From Summer Ball News Sources
TAYLOR MADE
(Photo is courtesy of Phil Ellsworth)
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- It’s been a long wait for Taylor Siemens—a year and a half to be exact. Read the rest of this entry here>>>
Georgia Baseball To Resume Practice Sunday
ATHENS, Ga. --- The Georgia baseball team will begin final preparations for the 2009 season when it resumes practice with an intrasquad scrimmage Sunday at Foley Field. Read the rest of this entry here>>>
Baseball Eager to Begin Year
WEATHERFORD, Okla. - The Southwestern Oklahoma State University baseball team has its eyes on a season that is expecting to feature a marked improvement from that of last year. SWOSU coach Scott Selby has recruited a number of new players that are expected to rapidly elevate the Bulldogs fortunes from a team that finished 12-36 in his first year with the program. Read the rest of this entry here>>>
Saturday, January 31, 2009
College Baseball News And Notes
Harris Helps To Pound Houston-Victoria
R. J. Harris had a very nice game this afternoon. The Fort Worth native and current Northwood University star had 2 homers and 5 rbi's this afternoon. Northwood wound up pounding Houston-Victoria 17-5. R.J. will be playing for the Edenton Steamers of the Coastal Plain League this summer.
Top Prospect Heading To Staunton
One of the 2008 Florida Collegiate Leagues Top Prospects will be playing for the Staunton Braves this summer. Nick DelGuidice is currently a sophomore shortstop from Florida Atlantic. The Varico, FL native was named the team MVP of the Leesburg Lightning this past summer. He was a starting SS in the All-Star Game and he also led the league in hits. He wound up batting.309, with 12 rbi's.
Jenkins Signs With Xenia
J. B. Jenkins (Furman) has signed on to play for the Xenia Athletes In Action this summer. Jenkins is a sophomore infielder from Germantown, TN. He was a high school baseball star at Evangel Christian. Last season at Furman, he hit .132 in 38 at-bats. He had 2 doubles and 2 rbi's.
I Need Your Help
I need your help! For many schools, the season is now underway. For others, the season will start in a matter of weeks.
River Bandits Resign Waddell
The Woodstock River Bandits have resigned Greg Waddell for the 09 summer season. Greg is currently a junior outfielder from Florida International. The Miami native hit .348..478/.423 in 46 at-bats for the River Bandits last summer. Hit hit 3 doubles, 1 homer, drove in 8, and scored 8 times. He also stole 6 bases for Woodstock. (Photo of Greg is courtesy of FIU Athletics)
Texan Baseball to open 2009 season on Sunday
From Summer Ball News Source
STEPHENVILLE - The Tarleton baseball team opens its 22nd season with a three-game homestand that begins this Sunday, Feb. 1, when the Texans host Texas A&M-International at Cecil Ballow Baseball Complex in Stephenville.
"I am very excited to begin the season at home," Tarleton head coach Bryan Conger said. "The team gets to do all of the things that we are used to and get the first series under your belt at the same time.
The teams will play a 9-inning, 7-inning doubleheader on Sunday at 1 p.m. and will conclude the series Monday at 3 p.m.
"We are expecting these guys to go out and execute," Conger said. "The biggest thing I want to see is these guys going out there and playing hard, playing agressive and controling the things that we can control. If we can do that, then hopefully the outcome will go your way."
Conger enters his first season at the helm of the Texan baseball program and will feature 16 returning players, plus 13 newcomers and seven redshirt players.
Tarleton returns four position players with starting experience, including senior Keith Peacock and junior Charlie Ulbricht. Peacock batted .286 last season with eight doubles, four homers and 35 runs batted in. Ulbricht batted .299 before his season was ended due to an injury.
The Texans also return eight pitchers that recorded innings last season, including senior starter Danny Morris and junior reliever Joseph Wilson. Morris led the team with seven wins (7-4, 6.50 ERA) and 56 strikeouts last season. He threw three complete games in 14 starts and is Sunday's game one probable starter. Wilson was 1-1 for the Texans in 11 appearances with 17 strikeouts.
The Texans lead the all-time series 4-2 that dates back to 2007. Tarleton took last season's series from the Dustdevils 2-1 in Laredo.
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Game 1
Tarleton - P.J. Burns (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
TAMUI - TBA
Game 2
Tarleton - Danny Morris (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
TAMUI - TBA
Game 1
Tarleton - TBA
TAMUI - TBA
Rapids Sign Pitcher From Slippery Rock
The Rockbridge Rapids of the Valley Baseball League have inked freshman pitcher George Hebert for this upcoming season. Hebert is a 5-10/175 pound righty from Midlothian, VA. George played at Clover Hill High School. The Rapids first game is on June 5th at Waynesboro.Baseball Reports To Practice Sunday In Preparation For '09
From Summer Ball News Source
DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis baseball team reports for its first day of preseason practice Sunday, February 1 in preparation for the upcoming 2009 season and its second season as an NCAA Division I and Big West Conference member. Last season the Aggies earned a berth into the D-I tournament during their first season of eligibility.
UC Davis enters the season with a young group of players following the departure of 14 letterwinners to the Major League Baseball draft and graduation. The Aggies were picked to finish seventh in the Big West in the coaches poll.
"I know the guys are chomping at the bit to get the season underway," said Aggie head coach Rex Peters. "It will be good to finally get them together as a group and begin putting a squad together that we feel will give us the best chance to compete this year."
Leading the way on the offensive side of things will be junior Ty Kelly and senior Ryan Scoma. Both have been named to the Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award Watch List while Kelly was also honored as a preseason All-American by Ping! and preseason first-team All-Big West by Rivals.com. The website also named Kelly as the best hitter in the conference as well as naming Peters as a coach on the rise.
Junior Andy Suiter and senior Jeremy McChesney will lead a young Aggie pitching staff. Suiter was an all-conference honoree last season and is expected to step into a starting role along with McChesney.
The Aggies open their season on Feb. 20 with a three-game series at No. 12 UCLA. The first home game comes the following week with a 2:30 p.m. game with San Francisco on Feb. 24.
Friday, January 30, 2009
WATERLOO BRINGS BACK VILLANOVA RIGHT-HANDER
From Summer Ball News Source
Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, announced today the resigning of Chris Pack, a 6'3", 188-pound right-handed pitcher from Villanova University. Pack joins James Jones and Bob Lackovic on the Bucks' 2009 pitching staff.
The '09 season will mark the Hinsdale, Illinois natives third year as a member of the Bucks. Last season with Waterloo, Pack pitched 43 innings, compiling a 3-3 record with a 5.44 ERA and 26 strikeouts. Pack was signed to play in the Cedar Valley in 2007, but suffered an injury in the early part of his collegiate season forcing him to shut down.
The right-hander is also looking forward to another great summer in Waterloo.
"There's a reason college players from all over the country play in Waterloo and want to continue coming back. The people are genuine, the fans are exciting, and the environment is electric," said Pack. "The Bucks provide players with day to day opportunities to not only play baseball, but work out, play golf, and enjoy team bonding."
Bench coach Travis Kiewiet is excited for the experience Pack will bring to the team.
"Having Chris come back is huge for us from the standpoint that he has Northwoods League pitching experience and will be able to help our first year players on what to expect. Chris is also a great competitor, which is a must for a pitcher in this league," said Kiewiet. "There are no easy outs and having the mindset that Chris has, we know what we are getting each time he takes the mound."
In 2008, Pack's first complete season with the Wildcats, the right-hander appeared in 16 games, including 11 starts, posting a 4-3 record in 55 2/3 innings with a 5.17 ERA and 38 strikeouts.
Rodriguez Pitches Perfect Inning For Biola
Biola University junior pitcher, Justin Rodriguez pitched 1 hit less inning in relief yesterday. Biola lost the game to Simpson University 2-1. Rodriguez pitched for the Waimea Waves of the Hawaii Collegiate League last summer. He went 3-3, and sported a 3.46 era in 39 innings of work. He gave up 32 hits, walked 16, and fanned 19 batters.
PITTSFIELD AMERICAN DEFENDERS SEND CONTRACT TO NEW ‘YOUNG’ GUN
From Summer Ball News Source
PITTSFIELD, MA (Jan 16, 2009) - With temperatures plunging across the area, the Boston Baseball All Stars are firing up the hot stove in Pittsfield, announcing they have tendered a contract to a new Young gun.
The Boston Baseball All Stars LLC announced on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 that they have sent a contract to Robert Young, a 6’2”, 230 lbs left-handed hurler from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, to play this summer for the Pittsfield American Defenders of the New England Collegiate Baseball League at the newly christened Nokona Stadium at Wahconah Park.
In 2007 Young, who hails from Cleburne, Texas, appeared in 10 games, starting in seven of them. He was third on the team with 49 innings pitched and fourth in strikeouts with 25. He went six or more innings in five starts, and threw seven innings, surrendering four runs on eight hits and striking out a season-high five batters against Cornell on April 7. earned a win versus Harvard on April 28, going six innings, allowing eight hits and two runs, while striking out four.
