ROCHESTER, NY - The Empire 8 Conference released its list of All-Conference honorees for the 2026 season on Wednesday morning, with the Pioneers placing eight athletes among the conference's elite. Their eight honorees double the amount that the team saw last season, and acknowledge the balance that the blue and orange brought to the table this season.
2026 All-Empire 8 First Team
#3 Mike Rockwell (Liverpool, NY/Cicero) | Senior | Outfield - Rockwell was a dominant force at the plate in his two years spent playing for the blue and orange, routinely occupying the number three spot in the batting order, which is normally reserved for a team's best true batter. Over two years, the Liverpool, New York native batted an incredible mark of .369, grabbing 96 hits in his 68 games played. Rockwell was solid in 2025, however, 2026 saw him double his numbers in nearly every offensive category as he hit .414 (up .101 since 2025), grabbed 60 hits (+24) and nine home runs (+7) to pair with 44 RBIs (+23), and 43 runs scored (+10). Rockwell ranked extremely high on a variety of the Empire 8 statistical charts, including third for batting average, fourth for OPS, fifth for hits, second for home runs, and third for home runs. Rockwell will graduate ranking fifth in program history for career batting average (.369), fifth for career slugging percentage (.612), and sixth for career on-base percentage (.436). This is his first career All-Empire 8 honor.
2026 All-Empire 8 Second Team
#29 Lance Berger (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint Anthony's) | Senior | Second Base - Berger brought his best stuff down the stretching this season as the starting second basemen wrapped up his senior campaign as the hottest hitter in the entire Empire 8. In just his last few weeks of play, the Pioneer veteran grabbed 16 hits, batting .444, scoring 11 runs, and notching 11 RBIs as he achieved the Empire 8 Player of the Week honor, an All-Tournament nod, and an All-Conference honor in just the span of his last nine games. For the season as a whole, Berger batted .357, notching 50 hits, including 15 doubles and four home runs. Berger skyrocketed his slugging percentage and on-base percentage, raising them to .579% and .440%, respectively. He also showcased scrappy play, drawing 16 walks and swiping nine bags in his 39 games played. Berger, a former second-team selection, grabs his second such honor to end off his final season.
#47 Ryan Smith (Wappingers Falls, NY/Beacon High School) | Freshman | Third Base - Smith burst onto the scene this year, taking over at third base after a slew of injuries and inconsistency left the team looking for answers at the position. Smith proved to be the right pick at the future of the hot corner, as he played himself into starting 33 games for the blue and orange. The Wappingers Falls, New York native batted .352, also launching 11 doubles and four home runs as he posted some of the best possible numbers for a rookie in the northeast region. Smith also racked up 28 RBIs and 36 runs scored, routinely reaching in big spots as he set up the top of the Pioneer lineup to hit him in on numerous occasions. Smith put a stamp on his rookie year by doing well in many veteran-dominated areas, such as base running, where he stole four bases, also drawing 15 walks. Smith is a major part of an awesome freshman class that looks to take even more steps in year two. This is his first career Empire 8 honor.
#10 Ty Montrose (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) | Junior | Utility - Montrose makes his first appearance on the end-of-season Empire 8 awards following a stellar season where he proved his versatility on numerous occasions. Right off the bat, Montrose made the move from the infield to slot in as the team's main center fielder throughout the entire campaign. At the plate, Montrose had another extremely productive campaign, batting .310 as he grabbed 48 hits, logging 32 RBIs while also tallying 42 runs scored. The big righty also drew 25 walks on the year, contributing to his on-base percentage of .412. The utility portion of his selection also stems from his appearances in relief, as he pitched 5 times during the season, posting an ERA of 2.38 while allowing just 3 hits across 11.1 innings. Montrose allowed opponents to bat a paltry .086 against him during his time on the mound, which saw him emerge as one of the most impactful relievers in the conference. As noted, this is his first career Empire 8 honor.
