George Washington University Athletics
Baseball Sweeps A-10 Player and Rookie of the Year
5/21/2019 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
Fassnacht and Levin earn league-wide awards as part of seven total honors
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -Â For the second straight year, GW baseball is home to the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. Junior shortstop Nate Fassnacht was named the top player in the conference by a vote of the league's coaches and was joined by first-year second baseman Noah Levin, who was named the A-10 Co-Rookie of the Year.
Additionally, senior Dom D'Alessandro made history by being named to the All A-10 First Team as a first baseman and the Second Team as a designated hitter. Junior Jaret Edwards rounded out the awards by being named to the All-Academic team for the second straight year.
The nature of the accolades are unprecedented in the Atlantic 10. GW became the first school in conference history to have two different players win back-to-back Players of the Year (Isaiah Pasteur, 2018). It's also the first time in conference history that the softball (Jenna Cone) and baseball Players of the Year hail from the same institution.
In addition, D'Alessandro is the first player in A-10 history to be named to two All-Conference teams in the same campaign. Finally, for just the fourth time, the Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year are from the same program.
"These players have made unrivaled history for both GW and the Atlantic 10," head coach Gregg Ritchie said. "Only at GW can we say we're the first school in the A-10 with two different Players of the Year in consecutive seasons. That's pretty special.
"These honorees truly understand the historical impact they've made on this university and this league with their performance on the field and in the classroom. I couldn't be more proud of them for earning these well-deserved accolades."
Nate Fassnacht // Jr. // SS
Additionally, senior Dom D'Alessandro made history by being named to the All A-10 First Team as a first baseman and the Second Team as a designated hitter. Junior Jaret Edwards rounded out the awards by being named to the All-Academic team for the second straight year.
The nature of the accolades are unprecedented in the Atlantic 10. GW became the first school in conference history to have two different players win back-to-back Players of the Year (Isaiah Pasteur, 2018). It's also the first time in conference history that the softball (Jenna Cone) and baseball Players of the Year hail from the same institution.
In addition, D'Alessandro is the first player in A-10 history to be named to two All-Conference teams in the same campaign. Finally, for just the fourth time, the Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year are from the same program.
"These players have made unrivaled history for both GW and the Atlantic 10," head coach Gregg Ritchie said. "Only at GW can we say we're the first school in the A-10 with two different Players of the Year in consecutive seasons. That's pretty special.
"These honorees truly understand the historical impact they've made on this university and this league with their performance on the field and in the classroom. I couldn't be more proud of them for earning these well-deserved accolades."
Nate Fassnacht // Jr. // SS
2019 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year
First Team All-Conference Shortstop
Fassnacht becomes the fourth A-10 Player of the Year in program history, joining Brad Rosenblat (2005), Tom Zebroski (2010) and Pasteur (2018). The Ephrata, Pa., native led the league in runs (59), runs per game (1.09), RBI (60), RBI per game (1.11) and total bases (148). He ranked among the nation's top 50 players in doubles (6th), doubles per game (10th), total bases (13th), hits (13th), RBI (31st), runs (36th), slugging percentage (42nd) and RBI per game (43rd). Fassnacht was the only player in the nation to rank in the top 50 in as many categories.
He also was among the league's top five in triples (t-3rd), batting average (4th), toughest to strikeout (4th) and on-base percentage (5th). Defensively, Fassnacht was GW's everyday shortstop and led the league in assists and was part of a league-best 37 double plays.
The 2019 team MVP finished the year hitting .372 with a 1.108 OPS, 11 home runs and 60 RBI. His 23 doubles tied a school record, and the 60 RBI are tied for the most in the A-10 since 2013. Fassnacht, who was a three-time player of the week recipient, also added 25 multi-hit games and 17 multi-RBI games.
This is the second year-end award for Fassnacht, who was named to the All-Rookie team in 2017.
Noah Levin // Fr. // 2B
He also was among the league's top five in triples (t-3rd), batting average (4th), toughest to strikeout (4th) and on-base percentage (5th). Defensively, Fassnacht was GW's everyday shortstop and led the league in assists and was part of a league-best 37 double plays.
