Heartland’s Antonacci named NJCAA Player of the Year

Heartland Community College Hawks fielder Sam Antonacci has been named the 2023 NJCAA Division II Baseball Player of the Year. 

The Heartland sophomore adds the NJCAA Player of the Year accolade to a list of honors that includes NJCAA First-Team All-American, ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-American, and Region 24 Player of the Year. 

Antonacci ended the 2023 campaign batting .515 with 14 home runs and 103 RBI. The sophomore also ranked in the top five in the nation in seven statistical categories: hits (106, 1st); runs (105, 1st); doubles (32, 1st); RBIs (103, 1st), batting average (.515, 1st), on base percentage (.618, 1st), and total bases (186, 2nd). 

The Sacred Heart Griffin High School (Springfield) grad helped lead Heartland to a Division II Baseball World Series championship. 

“Sam Antonacci is the most talented baseball player I have ever been around and that showed up all year. He is deserving of this award, but I guarantee he only cares about our team winning the National Championship," Heartland's coach Chris Razo said. "Sam was the rock this season and set the tone on winning over everything. He is the most competitive person I have ever met and is going to have a long successful career." 

Heartland Baseball entered the championship tournament this year as the top seed, with an overall record of 53-5. The Hawks advanced undefeated in post-season play through the entire World Series tournament. 

Antonacci, a Spring 2023 Heartland graduate, has committed to Coastal Carolina University.