Queensborough Community College Star Athlete Named All-American
Freshman pitcher Ryan Sandberg, who was twice named National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III National Pitcher of the Week this season, has been named a NJCAA Division III Third Team All-American. Sandberg was one of only six players from New York junior colleges to earn All-American honors.
This year, Sandberg covered all bases. In addition to these accolades he finished first in the nation shutouts (2), first in strikeouts per game (17.61), second in earned run average (1.37), fifth in complete games (5), and fifth in total strikeouts (90). He has tossed five complete games, and let up just seven earned runs in 46.0 innings pitched. Sandberg, who has six starts of allowing three hits or fewer, pitched his first collegiate no-hitter on April 28 in a 1-0 win over No. 6 Suffolk Community College. He has also accumulated double-digit strikeouts in four of his nine appearances this season.
Sandberg’s extraordinary list of accomplishments also includes three-time spring awards for Queensborough Outstanding Male Athlete Award, CUNYAC/HSS Community College Scholar-Athlete of the Month, Region XV Player of the Year, Region XV First Team All-Region selection, and CUNYAC Pitcher of the Year.
“Ryan had an outstanding year as both a student and as an athlete in 2017-18. Throughout the baseball season, he proved that he was not only the best pitcher in the conference and the region, but also one of the very best in the United States. Not only is he an elite pitcher, but he is an outstanding student and a wonderful person and teammate. He really does epitomize the very best of a student-athlete. We’re so proud of Ryan and his accomplishments, and he has certainly earned all of his accolades and recognition,” Jon Hochberg, Athletic Director, Queensborough.
Sandberg, who has a 3.570 G.P.A., majored in Liberal Arts & Sciences. When asked how he balanced sports and studies he said, “It’s not difficult. I love baseball and I’m equally driven to do well academically. I was in good hands with Queensborough on both fronts.”
Queensborough Head Coach Roger Mischel commented, “Ryan is an absolute gamer. He commands the mound every time he goes out there.”
This fall, Sandberg will attend Division I Florida Atlantic University on a baseball scholarship where he will pitch for the Owls, who are a member of Conference USA and coming off an appearance in the Gainesville Regional Final where they fell to the #1 ranked Florida Gators.
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