Waterville, ME - Four Vermont State University Lyndon baseball players were recognized by the North Atlntic Conference when the conference announced its annual awards today. Alberto Bustamante (Northridge, CA), Evan Duncan (Little Elm, TX), and TJ Santaw (Newport, VT) were all named to the NAC East Division All-Conference 1st Team. Jordan Arpin (Harrisville, RI) was named to the Sportsmanship Team.
Bustamante was named to the East Division 1st Team as a utility player. The junior saw time as a catcher, a third baseman, and a pitcher this past season. He hit .304 with a .391 on base percentage and eight runs batted in. He had 71 putouts and 21 assists in the field, good for a .948 fielding percentage. He also made four appearances on the mound, striking out five batters and posting a 2.70 earned run average in 6.2 innings of work.
Duncan, a freshman outfielder, was Lyndon's top hitter and among the top hitters in the conference. He batted .391 on the season with a .667 slugging percentage, both fourth best in the NAC. He led the team with 11 extra base hits, including five home runs. He also stole ten bases in 12 attempts. In center field, he had 67 putouts and two assists against only one error, good for a .986 fielding percentage. Duncan elevated his game in conference play, posting a .477 batting average and a .909 slugging percentage in NAC games.
Santaw received All-Conference honors for the third time, having been previously recognized in 2021 and 2023. The graduate student shortstop was the only Hornet to play in all 34 games this season. He batted .350 with a .431 on base percentage. Santaw drove in 16 runs and delivered a team best five doubles among his seven extra base hits. He also led the team with 11 stolen bases. He recorded 30 putouts and 81 assists at shortstop.
Arpin, a junior right handed relief pitcher, appeared in seven games. He struck out six batters in seven innings of work. Selection to the NAC Sportsmanship Team is reserved for student athletes who have distinguished themselves through demonstrated acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior. The honorees are individuals who have positively affected the baseball culture and match environment and whose behavior clearly demonstrates sportsmanship and integrity that goes beyond the playing rules and etiquette.
Lyndon finished teh season with a 7-27 overall record and a 6-10 mark in NAC play, placing the Hornets fourth in the NAC's East Division. Santaw has exhausted his eligibility but Bustamante, Duncan, and Arpin are expected to return in 2025 as part of the foundation of next year's team.
