WESTFIELD, Mass.  –  Westfield State University senior pitcher Ryan Lapierre (Pittsfield, Mass./Pittsfield HS) capped his fine career with the Owls by earning Academic All-America honors from the College Sports Communicators today.

Lapierre was announced as a third-team selection in NCAA Division III by the CSC voters after a near-flawless season from the Owls ace, compiling a perfect 9-0 record with a conference-leading 1.63 earned-run average, striking out 72 batters over 66.1 innings pitched.

Lapierre's accolades this season include being named an ABCA/Rawlings All-American, and he was also named the MASCAC Pitcher of the Year.

Lapierre was also an ABCA/Rawlings and D3baseball.com All-Region selection and was named the Westfield State University Male Athlete of the Year as well.

"It really says something about our team that the hardest working kid in the classroom and off the field, was also our best player and best person," said Westfield State baseball coach Seth Kaplan. "Ryan is a great leader, great captain and great teammate.  He understands the importance of getting your schoolwork done, done well and on time."

"He did everything to keep us in the ball game evert time out, whether he had his good stuff or battling through, we were always in the ball game with him on the mound," added Kaplan.

A two-year starting pitcher for the Owls after transferring from Division I Hartford, Lapierre registered a 13-4 record in 20 games, posting a 2.77 ERA and 173 strikeouts over 130.0 innings pitched in his career at Westfield State.

Lapierre held a 3.74 GPA at Westfield while graduating with a degree in Marketing.

In order to be considered for CSC Academic All-Region and All-America honors, a player must maintain a 3.5 or higher grade-point average, and be a significant contributor to their team as a starter or key reserve.

Just 34 players nationally were selected for the Academic All-America team, which chooses a full lineup with DH, and two pitchers on each of the first, second and third teams.

Lapierre becomes the second-ever Owls baseball player to be recognized by the national program.  DH Alex Lafayette was named to the third team in 2018. Lapierre is the 10^th Westfield State athlete to be named to a CSC Academic All-America Team in any sport.

Westfield State baseball finished the season with 27-16 overall record, 13-8 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference under first-year head coach Seth Kaplan. Westfield advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament before being eliminated by Salem State.

Release courtesy of Westfield State Sports Information