Baseball Duo Earns Postseason Honors

AMHERST, Mass. – Two University of Massachusetts baseball student-athletes have been recognized for their performances during the 2017 season as freshman outfielder Nolan Kessinger has been named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team and senior infielder Jon Avallone was presented with the team's Coaches' Award prior to retiring head coach Mike Stone's final game with the Minutemen last Friday.

Kessinger finished his rookie campaign second on the team in batting average, hitting .301 (46 for 153) in 45 contests, starting all 45. The Southborough, Massachusetts native scored 19 runs and drove in 16 with 10 doubles and one triple and posted UMass' longest hitting streak of the season at 12 games. In Atlantic 10 action, Kessinger started all 24 games and hit .284 (23-for-81) with seven RBI, seven runs scored and three doubles.

Avallone earned Stone's final Coaches' Award for most improved player after registering career highs in virtually every offensive category as a senior. He saw action in 44 of 47 games for the Minutemen, primarily as the squad's second baseman, and logged a career-high 43 hits, 24 runs scored, eight doubles and matched a career best with 10 RBI after belting the first six home runs of his career in 2017. The Demarest, New Jersey native improved his fielding percentage by over 100 points from the prior season, as well.

For continued coverage of UMass baseball, follow the team on Twitter @UMassBaseball and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassBaseball.

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Players Mentioned

Jon Avallone

Nolan Kessinger

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University of Massachusets Athletics