Welcome to the Official Website
of The Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League
The site is designed to provide players, coaches, scouts,
and fans with a wealth of information about the ABCCL, its teams, and their
players. Entering our sixth season of operation, the ABCCL has quickly established
a well-earned reputation for high-quality play and a unique spirit of cooperation
and partnership with college programs throughout New Jersey, the Atlantic Region
and beyond.
Along with schedules, standings and statistics, we will be constantly adding
valuable tips to help our players both on and off the field, reprints of interesting
editorial coverage, reports on League events and activities, recaps of outstanding
performances, player profiles, and a host of other useful, thought-provoking,
or just plain entertaining “stuff” about the college game.
Please check the schedule of games. Chances are there’s one in your area
(directions to all League fields are included for your convenience). Then come
out and enjoy baseball as it was meant to be -- the sound of our wood bats,
the skillful flashes of leather in the field, green grass, blue sky and, most
of all, the enthusiasm and baseball talent on display each and every week.
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The ABCCL is a competitive collegiate summer league whose goal is to improve
the players by maximizing playing opportunity. As a result, they will improve
their performance upon returning to school and increase their awareness among
the professional scouting community.
The results shown speak for themselves. Click on the following links to see
what a sampling of ABCCL alumni have accomplished.
Understand that this is only a partial list of our players who have signed contracts
or received post-season awards. It was prepared by asking our General Managers
for information on their current and former players. Each award was verified
through a documented press release or official Web site posted by the sponsoring
organization. Access to earlier information is limited. However, our estimate
is that we have missed about one-half of the players receiving awards for the
years prior to 2004. Anyone with further player information that can be added
to this list should email info@abccl.com.
Professional Contracts
All American Awards
Player of the Year Awards
All State & All Region Awards
All Conference Awards
NCAA Statistic Leaders
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Around The Horn:
August 3, 2008
Manchester Yankees Top Freehold Clippers
Win 2008 ABCCL Jerry Lillis Championship
2008 ABCCL Jerry Lillis Championship Winners Manchester Yankees:
Jeff Bayse/Rutherford, NJ, Saint Peter's College, Dan Berardo/Wyckoff, NJ, Harvard
University, Caigan O'Callahan/Barnegat, NJ, Salem Community College, Rob Dimperio/Staten
Island, NY, Ramapo College, Mike Cahill/Spring Lake, NJ, Widener University,
Bryan Colombero/Skillman, NJ, Rhode Island University, Ray Keelan/Barnegat, NJ,
Caldwell College, Sean Munley/Trenton, NJ, Wheaton College, Pete Sita/Bayonne,
NJ, Ramapo College, Darron Lattomus/Remington, VA, Rider University, Scott Zymet/Paramus,
NJ, Montclair State University, Ryan Heenan/Farmingdale, NY, Molloy College,
Jorge Torres/Edgewater, NJ, Caldwell College, Anthony Palmiotto/Manchester Twsp,
NJ, The College of New Jerse, Mike Canfarotta/Bayside, NY, LaSalle University,
Bobby Abreu/Highland Park, NJ, Seton Hall University, Kevin Bond/Cedar Grove,
NJ, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Andrew Case/Brick, NJ, Saint Peter's College,
Ryan Casey/Manchester Twsp, NJ, Brookdale Community College, Dillon Fontaine/Amenia,
NY, American International College, Dan Morris/Matawan, NJ, Dutchess Community
College, Buddy Riggs/Woodstock, GA, Caldwell College, Dennis Chachko/Oceanport,
NJ, Niagara University, Mark Wettengel/Manchester Twsp, NJ, Caldwell College.