The 2019 team MVP finished the year hitting .372 with a 1.108 OPS, 11 home runs and 60 RBI. His 23 doubles tied a school record, and the 60 RBI are tied for the most in the A-10 since 2013. Fassnacht, who was a three-time player of the week recipient, also added 25 multi-hit games and 17 multi-RBI games.
This is the second year-end award for Fassnacht, who was named to the All-Rookie team in 2017.
Noah Levin // Fr. // 2B
2019 Atlantic 10 Co-Rookie of the Year
All-Rookie Second Base
Levin is the fourth Rookie of the Year in program history, and the first since Anthony Smith in 2004. The Tarzana, Calif., native was also named to the All-Rookie team at second base. He finished his first collegiate year hitting .305 in 45 games, bashing 11 doubles, two triples, four home runs and driving in 43 RBI. He was second among A-10 second baseman and A-10 freshman in RBI and topped the position in RBI per game.
Levin took his game to another level in league play, leading the Colonials with a .354 average, the eighth-best mark in the circuit. Despite playing 10 fewer games overall, he finished t-3rd on the team in RBI, was third with 13 multi-RBI games and ranked fifth with 15 multi-hit games.
Levin was twice named rookie of the week during the season (May 13 and March 18).
Dom D'Alessandro // Sr. // UTL
Levin took his game to another level in league play, leading the Colonials with a .354 average, the eighth-best mark in the circuit. Despite playing 10 fewer games overall, he finished t-3rd on the team in RBI, was third with 13 multi-RBI games and ranked fifth with 15 multi-hit games.
Levin was twice named rookie of the week during the season (May 13 and March 18).
Dom D'Alessandro // Sr. // UTL
First Team All-Conference First Base
Second Team All-Conference Designated Hitter
D'Alessandro showed his versatility throughout the year en route to turning in a pair of accolades. The top hitter in the league, he became the first player in the Atlantic 10 since 2013 to hit over .400, winning the batting crown by an astonishing 32 points with a .423 average. He also finished the year leading the league in hits (88), homers (13), slugging percentage (.668), on-base percentage (.506) and hits per game (1.66). The Glassboro, N.J., native came within four RBI of winning the league's triple crown, finishing fourth in RBI with 56.Â
In the national rankings, D'Alessandro had the fifth-best batting average in the nation and is among the top 50 in hits (8th), hits per game (9th), on-base percentage (14th), total bases (25th) and slugging percentage (33rd).
He racked up multiple hits in 11 conference games and topped the team with 28 multi-hit games. He ranked second with 16 multi-RBI contests, including driving in five or more on three occasions. Defensively, he posted a .992 fielding percentage, was involved in 29 doubles plays and made just one error in the field during league play.
D'Alessandro was previously named First Team DH in 2018 and was a part of the 2018 All-Championship Team.
Jaret Edwards // Jr. // RHP
In the national rankings, D'Alessandro had the fifth-best batting average in the nation and is among the top 50 in hits (8th), hits per game (9th), on-base percentage (14th), total bases (25th) and slugging percentage (33rd).
He racked up multiple hits in 11 conference games and topped the team with 28 multi-hit games. He ranked second with 16 multi-RBI contests, including driving in five or more on three occasions. Defensively, he posted a .992 fielding percentage, was involved in 29 doubles plays and made just one error in the field during league play.
D'Alessandro was previously named First Team DH in 2018 and was a part of the 2018 All-Championship Team.
Jaret Edwards // Jr. // RHP
All-Academic
Edwards was named to the All-Academic squad for the second consecutive year. The Rocky River, Ohio, native holds a 3.77 GPA while working towards a degree in statistics.Â
On the field, Edwards led the Colonials in innings pitched (68.1) and wins (6) in a versatile role. He held a 6-3 mark with a 5.80 ERA in 19 games, including 10 starts, while also earning one save in relief.
Edwards was named to the All-Academic squad for the second consecutive year. The Rocky River, Ohio, native holds a 3.77 GPA while working towards a degree in statistics.Â
On the field, Edwards led the Colonials in innings pitched (68.1) and wins (6) in a versatile role. He held a 6-3 mark with a 5.80 ERA in 19 games, including 10 starts, while also earning one save in relief.
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