In 2008, Young pitched 54.1 innings in nine starts for the Big Green in the Ivy League, going 4-2 with a 4.97 ERA. His strikeout to walk ratio was an impressive 38 to 8. Prior to attending Dartmouth, Young was named District 6-4A Pitcher of the Year as a senior in Cleburne. In his final season, Young was 12-1, tallied 113 strikeouts while allowing only 56 hits in 86 innings of action to go along with a 0.97 ERA.
In May of 2008, the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Northwoods League, a college wood bat
summer league featuring players from across the country, signed Young to pitch for their club. He went 2-3 with a 5.05 ERA and 23 strikeouts.
Former MLB pitcher Brian Rose Joins Bay Sox
From Summer Ball News Source
New Bedford, MA (Thursday, January 26, 2009) – New Bedford native and former Boston Red Sox pitcher, Brian Rose has agreed to a 1-year contract with the Bay Sox. Brian will join the team as the Special Assistant to the General Manager and Pitching Coach.
“We are very fortunate to have someone of Brian’s caliber joining our team,” said Bay Sox General Manager, Kirk Fredriksson, “He brings to the table a mountain of experience, not just about pitching, but baseball in general.”
Rose was the Red Sox’s 2nd pick in the June 1994 draft, and made his Major League debut with Boston in 1997.
He made an impressive start with the Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA), leading the league with 17 wins and a 3.02 ERA during his 1997 campaign. Voted Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year for the International League, Rose was also selected to start the AAA All-Star game, in which he was the winning pitcher.
Rose started 54 games at the major league level, and made a total of 68 career appearances, spending time with the Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Rose has worked as a baseball instructor at Hitt Dogg Training Center, Strike One, Inside the Park, and TJO Sports, along with coaching DYAA T-Ball, Junior League, and Little League baseball.
He currently manages his own baseball company, Brian Rose Baseball, while working for the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office for the Community Affairs Division acting as Volunteer Coordinator, Free Youth Sports Clinics Director, and Neighborhood Liason.
“He’s a real great person, he will be one of the biggest assets to the players and coaching staff. Once they get to know Brian, they will be very happy with what he brings to the team,” said Fredriksson.
Additionally, Rose will oversee the Bay Sox pitching staff and their conditioning and development program in the upcoming season.
As part of the contract with Rose, the Bay Sox will dedicate a section of seating called Rose’s Buddies. These seats will be earmarked for the youth of this community and will be distributed with the help of the DA’s office and Rose himself.
The Bay Sox are committed to their Community Outreach Programs.
About the Bay Sox:
The New Bedford Bay Sox (formerly the Torrington Twisters) entered the NECBL in 1997. Presently there are 144 former players within the MLB system.
Recognized as the Premier Summer College Development League in the World, the New England Collegiate Baseball League is a "Pro-prospect League" funded in part by Major League Baseball. With robust partnerships with college coaches, pro scouts and 12 New England communities, the NECBL showcases the world's elite college baseball players with a 45 game schedule including annual games with Team USA, International all-star touring teams and the US Military All Stars.
Phelps Named Best Pitcher In CAA
Kendall Rogers (Rivals.com) recently named Turner Phelps (JMU) the best pitcher in the Colonial Athletic Association. Turner pitched for the Covington Lumberjacks of the Valley League this past summer. He went 1-2, with a 3.90 era in 30 innings pitched. He gave up 29 hits and 8 walks to go up against 25 strikeouts. He also had 2 complete games for the Lumberjacks. Turner has signed on to pitch for the Bourne Braves this summer.
From Rivals.com
Phelps already is making a name for himself with the Dukes. The talented right-hander had an impressive freshman campaign last season. He started five games and made 21 appearances. He also had a 3.87 ERA in 76 2/3 innings of work. Also, he struck out 86 and walked 45, while opponents hit him at a .230 clip. Phelps also tossed a complete game in one of his five starts. Though Phelps worked primarily as a reliever last season, the Dukes expect him to continue his dominant ways as a starter this season.
Lowell Signs Brown University Pitcher
The Lowell All-Americans of the NECBL have recently signed Josh Feit from Brown University. Josh is a 6-5/195 pound right hander from Woodcliff Lake, NJ. He pitched for the Amsterdam Mohawks of the NYCBL this past summer. He went 3-1, with a 4.67 era in 34.2 innings pitched. He gave up 36 hits on the season. His bb/k ratio was 14/23. He also contributed to the Mohawks by throwing 1 complete game.
C.J. Gilbert Signs Baseball Letter of Intent
From Summer Ball News Source
Northwood Head Coach, Jeremy Kennedy, announced the signing of catcher, C.J. Gilbert from Burnett High School."I am extremely excited about having C.J. join our program.
Gilbert is a standout at Burnett High School where he is a four year starter for Coach Doucet.In his three years, Gilbert has racked up several honors including; 2007 Team Offensive MVP, 2007 2nd Team 25-4A All-District Catcher, 2008 Team Defensive MVP, 2008 Honorable Mention 25-4A All-District Catcher.
"CJ is a hard nosed baseball guy, that's what I really like about him," added Kennedy. "He works hard and plays hard."
Bulls Announce 09 Schedule
The Sikeston Bulls of the KIT League have released their 09 schedule. They open up on the road May 29 at the Union City Greyhounds. Their first home game is on June 1st, as they will host the Fulton Railroaders. You can view the full schedule here.
All Aboard! The Ryan Express Is Leaving The Yard
From Summer Ball News Source
AZUSA, Calif. -- Senior second baseman Ryan Dowell knew he had some big shoes to fill, taking over the leadoff spot that had been occupied for 2 seasons by NAIA All-American first team shortstop Matt Venegas. So he did exactly what Venegas did in last year’s season opener, smacking a solo home run to kick off a season-opening doubleheader sweep over Patten Thursday night, as the Cougars rolled to 24-1 and 7-2 wins. Read the rest of this entry here>>>
***Brice Cutspec (AP) went a combined 4 for 9, with 2 homers, 3 runs, and 4 rbi's. Brice will be playing for the Santa Maria Valley Packers this summer.
***Drew Evans (AP) went 3 for 4, with 2 runs and 2 rbi's in game 1. He played for the Mckinney Marshals last summer.
***Christian Gagne (AP) picked up a save in game 2. He gave up 1 run (unearned), on 2 hits in 3.2 innings pitched. He didn't walk a batter and struck out 4. He played for the Mckinney Marshals last summer. He went 2-1, with a 5.28 era in 30.2 innings pitched.
***Stephen Gillette (AP) went a combined 4 for 7 with a homer, 2 runs and 1 rbi. He played for the Mckinney Marshals last summer. He hit .171 in 82 at-bat. He hit 2 homers and drove in 10 for the Marshals.
Cal Lutheran Baseball Season Preview
From Summer Ball News Source
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran baseball team will return 18 players from last year's squad and if this season is anything close to the end of the 2008 campaign, it could be a promising year.
The Kingsmen finished last year on a nine game win streak and earned a .500-plus winning percentage (19-18-2) for the 20th consecutive season. A pair of returners playing a big part of that run are 2008 All-SCIAC selections junior Paul Hartmann and senior David Iden.
"Hartmann brings experience and a big power threat," said 16th year Head Coach Marty Slimak. Hartmann looks to hold down things at first base after starting in all of CLU's 39 games last year and posting team-bests with a .371 batting average, 11 home runs and 38 RBI.
"Iden brings that same experience and stability," Slimak said. Not to mention speed and consistency hitting .340 at the plate and swiping 30 stolen bases in 32 attempts.
Senior Chad Heschong appeared in 30 games last season and junior Landon Smith and sophomore Travis Dadigan each played in 21 games.
The CLU infield will feature newcomers with senior transfer Nick Dingman, who played in 32 games at Chico State last season and hit .344 in 61 at bats. Junior transfer Matt Martin also joins the Kingsmen after two seasons at College of the Canyons and four freshmen infielders enter their first year of CLU baseball with Louis Coppo (Atascadero HS), Brandyn Delgado (La Costa Canyon HS), Tom Hocutt (Thousand Oaks HS) and Garrett Smith (La Costa Canyon HS).
The outfield will be led by senior centerfielder Nick Pinneri who returns after hitting .279 last season in his first year at CLU after transferring from Moorpark CC.
"Pinneri brings athletic ability in our outfield with big-time game experience," Slimak said.
Juniors Chris Hertz and Jordan Ott both suffered season-ending injuries last season and are back for the 2009 season. Hertz appeared in nine game and made four starts while Ott started in all eight games he played and posted a .355 batting average.
Senior transfer Nick Reitz (Ventura CC) will be joined by freshmen K.C. Judge (Chaparral HS) and Wilson Reuter (Tucson HS) as part of the outfield.
Freshmen Wes Garwood (Amador Valley HS) who appeared in three games as CLU's backup quarterback during football season will make his Kingsmen baseball debut this season in a utility role.
Four catchers enter the season for CLU with sophomores Richard Michelin and Colin Gray the familiar faces. Michelin hit .287 in 27 games last year while Gray hit .364 in eight games. The two newcomers at catcher are freshmen Danny Kim (Harvard Westlake HS) and junior transfer Jarod Marini (Laney College).
