1/3/09
PACIFICO EARNS FIRST LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE YEAR AWARD; JOY, MARCELLA, MARTIN, BARBERO AMONG OTHER 2008 AWARD WINNERS

The three-time State Champion Albany Athletics (18-6 league/34-14 overall) celebrated its 2008 campaign at the annual Twilight League Hall of Fame and Season awards banquet recently.
 
Right-hander James Pacifico highlighted the night when he was named the 2008 League Pitcher of the Year—the first Athletic to ever win the award in their 13-year history. Pacifico went 5-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 45 strikeouts in the league. Overall, he went 8-1 with a 1.43 ERA, 69 strikeouts and two saves in 58.3 innings all summer, including opening round wins in the State and Regional tournament. The A’s finished as State Champions for the third straight season and were the North Atlantic Regional Runner Up for the second consecutive year.
 
At the banquet, the A’s were also recognized for their State title—now the 8th overall—after traveling to Syracuse in late July to win the 6-team event. Outfielder John Marcella and shortstop Nick Paniccia were presented co-MVP plaques for their performances in the tournament.
Marcella and Pacifico, along with second baseman 2007 League MVP Dan Barbero and DH Jason Martin were all voted as League All-Stars at their respective positions
 
Right-hander Jimmy Joy, who went 2-0 in 17 innings in the league, won the Twilight League’s annual scholarship award as voted on by the league managers. It’s the second time in three years an Athletic has won the scholarship which is handed out to college eligible players who have a need and contribute significantly to their team.
 
Overall, Albany recorded its third straight season of at least 17 league wins and 32 overall wins. Since 1998, the club has notched more wins (171) and the best winning percentage (.710) of any team in the league during that 11-year span.