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Five Mountain Hawks named to Second Team All-Patriot League

Posted: 05/08/2012
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following a solid 2012 season, Lehigh baseball seniors Cory Kent, Chad Warga and Brendan McGaheran along with sophomores Joe Abeln and Tyler Brong have been selected to the All-Patriot League Second Team, as announced by the league Tuesday. It is Kent’s and McGaheran’s second-career appearance on the All-League Team while Warga, Abeln and Brong earn all-league honors for the first time.
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Kent had a stellar 2012 on the hill for Lehigh as he ranked No.2 in the nation in complete games (seven) and No. 2 in the Patriot League with a 1.88 ERA. His ERA also ranked No. 6 in the league’s all-time single-season list while it ranks No. 4 in Lehigh’s single-season history. Kent bolstered a 1.03 ERA during league play and was responsible for four of Lehigh’s six league wins. The Wilson, Pa. native broke the Lehigh record for career appearances with 70 and finishes his career at Lehigh ranked No. 1 in saves (23) and in the Top 10 in ERA (3.39). Kent was previously named to the All-Patriot League Second Team in 2010.

This season marks McGaheran’s second consecutive nod at shortstop to the All-Patriot League Second Team as led the Mountain Hawks in at-bats (187), runs (39), hits (57), home runs (four), total bases (78), slugging percentage (.417), on base percentage (.381) and stolen bases (18). He ranked No. 2 in the league in stolen bases, No. 3 in runs scored and No. 7 in hits and batting average (.305). McGaheran will leave Lehigh among the career all-time leaders in several categories. His 186 appearances are No. 1 in school history while his 141 runs are tied for No. 1 all-time. His 212 hits rank No. 2 while his 43 doubles places him No. 4 in school annals.
 
Warga was a mainstay behind the dish for Lehigh in 2012 and has been throughout his career. Warga threw out 22 baserunners for a stellar 44 percent this season. At the plate, he hit .248 while leading the team with five SAC bunts. Warga also delivered in the clutch this season, as eight of his 14 RBIs came with two outs as he hit .343 with two outs and an even better .455 with a runner on third and less than two outs.

Abeln – who patrolled left field for Lehigh - had a breakout sophomore campaign in which he hit .289 and led the team with 25 RBIs. Abeln was also second on the team with 32 runs scored, 10 doubles and a .408 slugging percentage. Abeln also had seven stolen bases on the season, three of which came in league play which ranked No. 6 in the league. Abeln had a career-high four hits and five runs scored in a game against Scranton and three RBIs in a game vs. Lafayette.
 
Brong – Lehigh’s designated hitter – also had a breakout sophomore season as he led the Mountain Hawks with a .319 batting average. Brong batted .368 in league games. He had 10 multi-hit games this season including a career-high four hits in a game at Delaware State, three of which were doubles. Brong also had six stolen bases, three of which came in one game as he swiped three bags against Lafayette.
 
The group helped lead Lehigh to an 18-31-1 season including a 6-14 record in Patriot League play as the Mountain Hawks were still in the hunt for a Patriot League Tournament berth on the final day of the season. The Patriot League major awards along with the remainder of the All-League teams can be seen below:

2012 Patriot League Major Awards
Player of the Year: Kevin McKague, Army, Sr. 
Pitcher of the Year: Chris Rowley, Army, Jr.
Rookie of the Year: Harold Earls, Army, Fr.
Coach of the Year: Joe Sottolano, Army

First Team All-Patriot League
SP: Chris Rowley, Army, Jr.
SP: Nate Koneski, Holy Cross, Sr.
RP: John Colella, Holy Cross, Jr.
C: J.T. Watkins, Army Sr.
1B: Kevin McKague, Army, Sr.
2B: Zach Price, Army, Sr.
3B: Mike Ahmed, Holy Cross, So.
SS: Alex Maldonado, Holy Cross, Jr.
OF: Bob Donato, Bucknell, Sr.
OF: Patrick Puentes, Holy Cross, Jr.
OF: Alex Azor, Navy, Sr.
DH: Mark McCants, Army, Fr.

Second Team All-Patriot League
SP: Logan Lee, Army, Sr.
SP: Cory Kent, Lehigh, Sr.
SP: Preston Gainey, Navy, So.
RP: Alex Cillo, Bucknell, Sr.
C: Chad Warga, Lehigh, Sr.
1B: Jordan Enos, Holy Cross, Jr.
2B: Kevin Casey, Lafayette, Jr.
3B: Greg Dupell, Navy, Jr.
SS: Brendan McGaheran, Lehigh, Sr.
OF: Cody Murtle, Army, Sr.
OF: Gerry Runyan, Bucknell, Sr.
OF: Brandon Cipolla, Holy Cross, So.
OF: Joe Abeln, Lehigh, So.
DH: Tyler Brong, Lehigh, So.

* The All-Patriot League Second Team has an extra starting pitcher and extra outfielder due to a tie in voting