CLEARWATER, Fla.- Three seniors, third baseman Jonathan Koscso, RHP Randy Fontanez and closer Kevin Quackenbush, of the University of South Florida baseball team were recognized as members of the 2011 All-BIG EAST teams during the opening ceremonies of the 2011 BIG EAST Baseball Championships at Clearwater's Bright House Stadium.
Koscso was named to the first team while Fontanez and Quackenbush was named to the second team.
Starting all 54 games this season, Koscso paced the Bulls with a .340 average at the plate and a .447 on-base percentage. Having never missed a start since stepping on to campus, Koscso started 229 consecutive games and in doing so placed himself among the top 10 in numerous offensive categories. He ranks tied for third in career games, seventh in at-bats (862), eighth in hits (274), ninth in doubles (49), seventh in runs scored (181) and is the school's all-time hit by pitcher leader. His 75 career hit by pitches are the eighth-most in NCAA history.
Despite a 5-6 record, Fontanez recorded a career-low 2.92 holding opposing batters to a .242 batting average. He paced the Bulls with 74 strikeouts in 95.2 innings pitched. In his career, Fontanez was 18-9 in 35 BIG EAST starts. He ranks fourth in strikeouts with 294 and fourth in innings pitched (386.2). Fontanez is tied for fourth in starts with 55 and eighth in complete games with 10.
Quackenbush (1-2) was nothing short of dominant in 2011 as the Bulls closer. In 13 opportunities, he recorded a BIG EAST-best 12 saves with a USF record 0.80 earned run average. He struck out 46 batters in just 33.2 innings of work. He allowed 14 hits on the season, with opponents hitting .126 off of him only allowing three extra base-hits. He is sixth all-time with 22 career saves.
It is the first career post-season honor for both Koscso and Quackenbush while it is the third for Fontanez, who was named to the first team as sophomore and second team following his junior season.
Koscso is the first Bulls' position player to gain first team honors since Joey Angelberger and Ryan Lockwood in 2008.
All three graduated earlier this month, Koscso with a degree in bio-medical sciences, Fontanez in communication and Quackenbush in business management.
BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR
George Springer, OF, Connecticut (Jr., New Britain, Conn.) *
BIG EAST PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Matt Barnes, RHP, Connecticut (Jr., Bethel, Conn.)
BIG EAST ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Trey Mancini, 1B, Notre Dame (Fr., Winter Haven, Fla.)
BIG EAST COACH OF THE YEAR
Jim Penders, Connecticut
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ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM
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Pos.
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Player
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School
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Cl
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Hometown
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P
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Matt Barnes *
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Connecticut
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Jr.
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Bethel, Conn.
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P
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Justin Amlung
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Louisville
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So.
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Louisville, Ky.
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P
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Kyle Hansen
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St. John's
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So.
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Glen Gove, N.Y.
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P
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Joe DiRocco
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Seton Hall
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Sr.
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East Hanover, N.J.
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C
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Kevan Smith *
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Pittsburgh
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Sr.
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Cranberry Township, Pa.
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1B
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David Chester
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Pittsburgh
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Sr.
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Collinsville, Okla.
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2B
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Ryan Wright
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Louisville
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Jr.
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Fort Wayne, Ind.
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3B
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Jonathan Koscso
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USF
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Sr.
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Tampa, Fla.
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SS
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Joe Panik
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St. John's
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Jr.
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Hopewell Junction, N.Y.
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OF
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Justin Riddell
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Cincinnati
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Sr.
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Lexington, Ky.
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OF
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George Springer *
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Connecticut
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Jr.
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New Britain, Conn.
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OF
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Rand Ravnaas
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Georgetown
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Jr.
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Fort Worth, Texas
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OF
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Jeremy Baltz
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St. John's
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So.
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Vestal, N.Y.
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DH
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Jeremy Gum
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West Virginia
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Sr.
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Bridgeport, W.Va.
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* unanimous selection
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ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM
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Pos.
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Player
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School
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Cl
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Hometown
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P
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Greg Nappo
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Connecticut
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Sr.
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Madison, Conn.
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P
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Matt Iannazzo
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Pittsburgh
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Jr.
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Norwalk, Conn.
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P
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Randy Fontanez
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USF
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Sr.
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Oviedo, Fla.
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P
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Kevin Quackenbush
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USF
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Sr.
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Tampa, Fla.
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C
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Doug Elliot
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Connecticut
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Sr.
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Rocky Hill, Conn.
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1B
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Mike Nemeth
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Connecticut
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Sr.
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Washington, N.J.
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2B
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LJ Mazzilli
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Connecticut
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So.
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Greenwich, Conn.
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3B
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Ryan Fuller
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Connecticut
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Jr.
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Old Lyme, Conn.
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SS
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Nick Ahmed
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Connecticut
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Jr.
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East Longmeadow, Mass.
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OF
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Stewart Ijames
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Louisville
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Jr.
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Louisville, Ky.
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OF
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John Schultz
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Pittsburgh
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Sr.
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West Lawn, Pa.
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OF
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Michael Lang
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Rutgers
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Sr.
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Dumont, N.J.
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DH
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Justin Glass
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Cincinnati
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Fr.
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Fort Wayne, Ind.
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ALL-BIG EAST THIRD TEAM
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Pos.
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Player
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School
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Cl
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Hometown
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P
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Kevin Vance
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Connecticut
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Jr.
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Solana Beach, Calif.
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P
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Tony Zych
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Louisville
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Jr.
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Monee, Ill.
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P
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Brian Dupra
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Notre Dame
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Sr.
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Rochester, N.Y.
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C
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Erick Fernandez
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Georgetown
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Sr.
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Hialeah, Fla.
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1B
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Trey Mancini
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Notre Dame
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Fr.
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Winter Haven, Fla.
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1B
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Paul Karmas
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St. John's
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Sr.
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Douglaston, N.Y.
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3B
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Sean Lamont
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Georgetown
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Sr.
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Houston, Texas
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SS
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Grant Buckner
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West Virginia
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Sr.
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Elkview W.Va.
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OF
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Braden Kline
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Cincinnati
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Fr.
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Warsaw, Ind.
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OF
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John Andreoli
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Connecticut
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Jr.
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Shrewsbury, Mass.
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OF
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Casey Roche
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Pittsburgh
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Fr.
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Downingtown, Pa.
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DH
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Tim Martin
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Connecticut
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Jr.
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Stratford, Conn.
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DH
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Anthony Defabio
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Pittsburgh
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Jr.
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Pittsburgh, Pa.
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