FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Baseball student-athletes Mike Handal and Jake Noviello were named to the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Second Team for the first time in their careers. The duo helped lead the Stags at the plate and on the mound during their historical campaign, which featured a program record 39 wins and a NCAA Regional Final appearance. This is the fifth-straight season the Stags have had a student-athlete named to the All-Region team.
 
Handal was the conference's leading hitter with 60 hits and maintained a .357 batting average. He led the Stags with 17 multi-hit games and provided power out of the leadoff spot with seven home runs, including a tone setting leadoff homer in the NCAA Regionals. Handal was the catalyst in the leadoff spot, leading the MAAC with nine stolen bases and finishing second with 44 runs scored.
 
"Handal was one of the most improved players on the team and I would put his athletic ability up there with any other four-tool player in the region," Head Coach Bill Currier said. "He was a catalyst in the leadoff spot and was a big figure in our historic success."
 
The outfielder was also named to the All-MAAC First Team this season and also earned a spot in the NCAA Austin Regional All-Tournament Team.
 
Noviello completed one of the best seasons in school history as he produced an unblemished 9-0 record with a 1.47 ERA that ranked fourth in the nation. He also finished in the top-10 in the country in WHIP with a 0.88 mark. His nine wins ties classmate Michael Sansone for the most in a single season in program history. His ERA ranks seventh on the program's single season list and the second lowest by a starting pitcher in the last 50 years.
 
"I would compare Jake's numbers against anyone else in the region," Coach Currier said. "He earned these honors due to his incredible work ethic and determination to succeed. He was a vital piece in our historic year."
 
Noviello also earned All-MAAC First Team honors this season.
 
The duo becomes the 21st and 22nd Stags named to the All-Region squad, with 14 of those coming in the last 10 seasons under Currier. The Stags had a program record 10 All-MAAC selections during the historic 2021 season. The campaign featured a program record 39 wins and a 33-1 regular season, the best regular season winning percentage in NCAA Division I history.