Samko Receives All-Region Recognition from D2CCA & NCBWA
WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley University senior second baseman Mike Samko (Arlington/BB&N) has been selected for the 2018 Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-East Region first team by a vote of the region's sports Information directors.
Samko was also named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II All-East Region second team for his play during the 2018 season.
Also recognized by the NCBWA was junior outfielder Brandon Grover (Rocky Hill, Conn./Rocky Hill HS). He was tabbed as an honorable mention All-Region selection.
Samko, who previously was honored with first-team All-Northeast-10 accolades, returned to action after missing the 2017 season due to injury and responded with a .374 batting average. That was the best by a Bentley player since 2010 and currently ranks second in the conference and ninth in the East.
Samko's 67 hits were tied for the seventh most in program history and he scored a team-best 40 runs for the 20-21 Falcons. He reached base in 34 consecutive games during one stretch, hit safely in 20 of 21 games from Mar. 28-Apr. 3 and was a spectacular 27 of 53 (.509) with runners in scoring position.
Samko, who plans to return next year for his final season of eligibility, has a .320 career batting average with 148 hits, 84 runs and 71 RBI in 114 games.
Grover also had an impressive season at the plate for coach Bob DeFelice's team, batting .337 with 13 doubles, two triples, seven homers and 38 RBI. The first-team All-Conference pick has the third best slugging percentage (.566) in the NE10.