PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The Pace University baseball team took home several all-conference awards for the 2024 regular season including two major honors. Dan Brown captured the Southwest pitcher of the year award and Dylan Koch earned the Southwest rookie hitter of the year. The rest of the squad rounds out 13 total all-conference awards.
Brown managed to take home the Southwest Pitch of the Year award after his stellar regular season for the Setters. The senior earned four wins on the mound in ten appearances reaching 52.2 total innings. Brown ranked second in the NE10 for ERA (2.22) and sixth in total strikeouts with 67. He averaged 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings posting a 1.16 WHIP and a .148 opponent batting average. Brown allowed just one home run in the year and earned one complete game. He was also named to the all-conference first-team for his fantastic season. It's safe to say that Brown's transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation has worked out exceptionally well.
Koch was outstanding in his first collegiate season for the Blue and Gold as he stepped into an important role within the Setters offense. The freshman earned the Southwest rookie-hitter of the year award for his superb offensive production for Pace. The Yorktown Heights, N.Y. native batted .319/.381/.479 in 2024 knocking 38 hits, ten extra-base hits, three home runs, and 21 RBIs. Koch drew 13 walks, stole nine bases, and scored 15 runs throughout the season taking control of the two-hole for the Setters. His season included a two-home run performance against Saint Anselm College (4/21/2024). Alongside his major award, Koch was selected to the all-conference rookie team.
Matthew Rinaldi earned second-team all-conference honors after his consistent play throughout the season. He batted .333/.410/.485 with 57 hits, 11 doubles, three home runs, and 18 RBIs. Rinaldi led Pace with 33 runs scored and 22 walks in 44 starts in the outfield. He added seven stolen bases and had six three-hit performances.
Vincent Civitella was also named to the all-conference second team. The junior pitched 55.1 innings on the mound, earning a team-high six wins while maintaining a 2.93 ERA, and a 1.21 WHIP. Civitella struck out 52 batters and held his opponents to a .204 batting average. He added one complete game shutout in Pace's 4-0 win over the College of Saint Rose (4/28/2024).
The final member of the Setters on the all-conference second team was relief pitcher Sean Costello. Costello set a Pace freshman record for saves in a season reaching eight total which led all the Northeast-10. In 33.2 innings pitched he had a 3.74 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts. Costello pitched in several high-leverage games for the Blue and Gold earning one win alongside his eight saves throughout 13 appearances. The freshman was named to the all-conference rookie team for his impressive 2024 regular season.
The Setters had five members selected to the all-conference third team. Catcher Hunter Goldstein was one of those members as he batted .304/.397/.360 in 2024 providing 17 RBIs and 22 runs scored. The Jericho, N.Y. native ranked second on the team in walks (19). Goldstein provided exceptional defense behind the plate alongside his steady production in the batter's box.
Mason Baronian earned third-team honors batting .291/.353/.400 for the Setters. He posted 27 RBIs (2nd on the team), 30 runs scored (3rd on the team), and led the squad in doubles with 12. Baronian knocked two home runs on the year including a go-ahead shot in Pace's comeback 5-4 win over Southern New Hampshire University (4/20/2024). To go with his third-team selection Baronian was also named to the all-conference defensive team for his high-quality play at shortstop.
Anthony Labita took home third-team honors after batting .305/.386/.476 with a team-high 29 RBIs. The North Massapequa, N.Y. native totaled 50 hits, 12 doubles, four home runs, 17 walks, and 32 runs scored throughout 43 starts. Labita added eight stolen bases on nine attempts and produced two three-hit performances. He also earned an all-conference defensive selection for his consistent play at third base.
Pitching-wise the Setters captured two third-team selections as Patrick Gleason earned honors for Pace. The Valhalla, N.Y. native pitched 51.1 innings with a 2.81 ERA, and a 0.97 WHIP (2nd in the NE10) while earning three wins. Gleason tallied 36 strikeouts and a .199 opponent batting average in his 11 starts on the mound. His 2024 season included one complete game shutout in Pace's 1-0 win over American International College (4/7/2024).
The last third-team all-conference honor was earned by relief pitcher Marco Siracusa. Siracusa was the Blue and Gold's most consistent arms out of the bullpen as he produced a remarkable 1.88 and 1.29 WHIP in 24.0 innings. Throughout 14 appearances he shut down his opponents holding them to a .205 batting average. The Kinnelon, N.J. native had 25 strikeouts, one win, and two saves in his 2024 campaign.
1st Team
Dan Brown (P)
2nd Team
Matthew Rinaldi (OF)
Vincent Civitella (P)
Sean Costello (P)
3rd Team
Hunter Goldstein (C)
Mason Baronian (SS)
Anthony Labita (3B)
Patrick Gleason (P)
Marco Siracusa (P)
All-Defensive Team
Anthony Labita (3B)
Mason Baronian (At Large)
All-Rookie Team
Dylan Koch (1B)
Sean Costello (P)
Southwest Pitcher of the Year
Dan Brown (P)
Southwest Rookie Hitter of the Year
Dylan Koch (1B)
