Bridgewater, NJ - Graduate student Alec Burnett, freshman Diego Tavarez and sophomore Ryan Bilka have been named All-NEC recipients, the conference announced Tuesday.
Burnett was named a first team honoree, while Tavarez and Bilka earned second team honors.
This is the first All-NEC postseason award for all three players.
Burnett has been a revelation for the Seahawks in year two with the program, leading the team in ERA (2.22) and WHIP (1.20). He ranks second in the Northeast Conference (NEC) with seven saves and is the first relief pitcher in program history to earn First Team All-NEC honors since Nick Robino in 2018.
Tavarez had a scorching start to his collegiate career — at one point leading the conference in batting average. The Spotswood, NJ, native finished the year batting .288 with an .830 OPS. Tavarez is the first Wagner freshman to earn All-NEC honors since 2022 when Frankie Wright was named a second team recipient.
Bilka finished atop the conference leaderboard in ERA with a mark of 2.86 and third in opposing batting average (.211). Starting the year as a bullpen arm, the sophomore transitioned to a starting role and made an impact across his 63 innings of work, leading the Seahawks with 59 punchouts.
Delaware State's Evan Bouldin and Kiera Etwaru took home Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively. Merrimack's Dawson Bryce earned Rookie of the Year honors. Pat Egan, head coach of top-seeded Sacred Heart, won Coach of the Year.
The Green & White will begin its quest for the NEC Championship in the opening round against 5-seed Delaware State on Wednesday at 3:00 pm.
