Four America East standouts were named Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-Americans, the organization announced on Wednesday.
The honorees included UMBC pitcher Matt Chanin and designated hitter Jamie Switalski, Maine pitcher Justin Courtney and UMass Lowell pitcher Andrew Ryan. All four America East Freshmen All-Americans were also members of the conference's All-Rookie Team.
Chanin was named America East Rookie of the Year, as well as earning a spot on the All-Conference First Team for his stellar performance in 2015. The freshman right-hander finished the season with a 1.96 ERA in 12 appearances and 11 starts. In those 11 starts, he had a 5-2 record, posting the most victories on the team. He pitched 64.1 innings, giving up just 14 earned runs while striking out 39 batters.
Switalski was a big two-way player for the Retrievers and was an All-Conference First Team selection as a designated hitter. He hit .307 in 40 games, making 39 starts. Switalski recorded 39 hits with eight doubles and three home runs. On the mound, he threw 16.1 innings, going 3-0 in eight appearances. Switalski finished with a 2.20 ERA with one save, striking out eight batters.
Courtney had an outstanding freshman campaign for Maine and was named to the America East Second Team. He finished 5-6 on the season with a team-best 3.24 ERA in 72.1 innings and was a two-time Rookie of the Week selection as the No. 1 starter for the Black Bears.
Ryan started in a relief role before taking over as the UMass Lowell's ace and capping off the season with two wins in his final three starts. He picked up his first collegiate win in a 3-0, complete-game shutout at Hartford, which earned him Rookie of the Week accolades. He followed that performance by striking out a season-high seven hitters in the River Hawks 11-4 battering of Albany. The freshman finished the year with team bests in earned run average (2.67) and strikeouts (29), while holding opponents to a .230 batting average.