WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley University baseball team earned a Team Academic Excellence Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association for its performance in the classroom during the 2016-17 academic year. It's the second straight year the Falcons have been honored.

The award, which was given for the first time last year, recognizes high school and college programs that posted a grade point average over 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Thirty four NCAA Division II baseball teams were recognized with Bentley the only one from the Northeast-10.

Bentley, under the leadership of 49-year head coach Bob DeFelice, achieved a 3.23 GPA during the year. Of the 27 players on the final roster, 20 earned at least a 3.0 with a dozen of those posting at least a 3.40.

"We are so excited for the opportunity to honor so many of our member coaches and their players with the Team Academic Excellence Award," said ABCA Executive Director Craig Keilitz. "With all that is expected of our student-athletes, achieving a team GPA of 3.0 or above is truly an accomplishment. It is a testament to the leadership and commitment of our member coaches to developing their players into individuals who will be successful on and off the field."

ABCA Release