Tom Dougherty/Manchester Twsp, NJ, Ramapo College, Tyler Renner/Matawan, NJ,
Salem Community College
Yankees Team Management & Operations:
John Ryan, General Manager
John Ryan, Head Coach
Mark Wettengel, Assistant/Pitching Coach
Bill Ryan, Assistant Coach
Glen O'Hara, Assistant Coach
Katie Ryan, Statistician
2008 runner up Freehold Clippers:
Mike Sevilla/Tinton Falls, NJ, Iona College, Gina Gallagher/Cedar Grove, NJ,
Ramapo College, Ryan Cuneo/Freehold, NJ, University of Delaware, Tom Porricelli/Freehold,
NJ, University of North Carolina – Pembroke, Ed Daniele/Colts Neck, NJ, Stevens Institute of Technology, Jim Laufer/Fair Haven, NJ, Boston College, Glen Sietz /Eatontown, NJ Lehigh University, Dominick Hayes/Freehold, NJ, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rodger Wilmot/Freehold, NJ, University of Hartford, Chase Majewski/Freehold, NJ, Fairleigh Dickenson University-Madison, Chris Griffin/Shrewsbury, NJ, Iona College, Keith Whitman/Elkin, NC, University of North Carolina – Pembroke, Jordan Noval/Manalapan, NJ, Felician College, Marc Hubbert/Freehold, NJ, Fairleigh Dickenson University-Madison, Tom Caramanico/Haverford, PA, Franklin & Marshall College, Rich Pultar/Freehold, NJ, Rowan University, Rich Balgowan/Hamilton, NJ, University of Massachusetts – Boston, Danny Conti/Aberdeen, NJ, Felician College, Robert Falk/Manalapan, NJ, Rutgers University – Newark, Jason D’Amico/Red Bank, NJ, Susquehanna University, Ryan Penalo/Orange, NY, St. Josephs University – PA, Kevin Ernst/Manalapan, NJ, Felician College, Chris Miller/Rumson, NJ, Franklin & Marshall
College, Joe Connors/Tinton Falls, NJ, Brookdale Community College, Ben Miller/Fair
Haven, NJ, Rowan University
Clippers Team Management & Operations:
Tom Porricelli, General Manager
JP Noval, Assistant General Manager
Jay Blackwell, Head Coach
Matt Passerelle, Assistant Coach
Vinny Esposito, Assistant Coach
Vic Cegles, Assistant Coach
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July 16, 2008
2008 ABCCL All-Star Game To Benefit The Children’s
Specialized Hospital Foundation
Sponsored by Schneider+Nelson Audi -
West Long Branch, NJ
LAKEWOOD, NJ - This year's All-Star game featured more
than 50 athletes from the League's eight teams, all of which are located in
New Jersey. Players were drawn from colleges and universities around the nation
and have included major programs such as Rice University, Louisiana State University,
University of Florida, University of Virginia, Ohio State, William and Mary,
Oral Roberts, Duke, St. John’s, Villlanova, Seton Hall and Rutgers University.
The players were selected by ABCCL coaches, not only for their superior baseball skills, but for their team contributions, sportsmanship, and character.
Additional recognition came from Schneider+Nelson Audi of Long Branch, the
game’s official sponsor. One of New Jersey’s leading automobile dealerships, Schneider+Nelson Audi’s ongoing support has also been instrumental to the League’s recently announced participation with the Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. Children's Specialized Hospital is the largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital in the country treating over 16,000 children with special needs each year. The hospital specializes in helping youngsters with traumatic brain injuries, accident-related injuries, illnesses, complications from birth, and many other conditions that dramatically change a child’s physical abilities. The ABCCL is the first collegiate summer league to form such an alliance. Funds raised by the League will go to help advance the Foundation’s
mission.
This year’s All-Star game was preceded by an Invitational Pro Scout Showcase
conducted by Don Kohler of the Major League Scouting Bureau and attended by
talent evaluators from individual MLB teams.
We are deeply indebted to all of the college coaches whose efforts have been instrumental in establishing our much-needed league, as well as our managers, coaches, board members, and Schneider+Nelson Audi, whose support made this game possible.
The game’s ceremonial first pitch was thrown by ABCCL commissioner, Mike Sheppard,
former Seton Hall University head baseball coach and three-time BIG EAST Coach
of the Year (1985, 1987 and 1989). The national anthem was played by Tommy
LaBella, regarded as one of the best saxophone players in the country.