Slimak has added depth to his pitching staff with 16 arms on the club this season after having 10 in 2008. Five seniors will return to the CLU pitching staff with Alex Casillas, Rob LeBaron, Steven Omlor, Mike Roe, and Peter Schmitt all coming back. Casillas led the team with five wins last season including a no-hitter at Menlo while Schmitt led the team with 26 appearances.
"Roe and LeBaron are both coming back from year-ending Tommy John surgeries and will fit into the mix of pitchers getting a lot of innings," Slimak said.
Junior Robbie Selden and sophomore Byron Minnich will be back after making up two-thirds of the starting rotation in 2008. Sophomore Ian Durham, who appeared in three games last season rounds out the returning group of pitchers.
Junior transfers Dane Delfs (Chaffey CC), Greg Gelber (CSU Fullerton), Josh Larson (Golden West CC) and Chase Tigert (Univ. of San Francisco) join the Kingsmen pitching staff this season.
Ethan Aukee (Bishop Union HS), Jordan Cox (Juan Diego Catholic HS), Spencer Trygg (Saint Francis HS) and C.J. Woldanski (West Ranch HS) will make up the freshmen class of pitchers in 2009.
"Casillas and Gelber are going to be starters for us... at this point the rest of our rotation is up in the air," Slimak said.
CLU will open its season on Friday, January 30 when they host Westmont College at 2 p.m.
"Our non-conference schedule will give us a chance to play a lot of individuals and move people around," Slimak said.
On Feb. 20 the Kingsmen will get conference play underway when they open a three-game series with the University of La Verne, the defending SCIAC champions. The regular-season will run through the beginning of May as CLU will close its season with a three-game series against Whittier College.
"The SCIAC conference will once again be strong and we expect teams to evenly battle each other throughout the season," Slimak said.
Wildcats on the Prowl to Petersburg
From Summer Ball News Source
PETERSBURG, VA. - The Petersburg Generals have announced the signing of three members from Villanova to the roster for the 2009 season.
Jerry Battipaglia is a 6-6, 230-pound freshman right-handed pitcher and a native of Katonah, N.Y. The tall right-handed pitcher will be seeing a lot of time on the mound this season for the Wildcats. Battipaglia works in the upper 80's with three pitches and should help the Wildcats right away.
Justin Bencsko, is a 6-1, 190-pound junior outfielder who resides in Pompton Plains, N.J. Bencsko will be handling the duties as the centerfielder and leadoff man for the Wildcats. In two years at Villanova, Bencsko has played in 82 games with 31 starts while batting .273 with 27 runs scored and stealing 12 bases on 14 attempts. Bencsko owns a .946 fielding percentage with 83 putouts, four assists, and five errors. Bencsko has spent the past two summers playing in the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League.
Mike Francisco is a 6-6, 220-pound sophomore left-handed pitcher from Newtown Square, Pa. As a freshman at Villanova, Francisco saw the bulk of his time out of the bullpen. Villanova plans on using Francisco out of the bullpen this year as well. Last summer Francisco played for the Front Royal Cardinals in the Valley League.
Villanova Wildcats are no strangers to the Petersburg Generals. In 2007, the Generals were the home for catcher Wes Borden and pitcher Jordan Ellis, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft.
"Villanova has success over the years in the Big East Conference," said assistant coach Ryan Leary. "We have had guys from Villanova who had a lot of success in this league. Battipaglia and Francisco will add a lot of depth on the mound and Bencsko will be versatile at the plate and in the outfield."
The Petersburg Generals are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Heading into its 13th season with 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats during the summer months. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com. For more information on the Petersburg Generals please visit the website at www.petersburgsports.com or contact (804) 722-0141.
Big Train Bring Back Cipolla
For the Bethesda Big Train to be successful next year, they will need to have another big year from one of their spark plug players, Mike Cipolla. The 5-11/185 pound junior infielder from St. Mary's (CA) had a very nice 08 summer season for Bethesda. Mike hit ..295/.377/.404 in 122 at-bats. He scored 23 times, drove in 20, and smacked 2 triples. His K/BB ratio was 22/15, and he also hit 6 doubles. He will be bringing big-game experience to the Big Train this summer.
(Photo of Mike is courtesy of Tod Fiemer)
RUNNIN' WILD
From Summer Ball News Source
(photo is courtesy of Kenton Jacobsen)
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Bobby Kelley was informed just two hours before the start of today’s game he was getting the ball.
The junior must like the short notice. Read the rest of this entry here>>>
***Sean Kelley (Cal Baptist) went 2 for 3, with 2 runs and 2 rbi's last night. He played for the Cheyenne Grizzlies last summer. He hit .282, with 22 rbi's in 117 at-bats.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Blue Raiders Bring Balance to Bombers Attack
From Summer Ball News Source
The Brazos Valley Bombers announced the signing today of Zach Hudson and P.J. Francescon, a pair of teammates from Middle Tennessee State University. The twosome brings plenty of experience to a Bomber team that is shaping up to be the most talented team in the club’s three year history.
Hudson expects to star for the Blue Raiders this spring in his junior campaign. After hitting just .167 with 10 runs scored in just seven starts as a freshman, he blossomed into an excellent hitter his sophomore year. In 39 games, he finished third on the team with an amazing .366 batting average, along with 20 RBI and 30 runs scored. He also proved his consistency, as he hit .349 in Sun Belt Conference play.
The 6’2” outfielder enjoyed a spectacular career at Overton High School in Nashville, Tennessee, as he mounted one accolade after another in football and baseball. After being selected an All-Region football player in the fall of his junior season, he went on to lead the baseball team to a State Championship the following spring. His statistics were nothing short of incredible, as he hit .354 with 41 runs scored, 38 RBI, 13 doubles, and 11 stolen bases. He enjoyed an even better senior season and was selected All-State by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association after batting .458 with 39 runs, 35 RBI, 19 doubles, four home runs, and 10 stolen bases. He proved his versatility on the mound with a perfect 5-0 record and a 2.33 ERA. Hudson’s hard work and talent will be a welcome addition to the Bombers as they make a run for the TCL Championship.
The power-pitching P.J. Francescon will provide the Bombers with depth in the rotation this summer. The six-foot, 180 pound right-hander is expected to be an important piece of the Blue Raiders bullpen this season as he looks to gain off the experience he earned last summer as a freshman. He displayed his ability to strike out hitters with his tough pitches as he garnered 17 strikeouts in just 27.2 innings. Francescon joined the Blue Raiders after a stellar career at Ravenswood High School in Nolensville Tennessee, a small town of 3000 people south of Nashville. He was a four-year letter winner in baseball, including an All-Midstate selection his junior year after he struck out 95 hitters in just 66 innings. He also compiled a 1.60 ERA and was voted to the All-Tournament team for the second consecutive year.
The Bombers are members of the Texas Collegiate League, one of the nation’s premier summer collegiate circuits. Teams like the Bombers bring minor league baseball-style entertainment to communities throughout the country, giving some of the best college players a chance to further their careers in wood bat leagues in front of Major League scouts. The Bombers 48-game season begins on June 5 and runs through August 8, followed by the TCL playoffs and a championship series. Season tickets for the 2009 season are now on sale. More information is available by calling the Bombers ticket office at (979) 779-PLAY, visiting the Bombers office in Bryan, or logging on to the Bombers’ official web site at www.bvbombers.com.
Elks Sign Evers For Summer
The Bend Elks of the West Coast League will have a local product on their roster this summer. Chapman University infielder, Boby Evers will patrol the infield for the Elks. Evers is from Bend and played at Bend High School. Last year at Chapman, Bobby hit .231 in 13 at-bats.FHSU Baseball Selected 4th In MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
From Summer Ball News Source
The MIAA released its Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll on Wednesday (Jan. 28). Fort Hays State was selected fourth in the poll. The addition of Nebraska-Omaha to the conference this season has made the conference even tougher, as the Mavericks were a participant in the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships two years ago. Central Missouri, last year’s conference tournament and regional champion, has been tabbed #1.
The Mules collected nine of the possible 10 first place votes. They reached the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Championships last year and were knocked out by eventual national champion Mount Olive (N.C.). Central Missouri is ranked #3 in the Collegiate Baseball Division II Preseason Coaches Poll.
The 2008 regular season champion Emporia State had two first place votes and finished second in the poll. The Hornets enter this season with a national ranking of #8. Nebraska-Omaha was tabbed third after an NCAA Division II regional appearance last year.
Fort Hays State finished fourth in the voting. The Tigers have seven of their nine players from last year’s starting lineup returning. Fort Hays State is returning 19 letterwinners overall. FHSU has made the conference tournament in each of its first two seasons in the MIAA and looks to make it three in a row this year.
Fort Hays State returns seven of its eight All-MIAA selections from a season ago. Heading that list is first team first base selection Dusty Washburn. Washburn, a senior, also garnered NCBWA All-American Honorable Mention honors, along with ABCA and Daktronics All-Central Region First Team honors in 2008.
