Oakton’s Crinigan Named NJCAA Division III Pitcher of the Year

(June 26, 2018) The list of awards for Oakton Community College pitcher Alexander Crinigan (Hampshire, Hampshire High School) keeps growing as the sophomore hurler was announced as the 2018 Spalding® National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Pitcher of the Year on Monday, June 25.

Crinigan, a key cog in guiding Oakton to its first baseball national championship this past season, led the nation in wins (12), strikeouts (107) and innings pitched (98 1/3). In addition, the right-hander shattered individual team pitching records with wins, innings pitched (98 1/3) and strikeouts, surpassing the previous records set respectively by Ryan Stobart (9) in 2006, Ken Lowden (84 2/3) in 2012 and Derek DeYoung (104) in 2012.

“I was shocked when I found out I was named Pitcher of the Year,” Crinigan said. “I honestly didn’t see this coming, but it’s a great feeling. I had a great year, but I couldn’t have won this award without my teammates behind me. When my team scores over eight runs per game it just makes my job easier.”

Already this season, Crinigan was named to the NJCAA Division III All-America First Team as well as the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) All-Conference First Team.

Crinigan credits much of his success this season to the addition of a new pitch to his repertoire.

“I worked hard in the offseason to develop a new pitch, the curve ball,” said Crinigan, who averaged 9.79 strikeouts per game. “That set up my bread and butter pitch, the slider, and led to racking up more strikeouts.”

Bill Fratto, Oakton head coach, said this is just another feather in Crinigan’s cap.

“Alex has been a stud for our program,” he said. “He has worked extremely hard to accomplish all that he has achieved this past season. On and off the field, Alex is a tremendous leader and always wanted the ball in clutch situations. He is a coach’s dream and I am so proud to have him in our program. Winning the national championship is a dream season, but the dream began with Alex taking the mound as an Oakton Owl.”

Crinigan is uncommitted to where he will pitch at the next level but said he will make a decision within the next few weeks.