NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. - The Little East Conference placed six student-athletes on the 2008 NCAA Division III Baseball Regional All-Tournament teams, highlighted by the University of Southern Maine's three selections. Eastern Connecticut State University was represented with a pair of picks, while Keene State College had a lone honoree.  

The NCAA Division III Baseball Selection Committee divided the 54-team national field into eight predetermined regions. The Huskies and Owls participated in the New England Regional, while the Warriors battled in the New York Regional. Each of the eight regions selected an 11-player all-tournament team. 

Under the direction of Head Coach Ed Flaherty, the University of Southern Maine made the program's 19th appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Huskies dropped their first contest of the tournament, but rallied to win five straight to advance to the championship game, where they bowed out to No. 3 Trinity College (Conn.). Senior outfielder Eddie Skeffington (Everett, Mass.) paced the Huskies with a .467 batting average (14-for-30). Skeffington collected 30 total bases, drove in 10 runs, scored six runs, and belted five home runs in six games. Sophomore third basemen Josh Mackey (Danvers, Mass.) and junior outfielder Anthony D'Alfonso (Westbrook, Maine) joined Skeffington on the all-tournament teams. Mackey hit .440 (11-for-25) with eight RBI, while D'Alfonso went 12-for-31 (.387) from the dish with seven RBI and 23 total bases. The Huskies completed the campaign with an overall record of 36-13, matching the fourth most wins in the program's history.

Eastern Connecticut State University made the program's 29th appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament, reaching the finals of the New York consolation bracket. Sophomore third baseman Melvin Castillo (Danbury, Conn.) and junior designated hitter Shawn Gilblair (Windham, Conn.) each hit .500 to earn all-tournament recognition. Castillo went 11-for-22 from the plate, including seven extra base hits (four doubles and three home runs) to drive in nine RBI and post a 1.091 slugging percentage. Gilblair collected 10 hits and 14 total bases, while driving in six runs and scoring five times in five games. The Warriors finished their season with an overall record of 32-15-1, marking the eighth consecutive season with at least 30 victories.    

Head Coach Ken Howe led Keene State College to its second straight NCAA Division III appearance in the New England regional field. Senior pitcher Jamie Morin (Goffstown, N.H.) earned the Owls lone selection to the all-tournament team. In his only appearance, Morin hurled a complete-game four hit victory against St. Joseph's (Maine). He struck out 13 hitters and allowed only one earned run as the Monks could only salvage a .125 team batting average. Keene State College went 1-2 in the tournament, adding a victory to the most successful team in the program's history in terms of wins (34).

2008 NCAA Division III New England Baseball Regional All-Tournament Team

C - Sean Killeen, Trinity
INF - Thomas DiBenedetto, Trinity
INF - Joe Griglun, WNEC
INF - Josh Mackey, Southern Maine
INF - Ryan LaPrade, Worcester State
OF - Eddie Skeffington, Southern Maine
OF - Paul Malaguti, Wheaton
OF - Anthony D'Alfonso, Southern Maine
P - Jamie Morin, Keene State
P - Tim Kiely, Trinity
Utl - Chandler Barnard, Trinity

2008 NCAA NY Regional All-Tournament Team

Steve Ruygrok, Ohio Wesleyan
Melvin Castillo, Eastern Connecticut
Shawn Gilblair, Eastern Connecticut
Ken Carroll, Rensselaer
Andrew Novick, Rensselaer
Patrick Reardon, Rensselaer
Anderson Gardner, Cortland
Ryan Hooper, Cortland
Joey Russo, Cortland
Mike Zaccardo, Cortland
Nicolas Blanco, Cortland; Most Outstanding Player