Sebastianelli becomes sixth Gold Glove winner in Thunderwolves history

SANBORN — SUNY Niagara sophomore shortstop Nigel Sebastianelli received a NJCAA Div. III Baseball ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove award Wednesday. The St. Catherine's, Ontario native is the sixth player in Thunderwolves history to earn the honor and joins Sean Jamieson (2009), Calvin Sluberski (2012), Michael Colosi (2016), Matt Cross (2017) and Andrew Damiani (2024). 

Sebastianelli appeared in 47 games (46 starts), recorded a .937 fielding percentage and committed only eight errors in 127 chances. Sebastianelli was also involved in five double plays, the third-highest total on the Thunderwolves this season.

A Towson University commit for next year, Sebastianelli finished his final SUNY Niagara season at the plate with a .468 batting average, two home runs, 15 doubles, six triples, 53 RBI and scored an additional 73 runs. Sebastianelli was previously named both a NJCAA Region III Div. III first-team selectton and a second-team All-Western New York Athletic Conference pick.

SUNY Niagara finished 51-2 this season, a new program best for most wins in a single season. The Thunderwolves placed fourth at the NJCAA Division III World Series in May.