Thanks to all who joined us to celebrate the summer achievements of our student-athletes as they competed for love of the game!
2008 All Star Rosters
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April 15, 2008
The ABCCL Joins with the Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation to Support New Jersey’s
Kids
As has become our tradition, the ABCCL will once again
contribute to a deserving organization as part of its 2008 charitable giving
program. Given that baseball is often described as “a kid’s game,” it is especially fitting that this year’s recipient is New Jersey's Children’s
Specialized Hospital Foundation.
With 11 facilities located throughout New Jersey, Children’s Specialized Hospital
is renowned throughout the nation for providing world-class, comprehensive pediatric
medicine, including acute care, research, and rehabilitation services for infants
through young adults.
Programs include highly complex care for kids with traumatic brain injury, accident-related injuries, spinal cord injuries, autism, premature birth complications,
and a host of life-changing illnesses and conditions that dramatically change a child's physical abilities. The hospital network treats over 16,000 children with special needs each year and is largest pediatric rehab hospital in the country.
Children's Specialized Hospital serves kids through many different therapies helping them cope with everyday tasks such as learning to walk or, in the case of brain injury, re-learning to comb their hair or eat with a fork. They are a nonfor profit hospital and therefore welcome every child regardless of their ability to pay. Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation supports the services and programs of the hospital and is ranked among the top 6 pediatric hospital foundations in the nation.
The ABCCL is proud and honored to be associated with this wonderful organization.
As we have demonstrated many times during our eight seasons of baseball on the
Jersey Shore, while our goal is to provide opportunities for young men to improve
and showcase their baseball talents, our commitment extends beyond the ball fields
into the communities where we live, work and play. We are sure you will agree
that this year’s effort on behalf of Children’s Specialized Hospital is a great
step forward in fulfilling that mission.
If you would like additional information on the Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation, the ABCCL, sponsorship opportunities, or to join all of us who share a commitment to our communities by contributing to the League’s
charitable fundraising efforts, please contact the League office at 732- 671-4370
or Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation at 1-888-CHILDREN or visit www.childrens-specialized.org.
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April 14, 2008
Brach Akadema/NEC Pitcher of the Week
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Monmouth University senior Brad Brach (Freehold, N.J./ABCCL CLIPPERS) was named the Akadema/NEC Pitcher of the Week as the Northeast Conference announced its weekly award winners on Monday afternoon. Brach, the 2007 NEC Pitcher of the Year, earned the NEC Pitcher of the Week nod for a second time this season, as the right-hander tossed a complete game shutout victory over Wagner on Friday afternoon. Brach matched a career-high with 11 strikeouts in the win, while walking just one. He surrendered seven hits in the game, all singles, en route to his program-leading 24th career victory.
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April 13, 2008
Rider Takes Two
NEW ROCHELLE, NY-- Rider took a pair of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference wins over Iona Sunday, as the Broncs swept the three game series. Sophomore Matt McCollum (Tabernacle, N.J./ABCCL STARZ) and junior Maurice Williams (Ocean, N.J/ABCCL Angels) combined for 3 hits and 3 runs in the effort.
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April 13, 2008
Stony Brook U Edges In Series Finale
Stony Brook, NY - Junior Keith Fier (Armonk, N.Y./ABCCL Ocean GIANTS) went 3-for-4 and scored the go-ahead run with one out in the eighth inning as the Stony Brook University baseball team defeated Hartford 5-4 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at University Field.
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April 13, 2008
Curry Sweeps a Twin Bill
Henniker, NH - The 2007 Commonwealth Coast Conference Champions, Curry College took two from rival New England today aided by home runs including one from freshman C.J. Haddad (Marshfield, MA/ABCCL Ocean GIANTS) who contributed 4 RBI on the day. The win in game two was recorded by teammate, sophomore, Jim Simon (Deerfield Beach, FL/ABCCL Ocean GIANTS) who is now 2-1 for the season.