Senior Brett Becker returns to the middle infield after earning All-MIAA First Team and Daktronics All-Central Region second team honors as a utility player. Junior Tyler Robbins also returns to the infield after garnering an All-MIAA Honorable Mention selection at third base last year.
Greg Bieker heads the list of returners in the outfield. Bieker, now a junior, earned All-MIAA Second Team and ABCA All-Central Region Second Team honors last year.
Sophomore Ryan Majercik returns behind the dish. The catcher earned All-MIAA honorable mention honors last year and was named MIAA Freshman of the Year.
All-conference pitchers returning include senior Eric Gilliland and Matt Augustine. Each earned honorable mention honors last year.
The Tigers begin their season this Sunday (Feb. 1) at the University of North Alabama. The Tigers open with a three game series against the Lions over two days, playing a doubleheader on Sunday and one nine-inning game on Monday.
Below is the MIAA Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll with the number of votes out of the possible 100 each team received.
1. Central Missouri (9) 99
2. Emporia State (2) 92
3. Nebraska-Omaha 78
4. Fort Hays State 69
5. Northwest Missouri State 60
6. Missouri Western 58
7. Missouri Southern 52
8. Washburn 34
9. Pittsburg State 33
10. Southwest Baptist 18
11. Truman 12
Hamptons Collegiate Baseball Right On Track
From Drew Budd
A full plate of baseball is in store for East End residents and visitors alike this summer.
Six teams will fill out the new Kaiser/Hamptons Division of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League.
The Westhampton Airmen, Southampton Breakers, Sag Harbor Whalers, North Forth Osprey and Riverhead Tomcats will join the Long Island Mustangs, an original team from the ACBL Kaiser Division, in the new division.
The division is named after Jack Kaiser, an All-American college baseball player, Hall of Fame coach and one of the founding fathers of the Big East Conference in NCAA baseball. Kaiser played an integral role in making the St. John’s University baseball program what it is today, one of the most successful programs on the east coast. St. John’s University was home to the Metro NY Cadets in the ACBL last season.
League president Rusty Leaver said town committees in each community played a major role in expanding the league. The committees essentially run the team from the ground up. While Sag Harbor has had its committee in place since last season when it fielded the Hampton Whalers, the new teams have had to form their own committees in a short period of time.
Leaver said last week that the Riverhead, North Fork and Southampton committees have been coming along while the Westhampton committee was a bit slow in forming until Leaver and his staff met last week with members of the Westhampton Chamber of Commerce at Finn McCool’s. Before the meeting, Westhampton had two members, ?Henry Bramwell and Bill Ciraco. Now, the committee consists of about 10 members and a number of people continue to call and pledge their support in any way they can, according to Bramwell.
“The community support has been overwhelming,” he said. “People have joined up for housing, game-day operations. We have dozens and dozens who have placed their support by taking ads out.”
The Westhampton Airmen organization got word earlier this winter that Dan Gallagher, former baseball coach at Fordham University, will be the team’s head coach this summer. Dave Walker, who Gallagher coached in college, according to Leaver, will be an assistant coach on the team. Walker is known for his success with elite college travel teams from around the country and is also the father of former Hampton Whaler players Chris and Kyle Walker.
The Airmen will play their games on the new varsity fields behind the Westhampton Beach High School. Donating his time and effort to the Westhampton Beach cause, contractor Tom Lettieri of Lettieri Construction will build state-of-the-art dugouts on the new fields designed by architect Bill Mitchell of William R. Mitchell Architects. While the field is not done yet, construction is slated to be completed in time for the high school season in March.
Just a few months ago, Leaver and his team of scouts were looking to fill the new division with about 125 players (25 players on each team). Leaver said last week that 120 players are currently under contract with the rest of the players most likely to be signed by late May just before the season starts on June 1. The reason why the league is waiting to fill out the division, Leaver said, is because some players that are currently signed will start to drop out because of poor grades in school or injuries. In May, after the Major League Baseball first-year player draft, players will begin the process of signing with the team that drafted them. Sometimes players do not sign with that initial team but decide to keep playing college ball. Those are the type of players Leaver is waiting on to fill out the league.
“We are well positioned with much of the schools to get some of these draft picks,” he said. “A lot of the guys we already have now are future draft picks.”
The players will not be placed on their respective summer teams until close to the beginning of the season, said Leaver, because he and his team of scouts want to assess how the freshmen adjust to the college baseball game.
Leaver just recently signed a deal with Dana Cavalea, head of strength and conditioning for the New York Yankees, to be in the same capacity with Hamptons Collegiate Baseball. He will overlook all training aspects of the new teams on the East End.
“With Dana, we’re really separating ourselves from other collegiate leagues for being a true development center,” Leaver said. “So we will be exposing these college players to the same programs that Cavalea brings to the Yankees.”
Leaver and his staff also met with the New York Mets a few weeks ago and will meet with the Yankees this week to create an alliance with the two major league teams to hopefully build, what he called a “feeder” system, to the major leagues. Leaver said that he was “greeted with open arms” by Mets top officials and is looking forward to the same type of greeting by the Yankees. “We’re looking to create a similar relationship between the Red Sox and the Cape Cod League,” he said. “These are just the beginning of the ways we will work with the Mets and Yankees.”
While Leaver and his staff have been working diligently, he says there is still much to be done. Right now the biggest need is for host committees to house the players, the players’ parents when they come to visit and major league scouts who will continually pass through the East End to take a look at prospects.
“The host committees will help get golf tee times, travel plans in any way shape or form,” he explained. “We’re going to be very gracious on how we roll out the carpet for these people.”
Those interested in getting involved with Hamptons Baseball can contact Rusty Leaver at (631) 668-3901 or e-mail him at RLeaver@hamptonsbaseball.org.
Monarchs Sign Lamping For Summer Season
The Lake Erie Monarchs of the Great Lakes League have signed Andy Lamping from Columbia. Lamping is a talented catcher/outfielder from Loveland, OH. He played baseball at St. Xavier High School. He was a 2008 Under-Armour All-American and also a member of the National Honor Society. (photo is courtesy of Columbia Athletics)
PSAC Featured by Baseball America
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) was well represented by Baseball America in their recent DII Baseball Preview.
From Baseball America
Players To Watch
TJ Nichols, C, Indiana University (PA)
Matt Cotellese, OF, West Chester
Darin Gorski, SP, Kutztown
Steve Grife, SP, Mercyhurst
Top 10 Prospects
#3 Steve Grife, RHP, Mercyhurst
#4 Darin Gorski, LHP, Kutztown
Division II Notes
Indiana (PA) improved by 16 victories last season and the Crimson Hawks could make another jump in 2009 built on a strong, verteran lineup featuring Jr. SS Paul Bingham (.392, 20 SB), a rangy, 6-foot-3, 200- pounder who is also a plus runner; Jr. catcher TJ Nichols, the team's top hitter last year (.406), and twin brother RHPs Colby and Corey Betz, juniors who are the team's top starter and closer. However, the competitive PSAC also features Shippensburg, which reached the Division II World Series last year, as well as Mercyhurst and Kutztown, home to top prospects RHP Steve Grife and LHP Darin Gorski, repsectively.
College Baseball News And Notes
All Are From Summer Ball News Sources
Rams Picked Second in Preseason Poll
(photo is courtesy of ASU Sports Information)
The Angelo State baseball team is the No. 2-ranked team in the Lone Star Conference according to the LSC Preseason poll released by the league office Thursday morning. Read the rest of this entry here>>>
Baseball Concludes 2009 Iron Man Challenge
The Butler baseball team concluded its 2009 Iron Man Challenge, which pits a split roster against each other in four different conditioning drills. Read the rest of this entry here>>>
Flames Picked Second In Diamond Poll
The Liberty Flames baseball team has been selected to finish second in the Big South Conference this season in the league’s annual preseason baseball poll. The poll is voted on by the conference’s head coaches. Read the rest of this entry here>>>
Red Hawks Drop Season Opener To The Masters College
Simpson University Baseball team opened their 2009 season with a 7-1 loss to The Master’s College. Mark Wiley hit a home run in the first inning, scoring the only run for the Red Hawks. Second baseman Shane Battles and designated hitter Mark Austad each recorded two hits. Shane Hillier pitched 5 innings allowing 6 hits, 6 runs, and striking out 3 batters.
Dubben Signs With The Brewers
The Utica Brewers of the Eastern Collegiate Baseball League have signed Scott Dubben from Oneonta State. The 6-0/190 pound junior infielder was a SUNYAC All-Conference Second Team in the spring 0f 2008.
Loggers Ink a Pair from West Coast
From Summer Ball News Source
The La Crosse Loggers added a pair of difference makers to their 2009 roster today when team officials announced the signing of Robert Abel from the University of San Francisco and Robert Brantly from UC-Riverside.
Junior second baseman Robert Abel enters his first year at the San Francisco program after two successful years at the University of Arizona including a 2007 freshman season that saw him hit .264 with 39 Runs Scored and 22 RBI’s and tie for the team lead with 21 stolen bases. Abel is a product of Woodland High School (Calif.), the same school that produced the 2008 American League MVP, Dustin Pedroia.
