Wagner, Zbezinski Named Collegiate Baseball DIII Players to Watch

ERIE, Pa. - Collegiate Baseball Magazine recently announced its 2020 NCAA Division III Players to Watch List, which includes a pair of Penn State Behrend players.

Sophomores Joshua Wagner (South Park/South Park) and Thomas Zbezinski (Gibsonia/Pine Richland) were named to January's prestigious list. Both will be relied upon to lead the team on each side of the ball in 2020 after the Behrend Lions finished last year with a 24-17 record.

Wagner picked up his first AMCC All-Conference nod last season after batting .355. He concluded the season ranked third in NCAA DIII statistics in doubles (23) and third in doubles per game (.56). Wagner was first in the league in RBIs (32), doubles (18), and total chances (153), while ranking third in hits (32) and at-bats (75). He led Behrend and the conference in RBIs (51) and was second in doubles (23). He also collected 12 multi-RBI games and 16 multi-hit games this season.

Zbezinski registered an exceptional freshman campaign and was named Behrend's sixth AMCC Newcomer of the Year and to the AMCC All-Conference second team. He tied for first in AMCC games with wins at 5-1 on the mound. He was also tied for first in games started, while ranking third in ERA (3.07) and is fifth in innings pitched (35.2). Overall, he is tied for first in wins at 7-2 and is sixth in strikeouts (51). Zbezinski has made 13 appearances while pitching 61.1 innings and holding opponents to a .256 batting average.

Since 2009, more than 30 Behrend Lions have been recognized by Collegiate Baseball Magazine. Behrend will begin the season on February 29 against Spalding in Louisville, KY. Game one of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.