Joe Mihalics

BUFFALO, NY ­ The University at Buffalo baseball team handed out its season-ending awards at the annual UB Athletic Awards Banquet on April 29 at Samuel's Grande Manor in Clarence.

Receiving awards from head coach Bill Breene and his staff were freshman James Kingsley (Medina, NY/Medina), junior Nick Bellacose (Clarence, NY/Clarence), senior Kyle Swiatocha (Forest Hills, NY/Holy Cross) and sophomore Joe Mihalics (Tonawanda, NY/Timon/St. Jude).

Kingsley was named the team's Top Newcomer after an impressive freshman campaign. He hit .264 with seven runs and 10 RBIs in 21 games. He hit his first career home run and drove in five runs in a 17-14 win over Niagara on April 24.

Bellacose was named the team's Most Improved Player. The junior hurler led the Bulls with a 3.31 earned run average and tied for the team lead in wins with three. His ERA was the lowest by a Buffalo pitcher since the Bulls returned to Division I in 2000.

Swiatocha was named the Coach's Award winner. The middle reliever ranked fourth on the team with a 5.96 ERA. On April 23, Swiatocha made the most of his first career start. The senior righty tossed a complete game, allowing one run on six hits and striking out five.

James Kingsley

Mihalics earned Most Valuable Player honors after leading the Bulls in batting average (.344), hits (65) and RBIs (31). His 65 hits rank him second all-time in hits in a season at UB. The sophomore outfielder had 18 multi-hit games and carried a 10 and a 12-game hitting streak.

Baseball finished the season 16-37 overall and 5-21 in the MAC.