Haverhill, MA (May 15, 2019) – The Northern Essex Community College baseball team had eight members selected to the All-Region teams as announced Tuesday by the Region XXI baseball committee. Spencer Brown (Beverly, MA) earned the nod as regional player of the year among four selections on the first team and four additional second team selections.
Joining Brown on the first team are third baseman Leo Romero (Lawrence, MA), center fielder Kyle Hawes (Lynnfield, MA) and designated hitter Riley Magee (Windham, NH). Second team honors went to catcher Harrison Engstrom (Marblehead, MA), first baseman Spencer Balian (Lynnfield, MA), left fielder Rob Lagasse (Newburyport, MA) and pitcher Ronald Luke (Malden, MA).
Brown who at the conclusion of the regional tournament leads the nation in home runs (17) and slugging percentage (1.000) was the region's top offensive threat all season. His .486 batting average sits fourth nationally. He also led the region with 30 stolen bases.
Romero, Magee and Hawes are all on the first-team for the second straight season. Romero, finished the season leading Region 21 in RBI's with 58 and finished fourth in batting average at .452. Hawes was right behind Romero finishing fifth in the region with a .448 batting average. He was also fifth regionally in RBI's with 33. Magee finished second regionally with 10 home runs and third in RBI's with 41.
On the second team, Balian earned All Region recognition for the second straight season as he was a first team selection a year ago. On the season, Balain had a .355 average and 22 RBI's.
Batting in the leadoff position Lagasse finished fourth in the region with 39 RBI's. He hit .387 on the season and had 17 extra base hits including 12 doubles which was tied for third in the region with Engstrom a fellow second team honoree. Engstrom batted .433 on the season which ranked eighth in the region.
On the mound, Luke finished second in the region with six wins and 56 strikeouts to go along with a 3.86 ERA which ranked fourth in the region over 44.1 innings pitched on the season.
Northern Essex concluded its season Monday with a 25-16 record falling in the Region 21 championship round. The loss ended the Knights run at seven consecutive regional championships (2012-2018), however they did capture their eighth consecutive Massachusetts Community College Athletic Conference championship title.
Northern Essex Community College competes as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and sponsors nine varsity intercollegiate sports including baseball, men's basketball, golf, softball, women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country and men's and women's track and field. For more information on Northern Essex Community College Athletics please visit the official website of Northern Essex Athletics (www.neccknights.com).