2011 Behrend Baseball Team Awards

ERIE, Pa. – After completing a successful season, the Penn State Behrend baseball program announced their 2011 team awards.

The team's Most Valuable Player award went to Matt Bittner. Only a sophomore, Bittner batted .403 and led the team with 58 hits, 51 RBIs, 12 doubles and five home runs. Bittner also held a team-best .604 slugging percentage.

Jay Condit received the nod as Most Valuable Pitcher after a 5-0 season. The sophomore hurler appeared in 13 games. Condit recorded a team-high five saves and gave up a total of six earned runs in 36.1 innings to lead the bullpen with a 1.49 ERA.

The Most Improved Player award went to Blake Pavlik. The versatile senior played 36 games alternating positions between, left field, first base and pitcher. Pavlik led the team in batting average (.413), while smacked 10 doubles, three triples and drove in 34 runs, all career highs.

Senior shortstop Ed Kessler scooped up two team accolades, first he was bestowed with the Golden Glove award for his work in the diamond and then was honored with the 2011 Leadership and Scholarship award for his off-the-field contributions to his team, school and to the community.

Chad Zurat was named the squad's Rookie of the Year. Zurat brought power and excitement to the mound, while posting four saves and winning three games as a starter. The converted outfielder amassed 33 strikeouts in just 22 innings and ended the season with a 2.86 ERA.

The Hustle and Spirit Award went to Geoff Lang who was instrumental in the Lions offensive production. Lang broke the school and AMCC record for triples in a season with 9, while batting in 40 runners, and swiping 23 bags. The senior also crushed three homeruns and scored 41 runs for the blue and white.

This was also a special year for the graduating seniors. These eight players came into Behrend four years ago and have won 124 games which make them the most winningest class in program history.