Noah Cooper hit an astounding .507 in Ivy League play to win the Blair Bat, given annually to the player with the highest batting average in conference games. It was just the ninth time in Columbia Baseball history a Lion has won the award and first since 2000 when Matt Buckmiller won the bat with a .415 average.

“Noah put a lot of work into his game this season,” noted head coach Brett Boretti, “I’m so pleased his effort paid off and he won the Blair Bat.”

Cooper was nothing short of unstoppable this season, converting 34 of his 67 at bats for the .507 average. His closest competitor for the honor this season was Matt Kramer from Harvard, who hit .444. Cooper is the tenth player since 1971 to hit over .500 in the conference, and his average ranks sixth among Blair Bat winners.

Cooper led his team to its first divisional title since 1993, while establishing a program record for Ivy League wins after the Lions finished the regular season, 15-5.

“Cooper has been instrumental to our team’s success with his play and leadership this season,” said Boretti. “He has been our most consistent offensive threat in conference play.”

With at least two more games to play, the senior co-captain has amassed 34 hits including seven doubles, one triple, and one home run for a league slugging percent of .687. He has started each of 20 Ivy League games.

Cooper and the Lions will travel to Hanover, N.H. to face Dartmouth for the Ivy League Championship on May 3.