June 5, 2008

NEWARK, NJ - New Jersey Institute of Technology baseball student-athletes Chris Cardone, PJ Saporito and Miguel Lugo were named to the Division I Independent baseball all-Academic team for 2008, Sports Information Director Greg Prouty of Longwood announced.

Cardone, a senior tri-captain from Toms River, NJ, saw time behind the plate and was NJIT's inspirational leader. He shared the team home run lead with Lugo and fellow senior Mike Turner and Lugo at three.

Cardone, a member of NJIT's ECAC championship team in 2006 in the Highlanders' last season of Division II competition, was enrolled in NJIT's Albert Dorman Honors College. The mechanical engineering major and compiled a 3.64 GPA.

Saporito, a left-handed pitcher, was the Highlanders number one starter. Saporito started 14 games while ranking third on the team with 44 strikeouts in 60.1 innings pitched. Saporito, a chemical engineering major holds a 3.53 GPA.

Lugo, a sophomore, business major, started in 46 out of NJIT's 48 games at shortstop in 2008. He led the team with 44 hits and 34 runs scored. Miguel finished up the season batting .275 with 24 runs batted in. He holds a 3.53 GPA.

Each school submitted up to three student-athletes with a least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average, at least a sophomore in academic standing, and a starter or key reserve of their respective baseball programs.

Other institutions represented on the 32-player team included: Utah Valley, Chicago State, Texas-Pan American, Dallas Baptist, Hawaii Hilo, Le Moyne, Longwood, NYIT, Northern Colorado, North Carolina Central and Presbyterian.