Karinchak named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After putting together an outstanding rookie season, Bryant University baseball freshman James Karinchak (Walden, N.Y.) was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, the association announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Karinchak becomes the fifth player in Division I history to earn Freshman All-American honors, joining Kevin Brown, Kevin McAvoy, AJ Zarozny and Matt Albanese. All five have been recognized in the past six seasons.

The Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-NEC selection, Karinchak emerged as one of Bryant's top starting pitchers during its spring break trip. He finished the year 8-5 with a 3.24 ERA and struck out 74 in 77.2 innings. Karinchak led the Northeast Conference in wins and strikeouts on the season and also threw six complete games and posted three shutouts.

In his first collegiate start, Karinchak tossed a complete game two-hitter and struck out 10 in a 7-0 victory over Towson. The right-hander then opened NEC play with a bang, winning his first five starts while throwing four complete games. Karinchak tossed four-straight complete games from April 11- May 2 and posted a pair of shutouts in that span. He set a Bryant Division I record for most shutouts and most complete games in a season.