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April 12, 2008
Wagner Win Snaps Streak
Staten Island, NY - The win in game two over Monmouth in today's doubleheader at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark snapped the Hawks' 15-game winning streak. After failing to score in the first two games of the series, the Seahawks got on the board when Vin Avella (Matawan, NJ /ABCCL TIDES), who had singled on the previous play crossed the plate. Two more runs were tacked on in the third when Avella crushed a two-run home run, his team-best fourth of the year, to left-center, scoring junior catcher Chris Drechsel (Cranford, NJ / ABCCL CLIPPERS), who had singled to lead off the inning. In the fourth, with runners on the corner and one out, Drechsel then gunned out the Higgins trying to swipe second, marking just the third time the speedy shortstop had been thrown out on the year. Avella led Wagner at the plate, going 2-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Drechsel also recorded two hits.
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April 12, 2008
U Albany Sweeps America East Baseball Doubleheader
Bangor, ME – Freshman RHP David Kubiak (Southold, NY/ABCCL
MONARCHS) recorded a victory on the mound to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep
of Maine in America East Conference baseball action on Saturday at the Winkin
Complex at Husson College. The Great Danes topped the Black Bears, 5-2 in the
opener and rallied for an 8-3 victory in the nightcap.
In the nitecap, Maine answered back in the second inning with a pair of runs,
the first two earned runs Kubiak has allowed over three starts.
Kubiak struck out six over seven innings, while
allowing three runs on three hits.
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April 11, 2008
Huskies Win Series Opener Against No. 22
QUEENS, NY — A two-run fifth inning led the University
of Connecticut baseball team over St. John's 2-1 on Friday afternoon at Jack
Kaiser Stadium in Queens, N.Y. The Huskies connected for two runs in the top
of the fifth inning as freshman Mike Nemeth (Washington, N.J./ABCCL MONARCHS)
singled to left field and advanced to third on a double to left center followed
by a single to score Nemeth from third to put UConn's first run on the board.
Nemeth is currently hitting .314 for the team while teammate and Monarchs alum
Matt Burnett (Endicott, NY) is hitting .353.
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April 10, 2008
Del Franco Keys Win
NYACK, N.Y. – Three Felician College pitchers combined on a three-hitter and sophomore Jon Del Franco (Bridgewater, NJ/ABCCL Ocean GIANTS) drove in two runs with a go-ahead third-inning hit as the Golden Falcons defeated host Nyack College, 5-3, in Game 1 of the teams’ Central
Atlantic Collegiate Conference baseball doubleheader.
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April 9, 2008
Avella Powers Wagner Past No. 22
Staten Island, NY - Vin Avella's (Matawan, NJ / CBA) walk-off RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning capped a 4-5 day at the plate for the sophomore slugger while propelling the Seahawks to a 4-3 win over No. 22 St. John's at Richmond County Bank Ballpark. With one out in the ninth, sophomore Conforti drew a full-count walk. Classmate Damian Csakai (Freehold, NJ / ABCCL CLIPPERS) moved Conforti over to second with a single to center. St. John's then appeared to be on its way to extending the game to extra innings when their pitcher induced a pop-up for the second out but Avella would have none of that, ripping a 0-1 pitch to left field that allowed the speedy Conforti to easily beat the throw home while giving the Seahawks the come-from-behind 4-3 win. Avella's four hits matched a career-high.
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April 8, 2008
Monmouth Rallies for Win
PRINCETON, N.J. - Monmouth used three runs in each the seventh and eighth innings to rally for a 7-3 win at Princeton on Tuesday afternoon at Clarke Field. Princeton jumped ahead with two runs in the first inning as Derek Beckman (Wall, NJ/ABCCL THUNDER) reached on an error and went to third after stealing second and advancing on the overthrow and scoring on a subsequent single. Among those contributing run scoring hits for Monmouth were junior Rick Niederhaus (Morristown, NJ/ABCCL Angels) and Chris Collazo (Wall, NJ/ABCCL Angels).
