LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University baseball team announced its selections for team awards at its annual end of the year awards brunch Sunday.
 
Junior catcher Nick Shuhet (Mountain Lakes, NJ/Mountain Lakes) was named the Joe Plunkett Most Valuable Player, senior reliever Christian Aiello (Hewitt, NJ/West Milford) was recognized as the team's Bob Koehler Most Valuable Pitcher, and sophomore pitcher Frank Papeo (Matawan, NJ/Old Bridge) was tabbed as the Peter F. Daly Most Improved Player.
 
"All three men are well deserving of each award," said acting head coach Dr. Barry Davis. "As much as they were productive statistically, there are other factors. Frank's improvement has been undeniable, Christian has been a model of consistency, and Nick has been reliable and durable."
 
Shuhet hit .343, with five home runs, a team-high five triples, and team-high 15 doubles. He also finished second on the team with 45 RBIs. Shuhet's five triples led the MAAC and ranked 19^th in the country. Shuhet was seventh in the conference in batting average. The junior was at his best in conference play, hitting .381 with five homers, five triples, and 36 RBIs.
 
Aiello was dominant on the mound for the Broncs this season, going 7-2 with a 3.38 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 48.0 innings. The senior had a team-low 1.19 WHIP. In conference play, Aiello was 6-1 with a 2.77 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 39.0 innings. He led the MAAC at 11.81 strikeouts per nine innings, was second in the MAAC with his seven wins and 1.19 WHIP and third in the league with his 3.38 ERA.
 
Papeo saw action in 17 games out of the pen this season, tossing 14.1 innings, and dropping his ERA from 24.11 in 2025 to 6.91 this season. Over his final 10 outings of the season, Papeo tossed 8.0 innings, allowing just two runs on four hits, and striking out six.