Two Rutgers Baseball Players Earn Big Ten Honors

Rutgers sophomore outfielder Tom Marcincyzk was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team, while redshirt senior outfielder Joe D’Annunzio received a sportsmanship award, the Big Ten Conference announced today through a press release.

Marcinczyk batted .325/.409/.507 for the Scarlet Knights this season. He led the team with seven home runs and 36 RBIs on his way to the all-conference third team honors. The Middlesex, NJ native started 54 of Rutgers’ 55 games.

“This award is truly an honor,” Marcinczyk said. “I would like to thank my coaches for having the faith in me and giving me the opportunity to play. Also, I would like to congratulate all the other players who were recognized in the Big Ten Conference.”

“For our first year in the Big Ten and finding out what it is about, there were a lot of great hitters,” Rutgers head coach Joe Litterio said via a university press release. “Tom was one of those hitters who put up numbers and it is great to see him recognized. It is very deserving.”

D’Annunzio had the best season of his five-year career on the banks in 2015, hitting .270/.363/.470 in 52 games, all career highs. His nine triples were tied for the NCAA lead.

The sportsmanship award, according to the Big Ten press release, “is given to individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These student-athletes must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.”

“Joe is a perfect candidate for the sportsmanship award,” Litterio said. “He was a player who gave it his all at practice, games and in the classroom. He will be missed.”

This is not D’Annunzio’s first academic honor, as he was named to the 2013-2014 AAC All-Academic Team.

Marcinczyk will return for his junior year in 2016 for the Scarlet Knights. D’Annunzio graduated with a double major in Communications and Labor Relations. He hopes to pursue a professional baseball career, or join his family’s construction business.