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April 8, 2008
Wildcats Post Sixth Straight Victory
PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA - Senior James Dolbier (Lebanon, N.J./ABCCL MONARCHS) had three hits and three runs batted in for Villanova and classmate Robert Parks (Brick, N.J./ABCCL YANKEES) was 2-for-4 with two RBI in the win over Penn. Junior Michael Mayer (Midland Park, N.J./ABCCL MONARCHS) worked two scoreless frames to help secure the win.
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April 7, 2008
Roth Throws Two-Hit Shutout as UPENN Baseball Sweeps
CAMBRIDGE, MA – Todd Roth (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/ABCCL BLACK
SOX) pitched a two-hit shutout as the UPENN Quakers defeated the Harvard Crimson,
10-0 in game one of a DH today. Roth was perfect through five innings and had
six strikeouts on the day.
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April 6, 2008
LSU Baseball Takes Series Over Alabama
BATON ROUGE, LA - LSU defeated Alabama, 9-7, in the
rubber match of the SEC series on Sunday in Alex Box Stadium. The lead changed
three times, and the game was tied in three separate innings. LSU reliever Ryan
Byrd gave up back-to-back singles to open the seventh. The next Bama hitter
moved both base runners over on a sacrifice bunt. Paul Bertuccini (Baton Rouge,
LA/ABCCL MONARCHS)came in to relieve Byrd. He struck out Wilson, but walked
Rhoden to load the bases for the next hitter, who hit a fly to center for the
final out of the inning. Bertuccini was credited with the win.
He pitched 2.2 innings, giving up one hit and striking out three.
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April 6, 2008
Banos Contributes as Baseball Sweeps
CAMBRIDGE, MA – Columbia swept Harvard for the first
time since 1993, defeating the Crimson 2-0 and 10-2 in a doubleheader at O'Donnell
Field today. In game two Columbia, after an RBI single by sophomore Jason Banos
(Lynnfield, MA/ABCCL MONARCHS), added five more runs in the top of the fourth
to take a commanding 7-0 lead. Offensively, Banos had three hits and two RBI's
in the win. Banos is currently hitting .357 with a .563 SLG% and .431 OB% along
with 9 stolen bases in 11 attempts.
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April 6, 2008
Stony Brook Completes Four-Game Sweep
Stony Brook, NY - Sophomore Jordan Purington (Westbrook,
Maine/ABCCL MONARCHS) picked up his second win of the season in game one of the
DH today vs Binghamton in Conference play pitching two scoreless innings as teammate Junior Keith Fier (Armonk, N.Y./ABCCL
Ocean GIANTS) went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the win.
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April 6, 2008
Curry Extends Win Streak to 12 and Remains Undefeated in TCCC
Milton, MA - Curry bested Anna Maria College with a DH sweep today at home as freshman, Brian Pipines (Creskill, NJ/ABCCL Ocean GIANTS) picked up the win in game one. Pipines is now 3-0 for the season.
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April 2, 2008
McCollum Swings Hot Bat in Win
AMBLER, PA-- Sophomore Matt McCullum (Tabernacle, N.J./ABCCL STARZ) had three hits, four RBI, scored three runs and stole two bases to lead Rider University to victory at Temple Wednesday. Rider scored eight runs in the second inning on five hits and a Temple error, one of the biggest hits being three-run double by McCollum. Junior Dan Sasso (Bordentown, N.J./ABCCL CLIPPERS) pitched five innings for the win, his second of the year, and struck out three. Junior Maurice Williams (Ocean, N.J./ABCCL Angels) also had three hits and is now batting a team-high .380 (27-71).
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March 30, 2008
SHU Pirates Defeat #25 St. John’s
Queens, NY - The Seton Hall baseball team scored five
unanswered runs to defeat St. John’s, 6-2, Sunday afternoon at Jack Kaiser Stadium.
Trailing in the top of the sixth inning, junior Greg Miller (Shamong, N.J./ABCCL
STARZ) singled while senior Dan Lopez (Weehawken, N.J./ABCCL GIANTS) and junior
Matt Smedberg drew walks to load the bases for senior Matt Skopak (Essex Fells,
N.J./ABCCL GIANTS) who smacked a two-run single to give the Pirates the lead
and the win. With the win, the Pirates ended the Red Storm’s
12-game winning streak.
