with three earned runs.
Vargas, a sophomore outfielder, led the Pioneers offensively with a batting average of .526 in 15 games this fall season. He had three doubles, three triples and a homerun (leading the team in triples and homeruns). He also drove in 18 runs while being walked a team high 16 times.
Kofmel had a batting average of .303 and played a solid defense at first to earn honorable mention consideration. O'Brien led the way defensively in centerfield and had 12 RBI. Speaker proved to be a versatile infielder and led the team with 15 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in 11 attempts. Smith was solid behind the plate while managing a young pitching staff and also batted .277 with a double and a triple.
The Pioneers finished the fall season with a 6-9 record and advanced to the WNYAC semifinals. The team has headed indoors in prepartion for the 2009 spring season which will begin in the middle of March with the team's annual trip to Cocoa, FL.