NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Caldwell University freshman 3B Justin Levine (Staten Island, N.Y.), who was second in the league in batting and OPS, has been named Central Atlantic Athletic Conference (CACC) Baseball Rookie of the Year, the Conference announced today. He was also selected First Team All-CACC along with senior first baseman Chris Hopf (Middlesex, N.J.). 

Their teammate, junior right handed pitcher Jonathan Gambone (Westville, N.J.) was picked to the All-CACC Second Team.

Levine slashed .408/.537/.660 for an OPS of 1.197, lacing 11 doubles and five home runs while scoring 26 runs and driving in 28. His stellar rookie season included a four-hit game vs. Chestnut Hill, five three-hit games and two four-RBI contests.

Hopf matched the Caldwell Baseball record with 13 home runs, ranking third in the CACC, while slashing .336/.450/.731 to place fifth in the circuit in OPS (1.181). He also led the Cougars with 38 RBI.

Gambone made Caldwell and CACC history on April 26 when the threw a perfect game, a first for both the school and conference, in an 11-0, seven-inning win over Lincoln. He compiled a 4-2 record and team-best 5.04 ERA in 11 appearances (eight starts), fanning 45 in 55 1/3 innings.

The Cougars finished the 2026 season at 17-25 overall, 14-19 in CACC play under second-year Head Coach Nick Luciano.