Greg Miller (2-1)/ABCCL STARZ also earned the victory allowing only two runs, one earned, on six hits in six innings, striking out five.
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March 30,2008
UCONN Takes Series
Storrs, CT. - The University of Connecticut baseball team downed Villanova
8-3 in the rubber game of a three-game BIG EAST set on Sunday afternoon at J.O.
Christian Field in Storrs. Junior Matt Burnett (Endicott, NY/ABCCL MONARCHS)
and freshman Mike Nemeth (Washington Twp, NJ/ABCCL MONARCHS) each had two hits
in the game to lead the way. Nemeth and Burnett enjoyed multiple hit days over
the weekend and both drove in three runs in game one win of the contest. Previously,
the pair again contributed multiple hits driving in 2 runs each in a win on March
22nd in Kentucky over 28th-ranked Louisville.
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March 30, 2008
Mountaineers Get the Win in 10-Inning Battle
Morgantown, W.Va. – Freshman Dan DiBartolomeo (Margate,
NJ/ABCCL MONARCHS) hit an RBI single through the left side for the winning run
in the 10th inning, as West Virginia defeated Rutgers at Bainton Field in Piscataway,
N.J. After a scoreless ninth, the game went into extra innings, where DiBartolomeo’s
RBI single plated teammate's Austin Markel walk for the 8-7 win. Sophomore Jarred
Jimenez (Monroe, NJ/ABCCL TIDES) led the Rutgers attack with one hit and three
RBIs.
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March 24, 2008
Thunder's Joe Durso Conference Player of the Week
MADISON, NJ - Junior first baseman Joseph Durso (Middletown,
NJ/ABCCL THUNDER) of the Moravian College baseball team has been named the Landmark
Conference Player of the Week. Durso led the Greyhounds to a 4-0 record last
week while hitting .625 for the week with ten hits in 16 at-bats. He also scored
ten runs and had five RBIs, three doubles, a home run, a walk and a stolen base.
Durso was also hit by two pitches for a .684 on-base percentage, had a 1.000
slugging percentage and had 20 putouts, two assists and two errors in the field.
Way to go Joe!
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March 22, 2008
Blackbirds Use Long Ball to Sweep Split Doubleheader
Dover, DE - The Long Island University Blackbirds swept Delaware State Hornets, 13-4, in the first game and followed that with a 6-4 win over Bucknell in game two. Junior Frank DiMasi (Staten Island, N.Y./ABCCL TIDES) homered, going 2-for-5 with three runs scored in game one. In game two third baseman Greg DeSantis (Bridgewater, N.J./ABCCL TIDES) drove in the winning run.
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March 16, 2008
Clark Gem Gives Rangers Series Win
Kings Point, NY -- Drew University's Tom Clark, (Hawthorne,
NJ/ABCCL THUNDER) pitched a complete game gem in the Landmark Conference in Sunday’s
3-1 win at USMMA. Sophomore Clark had the best game of his young career by going
the distance while scattering five hits and allowing just one unearned run.
Clark retired the ninth in order without allowing the ball out of the infield as he completed his game with seven straight scoreless innings. He struck out two and walked none in a big performance for the Rangers.
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March 16, 2008
Lee Wins with Sims … Again
CLEVELAND, TN - Dallas Sims (Floyd Knobbs, IN / ABCCL TIDES) delivered eight solid innings of pitching as Lee used a pair of four-run innings to defeat visiting Southern Polytechnic State University, 11-2 at Olympic Field on Saturday night.
Sims improved to 5-0 on the year. He allowed seven hits, two earned runs, fanned five and walked two in giving coach Mark Brew exactly what he wanted on the mound to open the important series. Lee won its 24th straight game and improved to 27-1 and 10-0 in Southern States Athletic Conference play.
