For Immediate Release: November 2, 2000
Contact: John Hartrick
BU baseball player Montani named Pitcher of the Year

Junior honored by Northeast Collegiate Baseball League after stellar summer seasonBinghamton University junior Jeff Montani (Liverpool, N.Y.) has been named Northeast Collegiate Baseball League Pitcher of the Year for the 2000 summer season. League general managers honored Montani at their end-of-season league meeting in late October.
Montani, who pitched for the Cortland Apples, posted a 6-1 record with a 1.89 earned run average. In 52 1/3 innings pitched, the hard-throwing right-hander struck out 48 batters while walking 26, and allowed 29 hits as opponents batted .208.
"This is a tremendous honor for Jeff," said BU head coach Tim Sinicki. "He’s as hard a worker as I’ve had in the program in my eight years. Jeff came in with a load of talent but little experience. He’s worked hard to become a true pitcher, and is now a legitimate professional prospect."
The NCBL is one of 10 summer leagues around the country sanctioned by Major League Baseball and the NCAA. These leagues are designed to assist collegiate athletes in developing their skills, while allowing them to gain exposure to Major League Baseball scouts.
Earlier in the summer, Montani was selected to participate in the NCBL’s annual all-star game, where he pitched one scoreless inning. The game, played in Rome at Larry DeLutis Field, was televised live by Empire Sports Network.
Last spring Montani led his Binghamton team to the ECAC Division II Championship, posting a 4-3 record with a team-best 2.84 ERA. He has been the ace of Sinicki’s pitching staff since his freshman season.