Catcher Robert Brantley enters UC-Riverside as one of the most highly touted freshmen in the Big West Conference after being selected by the Washington Nationals in the 46th Round of the MLB Draft last June. The 6-2, 205 pound left-handed catcher is drawing rave reviews for his power potential and catch and throw skills and will be a big part of UC-Riverside’s plans as a true freshman.
Abel, Brantly and the Loggers open their seventh season of play on Thursday, May 28 when they welcome the defending NWL Champion Thunder Bay Border Cats to The Lumber Yard. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Robins Sign Glynne For 09 Campaign
The Peekskill Robins of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League have signed Harry Glynne from the University of Vermont. Glynne is a freshman pitcher from Hamden, CT. He was a star pitcher at The Kent School in Kent, CT. He sported a 2.00 era his senior year, and he struck out 68 batters in 48 innings pitched.
Dawgs sign RHP Phillips
From Summer Ball News Source
The Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club is pleased to announce the signing of RHP Mark Phillips from Colby Community College in Kansas. Colby is widely regarded as one of the top junior college programs in the United States and has regularly qualified for the NCAA, Junior College World Series.
Mark Phillips is a 6'5", 220 lb, RHP who hails from Colorado Springs, Colorado and throws consistently in the high 80s with a fastball that touches 92-93 mph. Assistant Coach Matt Dickson recommended Phillips to the Dawgs as a "team leader and workhorse" on the Colby pitching staff. He was the sophomore starter in the Kansas Jayhawk All Star Game and is the projected number 1 starter for Colby going into this spring season.
Managing Director John Ircandia of the Dawgs added: "We are excited to get Mark Phillips in a Dawgs' uniform. We look for him to compete for a starter spot in another excellent pitching rotation. I know the fans of Okotoks will love watching him pitch for us this summer."
Owls Coach Joins Indiana Hoosiers
From Summer Ball News Source
FOREST CITY, N.C. - Forest City Owls head coach Matt Hayes has accepted a position on the Indiana University baseball coaching staff. Hayes will be the volunteer assistant for the Hoosiers beginning this spring. Hayes will return to Forest City this summer for his second season as the Owls head coach.
"We are extremely excited for Matt as this is a tremendous opportunity for him," said Owls General Manager James Wolfe. "Matt is a great coach and leader and certainly deserves an opportunity at the Division 1 level. I have no doubt that he will be a valuable addition to Indiana's staff."
Hayes is originally from Brook, Ind., and attended high school 157 miles from Bloomington. He played baseball for one season at Danville Area Community College in Illinois before attending college at Mars Hill. He was a team captain at Mars Hill during his junior and senior seasons. He was an assistant coach at Mars Hill for one season before joining the Limestone College coaching staff in 2003. While at Limestone the Saints reached the Carolina-Virginia Athletic Conference's baseball tournament championship game three times, and won the league's regular season crown in 2005.
Hayes led the Owls to a 28-26 Coastal Plain League record last season and captured the West Division First Half Championship along with a berth in the Petitt Cup Playoffs. He was the head coach of the Spartanburg Stingers of the CPL for two seasons and led them to the Pettit Cup in 2007. He has also served as an assistant coach for the Gastonia Grizzlies, and before that was the head coach for Gastonia's American Legion Post 23 baseball team.
The Owls are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League. The CPL is entering its 13th season with 14 teams in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The Owls play their home games at McNair Field in Forest City. For more information on the Owls visit www.forestcitybaseball.com or call (828) 245-0000.
Cortland favored in New York
From D3Baseball.com
It will surprise nobody that the number one team in the nation, the Cortland Red Dragons are the favorites in the New York Region. Cortland's string of 16 consecutive NCAA Division III tournament berths is the longest active streak nationally and is expected to only increase at the end of the season. Traditional powers No. 22 RPI and Ithaca have big holes to fill in their line up and the competition for the top spot will come from Rochester Institute of Technology as they return a talented team in 2009. If Skyline favorites St. Joseph's-LI or Farmingdale State can get into the playoffs, they might surprise the Red Dragons as they would be the home team in the regional hosted by the Skyline Conference at the Farmingdale State Baseball Complex.
New Faces
Mike Mauro, Staten Island - Mike Mauro took over for Bill Cali this season when Cali retired after 14 years with the College of Staten Island. Mauro joined the Dolphins coaching staff in 2007 when he was named volunteer assistant coach. Mauro started his college career at John Jay where he was twice named a CUNYAC All Star and Division III All American.
Conference Summaries
City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC): This looks to be John Jay race to win with Mitchel moving to the New England Collegiate Conference this season. The College of Staten Island, the 2008 top seed in the conference tournament, is going to need to rebuild because of significant losses off their roster but new head coach Mike Mauro has recruited heavily to fill their holes. John Jay won last years CUNY championship with two one run wins over Staten Island on the last day of the tournament. They only lose Chris Nastasi (.428, 6 HR, 57 RBI) from their strong lineup from 2008 and will look to Xavier Perez (.374, 39 R, 15 SB) and John Massoni (.369, 50 R, 56 RBI) to fill that void. On the mound, they will need to find a way to replace Luis Vega (5-1, 5.20 ERA) and Nico Rivera (5-2, 6.33 ERA). If Massoni can repeat his 7-2 performance from 2008 and Michael Colletta (4-8, 5.36 ERA, 56 K's) can turn around his record from last year they may once again end up on top at the end of the tournament. Staten Island will depend on their 2009 captains Michael Madalone (.266), Devon DiCasoli (.252, 33 R), Tom DeWaters (.324, 25 R) and Pat Gale (.312, 32 RBI, 5-2, 4.66 ERA) to take the conference crown and a possible Pool B bid. "We have a young team and they need good leaders and these guys fit what it means to be a captain," said head coach Mike Mauro.
EMPIRE 8: In years past this conference has always started and ended with Ithaca but this could change in 2009. Rochester Institute of Technology, who has been on the rise the last couple of years, will be looking to take the conference title. RIT returns virtually their entire team from a very strong 2008 campaign, led by utility players Geoff Dornes (.386, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 2.82 ERA). Cory Langtry (7-3, 5.86 ERA) and Mike Marsillo (5-3, 2.17 ERA) to provide quality depth in the starting pitching. Jeremy Tosh (.369, 3 HR, 30 RBI) and a host of others will give support to Dornes in the batting order. Look for the Tigers to threaten Ithaca's Empire 8 supremacy this year. Ithaca is going to have to find a way to replace their top three pitchers from last year who combined to throw almost 60% of the innings. Tom Fishback (4-1, 3.32 ERA), Pete MacDaniel (3-4, 4.05 ERA) and Adam Brown (3-2, 5.86ERA) are all going to have to step up their innings pitched to fill that large void, while some new arms step up and provide quality innings. At the plate, they've lost Rob Raux and several other bats from the heart of their order. They need to have rookie sensation David Ahonen (.418, 12 2B) match his numbers from his terrific freshman year and have Drew Ash (.340, 31 RBI) and Alan Kartholl (.333,) step up with larger contributions. On paper, St John Fisher looks to have far to many losses to their pitching staff to compete for the conference title, but if some of the young arms can step up to provide depth behind probable ace Dan Jurik (5-1, 2.84 ERA) they have enough offense and speed, led by Jason Nevada (.381, 9 SB) and Marc Montesano (.333, 11 SB), to compete in any game. And how can you count any team out that showed the character and sportsmanship that the Cardinals did in their final game last season when they gave up the chance of earning a post season bid and conceded victory to the Oswego Lakers when the Oswego head coach was injured in a freak accident in the top of the 8th inning. You have to root for a team that has their life priorities in order as this team clearly does.
Liberty league: This conference has been a real enigma in the past few years and this year looks to be more of the same with five schools all with a realistic shot at reaching and winning the conference tournament. Last years top two teams, Rochester and no. 22 RPI have both lost a lot from their roster to graduation. Both lost their two biggest offensive threats and two of their top big game pitchers but there is still a lot of talent on both rosters so they will be in the mix. The key to both teams success will be how they can fill the voids in their pitching staffs. For Rochester, Blair Veenema (7-2, 3.56 ERA) may not be able to add innings, but needs to repeat his numbers from last year while taking on all the big game starts, while Micheal Park (7-2, 3.5 ERA) and Steve Guzski (2-2, 3.73 ERA) will need to up their innings to make up for the loss of McEneaney and they will need to find someone to replace Fishback in the bull pen. RPI is going to need for some of their pitching depth from last year to step up and fill the void of losing Joe Zongol, Ken Carroll and Tim Klein. If they can do that they will be right in the mix again too as they return several all conference hitters: Camden Mamigonian (.389, 43 R,7 HR, 57 RBI), Patrick Reardon (.389, 48 R, 41 RBI) and Sean Wilkes (.372, 58 R, 13 SB). The two teams that are going to make this season interesting are Skidmore and Clarkson who both return almost their entire rosters from last year. Skidmore's only big loss from last year's roster is SS Adam Brown. They will miss his leadership both offensively and defensively, but will turn to Anthony Ferri (.396, 13 2B, 14 SB) to fill much of that leadership. And they will look for Justin Morelli (.344) and Matt Pisani (.342, 3 HR, 20 RBI) to chip in with the bat and Nick Laracuente (3-0, 2.72 ERA), Ed Reilly (4-5, 4.13 ERA) and Spencer Marcus (4-1, 5.27 ERA) to all improve on their 2008 seasons on the mound. Clarkson may be the one team that can take it all this year If first baseman Matt Holiday (.310, 7 HR, 41 RBI) and outfielder Cale Giroux (.435) can match their offensive output from last year and the pitching staff can give some depth behind ace Greg Chokecki (5-3, 2.44 ERA) they will be hard for anyone to deal with. And then there is St Lawrence. They have several losses to last years roster, but how can you count them out? If they can get to the conference tournament, you never know what may happen as they have played in the last five conference championship games. This will once again be a very interesting year in the Liberty League.