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March 15, 2008
Tingos 2-Run Homer Delivers LIU Victory
AMBLER, PA - Long Island University captured its first win of the season with an 11-7, come-from-behind victory at Temple. Sophomore Gerard Tingos (Staten Island, N.Y. / ABCCL TIDES) secured the victory with a two-run homer down the right-field line.
Junior lefthander John Masklee (Totowa, N.J. / ABCCL TIDES) pitched superbly in relief, hurling three innings of no-hit shutout ball. He allowed just one runner to reach base, on an error, and picked up his first save of the season.
The Blackbirds took a brief 5-4 lead in the top of the sixth when Sam Sciamarelli (Brick, N.J. / ABCCL TIDES) had an RBI on a two-out single. Frank DiMasi (Staten Island, N.Y./ABCCL TIDES) leads LIU in hitting with a .364 average and .500 slugging percentage.
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March 15, 2008
RPI and Klein Down #15 Augustana
NEW PORT RICHEY, FL - The Rensselaer baseball team knocked out 15 runs on 21 hits to down #15 Augustana, 15-5. The Red Hawks improve to 7-1 while the Vikings are now 8-2. On the mound, RPI senior Tim Klein (Westfield, N.J. / ABCCL TIDES) went 6.0 innings for his second win in as many starts.
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March 15, 2008
Armeny Leads Penn in Doubleheader Sweep
BOCA RATON, FL – The Penn Quakers took two games today beating NJIT, 10-1, and Dominican, 7-1. Kyle Armeny (Florham Park, N.J. / ABCCL TIDES) led the Quakers with a 5 – 8
day including 6 RBI, 2 Runs, and a three-run homer. Armeny is hitting .321 for
the Quakers on the season.
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March 14, 2008
Ness & Late Rally Propels Duke To Win Over No.
16 Virginia
DURHAM, N.C. – Michael Ness (2-0) (Chatham, N.J. / ABCCL TIDES) picked up a win
in his second straight outing for Duke after contributing 2.1 innings out of
the bullpen. Ness has a 2.25 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched.
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March 14, 2008
TCNJ’s Anderson Picks Up Second Win
CHANDLER, AZ – TCNJ’s right handed junior pitcher Dan Anderson (Lincroft, NJ / ABCCL TIDES) picked up his second win in as many trips to the mound as The College of New Jersey’s
baseball team picked up a 9-4 win over Suffolk University on Friday afternoon
at the Snedigar Field Complex.
Anderson allowed one unearned run off four hits and fanned four and walked four
on the day. He got three innings of relief from sophomore Greg Spatz (Oakhurst,
NJ / ABCCL TIDES) who picked up his second save after allowing three earned runs
off four hits with three strikeouts and a pair of walks. Chris Esperon (Union,
NJ / ABCCL TIDES) was 2 – 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored for the Lions.
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March 13, 2008
Gamble Picks Up Win
PORT LUCIE, FL - Derrick Gamble (Plantation, FL / ABCCL TIDES) picked up his first collegiate win with Nyack College in a 6-4 victory over Penn State-Beaver. Pitching a shutout through the first six innings Gamble went 7 2/3 innings giving up 4 runs on 7 hits while striking out 5. With the win Nyack improves to 3-1 overall.
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March 13, 2008
Senior Amabile Leads In Win Over Wheaton
CHANDLER, AZ – The College of New Jersey’s left handed senior pitcher Nick Amabile (Holmdel, NJ / ABCCL TIDES) picked up an 8-1 win over 13th ranked Wheaton College (MA) on Thursday afternoon at the Snedigar Field Complex. Amabile scattered four hits and yielded just one earned run in seven innings of work. He fanned four and walked five in his second appearance of the season. Amabile leads TCNJ’s
starters with a 0.82 ERA with opponents hitting only .118.
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March 12, 2008
Mo Williams NJCBA Player of Week
LAWRENCEVILLE—Maurice Williams (Ocean, NJ/ABCCL Angels)
of the Rider University baseball team was named the New Jersey College Baseball
Association Player of the Week for all games played the first week of March.
Williams is now batting .417 on the season and enters the three-game series at
Samford this weekend with 95 career hits.
