Baseball's Pina Earns NECC, NEIBA Player of the Week Honors

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Mitchell College junior Tyler Pina was named Player of the Week by both the New England Collegiate Conference and the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association on Monday.

Pina was a major reason the Mariners captured their third consecutive NECC Championship this past weekend. Mitchell's designated hitter earned NECC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors after leading an offensive attack that averaged 15 runs per game in the tournament. In three games, Pina hit .563 with three extra-base hits, eight runs scored and six RBI. He finished with at least two hits, one run and one RBI in every game, including a 5-for-7 game with five runs scored and three RBI against Southern Vermont College.

Earlier today Pina was named to the NECC All-Conference First Team. This season he has batted a career-high .390 with 26 RBI and led the team in hits (53), doubles (12), homers (2), runs scored (35) and slugging (.522). He played in all 18 league games and hit .397 – third best in the NECC – while driving in eight.

Mitchell (27-9 overall) will make its fourth NCAA appearance later this month. The NCAA bracket will be announced on the morning of May 16 on NCAA.com.