Skyline Conference: This looks to be a two team race, as once again St. Joseph's-LI and Farmingdale State look to be the cream of the league and will be battling for the bid. With the Skyline hosting the NCAA regional tournament at Farmingdale this year it could be a real fairy tale season for one of them if they could reach the regional and successfully navigate its competitive field to earn the bid to the World Series. But lets not get to far ahead of ourselves just yet, as just getting the bid from the Skyline is going to be tough for either of them as they will have to deal with each other. Both teams return several all region players: From Farmingdale – Mike Labossi (.393), Brian Benvenuto (.390), Zak Nersesian (.989 fld pct), and pitchers Billy Garofalos (1.88 ERA, 7 saves), Tom Heeman (6-4, 2.07 ERA). From St Joseph's-LI – D3baseball.com Preseason All-American Mike Gerdes (.412), Jon Welsh (.387) Frank DiPresso (.367) and pitcher Justin Maravegias (5-0, 2.93 ERA).
State University of new York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC): Once again this season starts with preseason favorite Cortland, but will it end there? Six of the everyday position players are gone from the 2008 lineup and they've lost three of their pitchers out of the bull pen, but until someone can show they can stand up to them on the field they are still the team to beat if you want the conference championship. Yes, they've lost a lot (Mike Zaccardo, Nick DeVito, Matt Vitalone, Joey Russo) but they have back all of their starting pitching. That alone will give the new lineup a chance to find its self as they have arguably the best starting pitching in the country. Let by 2009 Preseason D3baseball.com All-American and 2008 SUNYAC pitcher of the year Matt Tone (8-0, 2.39 ERA, 88K's). They will once again get a lot of innings from Nicolas Blanco (5-1, 1.31 ERA), Michael Mahay (4-0, 1.52 ERA) and Travis Ratliff (6-1, 3.50 ERA). Once they straighten out the roles in their bull pen, they are going to be tough to score runs on. While Cortland's strangle hold on the conference title may not look as strong as it has been in years past, the other schools in the conference have all lost significant contributions too. If anyone can displace Cortland at the top of the SUNYAC it could be Brockport or Oneonta, both of whom find themselves in very similar circumstances. Both teams return most of their offense, but looking for depth behind a few quality young pitchers. Brockport has lost 2008 player of the year Rob Maxwell and their top hitter Jared Perham, but they have the rest of their young lineup returning. Max Zimmerman (4 HR, 39 RBI), Mike Meola (.340, 12 2B, 25 RBI), Jason Michaels (.328, 38 R) and Kris Gentzke (34 R, 33 RBI). On the mound is where they will need to mature fast if they want to challenge for the championship. Jason Shannon (6-4, 66.1 IP) looks to step into the #1 spot, with two sophomores Gentske (3-1, 3.79 ERA) and Steve Locke (5-2). They are looking to several transfers for the fourth starter. Oneonta returns a lineup that will be led by Ryan Myers (.338, 4HR, 47 RBI), Dan Randall (.322, 4 HR, 24 RBI) and Chris Brady (.337). Look for other major contributions from Peter Lindner and spectacular defensive standout at shortstop Scott Dubben (.314). They've lost most of their pitching staff, but Steve Juedes (5-3, 2.11 ERA) was among the best in the SUNYAC last year. They can also look for heavy contributions from two sophomores who showed great promise last year, 2008 conference rookie of the year Dave Filak (58 k's in 40 IP) and Ken Smith. The fourth place in the conference tournament looks like a dogfight among Plattsburgh, Oswego and New Paltz. All of whom have to fill major holes in their roster due to graduations of top players.
Simone Resigns With Herndon
The Herndon Braves have resigned pitcher/first baseman Matt Simone for the 09 summer season. Matt is a 5-10/195 pound junior from Binghamton University. Last summer he hit .270 in 100 at-bats for the Braves. He scored 12 times, drove in 13 and hit 1 homer. On the mound he had a 0.84 era in 10.2 innings of work. He gave up 6 hits, 7 walks, and fanned 10 batters. Matt will proved valuable experience to the young Herndon Braves lineup. You can view the full 09 Braves roster here.
Dozier and Ewing Earn Preseason All-Conference Honors
From Summer Ball News Source
IRVING, Texas - The Southern Miss middle infield combination of Brian Dozier and James Ewing have earned spots on the Conference USA Preseason All-Conference team as selected by the leagues coaches announced today by the Conference office.
"These two guys are two of the best players I have ever coached and I am glad they are the nucleus for this 2009 team," head coach Corky Palmer said. "You can easily see the numbers they put up offensively but the numbers do not show what outstanding defensive players they are."
Dozier returns for his fourth year as the Southern Miss shortstop in 2009 after starting at least 60 games the three previous seasons. He is a career .348 hitter that has played in 96 consecutive games dating back to the 2007 season. Last season the league's coaches tabbed him as a second team all C-USA player.
Ewing enters 2009 as the Golden Eagle second baseman for the third consecutive year after leading the team with a .359 average in 2008. Last season he hit .398 in C-USA play with a .648 slugging percentage and a .481 on base percentage earning first team All C-USA honors at the conclusion of the season.
The league's coaches also chose the Golden Eagles to finish in third place behind Rice and East Carolina. Southern Miss was picked ahead of Tulane and Houston.
Southern Miss will open the 2009 season on February 20 as they host Lehigh University for a three game series at "The Pete."
-southernmiss.com-
Outfield Set and Pitching Added for 2009
From Summer Ball News Source
The Silversmiths have received agreements from two outfielders and a pitcher for the upcoming summer.
Mike Sherlock, a 5'11" 176 pound, Freshman Outfielder/Thirdbaseman from SUNY-New Paltz has agreed to play for the Silversmiths. Sherlock hails from Liverpool, NY and was a star high school player in the Central New York Area.
Mike Mason, 6' 180 pound, Sophomore Outfielder from Mohawk Valley Community College has agreed to play for the Silversmiths. Mason hails from Utica, NY. As a freshman at MVCC, Mason hit .326 with 4 doubles, 3 hrs, and 21 rbi.
Corey Andresen, a 6'3" 205 pound, Freshman Left Handed Pitcher from SUNY-Oneonta has agreed to play for the Silversmiths. Andresen hails from Deposit, NY and was a two time Class D, Section 4, 1st team all star, and was 2nd team all state as a senior.
Blue Hose Selected 10th
From Summer Ball News Source
(photo is courtesy of PC Sports Information)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Presbyterian College baseball team was selected 10th in the 2009 Big South Conference Preseason Poll, as selected by the league’s head coaches.
The Blue Hose, who return a solid nucleus from last year’s squad, garnered 13 points. Coastal Carolina received seven first-place votes and 97 out of a possible 100 points to win the Big South preseason award.
Liberty was voted second after receiving two first-place votes while Winthrop was third. VMI, Radford and High Point were next, followed by first-year Big South competitor Gardner-Webb. UNC Asheville and Charleston Southern were voted just ahead of PC.
Leading the way for the squad is three-year starter Cory Lyda. The Blue Hose have four seniors and two redshirt-seniors in addition to nine juniors. The team also has 16 freshmen and four sophomores, one of which is a redshirt-sophomore.
PC, who is coached by Elton Pollock, is eligible for the league’s regular-season title. In just their second full Division I season, the Blue Hose will now play every team in the conference – and open the conference portion of the season against fellow Big South newcomer Gardner-Webb with a three-game set beginning March 6 in Boiling Springs, N.C.
The following weekend, Blue Hose fans will get to usher in their first Big South Conference opponent as the Keydets of VMI come to town March 13-15.
Continue checking www.gobluehose.com for the latest in Presbyterian College baseball.
ACBL expansion on tap for 2009
From Summer Ball News Source
The 2009 ACBL season will feature major expansions and significant realignments of divisions. The Peekskill Robins move to the Wolff Division to join the Jersey Pilots, Kutztown Rockies, Lehigh Valley Catz and Quakertown Blazers. The Northern New Jersey Eagles will be the sixth team in the Wolff Division. Doug Cinnella, former ACBL All-Star with nine years of pro ball experience, will be the general manager of this new franchise.
