WORCESTER, Mass. – Holy Cross senior right-handed pitcher Sean Gustin (Stoneham, Mass.) was one of 30 candidates selected for the 2016 Senior CLASS Award for baseball, as announced by the organization.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
“Sean has been the ultimate teammate ever since his arrival to Holy Cross,” said Holy Cross head baseball coach Greg DiCenzo. “A selfless individual who has always cared more about the team than his own personal achievements, Sean is undoubtedly the person everyone turns to for advice, motivation, friendship and compassion. On the field, Sean has become an elite player with the competitiveness that is needed to play at a championship caliber.”
On the field, Gustin entered the 2016 season as one of the top closers in the Patriot League. Named first-team All-Patriot League and second-team All-New England in 2015, Gustin went 3-1 on the bump last season and recorded a Patriot League-best five saves. In 2015, he posted a 2.52 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 25.0 innings pitched. So far this season, Gustin has recorded three saves in 8.2 innings pitched.
In the classroom, Gustin maintains a 3.43 grade-point average as an economics major, and was named to the Patriot League All-Academic Team in both 2014 and 2015. A three-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, Gustin was named a tri-captain for the 2016 season.
Gustin is involved in many organizations and service groups in the Worcester community. This past year, Gustin and his teammates raised over $10,000 for the Vs. Cancer Foundation, which ranks third among the 72 teams participating across the country. Gustin and his teammates also work with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Team IMPACT.
The candidate class will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2016 NCAA College World Series in June.
For more information on each of the candidates, visit www.seniorCLASSaward.com.
