As a freshman on the Northeastern baseball team, Chris Emanuele started all 51 games in the 2003 season. But halfway through his sophomore campaign, America East pitchers were able to breathe easier when the center fielder’s season ended early after a leg injury.

The awards came pouring in after his freshman season ended. Emanuele was named America East All-Rookie and second-team All-Conference. He was named to the All-Region team at the NCAA Regionals in Baton Rouge, La. where he led all players in batting average (.857) and on-base percentage (.875).

Emanuele was batting .419 against America East pitchers before he was injured and forced to miss the rest of his sophomore season.

“During batting practice I ran through a fence and broke my leg,” he said. “But it wasn’t a hard injury to come back from.”

He came back for his junior year and led the team in five offensive categories, setting a school record for most hits in a single season with 71. He batted .340 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI to lead the team. He also recorded 17 stolen bases and scored 50 runs. In the Huskies’ final season in the America East conference, he was named first-team All-America.

His bat has continued to lead the Huskies as they stepped into the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).

This season the Mississauga, Ontario native is hitting .308 in a team-leading 104 at bats. He has four homeruns and 11 RBI through 27 games.

“The pitching has been different in the CAA,” Emanuele said. “There are a lot less fastballs and a lot more curveballs.”

The fourth-year business major said he is enjoying his senior season and the closeness of the team.

“This is the best team in my four years,” he said. “We are as close-knit as any team I have ever played on.”

Emanuele said he plans on entering the MLB draft after graduation.