The Hamptons area will be represented by four expansion franchises plus the Sag Harbor Whalers in the Kaiser Division. The new franchises are the North Fork Ospreys, Riverhead Tomcats, Southampton Breakers and Westhampton Aviators. The Long Island Mustangs return as the sixth team in the Kaiser Division. Dan Gallagher, former Fordham head coach, currently serves as Director of Baseball Operations for the Hamptons and will also manage the Aviators.
The revised format will feature intradivisional play with the divisions meeting for the All-Star game at St. John's University on Monday evening July 13 at 7pm. The division winner will host the league championship game in August.
Florence Head Coach Takes Position at Oral Roberts
From Summer Ball News Source
FLORENCE, S.C. - The Florence RedWolves announced today that head coach Wes Davis has accepted an assistant coach position at Oral Roberts University. Davis joins ORU after spending the last four seasons as assistant coach at UT-Tyler.
"Wes is the younger brother of Stockton Davis, who was a former player here, so he's been around the program for many years," said ORU baseball coach Rob Walton. "He's also worked the past four seasons under James Vilade, who was an assistant coach here at ORU. Wes has a great baseball background and will be a good asset to the program."
At UT-Tyler, Davis' duties included strength and conditioning, defense, baserunning and assisting with hitting. Under Davis' tutelage, the Patriots led the conference in best fielding percentage the last three seasons and also topped the league in hitting all four years. In Davis' four seasons with the program, the Patriots compiled a 131-28 record (.824) and won three conference championships.
Davis has also been involved with various summer baseball teams. Last summer, Davis served as head coach of the Florence RedWolves of the Coastal Plain League, where he led the team to a first-half division crown and a playoff appearance. For his efforts, Davis was one of two head coaches in the 2008 Coastal Plain League All-Star Game, and was later named the CPL's Coach of the Year. He is returning as head coach for the RedWolves in the summer of 2009 as well.
The previous summer, Davis served as the hitting coach of the Wilson Tobs of the CPL, who also advanced to the playoffs. Davis also acted as hitting coach in 2005 for the Kenai Peninsula Oilers of the Alaskan Baseball League, where 12 players off the squad ended up playing professionally.
Davis spent two years playing collegiately at Seward County CC in Liberal, Kan., where the Saints won back-to-back conference titles. Davis wrapped up his playing career at Oklahoma Baptist, where he helped lead the squad to a NAIA regional appearance in 2004. Davis played prep baseball at Owasso High, where he helped the team to two 6A state championships and two runner-up finishes.
Davis' older brother, Stockton, played at ORU from 1999-2002, and was selected in the 21st round of the MLB Draft, where he played four seasons. Davis is married to his wife, Kara.
The Florence RedWolves are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 13th season, the Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Baseball Looks for Fresh Start in 2009
From Summer Ball News Source
SPOKANE, Wash. - Its a fresh start for the 2009 Whitworth baseball team. The Pirates will have several new faces on the team and the Bucs will be playing for new head coach Dan Ramsay. Whitworth hopes to improve on a 2008 season that was beset by injury and stunted by poor weather that prevented the team from actually practicing outside until mid-March.
“We will be young all over the field and sure to experience some ups and downs, but we have the talent that might allow us to surprise some people this year,” said Ramsay, who finished his playing career with the Pirates last spring and moved directly into the role as head coach.
“We should be very solid all the way through the lineup in terms of our offensive production. It’s a very versatile group, which will allow us to experiment with line-ups early in the schedule to find which will be our best,” Ramsay continued. “We are very deep defensively, having a number of guys that can play a number of different positions, and we’ve also made some improvements to our pitching staff this year.”
On the mound Whitworth will return three of four starters from 2008. Chad Flett (Sr., RHP, Spokane, Wash.) was granted an extra hardship year based on an injury he suffered during his time with the Community Colleges of Spokane that cost him an entire season. Flett went 4-6 last year and was named First Team All-NWC as a utility player. Colin Gibbs (Jr., LHP, Lewiston, Idaho) and Nathan Johnson (So., RHP, Colfax, Wash.) each started eight games for the Pirates last season.
The fourth starting spot should be up for grabs. Brent Flyberg (Sr., RHP, Brier, Wash.) and Liam O’Brien (So., LHP, Prosser, Wash.) are the only other returning players with experience from last season. Stephen Baranowski (So., RHP, Camas, Wash.) showed promise as a freshman in 2007 before not playing last year. Peter Birdwell (Jr., RHP, Spokane, Wash.) is a transfer from California Lutheran University with strong collegiate experience and his younger brother Scott Birdwell (Fr., RHP, Spokane, Wash.) threw well at Mead High School. Ryan Reitmeier (Jr., RHP, Medical Lake, Wash.) has two seasons of experience with the Community Colleges of Spokane.
Dillon Knighton (Fr., RHP, Tacoma, Wash.), James King (Fr., RHP, Issaquah, Wash.), Travis Todd (Fr., RHP, Odessa, Wash.) and Tom Banta (Fr., RHP, Lake Oswego, Ore.) could all see time on the mound out of the bullpen.
One of Ramsay’s biggest challenges will be filling his own spot behind the plate. Ben George (So., C, Vancouver, Wash.) is the only returnee with any experience with the Pirates. Newcomers include Chris Bartenhagen (Jr., C, Gilbert, Ariz.), a transfer from New Mexico Military Academy, and Taylor McMahon (RS Fr., Spokane, Wash.).
Competition for starting spots throughout the infield are intense. The only position that seems likely to look a lot like last season is first base, where Flett should start when he is not on the mound.
Matt Monahan (Jr., IF, West Linn, Ore.), who started 32 games at third base for the Bucs last spring, could have an inside track on returning to that role this season, but he will certainly be pushed hard for the job.
Several newcomers should challenge for starting spots around the infield. Luis Tovar (Jr., IF, Yuma, Ariz.) is a transfer from Riverside CC (Calif.). Andrew Durant (Fr., IF, Spokane, Wash.) and Landon Scott (Fr., IF, Kennewick, Wash.) are highly-regarded first year players from Rogers High School and Kennewick High School, respectively. Michael Takemura (Fr., IF, Bellingham, Wash.) and Nick Combo (Fr., IF, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho) give Ramsey extensive depth and flexibility throughout the infield.
Whitworth returns plenty of experience in the outfield. Mitch Ramsay (Sr., OF, Spokane, Wash.) led the Pirates in batting average (.336) and runs batted in (23) last season. He will return to start in right field. Dan Belet (Jr., OF, Missoula, Mont.) spent most of last season in center field, where he led Pirate outfielders in putouts (97) and hit .293. But he should move back to his normal starting position in left field, thanks to the return of Kevin Valerio (RS Fr., OF, Kennewick, Wash.), who was hurt the first weekend of the season and missed the rest of the spring. Mitch Nelson (Jr., OF, Wenatchee, Wash.) ended up starting 34 games for the Bucs and gives the team a strong fourth outfielder.
Ben Price (So., OF, Richland, Wash.) and C.J. Perry (Fr., Newman Lake, Wash.) should give Whitworth solid depth in the outfield.
Kyle Krustangel (So., Spokane, Wash.) should see plenty of time in Whitworth’s line up as a designated hitter. He is another player who was slated to fill a starting role last season, but was lost to injury early in the year. JR Jarrell (Fr., Brewster, Wash.) is another player who gives Ramsay plenty of flexibility to use him at DH, first base or outfield.
The Pirates will be put to the test early, competing at a tournament in Peoria, Arizona February 19-21. The first Northwest Conference series follows the next weekend at Puget Sound, with the home opening series coming March 7-8 against Linfield.
Ramsay sees a bright future for his group, but he also understands it will be a learning process that every player has to buy into.
“I want my guys to understand we’re a team and that no one guy is necessary, but every guy is needed,” he said.
LID LIFTER
From Summer Ball News Source
(photo is courtesy of Phil Ellsworth)
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Not since his first season has California Baptist University Head Coach Gary Adcock had so many unknowns heading into a season.
Indeed, the 2009 version of the Lancers is quite a contrast from the 2008 squad, which returned 21 players, had 28 upperclassmen and returned a three-time all-conference selection in Steve Goins.
CBU, though, graduated 11 seniors from last year’s 30-22 team that made their program-record fifth straight playoff appearance, and for the first time since 2005 there are no All-GSAC selections returning to Riverside. The Lancers do not return a single player who hit better than .300 last year and only three returning pitchers threw more than 10 innings all year. Nearly half of the 31 in uniform this year are newcomers, and of those 15, 12 are freshmen. Of the 16 returnees, nine are seniors, but only three of them were regulars a season ago.
“This is the vast unknown,” said Adcock, who has led the Lancers to three straight 30-win seasons. “We think we know what we have, but we haven’t seen most of these guys in a uniform yet. We are a great t-shirt team and are undefeated in Blue/Gold games, but we have so many key players who don’t have experience. This is a scary year to be unknown, because the GSAC is going to be just as good if not better.”
Seemingly from the instant the last out of 2008 was recorded Adcock and his staff set out to improve upon the Lancers’ offensive production, which ranked seventh in the conference in runs. The Lancers were also fifth in the GSAC with a .296 batting average and seventh in home runs with 28, the lowest total in Adcock’s tenure.
