Outfielder named MAC Freshman of the Year

May 23, 2018 | Athletics, News
By Chris Cullum



John Servello has been named Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year, the league office announced Tuesday.

A native of Hollidaysburg, Pa., Servello becomes the third Rocket ever to win the award, joining Mitch Maier (2001) and AJ Montoya (2015).

Heading into the conference tournament, Servello’s .353 batting average ranks fourth in the league and 10th among all freshmen in the country. It would be the highest mark by a UT freshman since Maier hit .444 in 2001.

Earlier this season, Servello registered a 23-game on-base streak and a 19-game hitting streak, both of which are season-highs for Toledo and the longest by a Rocket since 2010.

Servello’s 15 multi-hit games ranks second on the team, and his .325 batting average in conference games paces Toledo. He has tallied 15 extra-base hits (10 doubles, three triples, two home runs) and scored 30 runs.

Toward the end of the Rockets’ spring break trip in March, Servello was moved to the top of the batting order and hit .393 over the next six weeks, proving to be an important offensive catalyst for UT.

He also has been perfect in the field, not making an error during his 25 games in the outfield and throwing out three runners on the bases.

Toledo will begin its MAC Tournament run Wednesday, May 23, as the No. 5 seed. The Rockets will play No. 4 Central Michigan at 6 p.m. at Sprenger Stadium in Avon, Ohio.

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