Fyffe Named AMCC Newcomer of the Year and Joined by Three Others on 2007 Baseball All-Conference Team
Behrend freshman
sensation Josh Fyffe (Fredonia/Sharpsville) was selected by the AMCC Coaches as the 2007 Newcomer of the Year. Fyffe, a shortstop
who started 38 games for the Behrend Lions, hit .394 (56 for 142)
with a team-high nine doubles and 33 RBIs. He also hit three home
runs and stole ten bases.
"This is a tremendous honor for Josh," said head coach Paul Benim. "He had an outstanding season and led us as a freshman which is hard to do in the college game. The league coaches recognized the impact he had on our team and how he affected our conference games. We are very happy for him. Josh earned this."
Fyffe joins David Koerbel (2006), Brian Hart (2004), and Jake Boyle (1999) as other Behrend diamond cutters to earn this prestigious accolade. Fyffe ranked eighth in the league in batting average, fourth in hits, and fourth in RBIs, and third in assists. The AMCC began conference baseball play in 1998.
Joining Fyffe on the all-conference first-team was senior catcher Gabe Stephenson (State College/State College). Stephenson, who earned All-AMCC accolades in 2006, led the blue and white in batting average at .396, and in home runs with four. He also led the team in slugging percentage (.585) and on-base average at (.463). Stephenson ranked among the league leaders in the AMCC and was ranked seventh in batting average.
"Fyffe, Stephenson, Koerbel and Martin all contributed a great deal to our team's success this spring," continued Benim. "They all had very good seasons and we are excited that three of them will be back next spring." Stephenson, a four-year starter for the Behrend Lions, has completed his eligibility.
Named to the all-conference second team were
sophomore pitcher David Koerbel (Pittsburgh/Central Catholic) and third baseman
Adam Martin
(Rochester/Rochester). Koerbel was last season's Newcomer of the
Year in the league anchored the Behrend staff with a 5-1 mark. His
only loss was a 2-1 defeat by league champion Frostburg State.
Koerbel posted a 2.87 ERA and struck out 55 hitters in 53.1 innings
of work while completing four games. Koerbel ranks second in league
ERA and third in strike-outs. Martin was tied for second on
the team in home runs with three, and drove in 22 runs while batting
.316.