As the Beacons’ 2007 regular season comes to a conclusion, it’s time for everyone to get their due recognition. The season has played its course and in Boston we wouldn’t have it any other way. Losing streaks, winning streaks, everything in between.

Head Coach Brendan Eygabroat deserves a boat-load of recognition for keeping his players and his team on an even keel throughout a season that was up to start with, then down for a while and has recently seen a turn for the brighter. His attitude and coolness though the rigors of the middle of the season may have gone unnoticed, but now that we’re nearing the end, he gets his due.

But the coach doesn’t play the game, and that’s where we’re headed. This season has brought some young talent into the forefront of Beacons baseball, but it has also showed us the end of the careers of some excellent talent at UMass Boston. Both young and old have made huge contributions this season and the awards reflect just that.

Mike Andriano, Beacons’ Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year: Andriano came on as a freshman unsure of his role on the team. By season’s end, he became the surest thing the Beacons had on the mound. Andriano ranked first on the team with a 2.29 ERA, a 5-2 record and 51 innings pitched. In those 51 innings, he recorded 31 strikeouts, held opponents to a paltry .241 batting average and allowed only 11 extra base hits. He also had two complete games to his credit.

Sean Ketterer, Beacons’ Offensive Player of the Year: Senior outfielder Sean Ketterer was the epitome of offense and stability at the plate this year for the Beacons. He played in all of the Beacons’ games this season and led the team in almost every offensive category possible. Ketterer led his team in batting average (.348), on-base percentage (.424), hits (40), doubles (7), triples (3), RBI (22) and total bases (53). In 115 at-bats this season, Ketterer struck out only 11 times, showing his plate prowess and discipline.

Jaime Soto, Beacons’ Most Valuable Player: Jaime Soto did a little bit of everything this year. He’s not the flashy Mercedes-Benz on the field, getting all the publicity like an Andriano or Ketterer. Soto is more like a top-of-the-line Nissan. Not too flashy, not too expensive but solid as steel and you know it’ll run no matter the situation. Soto finished second behind Sean Ketterer in many offensive categories including batting average, hits, RBI’s, total bases and slugging percentage. When playing the field, Soto racked up an impressive .972 fielding percentage between first base and the pitcher’s mound, committing only four errors all season.

What sets Soto apart from his teammates is his ability to win games with his arm as well as his bat. He went 3-3 for the Beacons on the mound with a 4.81 ERA in 43 innings. His numbers aren’t flashy like Andriano’s or Nick Conway’s in the strike out department, but when the Beacons needed him the most, he was there for them. His presence on this team will be sorely missed next season. Applaud Soto’s dedication to the Beacons, because he deserves it.