WEST BABYLON, N.Y. – Two LIU Post student-athletes were highlighted in the initial East Coast Conference weekly awards for the spring season as baseball's James Varela and men's lacrosse's Jake Gillis garnered Pitcher and Rookie of the Week for their respective sports on Monday, Feb. 18.
 
Gillis had an outstanding debut for the Green and Gold during a record-setting victory against American International College in the Pioneers' season-opener on Saturday, Feb. 16. During the first half, Gillis netted five goals and contributed two assists for seven total points. The freshman posted a 71-percent shooting percentage (5-7) and added two ground balls and one caused turnover to help LIU Post to a program-record 28-goal performance against the Yellow Jackets.
 
Despite suffering a loss in the season-opener against No. 2-ranked University of Tampa, Varela, the 2018 ECC Pitcher of the Year had a strong outing on the mound, tossing 6.1 innings, scattering four hits and fanning eight batters. Varela retired the side in order four times during the start and stranded two runners on base.
 
Three spring teams are in action this weekend as the LIU Post baseball team returns to warmer weather in Myrtle Beach, S.C. for the Northeast Challenge, while the men's lacrosse team hosts No. 11 Saint Anselm College and women's lacrosse team hosts No. 20 Merrimack College on Saturday, Feb. 23.