INDIANA, Pa. — Three IUP baseball student-athletes were recognized Tuesday for their achievements on the field and in the classroom, earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors.
Catcher Ricardo Aponte, infielder David Kessler and pitcher Nathan Mankoski received the distinction after meeting the CSC requirements of participating in at least 70% of their team's games while maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or higher.
Aponte, a first-team All-PSAC West selection, served as IUP's leadoff hitter and one of its top offensive performers throughout the season. The management major carries a 3.8 GPA through 93 credit hours. He batted .339 with a .475 on-base percentage, hit eight home runs and drove in a team-best 43 runs. Aponte also stole 20 bases in 26 attempts, ranking among the PSAC leaders.
Kessler, a business administration major with a 3.87 GPA through 93 credit hours, earned All-PSAC recognition after leading the Crimson Hawks with nine home runs. He finished the season with a .958 OPS, scored 38 runs and drove in 35.
Mankoski, a marketing major who graduated with a 3.59 GPA, completed his third season on the mound for IUP. He appeared in 12 games with nine starts, serving as a regular weekend starter during conference play. Mankoski struck out 36 batters and logged 43 innings, both ranking third on the team.
The CSC Academic All-District program recognizes student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically. The trio helped lead IUP to a second-place finish in the PSAC West and a berth in the PSAC Tournament semifinals.
