University of New Haven Athletics

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One of the best defensive catchers to wear the Blue and Gold, Andy Schmata was a member of the UNH baseball team from 2000-2002. He helped lead the Chargers to the 2001 NCAA Division II Northeast Regionals and boasted a career batting average of .337.
 
In his first year with the Chargers, the University of Connecticut transfer started all 31 games at catcher. He hit .279 with 29 hits and 25 runs batted in, while recording nine doubles and four home runs. He was also walked a team-high 18 times.
 
Schmata's junior season with the Chargers featured 37 starts behind the plate and a .352 batting average. He led the team with 14 doubles and 17 walks, while recording 45 hits and 233 putouts. He registered 12 multi-hit games, including a season-high five RBI game against Mercy on April 28. On May 5, he was part of one of the biggest wins in UNH baseball history as he went 3-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored in Coach Frank "Porky" Vieira's 1,000th career victory. The New Haven, Conn. native was named to the NCAA Division II Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team after leading the Chargers in the postseason tournament with a .363 batting average, three doubles, two runs scored and a run batted in.
 
In 2002, Schmata boasted his best season of his career. He started all 35 games behind the plate and posted a .368 batting average. He led the team with 40 runs batted in and tied for the team lead with five home runs, while adding a career-high 49 hits and 29 runs scored. He also boasted a .549 slugging and a .459 on-base percentage. New Haven earned the program's 40th consecutive winning season that year and finished with a record of 24-10-1.
 
In his career, Schmata helped lead the Chargers to an impressive .700 winning percentage with a record of 73-31-1. He finished his career with 123 hits, 12 homeruns, 95 runs batted in, 73 runs scored and 104 games played.