EDISON, N.J. – Niagara baseball outfielder
Tanner Kirwer was named to the Preseason All-MAAC Team, voted on by the league's coaches, announced on Tuesday. Kirwer was the only unanimous selection to the team.
Kirwer, a junior, appeared in 42 games in 2016 and started in 40. He led the team in RBIs with 29, in doubles with 14 and in stolen bases with 19 stolen on 25 attempts. He was second on the team in runs with 33 and third in hits with 50. He finished the season batting .327 and was named to the All-MAAC Second Team at the conclusion of the season.
The Purple Eagles, who finished 16-37-1 in 2016, were picked ninth in the preseason coaches poll. Niagara, which returns 19 players from last year's squad, begins the season with a three-game series at Baylor Feb. 17-19.
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2017 Preseason All-MAAC Team
| Fabian Pena |
Catcher |
Manhattan |
| Shaine Hughes |
First Base |
Monmouth |
| Jordan Bishop |
Second Base |
Siena |
| Matthew Batten |
Shortstop |
Quinnipiac |
| Grant Lamberton |
Third Base |
Monmouth |
| Tanner Kirwer* |
Outfield |
Niagara |
| Troy Scocca |
Outfield |
Fairfield |
| Dan Shea |
Outfield |
Monmouth |
| Dan Swain |
Outfield |
Siena |
| Frankie Gregoire |
Designated Hitter |
Marist |
| Mac Crispino |
Utility |
Fairfield |
| Ricky Dennis |
Pitcher |
Monmouth |
2017 Preseason Player of the Year
| Fabian Pena |
Catcher |
Manhattan |
*denotes unanimous selection
2017 Preseason Coaches Poll
| 1. |
Fairfield (7) |
116 |
| 2. |
Canisius (1) |
99 |
| 3. |
Monmouth (2) |
97 |
| 4. |
Manhattan (1) |
90 |
| 5. |
Marist |
76 |
| 6. |
Siena |
69 |
| 7. |
Quinnipiac |
51 |
| 8. |
Rider |
43 |
| 9. |
Niagara |
40 |
| 10. |
Iona |
27 |
| 11. |
Saint Peter's |
18 |
