Story written by Anthony Perry '08, Fisher College Associate Director of Athletics/Sports Information

GWINNETT, GA. – The Continental Athletic Conference announced earlier today the 2023 CAC Baseball All-Conference teams and major award winners. Seven Fisher Falcons received the all-conference honors with four first team selections and three second team selections. Freshman Yariel Salinas (San Juan, Puerto Rico) was chosen as the conference's Baseball Freshman of the Year as voted on by the league's head coaches.

Salinas becomes the second Fisher College freshman to receive the award (Dennis Santiago in 2021) and just the fifth baseball student-athlete to win a major conference award. The native of Puerto Rico enjoyed a fantastic rookie campaign in which he batted .321 with seven home runs and 42 runs batted in. He became the primary right-fielder a few games into the season and went on to start in 37 of the 40 games he appeared while recording 10 doubles and two triples.

The seven all-conference selections is a program best while members of the Continental Athletic Conference (formerly known as the Association of Independent Institutions). The four first team selections were graduate student-athlete Tim Catalano (Brewster, N.Y.), and juniors Ivanuel Hernandez (Caguas, Puerto Rico), Yadiel Cuadrado (Yabucoa, Puerto Rico), and Jeremy Renta (Caguas, Puerto Rico).

Hernandez, the CAC All-Conference First Team Designated Hitter, also finished as a runner up for conference Player of the Year. The left-handed hitter had a record-breaking season in the pinstripes. Hernandez finished the regular season batting an even .500 with 87 hits in 174 at-bats. He registered a Fisher single-season record of 12 home runs and also belted 15 doubles over his 48 games played.

Catalano made his only season on Beacon Street a successful one as he was named to the All-Conference First Team in the Outfield. The New York state native registered a .417 batting average with 60 hits over his 47 games. Catalano also notched 12 doubles, two home runs, 41 runs batted in while also swiping eight stolen bases. A Salem State (Mass.) graduate transfer, he took control of left-field early on in the season and solidified the lineup in the five-hole.

Earning his first All-Conference selection, Renta was named the First Team Third Baseman after a breakout junior campaign. Filling the hot corner was not going to be an easy task after the departure of Nicholas Lucchese '22, however Renta provided more than enough at the plate to bolster the lineup. The Puerto Rico native batted .459 on the season, his first full year at the varsity level, with 67 hits in 146 at-bats (third most on the team). Renta recorded 11 doubles, five home runs and 36 runs batted in for the Falcons in 2023.

Also picking up his first All-Conference designation was junior left-hander Yadiel Cuadrado. Cuadrado was stellar on the mound for Fisher as he led the team in starts (10), wins (5), and was second in strikeouts (60). He went 5-4 on the year with a 5.86 earned run average. Cuadrado also registered a 9.76 strikeouts per nine innings ratio and tossed three complete games.

Salinas was named the All-Conference Second Team for his efforts this past spring. Joining him are senior Angel Alicea (Caguas, Puerto Rico) and junior Miguel Torres (Villalba, Puerto Rico).

Alicea earns his second All-Conference selection after a terrific final season on the mound. The right-hander led the team with 15 appearances and 70 strikeouts over his 46 innings pitched. Alicea went 4-4 overall with one complete game and a 4.70 earned run average. Used primarily as a reliever, Alicea was tabbed as the CAC All-Conference Second Team Relief Pitcher.

Torres is a first-time member to the All-Conference team as he was a second team selection as a catcher. The 5-6 backstop split time with Hernandez as a catcher/DH platoon. At the plate, Torres finished with a .306 batting average and nine stolen bases. Out of his 37 hits on the year, he was able to belt 11 doubles and three home runs while recording 23 runs batted in. Defensively, Torres threw out 19.1% of base stealers and recorded a .957 fielding percentage.
…
The seven All-Conference student-athletes and the rest of the Falcons will take the field tomorrow evening in the 2023 Continental Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament, hosted by Georgia Gwinnet College. Game time is set for 5pm against Florida National University.