Honoring the Class of 2020: Shane Albertson

Shane Albertson was playing the 2020 season as a graduate student. After missing the whole 2018 season for medical reasons, Albertson returned to health and played in 22 games in 2019. While he still played an excellent second base and pitched to a 3.00 era, he was not quite back to himself at the plate. 

With a full year to lift, put on weight, and further recover, Albertson was mashing the ball in 2020. The career .320 already had 15 hits in 35 bats and was reaching base at a nearly preposterous .574 clip. He scored 15 runs and drove in 10 through the Eagles' first ten games. six of hit hits were for extra-bases.

As he is enrolled in Eastern's MBA program, could still be in school and would qualify to compete next spring. His teammates hope that can happen. So far, Albertson has 104 hits in 101 games and has scored 84 runs. Through his career, he was also available to move to the mound to close games. 

"Shane has overcome a tremendous amount of adversity," Head Coach Scott Renauro said. "With taking time off for surgery or playing through pain, he would always get his work in and be prepared. He is a quiet leader but a leader that everyone should follow. He will put his head down and go to work every single day.This year I started to see Shane vocalize a little more, and the team responded."

Albertson earned All-MAC Freedom recognition in 2017.

Shane Responds:

One of my favorite memories was our win against Misericordia last year. During my time, we were 0-11 against the school so to finally overcome that hurdle was a pretty amazing feeling. This was an exciting win because I believe this team win represents where this program is headed which could be seen in our limited season this year and for years to come. 

I’m going to miss the moments baseball brought my teammates and I together outside of practice. The time spent with my teammates whether it was going to the turf for ground balls, lifting, playing tennis baseball, or pushing off homework for late night hitting were moments I did and always will cherish.

There have been so many guys that showed me how much hard work and the routine it takes to be great.  Tim Gordon, Angelo Kelly, and Grant Fisher are just a few examples of teammates that drove me to not only match but exceed their work ethic in order to be the best player I could be. Also, the energy and passion the younger players brought to each game and practice has helped me appreciate each day.  

College athletics has taught me to enjoy and trust the process.  College baseball is a long season that can be difficult and overwhelming and may have you doubting about your long-term goals. I have learned to enjoy the small successes and learn from the failures on the journey to my goals. Even though it may not come to me right away, I can trust the work I have put in to help know it will all work out.

I would like to thank my parents for their constant support. I am so appreciative of their efforts to support me every game despite having to come from work or being hours away.  And it still amazes me how my parents always stayed for the final out of our long, very long, double headers. I would also like to thank my coaches and teammates because they are the reason why this journey has been so special.       

With the National Emergency caused by the impending spread of the novel coronavirus, the NCAA canceled Winter and Spring Championships and Governor Wolf moved instruction online and ordered colleges to send students home. 

As a result of this crisis, student-athletes competing in spring sports had their seasons cut short and teams were unable to honor their senior student-athletes in a traditional way. Without diminishing the seriousness of the crisis, we would like to honor our senior student-athletes over the next 50 days or so. The NCAA has granted all spring athletes an extra season of eligibility, so some members of the class of 2020 may compete in 2021. Regardless, we will want to honor the seniors with their class. 

We encourage everyone to stay safe, encourage each other, and to listen to the guidelines put forth by the CDC.