ITHACA, N.Y. - The Liberty League has announced its 2026 Baseball major awards and All-League teams following a vote by the conference's 11 head coaches prior to the conference tournament on May 12. A total of five student-athletes from Ithaca College landed on one of the three teams, while sophomore first baseman
Ethan Fantel was named Player of the Year.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:Â Ethan Fantel, Sophomore, First Base
Ithaca College sophomore
Ethan Fantel was recognized as the Liberty League Player of the Year, as well as a first team honoree. It is the first time a player from Ithaca has garnered the accolade. Fantel played in all 35 games for the Bombers this season and finished the year with a team-best .444 batting average, .742 slugging percentage, and .584 on-base percentage. He totaled 55 hits in 124 at-bats, including 14 doubles, one triple, and seven home runs. He scored 34 runs, plated 35, and totaled 92 bases. He also paced the Liberty League in batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage, as well as RBIs and walks. He was also among the conference's top 10 in home runs (T-2nd), hits (4th), doubles (T-6th), and hit by pitch (10th, 11). He closed out the year among Division III's top 20 in on-base percentage (4th), RBI per game (1.66, 7th), walks per game (1.00, 15th), and batting average (20th).
FIRST TEAM
Sheldon Jay Walker III earned his first all-league honor this season as a first team outfielder after posting a .387 average in 35 starts. Walker led IC in at bats (137), runs (53) and stolen bases (22), while his 53 hits were second on the squad. He produced 17 multi-hit games and scored two or more runs in 16 contests.
THIRD TEAM
Danny Drotos appeared in 11 games during the season and moved into a starting role down the final month of the year. Drotos was 5-2 with a 4.57 ERA, both of which led the team. He tossed 41.1 innings and struck out 31 batters.
Lucas Orlovtiz earned his first career postseason honor in his final year with the program as he started and appeared in 28 games. Orlovitz finished the season with a .382 average with 35 runs, 25 RBI, seven doubles and four home runs in just 89 at bats. He led the team with 21 hit by pitches and earned D3baseball.com Team of the Week honors in early March.
Isaiah Smith made an immediate impact in the program in his first year as he made 33 starts and finished the season with a .326 average on 42 hits with 23 runs, 20 RBI and 19 stolen bases.
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