Complete Division III Baseball Academic All-America Team

The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) released the 2017 Division III Baseball Academic All-America Team on Friday afternoon. Salisbury University seniors Tom LaBriola and Pete Grasso were recognized by the organization for their outstanding performances both on the field but more importantly in the classroom.  

LaBriola earned second-team honors and boasts a 3.80 grade point average as an exercise science major. He leads by example both in the classroom and on the field for the maroon and gold. LaBriola posted a .333 batting average while totaling 60 hits including 16 doubles, two triples, and three home runs during his senior campaign. LaBriola also recorded a team-high 50 RBI, 45 runs scored, a slugging percentage of .494, and an on-base percentage of .441. For his career LaBriola has totaled a batting average of .366, 159 hits, 33 doubles, three triples, and seven home runs.

Grasso has accumulated a 3.40 GPA as an exercise science major at Salisbury and was a third-team selection. He completed a spectacular senior season posting eye popping numbers from the mound, plate, and in the field for the Gulls. Grasso played in 45 of 46 games, totaled team-highs in hits (72), batting average (.381), and at-bats (189). From the mound he was equally as impressive posting a 9-1 record with a team best 2.17 ERA while totaling 89 strikeouts and allowing only 22 earned runs. Grasso tallied 75 putouts and helped turn 19 doubles plays as the Sea Gulls second baseman while recording a .966 fielding percentage. 

For his career Grasso will finish top-10 in multiple statistical categories for the maroon and gold including first in at-bats (690), hits (252), triples (13), and runs scored (198); second in RBI (177); tied for fourth in games played (169); tied for fifth in doubles (43); third in total bases (381); fourth in strikeouts (192); and third in saves with 10.

Grasso has garnered 11 postseason accolades including being named CoSIDA Academic All-District earlier this month. He also was named an ABCA/Rawlings All-American as well as D3baseball.com All-American and the D3baseball.com Player of the Year.

LaBriola has picked up five postseason awards including being named a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree earlier this month.