TOWSON, Md. --- The Moravian College baseball team has had four players junior pitcher Rhett Jacoby, junior third baseman Evan Kulig, junior center fielder Austin Markowski and sophomore second baseman Ian Csencsits named to the 2018 Landmark Baseball All-Conference First Team with Jacoby also being honored as the Landmark Conference Pitcher of the Year.
Jacoby, who was named to the All-Conference team for the third straight spring after being on the Second Team in 2017 and the First Team in 2016, posted a 5-3 record and two saves this spring on the mound to go with a 2.48 ERA, two complete games, one shutout and 57 strikeouts in 72.2 innings of work, the second most in a single season in program history. Jacoby will head into his senior season in 2019 ranked third in school history in wins with 17, fifth in strikeouts with 167 and fifth in innings pitched with 200.
"Rhett has thrown well since he got here," stated Head Coach Paul Engelhardt. "He is a step ahead of his peers, and we are fortunate to have him. He threw innings with injury, or I believe his final numbers would have been even better. Rhett offers a chance to win every time he is on the mound. That is a quality that isn't seen in many pitchers. He continues to grow and develop, and I have no doubt his desire to be the best will continue right into next year. He is a great kid, hard worker, and better team mate.
"Rhett was by far the best pitcher we have in the league," continued Engelhardt. "There may be one guy on each team that is 'their guy', but Rhett's command of the zone, and consistency separates him, and absolutely qualifies him as our Pitcher of the Year."
Kulig, who was selected to the Landmark All-Conference First Team for the second consecutive season, led Moravian at the plate this spring with a .383 batting average to go with 57 hits, 27 runs, 13 doubles, a triple and 39 RBIs. He also tossed 34.2 innings with a 2-2 record, one complete game and 28 strikeouts. Kulig was one of three Greyhounds to reach 100 career hits on April 5, and he heads into his senior campaign with 127 hits, 67 runs, 26 doubles and 76 RBIs.
"Evan had an outstanding year for us," commented Engelhardt. "He played through and with a significant knee injury all year, and was still our best hitter. He battled every at bat, and never once gave one away or took off. He is more than deserving of this award, and am happy that the other coaches saw how good Evan was all year. There wasn't one game that Evan wasn't seen as our best."
Markowski, who earned All-Conference honors for the first time in his career, hit .317 this spring with 45 hits, 34 runs, 12 doubles, a triple, a team-leading eight home runs, 27 walks and 39 RBIs. Markowski also reached 100 career hits in the game versus Albright, and he heads to 2019 with 123 hits, 90 runs, 24 doubles, 15 home runs, which is tied for second in school history, and 80 RBIs.
"Austin has been in the top of our lineup since he stepped on our field," noted Engelhardt. "This wasn't his first good year, he's had three. But this was the first year he put it all together, and was the biggest threat in our lineup. His power numbers climbed due to his work in the off season, and was a true leader. Being a captain came easy to him, and I believe it made him play his best every day. He is more than deserving of first team, and sets him up for a great senior year."
Csencsits also made the All-Conference squad for the first time after hitting .347 this spring with 35 runs, seven doubles, two triples, two homers, 25 walks and 19 RBIs. He also led Moravian with 97 assists in the field. Csencsits will enter his junior season with 72 career hits and 53 runs scored.
"Ian is exactly what you want on your baseball team," Engelhardt said. "He is the most coachable kid on the field, and never stops trying to better himself. He is a gamer and grinder. His play is outstanding, and as only a sophomore, his future is extremely bright. The kid is a hitter. His next step is to drive the ball more, and continue to grow. I look forward to seeing him mature over the next two years."
The group helped Moravian return to the Landmark Conference Tournament this spring and also helped the school earn the Landmark Conference Presidents' Trophy as the top overall athletic department in the conference.