Siena’s ‘Big Ben’ Secures National Weekly Baseball Award

He stands six foot, six inches tall. On top of a regulation collegiate baseball pitchers mound, make that seven feet-four inches and he is listed at 245 pounds. Siena's #47 throws from the left side and with his imposing size, can be a challenge for any hitter. Niagara University certainly found that out last Saturday.

Following a 19 strike-out performance against the Purple Eagles, Siena senior pitcher, Ben Seiler, was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Dick Howser Trophy National Co-Pitcher of the Week presented by The Game Headwear for the period ending April 24, according to the Siena athletic department.

Seiler, who joined The Drive with Charlie & Dan on Monday, is the first player in Siena Baseball history to earn an NCBWA Dick Howser Trophy national weekly honor. The senior lefty shared the National Co-Pitcher of the Week recognition with Grambling's Shemar Page. Seiler set a 2022 NCAA single-game high with 19 strikeouts over nine innings in a no-decision Saturday at Niagara.

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Ben tallied his record 19th strikeout on his 152nd and final pitch to work out of a jam and prolong the game into extra innings. Seiler currently holds two of the three highest single-game strikeout totals nationally so far this season, following a 16-strikeout performance Mar. 27 vs. Saint Peter's.

Ben Seiler has enjoyed a strong senior season so far. He currently ranks third in the MAAC amongst qualifiers in ERA with a 3.74, fourth in strikeouts with 68, and 10th in opposing batting average at.262. Those are all great but Ben's an even better person. He is smart, polite and a terrific teammate. Seiler has the metrics to get his name called in the Major League Baseball draft on July 17th. Combine those metrics with his character and baseball acumen and the Siena Saints and Coach Rossi may be looking at another player in Major League Baseball some day soon. No matter what, they certainly don't get much nicer than Ben. Best of luck to Ben, Coach Rossi and the Saints! Thanks to the Siena athletic department and especially Mike Demos for all of the help this year!