Baseball: Seven Lasers take home GNAC end-of-season awards

WINTHROP, Mass. - After going 11-7 in the GNAC and hosting a first-round playoff game in the postseason tournament, the Lasell University baseball team saw seven student-athletes earn end-of-the-season awards from the conference office Tuesday afternoon.

Matthew Bischof was named to the All-Conference first team, Bryan Baumann and Vaun Larisa represented the program on the second team and Ross Audet earned a spot on the third team. Audet has been named to the third team in back-to-back seasons. Matthew Fletcher, Jordan Martinez and Larisa took home All-Rookie team recognition, while Jack Snyder was the Lasers' representative on the All-Sportsmanship team.

Bischof broke the program's career and single-season, home-run record this season, as he finished his career with 12 homers, including eight during his final year. In his senior year alone, he tied the previous career record in home runs. He compiled 11 multi-hit games, including a four-hit effort during an 11-3 win against Elms on March 29.

The Sleepy Hollow, New York, native was recognized as the GNAC Player of the Week on April 4. He led the team in slugging percentage (.553), batting average (.307), home runs and RBIs (31). Bischof led the conference in home runs, was tied for seventh in RBIs and ranked ninth in slugging percentage. During the season, he went on two separate streaks in which he hit a home run in three consecutive games.

Baumann led the Lasers in doubles (8) and triples (3), while ranking second in hits (37), runs (24) and slugging percentage (.409). He tallied at least one hit in 25 games, posted two hits 10 times and recorded one three-hit game. The Deerfield, Massachusetts, native finished 3-of-4 batting, with two runs, one RBI and one walk, during an 8-6 triumph against Saint Michael's on March 16 in Fort Myers, Florida.

Larisa posted 35 hits, 19 runs, 14 RBIs and five doubles, to go along with .356 on-base percentage, during his rookie season. On the mound, he went 3-0 and threw 29.0 innings during 12 appearances and one start, as he maintained a 3.41 ERA and averaged 10.86 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Lincoln, Rhode Island, native was phenomenal in a relief role, working seven innings and only giving up one run, during a first-round playoff game against Elms on May 3. From an offensive perspective, Larisa finished with at least one hit in 25 games, including nine multi-hit performances.

Audet led the team in hits (40), while his 11 stolen bases and 30 runs led the team and ranked tied for seventh and 10th, respectively, in the conference. He also recorded 25 RBIs, five doubles, two home runs and two triples, while maintaining a .387 slugging percentage and .360 on-base percentage. The Swansea, Massachusetts, native registered three or more hits four times, including a 4-for-5 effort, with three runs, three RBIs, one double and one walk, during a 16-3 triumph over Rivier on April 16.

Fletcher made 11 appearances and six starts, maintaining a 3.86 ERA in 37 1/3 innings of work. He averaged 7.71 strikeouts per nine innings. During a 4-1 victory over Lesley on April 18, Fletcher earned the win, working the first six innings and only giving up one run and two hits.

Martinez finished the season with 24 hits, 12 RBIs, 10 runs and three doubles, while maintaining a .396 on-base percentage and compiling six multi-hit games. Snyder pitched three innings of scoreless relief and only allowed one hit in Game 1 against Defiance on March 14. 

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.

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