Four Named Collegiate Baseball DIII Players to Watch

ERIE, Pa. - The Penn State Behrend baseball team had three players named to the 2021 NCAA Division III Players to Watch List announced by the Collegiate Baseball Magazine.

Juniors Thomas Zbezinski (Gibsonia, PA/Pine Richland) and Josh Wagner (South Park, PA/South Park) are being recognized for the second straight year, while juniors Braden Paulinellie (DuBois, PA/DuBois) and Zack Bowen (Pittsburgh, PA/Serra Catholic) are making their first appearance on the list.

Zbezinski, a left-handed hurler, was selected to the All-Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) team after his debut season in 2019 when he earned a 7-2 mound mark. He was also named the AMCC Newcomer of the Year. Last spring, Zbezinski was selected by the league's coaches as the AMCC Preseason Pitcher of the Year.  

Wagner has batted .353 over his career with 28 doubles and 58 RBI across 61 games. He was also selected as the 2020 AMCC Preseason Player of the Year after earning first-team All-AMCC honors at first base. A year ago, Wagner began the season hitting .442. 

Paulinellie, the starting shortstop, has seen action in 43 career games. He has registered a .353 batting average, scored 27 times and driven in 34 runs. Last season, Paulinellie earned the program's Herb Lauffer Leadership & Scholarship award. He led the team in RBIs and ended the season on an eight-game streak. 

Bowen enters his third year with the Lions at second base. In his first two seasons, he totalled 50 hits and 32 RBIs for a .309 batting average. He won the team Golden Glove award in 2020, recording 47 chances with just one error. 

"This is a tremendous honor for Braden, Josh, Thomas and Zack," said head coach Paul Benim. "They are outstanding student-athletes and players. All three continue to be integral pieces of our team and will be relied upon for their leadership this spring."

Since 2009, more than 30 Behrend Lions have been recognized by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.