May 21, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Penn State freshmen Ryan Ignas and Jordan Steranka were named to the third team All-Big Ten, conference officials announced. It marks the first time since 1995 that the Nittany Lion baseball program has netted two or more freshmen on the all-conference squad.
Steranka was also a unanimous choice as the third baseman representative on the all-Freshmen team.
The Big Ten also awarded senior Ryan Boonie with the sportsmanship award. One player from each of the ten Big Ten baseball programs is honored with the laurel.
Ignas secured a spot on the all-Big Ten roster after leading the Nittany Lions in both wins and saves this past season. The freshman from North Wales, Pa. is one of just 10 players in Division I to be his respective team's leader in saves and victories. Ignas posted a 5-1 record with five saves. In 22 appearances, he had a 5.31 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP while opposing hitters batted .270 against him.
Steranka made his mark in Penn State baseball history when he became the all-time single-season hits leader for a freshman. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native's 70 hits was the 11th best in school history, nearly putting him in the Top Ten. The third baseman batted at a .365 clip and led the team in batting average, runs (39), hits, triples (3), home runs (6) and RBIs (42). He also had an outstanding slugging percentage of .536 and had an OPS rating of .925.