Peterson named WNYAC Player of Year

Niagara County Community College sophomore pitcher Ryan Peterson was recently voted Western New York Athletic Conference Player of the Year. The southpaw finished with a 10-1 record, including seven complete games. In 74 innings pitched, Peterson allowed just 42 hits and 10 earned runs for a 1.22 earned-run average. The George Mason University signee also had 73 strikeouts.

Joining Peterson on the WNYAC first team were teammates Scottie O'Bryan and Cal Brazier. O'Bryan, a sophomore outfielder headed to Virginia Commonwealth University, led NCCC with a .475 batting average that included 66 hits, 18 doubles, six home runs, 41 RBIs, 41 stolen bases and 60 runs scored. Brazier, a freshman first baseman committed to Tiffin University, hit .394 with 54 base hits, seven home runs, 44 RBIs, 31 walks and 43 runs scored.

Second-team selections from NCCC included: Chad Gartland, Andrew Fairbrother and Cole Laskowski. Gartland, a sophomore pitcher headed to George Mason University, had a 6-2 record with a 1.88 ERA. In 48 innings pitched, the righty allowed just 28 hits, 10 earned runs and struck out 61 batters. Fairbrother, a freshman infielder, hit .397 with 60 hits, 11 doubles, 36 RBIs and 43 runs scored. Laskowski, a freshman infielder, hit .310 with 40 hits, 10 doubles, 34 RBIs and 38 runs scored.

NCCC head coach Matt Clingersmith was named Coach of the Year after leading the WNYAC champion Thunderwolves to a 13-3 mark in conference play. N-Trip finished with a 34-11 overall record and a runner-up finish at the NJCAA Div. III World Series.