Panthers win Big East awards in every category

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Despite being sent home early after only two rounds, there were a few… BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Despite being sent home early after only two rounds, there were a few Panthers on the men’s baseball team who walked away victorious at the Big East Tournament last weekend.

Pitt swept the board, taking all of the awards only having to share the Big East Pitcher of the Year with another school.

Most notably, head coach Joe Jordano received Big East Coach of the Year. Jordano led the Panthers to a 17-8 conference record in his seventh season with the team. His team was tops in the Big East in both offense and defense. The team batting average at season’s end was .320, with 61 home runs. Defensively, the Panthers had committed only 52 errors and had a fielding percentage of .973. But he gives credit to his team for his accolade.

“I owe it all to those guys,” Jordano said. “I’m just lucky enough to be coaching them.”

Among the players Jordano thanked was senior pitcher and designated hitter P.J. Hiser, who played in left field during the Big East Tournament.

Hiser earned Big East Player of the Year Award and was also earned first team All-Big East honors.

“P.J. did a great job overall, not just on the mound but as a position player,” Jordano said.

Hiser hit a team-record 21 home runs this season and knocked in 64 RBIs. His batting average for the season was .361. On the mound, Hiser recorded a 5-1 record and struck out 49 batters.

Also receiving an award was senior pitcher Nick Evangelista. He won Co-Big East Pitcher of the Year. He also received All-Big East First Team honors.

“Nick Evangelista has been our horse the entire year,” Jordano said.

Evangelista held opponents to a .258 batting average while striking out 66. He threw four complete games and two complete-game shutouts. He had an ERA of 3.46 and posted a record of 8-2 in 13 starts.

The final award handed out was Big East Rookie of the Year. The award went to freshman second baseman Jim Negrych.

“Jimmy Negrych has led the Big East in offense,” Jordano said.

Negrych’s .387 batting average was tops in the Big East. He also hit 20 doubles, breaking the Pitt single-season record. He also held a fielding percentage of .960, only committing nine errors.

Negrych was also named to the Second Team All-Big East, along with his teammate center fielder Ben Copeland.

Copeland finished the season with a batting average of .340, with 15 doubles and 37 RBIs.

Also receiving All-Big East honors was Panther first baseman Tom Cashman. He was named to the third team with a .312 batting average. He hit 13 home runs and 44 RBIs in his 51 games.

“I think my guys deserve it,” Jordano said. “They sustained themselves at a very high level throughout the course of the year.”