“We have to be better offensively,” said Adcock. “We didn’t put any pressure on the defense last year, and we’re going to get back to that. We can’t sit back and wait for the home run anymore. It’s a balanced lineup and by far the fastest team I’ve ever had. Hopefully we can create havoc on the bases and push things a little.”
The Lancers do return four offensive starters from a season ago, three of them seniors who all hit better than .290.
No other player in blue and gold has played in more games than SS Dominic Zuniga (.295, 24 R, 12 RBI, 6 SB), who has started 86 of his 100 appearances the past two seasons. Noted more for his defensive abilities, Zuniga did have seven multi-hit games in the final 16 games of the season and posted single-season career highs in average, hits, doubles and walks.
The top returning bat comes from 1B/DH/LHP Levi Garrett (.295, 19 R, 10 2B, 3 HR, 25 RBI). This season, Garrett will see some time at first base but will also be called to the mound in the middle innings. The big lefty tossed 14.1 innings, picking up two saves and posting a 2.51 ERA.
Senior Eddie Quevedo (.291, 22 R, 8 2B, 25 RBI, 4 SB) started 40 games in right field last year but will move to left this year. Quevedo will hit anywhere from 2-6 in the lineup and is coming off a good fall. An efficient defender, he has perhaps the most accurate outfield arm on the team.
After learning on the job last year, sophomore catcher Sharif Othman (.226, 4 2B, 2 HR, 12 RBI) is back one year older and wiser. The Lancers’ primary catcher, Othman is noted for his ability to handle the pitching staff. He will likely hit towards the bottom of the lineup and has shown glimpses of his power potential.
Sophomore Drake Fages (.194, 2 2B, 4 RBI) played in 33 games last year, mostly as a defensive replacement at first base. At the outset of this year, though, he is the front-runner to start at first but will likely split time with Garrett. He could also see time at third.
Seniors Brett McIntosh (21 G, .286), Sean Kelley (24 G, .270) and Daniel Lasley (11 G, .214) all return as key reserves. McIntosh is a late-inning defensive replacement at second. Both he and Lasley, the back-up catcher, are high-energy players that will be called upon when the team needs a shot of adrenaline. They are both team captains. Kelley, meanwhile, makes a move from behind the plate to first base in his final season. He possesses significant raw power and could also see time as a pinch hitter and a DH.
Sophomore Jake Johnson (40 G, .192, 10 R) returns as one of four outfielders pushing for time. Used primarily as a pinch hitter last year, Johnson is looking to become more grounded as an everday player hoping to display the potential and promise he showed at moments last year.
Sophomore Dave Kleveno (11 G, .111) rounds out the offensive returnees. A team-first guy, Kleveno will be the third catcher and could see time as a pinch hitter.
Eight offensive newcomers, including six freshmen, are all hoping to contribute, and four of them will be asked to start right away.
Headlining the list are a pair of NCAA Division I transfers Bobby Burk (Long Beach State) and Zach Hedges (Oklahoma).
Burk, who will start at second base, is a familiar face having played 30 games on the Lancers’ 2006 GSAC Championship team. He later transfered and earned all-conference honors and a state title at Riverside Community College before moving over to Long Beach State last year. Burk returns for his senior campaign as one of the top offensive threats in the lineup. He has potential to hit 10 home runs and could make a push for postseason honors.
Hedges was a prep star, being named the No. 1 position player in Arkansas as a senior by Baseball America. He spent the past two seasons at Oklahoma, playing in 30 games for the Sooners. Hedges will hit fourth and has good pop, especially to right center. He will also see time on the mound.
Freshmen Brian Sharp (Temecula Valley HS) and Matt Johnson (J.W. North HS) will both start and join Quevedo in the outfield.
Johnson, who was named MVP of the Riverside County Senior All-Star Game last spring and was later selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Draft, is easily the fastest player on the team. Johnson will hit leadoff and play center, a big task for a rookie, but he has game-changing ability with his feet.
On the other hand, Sharp will have to work off the rust from a two-year layoff. He won the starting job in right because of his tremendous work ethic. He possesses the best outfield arm and will also hit fifth in the lineup.
Cole Bullard (Vista del Lago HS), Nick Heusterberg (San Gorgonio HS), Ryan Douglass (Corona Centennial HS) and Ryan Cathers (L.A. Baptist HS) are all young athletes with tremendous potential.
Bullard is already pushing Zuniga for time at short. A mature player with good instincts, Bullard brings good energy and arm strength and has the ability to be a table-setter offensively.
Heusterberg possesses above average power and could see time as a DH or a fifth outfielder. Douglass is a versatile athlete who could see time in six different positions. Cathers enjoyed a stellar prep career and is looking to gain experience with exposure to the collegiate game.
“Offensively, this team reminds me of my first team back in 2004,” said Adcock. “We had no household names, but our ninth-hole got on base 40 percent of the time. We had no 20-home run, 90-RBI guy, but we still created an identity and were successful, reaching the regional finals.”
Not only will the departue of Goins be felt on the offensive side, but he also leaves a big void on the mound. The staff ace a season ago, Goins ate up 101 innings and was second in the GSAC in strikeouts.
Fortunately for the Lancers, junior Cory Allen (5-6, 3.69 ERA, 83 K) returns as one of the top returning hurlers in the GSAC. Though he was just 5-6, Allen allowed two earned runs or less in nine of his 15 starts and was third in the GSAC in strikeouts. A big, physical presence, he will be asked to shoulder the load of staff ace and appears to be up to the task in his third season.
Allen is one of three returnees to make at least one start. Garrett and junior Bobby Kelley (1-1, 11.74 ERA, 7 K) are the others. Kelley had the most productive fall of his career and is initially slated to be the first reliever out of the pen and could also spot start.
Senior Julian Arballo (2-3, 4.76 ERA, 2 SV) is the top reliever. Arballo made a team-best 23 appearances last season, proving to be an effetive middle inning reliever. With a resilient arm and a devastating slider, Arballo could inch his way into the closer role this year and could likely work many three-inning outings.
Sophomore Joe Ferreira (10 appearances, 0 ER) and seniors Daniel Montanez (4 appearances) and Eddie Gonzalez all provide depth to the bullpen.
Ferreira was a pleasant surprise last year as a situational lefty. He logged just 5.1 innings but in 10 appearances, giving up just one hit and one walk while striking out three. Opponents hit just .063 against him. Montanez has proven to be effective over the course of his career, tossing more than 10 scoreless innings against nationally-ranked team. Gonzalez didn’t make an appearance in 2008 but his hoping to contribute in his final campaign.Redshirt freshmen Taylor Siemens (La Mirada HS) and Greg Kilgore (Fresno Christian HS) both have a year of experience in the program and are hoping to translate into success on the field. Siemens was the top pitching recruit of 2007 before undergoing Tommy John prior to last season. He appears to have recovered nicely and is looking to solidify a spot in the rotation. Kilgore will work out of the pen.
Junior Sean Urena (Riverside CC) transfers in and will hold a spot in the rotation. Urena has big-time experience, earning NCAA National Pitcher of the Week honors while at Cal State Fullerton in 2007. He one-hit No. 5 Rice and defeated nationally-ranked UCLA. Urena, who pitched at Riverside Community College last year, has good command of his fastball and consistently throws strikes.
Freshman Cory Kiefer (Valley View HS), Erik Wallace (Vista de Lago HS), Bryan Castro (Riverside Poly HS) and Chris Smith (Redlands HS) all have the potential to play key roles this season.
Kiefer was a late-round selection by the Kansas City Royals in last summer’s MLB Draft. He is competing for the fourth spot in the rotation but could also be a priority reliever out of the pen.
Wallace was among the area leaders in strikeouts last year and is also competing for a spot in the rotation. Like Kiefer, he also has a bright future and could also be a priority reliever.
Castro was a prep phenom, earning All-CIF honors at prep-power Riverside-Poly High. He sat out last season and is hoping to return to form and work off the rust quickly. He has a ton of potential and could make an immediate impact.
Smith also enjoyed success as a prep and is coming off a solid fall season. He is initially slated as a middle reliever and could be a priority out of the pen.
“We are young on the mound,” said Adcock. “The big question is how quickly can these freshmen close the gap and become veterans and have an impact this year? I know what they are capabale of doing, but can they do it with a uniform, umpires, a scoreboard and an internet broadcast? It has potential of being one of the best staffs we’ve had in my time here, and hopefully in three years we can look back and realize that we’ve had some pretty good arms, and it started with this group.
“We have question mark after question mark, but the potential is there for this to be an exciting group,” said Adcock. “We like what we have, and hopefully at the end of the day, we can uphold the tradition we’ve established the past five years.”
The Lancers begin their 2009 season Thursday when they host NAIA-member Purdue-North Central in a four-game series. GSAC-play begins Feb. 7 at home against Fresno Pacific. Other non-conference foes include locals Redlands and Cal State San Bernardino as well as Cal State L.A., Cal State San Marcos, Patten, San Francisco State, Cal State Monterey Bay and Doane (Neb.).
