BROCKPORT, NY - On Monday, March 2nd, the Empire 8 Conference announced Blake Fortunato as the Baseball Rookie of the Week. The standout shortstop from Deposit, NY, earned his first weekly honor following a dominant performance over a three-game stretch in Virginia Beach.

Fortunato currently leads the Golden Eagles with a blistering .385 batting average. Across three games against Alfred State and Virginia Wesleyan, the freshman showcased his efficiency at the plate and reliability in the field.

The freshman's weekend began with a marathon doubleheader on February 28th. In the opener against Alfred State, Fortunato was a force in a tightly contested 7-6 battle, finishing the game 3-for-4. His most critical contribution came in the bottom of the eighth inning when he scorched a double to center field, putting himself in scoring position during a high-leverage moment. Earlier in the contest, he showcased his ability to find holes in the defense with a sharp single through the right side in the third.

Fortunato carried that momentum into the nightcap against Virginia Wesleyan. Despite a tough team result, he remained a bright spot by going 1-for-3 with an RBI. In the second inning, he lined a single to left field to keep a rally alive, eventually coming around to score as part of a two-run frame that briefly gave Brockport the lead.

The shortstop saved his most efficient performance for the weekend finale on March 1st in an 11-5 victory over Alfred State. Fortunato reached base consistently, recording a hit and a walk while crossing the plate twice to help fuel a potent Golden Eagles offense. His discipline and baserunning were on full display as he anchored the middle of the infield and provided steady production from the bottom of the order.

Brockport will have a short break before their next game. They are scheduled to travel to UMass Boston for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 7th, with the first pitch set for 12 p.m.