Tobin named ECAC Tourney MVP

ORONO – University of Maine sophomore catcher-designated hitter Shawn Tobin had hoped to deliver as the cleanup hitter in the ECAC Baseball Tournament.

And that he did.

Tobin went 9-for-24 (.375) with a homer, 2 doubles, and 11 runs batted in to earn the tourney’s Most Valuable Player Award. Tobin had sevewith two outs to lead the Bears to the tourney title.

“It’s a pleasant surprise,” said Tobin. “I didn’t expect anything. But winning the tournament is a bigger thrill.

“A lot of the credit has to go to the guys at the top of the order,” added Tobin. “Those guys did a great job getting on base. Without them, I wouldn’t have gotten a chance to get the RBIs.”

Tobin was referring to leadoff man Shanan Knox, No. 2 hitter Brian Seguin, and No. 3 man Mark Sweeney along with Todd Livingston, who started in place of the injured Knox (hand) in Sunday’s title-clinching 12-2 win over Northeastern.

Tobin, a Concord, Mass., native, has now driven in 17 runs in his last seven games.

Joining him on the All-Tournament team were Maine pitcher Larry Thomas (6-hit, 10-strikeout complete game in 5-2 win over Fordham) and left fielder Chad White (11-for-20, 6 runs, 3 RBIs); Northeastern catcher John Lombardi (5-for-18, 5 RBIs), second baseman Jim Caeren (tourney record 12 hits, 5 RBIs), pitcher John Sheehan (2-0, 3.00 ERA, two complete games), and DH Dan Mahoney (8-for-23, 3 homers, 8 RBIs); Fordham first baseman Peter DeLuca (6-for-15, 1 homer, 7 RBIs) and left fielder Bill Champi (7-for-18, 1 homer); C.W. Post right fielder Eric Strovink (6-for-13, 3 homers, 8 RBIs) and third baseman James Ruocchio (5-for-11, 1 homer, 5 RBIs); and LeMoyne shortstop David Smith (8-for-19).

Champi was the MVP last year.