Presentation of team awards wraps up 2020 baseball season
6/18/2020 9:59:00 AM | Baseball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The 2020 season may not have went the way most people thought it would, having been cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Lehigh baseball team still had key individuals make prominent strides in growing the legacy of the program. Three members of the senior class received annual team awards, given out by head coach Sean Leary and his coaching staff, announced Thursday.
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The first award handed out is the Coaches Award, which is given to the individual who made significant contributions to the well-being of the team in terms of attitude, improvement or special leadership. This year's recipient is Jake Kochmansky. "Jake personifies a team-first mentality," said Leary. "He consistently found time to provide his teammates mentorship both on the field and in the classroom. His strong connection to the coaching staff was a great resource for his teammates."
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On the field, Kochmansky became an everyday starter in the outfield in the first part of the season after spending the last three years at first base in a role-playing capacity. He was hitting .286 at the end of the year with six RBIs and three walks.
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The Scholar Athlete Award is given to the student-athlete who, in the eyes of his teammates, exemplifies the ideal scholar-athlete. For the 2020 campaign, Matt Hand is the recipient. "Matt is an amazing example of how a student athlete can achieve at a high level in all facets of his Lehigh experience," Leary said. "Matt was a four-year starter, a dean's list student and leader both in our program and in the athletic department."
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Hand's leadership on the field is just one of his many exemplary traits, as he's also had a very successful four years in the classroom while being a key starter as well. Hand earned a 3.61 GPA for the spring semester in 2020, one of 20 players on the team with a 3.60 GPA or higher. On the diamond for his career, Hand finished with 78 hits, including 19 doubles, three home runs and a triple. He also accumulated 43 RBIs, 37 walks and stole nine bases. He finished his career with an on-base percentage of .328.
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The final award of the year is the Outstanding Athlete Award, given to the player who makes the most outstanding athletic contribution to the accomplishments of the team. In his final season, the recipient for 2020 is Tony Gallo. "Tony had a remarkable offensive career," said Leary. "No doubt he was heading towards his third consecutive All-Patriot League honor this spring. Tony's willingness to move to the outfield this spring was a great example of how this entire senior class put the team goals ahead of their own."
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Gallo was hitting .290 at the abrupt end of the season with 18 hits including four doubles and a home run in the final game of the year. The two-time All-League selection finishes an outstanding collegiate career with a batting average of .305, 105 hits, 16 doubles, eight home runs, 68 RBIs, 40 walks, a slugging percentage of .439 and an on-base percentage of .396.
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Like Lehigh Baseball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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The first award handed out is the Coaches Award, which is given to the individual who made significant contributions to the well-being of the team in terms of attitude, improvement or special leadership. This year's recipient is Jake Kochmansky. "Jake personifies a team-first mentality," said Leary. "He consistently found time to provide his teammates mentorship both on the field and in the classroom. His strong connection to the coaching staff was a great resource for his teammates."
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On the field, Kochmansky became an everyday starter in the outfield in the first part of the season after spending the last three years at first base in a role-playing capacity. He was hitting .286 at the end of the year with six RBIs and three walks.
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The Scholar Athlete Award is given to the student-athlete who, in the eyes of his teammates, exemplifies the ideal scholar-athlete. For the 2020 campaign, Matt Hand is the recipient. "Matt is an amazing example of how a student athlete can achieve at a high level in all facets of his Lehigh experience," Leary said. "Matt was a four-year starter, a dean's list student and leader both in our program and in the athletic department."
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Hand's leadership on the field is just one of his many exemplary traits, as he's also had a very successful four years in the classroom while being a key starter as well. Hand earned a 3.61 GPA for the spring semester in 2020, one of 20 players on the team with a 3.60 GPA or higher. On the diamond for his career, Hand finished with 78 hits, including 19 doubles, three home runs and a triple. He also accumulated 43 RBIs, 37 walks and stole nine bases. He finished his career with an on-base percentage of .328.
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The final award of the year is the Outstanding Athlete Award, given to the player who makes the most outstanding athletic contribution to the accomplishments of the team. In his final season, the recipient for 2020 is Tony Gallo. "Tony had a remarkable offensive career," said Leary. "No doubt he was heading towards his third consecutive All-Patriot League honor this spring. Tony's willingness to move to the outfield this spring was a great example of how this entire senior class put the team goals ahead of their own."
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Gallo was hitting .290 at the abrupt end of the season with 18 hits including four doubles and a home run in the final game of the year. The two-time All-League selection finishes an outstanding collegiate career with a batting average of .305, 105 hits, 16 doubles, eight home runs, 68 RBIs, 40 walks, a slugging percentage of .439 and an on-base percentage of .396.
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Like Lehigh Baseball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Players Mentioned
Baseball vs. Coppin State
Tuesday, April 29
Baseball vs. Penn
Wednesday, March 19
Baseball vs. UAlbany
Sunday, March 16
Season Preview Baseball
Thursday, February 13
