Orono, Maine -- Former University of Maine shortstop Jeremy Peña has been named the Most Valuable Player of the 2022 World Series after helping lead the Houston Astros to a Game 6 series clinching victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Peña finished the World Series 10 for 25 (.400) with a home run, two doubles, five runs scored, and three RBI. In Houston's Game 6 victory, Peña posted a 2 for 4 showing with a run scored. The rookie shortstop also played tremendously in the field throughout Houston's postseason run.

Peña, who registered a hit in each of the six World Series games, becomes the third rookie to earn World Series MVP honors and is the first position player to achieve the accolade.

The shortstop also earned MVP honors for his performance in the American League Championship Series where he went 6 for 17 with two home runs, two doubles, four runs sc ored, and three RBI. He becomes just the ninth player in Major League Baseball history to be named the MVP in both the Championship Series and the World Series in the same season.

Peña was drafted by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 2018 amateur draft. While at UMaine, Peña hit .305 for the Black Bears over three seasons with 196 hits, 75 RBI, 12 home runs, 32 doubles, 10 triples, and 30 stolen bases.

-UMaine-