Complete Big 5 Team (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA - Three La Salle baseball players, senior Kevin Christy, junior Pat Christensen, and sophomore George Smith, Jr., were named to the All-Philadelphia Big 5 team, in voting conducted by the city's coaches and sports information directors. In addition, Christensen was named the Big 5 Student-Athlete of the Year for the second straight season.

Christy was named to the All-Big 5 team as a starting pitcher. The right hander posted a 2.95 ERA, the second lowest of any starting pitcher in the city. He fanned 85 batters in 88.1 innings while walking just 17. Opponents batted only .243 against the North Penn graduate and Christy was equally as good in conference games, posting a 2.92 ERA.

He finished his career as the school record holder in strikeouts and in the top 10 in five other categories in program history (ERA, appearances, starts, innings pitched, and wins). It is the first time he has been recognized by the Philadelphia Big 5.

Christensen earned his second straight Big 5 Student-Athlete of the Year award and was on the All-Big 5 team as a closer for the third consecutive year. He was 4-2 with a 2.66 ERA and nine saves, while striking out 54 batters and walking eight in 44 innings. The La Jolla, Calif. native led the Big 5 in saves for the third straight spring and set the La Salle, Atlantic 10 and Big 5 record for career saves.

With one season to play, Christensen is seventh with 148 career strikeouts at La Salle and second all-time in appearances. His career ERA of 2.84 is the lowest of any La Salle pitcher that has thrown at least 75 innings.

A business administration major, Christensen carries a 3.60 GPA. He was named to the Academic All-Big 5, Academic All-Atlantic 10 and Academic All-District team this season. 

Smith had a breakout season during his sophomore campaign, batting .292 with two home runs and 26 RBI, good for second on the team. He paced the Explorers with 13 doubles and made just two errors in 51 starts in centerfield. 

It was his first time being recognized on the All-Big 5 team. He had 15 multi-hit games in his second season on 20th and Olney. 

Villanova senior second baseman Tyler Sciacca and Saint Joseph's junior right hander Kyle Mullen were named the Philadelphia Big 5 Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Year while Temple freshman Nick Lustrino was named the Rookie of the Year.

Saint Joseph's Fritz Hamburg was named the Coach of the Year. Saint  Joseph's, which won 25 games and qualified for the Atlantic 10 Tournament for the first time, was named the Team of the Year.

Originally formed in 2006 as the Philadelphia Diamond Five before taking on its current moniker in 2007, Philadelphia Big 5 Baseball was founded with the goal of increasing the exposure of college baseball in the Philadelphia area. Big 5 Baseball selects a Player and Pitcher of the Week throughout the season, as well as the All-Big 5 Team and awards at the end of the season. Voting for all weekly and postseason honors is conducted among the head coaches and sports information offices of the five Division I baseball programs in the Philadelphia area: La Salle, Penn, Saint Joseph's, Temple, and Villanova.