For senior Chris Perez, winning is more than painting the outside corner of the strike zone. His 92-mph fastball is impressive, but gritty determination may be his best pitch. And his 10 wins, 90 strikeouts, 3.21 ERA, four complete games, and nine-game unbeaten streak give credence to what Yogi Berra once said: “You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn’t enough, in the second half you give what’s left.”

Perez’s reliable arm helped the men’s baseball team finish the 2006 season with a 31-22 season, its first 30-win season since 1991. His efforts also earned him Division I Independent Baseball Pitcher of the Year honors from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

After the season, five Bears were selected to the NCAA Division I Independent Baseball teams. Junior Joe Esposito joined Perez on the First-Team. Senior Mike MacMillan and junior Kraig Binick took home Second-Team honors, and senior Andrew Karkoulas earned Honorable Mention.

In addition, the Bears were named the CollegeBaseballInsider.com Team of the Week from April 24-30, when they went 5-0.