For Immediate Release: June 8, 2011
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

BU baseball outfielder Bereszniewicz named Freshman All-American
First-year center fielder earns Louisville Slugger honor from Collegiate Baseball

Collegiate Baseball release

VESTAL, N.Y. -- Binghamton baseball center fielder Bill Bereszniewicz has been selected as a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball, the newspaper announced Wednesday. Bereszniewicz becomes the fourth Bearcat rookie in the last five years to earn national honors.

Bereszniewicz was a key contributor in BU's starting lineup and earned unanimous selection to the America East All-Rookie Team in 2011. He led the team with a .353 average and struck out just nine times in 136 at-bats. He made only one error in center field and was especially effective in conference play, driving in 14 runs in 22 league games and hitting .358. Bereszniewicz had 16 multi-hit games and hit safely in 17 of his last 19 games from the leadoff spot. He also had three hits at the America East tournament.

"This is a great honor for Billy and I am thrilled for him," head coach Tim Sinicki said. "He did a tremendous job getting acclimated to the Division I game and did it while playing center field and leading off. I am confident Billy will continue to work hard, develop his skills and be a major player for us during his next three years."

Bereszniewicz joins Henry Dunn (2007), Dave Ciocchi (2009) and Mike Thompson (2010) as Freshman All-Americans.

After winning four straight regular season titles, the Bearcats (21-28) finished third in the America East standings and bowed out of the postseason after two narrow defeats.