#77 Dean Ennis (Middle Island, NY/Longwood) | Sophomore | Relief Pitcher - Another Pioneer pitcher makes his first appearance on an All-Conference team, as the sophomore Ennis did well in his 26.1 innings pitched in relief this season. Ennis posted a 3.76 ERA across his eight appearances, also providing durability, averaging just over three innings per outing. Ennis held opponents to a combined .257 batting average, grabbing 21 strikeouts and allowing just 11 earned runs in his appearances. His second team honor is his first career conference accolade.
2026 All-Empire 8 Third Team
#7 Kody Czternastek (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) | Senior | Shortstop - Czternastek was named to the All-Empire 8 Third Team after another star season as the Pioneers' starting shortstop and leadoff man. The Pioneers' main initiator got his job done, combining a .287 average to go with 33 walks and nine hit by pitches as he reached base at a .453 clip. Czternastek scored 39 runs, stole 15 bases, and racked up 22 RBIs. He also displayed highlight-reel potential up the middle, as he made an array of showstopping plays over at shortstop, as he's been prone to do over the course of his four-year career. Czternastek, who also grabbed an All-Empire 8 Second Team selection in his sophomore year, picks up his second All-Conference honor to wrap up his Pioneer career.
#9 Justin Notargiacomo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) | Junior | Relief Pitcher - Notargiacomo was granted a spot on the All-Conference team for his work as the team's main closer, taking over the role with great success in his junior campaign. The Long Island native made 11 appearances in relief, pitching a total of 25.1 innings while posting an ERA of 3.91. He allowed opponents to average just .216 at the plate, giving up just 11 earned runs while going six straight appearances without allowing a single run to start the season. He also brought good power, tallying 18 strikeouts. This is his first career Empire 8 All-Conference honor.
Empire 8 Tomorrow's Leaders Team Representative
#24 Aidan McCue (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park) | Senior | Infield - McCue rebounded extremely well from an injury that cost him his entire junior season and a spot in the Pioneers' rotation this past year. During his senior year, the Averill Park graduate saw many high-leverage at-bats, hitting well against a variety of competition, posting a .400 average at the plate. McCue highlighted his senior season in a May 2nd matchup against Brockport, grabbing three hits and two RBIs against the powerful Western New York side.
The Pioneers also picked up a variety of weekly awards. Click below for more information on each accolade!
Weekly Awards:
Lance Berger (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint Anthony's) | Co-Empire 8 Player of the Week | May 4th - Link:
https://uticapioneers.com/news/2026/5/4/baseball-berger-and-knabe-capture-conference-honors-after-powering-pioneers-to-5-1-week.aspx
Kooper Knabe (Cortland, NY/Cortland) | Empire 8 Pitcher of the Week | May 4th - Link:
https://uticapioneers.com/news/2026/5/4/baseball-berger-and-knabe-capture-conference-honors-after-powering-pioneers-to-5-1-week.aspx
Brady Leichtman (Bay Shore, NY/St. John the Baptist Diocesan) | Empire 8 Rookie of the Week | April 20th - Link:
https://uticapioneers.com/news/2026/4/20/baseball-brady-leichtman-named-empire-8-rookie-of-the-week-following-lights-out-saturday-start.aspx
Matt Paolucci | Empire 8 Rookie of the Week (2) | March 30th - Link:
https://uticapioneers.com/news/2026/3/30/baseball-paolucci-piles-on-even-more-accolades-takes-home-third-e8-honor-as-rookie-of-the-week.aspx
Matt Paolucci | Empire 8 Rookie of the Week | March 16th - Link:
https://uticapioneers.com/news/2026/3/16/baseball-paolucci-pockets-second-empire-8-honor-after-stellar-spring-break-slate.aspx
Matt Paolucci | Empire 8 Player of the Week | March 2nd - Link:
https://uticapioneers.com/news/2026/3/2/baseball-paolucci-nabs-empire-8-player-of-the-week-after-stunning-debut-series.aspx
