SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (March 9, 2026) – Western New England baseball's Leo Paragarino has been named Conference of New England (CNE) Baseball Player of the Week after picking up hits in ten of his first 13 at-bats to start the season. 

Paragarino opened the 2026 season with three hits in four plate appearances in the opening game against Springfield College while scoring two Western New England runs in the game. Paragarino and the Golden Bears traveled south for a pair of games in Davenport, Florida, on Sunday night, where Paragarino picked up three hits in four at-bats in game one against Ohio Northern University and then added four hits in five at-bats in game two of the doubleheader. The WNE sophomore collected three doubles in the nightcap while stealing his first base of the season. Paragarino came out of the weekend hitting .769 (10/13), drawing a pair of walks. 

Paragarino and the Golden Bears continue the 2026 season at the RussMatt Invitational this week with games against Stockton University (March 11), Thomas College (March 12), and UMass-Boston (March 13).