Posted: Jun 09, 2014

Albanese named program's first NCBWA Freshman All-American

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – A week after earning Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American honors, Bryant University outfielder Matt Albanese (East Haddam, Conn.) became the first player in program history to earn NCBWA Freshman All-American honors as he was named to the second team on Monday.

Albanese is the only player from the Northeast Conference and one of just two players from a Northeast school that were named to one of the two teams (Stony Brook's Casey Baker). The award is one of many accomplishments for the Connecticut native as he was named the NEC and New England Rookie of the Year and the program's third Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.

In 57 games, Albanese hit .322 with 69 hits, 16 doubles, four triples, two home runs, 36 RBI and a team-leading 53 runs scored. He also swiped 11 bases and posted a .403 OBP. Albanese posted 18 multi-hit games, including a five-hit performance against Hartford on April 2. He added six multi-RBI games and scored 10 runs over a four-game span in the middle of May. Albanese's 53 runs scored are the most by a freshman in program history and the second most in a single season in DI history.