Four Lions Land On All-PSUAC Baseball Teams; Reynolds Named Newcomer Of The Year

MEDIA, Pa. -- John Gorgone (Ridley, Pa./Ridley) and Matt Masi (West Chester, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) were both first team selections, while pitchers Nate Forwood (Wilmington, Del./Mt. Pleasant) and Joe Samohod (Folsom, Pa./Ridley) each earned second team nods as the Penn State University Athletic Conference released its end-of-year baseball awards. In addition, freshman catcher Brian Reynolds (Newtown Square, Pa./Marple Newtown) was tabbed as the league's newcomer of the year.

Gorgone paced the team in batting by hitting .359 in 92 at-bats during his final season at Brandywine. In conference games, Gorgone ranked in the top 10 in the league in hitting (.425), RBI (13) and stolen bases (5). Overall, he swiped eight bases, while standing second on the team in runs scored (24) and third with 17 runs batted in.

Gorgone, who logged his 100th career hit on March 4 against Miami-Hamilton in Florida, completed his four-year standout career with 129 hits, 104 runs scored and 93 RBI. A two-time First Team All-PSUAC selection, Gorgone was a four-year starter in the outfield, appearing in 135 games since the beginning of the 2014 season.

One of the top power hitters in the conference, Masi topped the PSUAC with 17 extra-base hits, including a PSUAC-best six triples and team-high three home runs. He also paced the Lions by driving in 26 runs and stealing 14 bases. In 32 games this spring, Masi batted .305 and scored 18 runs.

Through two seasons at Brandywine, 30 of Masi's 54 hits have gone for extra bases. He has knocked in 50 runs, while scoring 40 runs.

One of two relief pitchers to be honored with all-conference accolades, Forwood posted a 2.51 earned run average and two saves during 11 appearances out of the bullpen. He fanned 16 batters over 14.1 innings pitched, finishing second among PSUAC pitchers, averaging 10.05 strikeouts per nine innings. In seven appearances against PSUAC teams, Forwood limited opposing hitters to six hits and struck out seven.

Forwood completed his career with five saves and a 2.68 ERA during 31 appearances and 40.1 innings on the mound. As a junior, he did not allow an earned run during the season, spanning a stretch of 17.0 frames on the hill.

Samohod paced the team with four victories, all of which came against PSUAC foes. In five starts against league opponents, Samohod pitched to an ERA of 1.09 with 26 strikeouts. He threw one of his two career shutouts against Penn State Fayette in Florida, striking out nine in 6.0 innings.

Samohod's career came to a close with nine total victories and 92 strikeouts in 24 appearances on the mound (21 starts). He posted a career-best 3.34 ERA during his final season in blue and white.
As the top freshman in the league, Reynolds recorded a .311 batting averaged and matched Gorgone for the team lead in hits with 33. His hit total stood 10th in the PSUAC, while hits 20 RBI tied for the seventh-highest number in the league. Reynolds posted 12 multi-hit games, including a three-hit performance during his first collegiate game at Cabrini on February 19.