OMAHA, Neb. – Junior righthander Michael Trionfo of Towson University has been named an American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-East first team selection, it has been announced by ABCA officials.  

A second team All-Colonial Athletic Association honoree, Trionfo led the CAA with an 11-3 record, setting a school record for victories in a season. One of only 20 pitchers in NCAA Division I with at least 11 wins, Trionfo pitched 83.1 innings and posted an impressive 3.35 E.R.A. He set a school record by starting 14 games. He walked only 31 batters and had 52 strikeouts. His E.R.A. placed him fifth in the CAA.

“This is a tremendous honor for Mike,” said Towson Coach Mike Gottlieb. “One of his greatest strengths is his mental fortitude. He is as mentally tough as any pitcher I’ve ever coached. Nothing gets him flustered.”

During the 2012 season, he was the only pitcher in the CAA to be honored as the CAA Pitcher of the Week three times.

Trionfo led the Tigers into the CAA playoffs on the final weekend of the regular season. With the Tigers needing to sweep a three-game series from James Madison, Trionfo won two games. In the series opener, he pitched eight innings and allowed two runs on eight hits with two walks and five strikeouts as the Tigers won the series opener against JMU.

In the regular season finale, Trionfo made his first relief appearance of the s eason. He came into the game in the top of the eighth inning with two outs and James Madison poised to increase its 4-3 lead. He pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit and two walks with one strikeout. He enabled the Tigers to pull out a dramatic 5-4 win in 10 innings.

In the CAA Tournament, he earned his 11th victory of the season with a solid effort in a 16-8 victory over George Mason in an elimination game.

Trionfo led a very young Tiger team to a 27-31 overall record and a 15-15 CAA mark that enabled Towson to tie for fifth place in the CAA standings. Making their first appearance in the CAA Tournament in four years, the Tigers posted a 1-2 record.

Trionfo was one of ten CAA players named to the All-East region team. Pitcher Matt Davenport of William and Mary joined Trionfo as two of the four pitchers on the team. First baseman Jared Hammer of Hofstra, second baseman Matt Ford of Hofstra, and outfielder Danny Poma of Hofstra were also named to the first team.

Relief pitcher Chris O’Grady and designated hitter Zach Helgeson of George Mason were also honored, along with outfielders Andrew Cain and Thomas Pope of UNC Wilmington. Outfielder Bill Cullen of Virginia Commonwealth was also named to the first team as CAA players occupied 10 of 15 first team spots.