BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- With their 2020 season cancelled after 10 games by COVID-19, the Moravian College Department of Athletics & Recreation today honors the five senior members of the Greyhounds' baseball squad who missed out on their Senior Day.
The group registered 60 wins over their four seasons and helped the Hounds to a pair of Landmark Conference Tournament appearances including a berth in the championship round in 2019.
Senior outfielder/infielder Ian Csencsits was hitting .371 for the Greyhounds this spring before the season ended. He was 13-for-35 in 10 games with 15 runs, four doubles, a triple, a homer and 15 RBIs. Ian ended his 116-game career with a .357 batting average, fourth in program history, 111 runs scored, tenth all-time, and 142 hits, ranking 15th in school history, to go along with 23 doubles, eight triples, tied for seventh in program history, three home runs, 67 RBIs, 66 walks, tied for seventh in school history, five stolen bases, a .480 slugging percentage, tenth in program history, and a .463 on-base percentage, second all-time. Ian, who was a two-time Landmark All-Conference First Team honoree before moving to the outfield in 2020, had 291 putouts and 216 assists, tenth in program history, in 526 chances in the field over 116 games played. Ian is a three-time member of the Landmark Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll and the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society while making the Dean's List five times. Ian is the son of Christine and John Csencsits, and he is majoring in economics at Moravian.
"Ian has had one of the best careers ever at Moravian," commented Head Coach Paul Engelhardt. "His stats speak for themselves, and without his senior season, he still finds himself in the top 10 of many categories. Ian is only one of a couple players that were three-year captains for us at Moravian. His baseball IQ, ability, and work ethic have made him into a special player. He has played three different positions for us and has excelled at each. I will remember Ian for his commitment to the game, and his leadership for our program. He is an outstanding young man and one this school can be proud of moving forward."
Senior catcher Ian Luberti had appeared in six games this season with three hits, three runs, a triple and six RBIs. In 65 career games, Ian collected 23 hits to go with 13 RBIs, 11 runs, one triple, 12 walks and a .300 on-base percentage. He had also recorded 221 putouts and 22 assists in 250 fielding chances behind the plate while throwing out eight base runners. Ian is a three-time member of the Landmark Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll while making the Dean's List three times. Ian is the son of Wendy and Michael Luberti, and he is majoring in sports management at Moravian with minors in communications and religion.
"Ian's position dictates knowing the game, and being a leader," Engelhardt said. "He has had an impact since his freshman year and has set a great example for how one should play the game. A natural coach, Ian has led our pitching staff since he arrived. We couldn't have asked for a better catcher, baseball player, or person to represent our program. He is an outstanding young man, and one this school will be proud of moving forward."
Senior pitcher Connor Morro was 1-0 this spring with a save and six strikeouts in 6.2 innings of action before the season ended. Connor had a career record of 4-4 with three saves in 30 career relief appearances, and he added 55 strikeouts and a 4.99 ERA over 57.2 innings. Connor is a three-time member of the Landmark Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll and made the Dean's List in each of his seven semesters. Connor is the son of Lisa and Scott Morro, and he is majoring in health sciences at Moravian.
"Connor is one of those two kids as well; he is why you coach," Engelhardt explained. "It was an honor to watch him grow as a baseball player. He didn't throw an inning his freshman season. He took what we told him and outworked everyone. Connor became one of our most relied upon pitchers, and someone we went to in crucial situations all the time. He was perfect to lead our team. The guys see what hard work equals, and opportunities come to those who emulate him. Connor is an outstanding young man, and one that this school will be proud of moving forward."
Senior outfielder Carmine Palummo was hitting .417 with 15 hits, 15 runs, two doubles, a triple, a home run, nine RBIs and four stolen bases through the 10 games played this spring. Carmine finished his 117-game career with a .328 batting average, 134 hits, tied for 15th in school history, 92 runs, 13 doubles, three triples, one homer, 47 RBIs, 51 walks, 35 stolen bases, tied for tenth all-time, a .381 slugging percentage and a .410 on-base percentage. Carmine also had 174 putouts and seven assists in 185 chances in the outfield. Carmine is the son of Vanessa and Carmine Palummo, and he is majoring in accounting with a minor in management at Moravian.
"Carmine has had a very distinguished career at Moravian," noted Engelhardt. "Even without his senior year stats, Carmine finds himself among the tops in many offensive categories. His senior year would have put him in elite company, and a career to be proud of. Starting since his freshman year, Carmine has established himself as a top competitor and great teammate. His personality was perfect for our team, and he will be missed. Carmine is an outstanding young man, and one this school can be proud of moving forward."
Senior infielder Kole Rodrigues had appeared in two games during the 2020 season, and he had played in 15 career games with three hits, four runs, two RBIs and a .353 on-base percentage to go along with one putout in the field. Kole is a three-time member of the Landmark Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll, and he made Moravian's Dean's List twice. Kole is the son of Kim and Kreg Rodrigues, and he is majoring in accounting at Moravian.
"Kole is one of two seniors this year that keep a coach coaching," stated Engelhardt. "Kole is second to anyone when it comes to a teammate. It is hard to show up every day, work hard, and be a positive influence on others. Kole not only worked harder than most, he did it for the love of this team, and the game. If you expect to win, you need kids like Kole that work harder than most and are willing to sacrifice it all for his friends and coaches. Nobody deserves more than Kole. He has earned it and will earn everything in his life. He is an outstanding young man, one that this school will be proud of moving forward."
Graphics on all five seniors will be posted throughout the day on Moravian's social media accounts.
