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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo baseball team handed out its season-ending awards to four players who played integral parts in the team's success in 2005.

Head coach Bill Breene and his staff handed out the following awards: freshman Mike Folli (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) earned the Top Newcomer Award, junior Sean McWilliams (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua) earned the Most Improved Player Award, freshman E.J. Folli (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) earned the Coaches' Award, and junior James Kingsley (Medina, NY/Medina) was named Most Outstanding Player.

Mike Folli

The Top Newcomer Award is presented to the individual student-athlete who distinguishes himself as the most talented new player on the team or the individual who accomplishes the greatest achievements as a first-year player. Mike Folli led the team in batting average (.348), runs (41) and hits (64). The second baseman was an All-Mid-American Conference Second Team selection - Buffalo's first ever - and a Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American. He had a school record 22-game hitting streak from March 27 to May 8 that raised his batting average from .227 to .356. Folli led the Bulls and ranked ninth in the MAC in batting average (.348) and was second in the league in batting average in conference games only (.410). His .348 average is the highest for a UB freshman since baseball was reinstated in 2000.

Sean McWilliams

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student-athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in his performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. With his 2.92 earned run average, McWilliams was one of two pitchers to have an ERA under 3.00 for the season for the first time since reinstatement. He also had a team-high three saves on the year to tie the school record for career saves with six. McWilliams had two wins and 39 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched over 20 appearances in 2005.

E.J. Folli

The Coaches' Award is selected by the head coach and is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the team virtues as defined by the head coach. The recipient is one who stands out in dedication, commitment, unselfishness and enthusiasm towards helping the team improve. E.J. Folli came on as the starting designated hitter late in the season and drove in four runs and hit three doubles. He was also very versatile in the field, playing in the outfield and catching at times during the season.

James Kingsley

The Most Outstanding Player Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through his skills and leadership. Kingsley tied the school record for home runs (12) in a season and broke the school record for RBIs (50) in a season. He also entered UB's top 10 lists in career home runs (20, second all-time) and career RBIs (100, third all-time). He led the team in doubles (12) and slugging percentage (.576) and finished second in batting average (.314) and hits (60).

The UB baseball team finished the season 19-30-1 overall and 5-14-1 in the MAC.

~ written by Jim Parker, Athletic Communications Intern