UTICA, NY - The top bats of the blue and orange lineup have picked up even more recognition following a stellar campaign, as the pair of Mike Rockwell (Liverpool, NY/Cicero) and Lance Berger (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint Anthony's) have each been named among the top players in Region III according to D3baseball.com and, in the case of Rockwell, the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). Rockwell was selected to TWO different first teams, featuring on the All-Region III First Team for both D3baseball.com and the ABCA, while Berger's scorching end to the season has him listed on the D3baseball.com All-Region III Third Team. This is the first All-Region honor for either athlete, as they cap off excellent careers with a pair of pristine achievements. 

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).

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.

Both players helped power the Pioneers back into the final rounds of the Empire 8 baseball tournament, as they helped the team secure a top four spot in the Empire 8 Tournament. They graduate with some excellent achievements in their Pioneer careers, and take home the pair of All-Region accolades to boot.