Riverdale, N.Y. (December 13, 2005)- Manhattan College sophomore first baseman
Matt Rizzotti has been named Preseason Third-Team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), it was announced today. Rizzotti is one of just three first baseman named to the teams, and one of just 12 sophomores of the 56 players recognized.
Rizzotti is the only MAAC player on the list, and one of just four players from a school in the north east to receive Preseason All-America honors, as he is joined by Boston College junior third baseman Jared McGuire (First Team), Army junior starting pitcher Nick Hill (First Team), and St. Bonaventure designated hitter/pitcher Brian Pellegrini (Second Team). The two first base honorees ahead of Rizzotti come from powerhouse programs Florida (junior Matt LaPorta) and Oklahoma State (senior Adam Carr).
Rizzotti has also been named to a list of 120 baseball student-athletes on the 2006 Wallace Watch. The Brooks Wallace Award is presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year. Rizzotti is one of just six players from a school in the northeast to make the list, and is one of just 10 first basemen.
Rizzotti had a decorated rookie campaign, as he was recognized as MAAC Rookie and Player of the Year, Louisville Slugger Third Team All-American, Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American, NCBWA District II Player of the Year, ECAC All-Star, as well as ABCA Rawlings All-Northeast Region First Team.
In his freshman season, Rizzotti broke four Manhattan single season records, batting .416, with 72 hits, 57 RBI, and 21 doubles, numbers that led the Jaspers as well as the MAAC conference. He also connected on nine home runs, slugged at a .694 clip, and boasted a .530 on base percentage. In the field, he committed just two errors in 420 chances at first base for a .995 fielding percentage.
He posted two hit streaks of 11 games or more, 23 multi-hit games, 15 multi-run games, and 14 multi-RBI games in helping lead Manhattan to a 27-21 overall record and the team's third straight MAAC Tournament berth. He also ranked among the national leaders in batting average (12th), doubles per game (7th), walks per game (20th), RBI per game (22nd), runs per game (55th), and slugging percentage (26th).
