NEW PALTZ, NY — The New Paltz Baseball Team placed two members on the ABCA 2006 Division III All Region Baseball Team announced today by Regional Chairman and SUNY Brockport Baseball Coach Mark Rowland. Senior outfielders Bill Kelts (Waterford, NY/CBA) and Jeff Cote’ (Mechanicsville, MD/Chopticon) earned first and third team honors respectively.
Kelts led the team in several offensive categories in his senior campaign including Batting Average (.411), Home Runs (7), Hits (60), Runs Batted In (44) and slugging percentage .623. Kelts tied for the lead by starting all 41 of New Paltz’s contests. Kelts started the season with an eleven game hitting streak and was held hitless in only five contests. Kelts had 16 multi hit games including back-to-back four hit games against Vassar College and SUNY Oswego.
Kelts will now await word to see if he earns All-American Honors as only First Team All-Region Members qualify for All-American consideration. The All-American Team will be announced at the Division III Championship Pre-Tournament Banquet being held Thursday evening in Appleton, Wisconsin. Coach Juhl will be in attendance as he is a member of the Division III Baseball Championship Selection Committee. No New Paltz Baseball Player has ever earned All-American Status.
Cote’, a senior captain for the Hawks found his way on to the All-Region Team for the third time in his star studded career for New Paltz. This season was no different as Cote’ batted .356, was second on the team with 33 runs scored and six stolen bases, third with 53 hits and first with three triples. Cote’ had an eight and ten game hitting streak during his final season and 18 multi hit games including hitting for the cycle in his final home game May 2nd versus Mount Saint Mary College. The fleet footed outfielder made numerous run saving catches in the outfield and led all outfielders with five assists. For his career, Cote’ amassed 150 hits, 38 doubles and scored 90 runs.
Lastly, junior John DeKams (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park) has climbed to 22nd in the nation in doubles per game as reported by the NCAA. The left-handed hitting third baseman stroked 19 doubles in 41 games for a .48 doubles per game average. DeKams has the fifth most doubles in the nation and is tied with Jeff Cote’ for the most career doubles at New Paltz with 38.
