After a record-breaking season with Seton Hill, the Griffins’ top player has received the most prestigious honor in Division II baseball. Nick Sell, a senior infielder, was awarded the Tino Martinez Award on Monday, declaring him the most outstanding player in D2.
“Receiving the Tino Martinez Award is an amazing personal recognition for me, but I share this honor with my teammates who have been on an unbelievable journey with me over the past four years,” Sell said in a press release the team issued. “I just want to thank every single player, coach, parent and anyone else involved with the Seton Hill baseball program in any way. I would not be the same player or person I am today without every one of them.”
This past season, Sell set program records for single-season batting average, home runs and RBIs. He hit .444 with 28 home runs and 92 RBIs. In addition to those record-setting numbers, Sell scored 65 runs, tallied 83 hits , including 18 doubles and four triples, and stole 10 bases. His numbers also led him to set new career marks in home runs, hits, doubles and RBIs.
Over the course of the season, Sell led all of D2 in RBIs and finished second in slugging percentage and home runs.
“What an incredible honor for Nick, one that he is absolutely deserving of,” baseball coach Marc Marizzaldi said in the release. “He put together one of the best seasons ever in college baseball, and it is great that he is recognized for his accomplishments, not just for this season but for his entire four-year career. It’s also a fantastic achievement for our team. Nick fueled our offense all season long and he fed off the success of the guys around him.”
Sell was also named an All-American by three different organizations in addition to being named the Atlantic Region Player of the Year by multiple organizations. He was also voted the PSAC West Athlete of the Year. Sell is expected to be taken in the MLB Draft next week.
According to the release, the final vote came down to Sell and runner-up Will Albertson of Catawba. Sell was chosen out of eight finalists for the award, which is named after former University of Tampa player, United States Olympian, first-round MLB draft pick and All-Star, Tino Martinez.
The Griffins finished their season with a 43-13 mark, giving them five straight 40-win seasons. Seton Hill fell to Millersville, 6-3, in the NCAA regional, 6-3, a few weeks ago.
Photo Credit: Seton Hill University