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March 12, 2008
Near Cycle For Dolbier Propels Villanova
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Senior James Dolbier (Lebanon, N.J./ABCCL MONARCHS) hits his
second career grand slam to lead Villanova past La Salle on Wednesday afternoon
at Hank DeVincent Field. Dolbier was just a single short of a coveted cycle in
the game, finishing 3-for-5 with five RBI and three runs scored in the game.
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March 12, 2008
Scarlet Knight McCue Gets Win
PISCATAWAY, N.J., – The Rutgers baseball team erased
a 3-2 early deficit en route to a victory over the New Jersey Institute of Technology
Wednesday afternoon at Bainton Field. Rutgers starter Jon McCue (Hillside, N.J./ABCCL
MONARCHS) struck out six and allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings
of work to pick up his first win of 2008. Kyle Bradley (Howell, N.J./ABCCL GIANTS)
worked A scoreless frame in relief for RU. Junior Luis Feliz (New Brunswick,
N.J./ABCCL MONARCHS),collected three hits.
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March 12, 2008
ABCCL Alum Contribute to Peacock Victory
JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Saint Peter’s Peacocks triumphed over the Hofstra Pride on a windy Wednesday afternoon behind a nine run second inning. Chris Innis (Secaucus, NJ / ABCCL GIANTS) earned the victory for Saint Peter’s
after throwing 5.0 innings allowing only one hit and striking out six. Mike McGuire
(Farmington, CT / ABCCL TIDES) had 2 RBI, a run scored, and two hits to lead
the Peacock offense. McGuire currently has a .342 BA and leads the team in slugging
percentage with a .553.
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March 11, 2008
Lafayette Baseball Shuts Out Explorers in 11-0
Win Behind Ambrosole’s Bat
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Six Lafayette pitchers combined to shutout La Salle in an 11-0 Leopard victory in Philadelphia. Tom Ambrosole (Staten Island, N.Y./ABCCL Jersey TIDES) went 3-for-4 on the day. Ambrosole hit his second homerun of the season and finished with four RBI and two runs scored. He leads Lafayette in slugging percentage with a .586 and second in hitting with a .345 BA.
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March 11, 2008
Wagner’s Avella Blasts two-Run Homer in Win Over Villanova
PHILADELPHIA, PA - With the score evened up in the sixth inning, sophomore Vin Avella (Matawan, NJ / ABCCL TIDES) blasted a two-run home run down the left field line to break a 1-1 tie. Avella led the Wagner offense, going 2-3 with a two-run home run and two walks. He leads Wagner with a .407 BA and .704 slugging percentage.
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March 9, 2008
Lions Ramos-Dominko Collects Win
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Right handed junior pitcher Dan Ramos-Dominko (Hampton, NJ / ABCCL TIDES) collected a win in his first collegiate start as he worked five innings and scattered four hits with one unearned run and tallied five strikeouts as The College of New Jersey’s
baseball team picked up an 8-6 win over Webster University on Sunday. Sophomore
Greg Spatz (Oakhurst, NJ / ABCCL TIDES) earned the save in 1.1 innings of relief
with a pair of strikeouts and a walk off no hits.
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March 8, 2008
McCann and Pappas go 2 for 4 in Win Over Radford
RADFORD, VA — The Seton Hall baseball team sent 12 batters
to the plate scoring nine runs on seven hits en route to defeating Radford10-3
Saturday afternoon in Radford, Va. The game started one hour and fifteen minutes
past the original schedule first pitch time on noon due to inclement weather,
and ended in the seventh inning because of cold conditions.
The Pirates broke the scoreless tie, for the eighth straight game, with their largest run scoring inning of the season. Hits by junior Tim McCann (Manasquan, N.J./ABCCL YANKEES), Mark Pappas (Ocean Township, N.J./ABCCL BLACK SOX) and junior Greg Miller (Shamong, N.J./ABCCL PROTOCALL STARZ) contributed to the 9-0 advantage. In the top of seventh inning, McCann gave the Pirates a 10-3 lead with an RBI double to left field. Matt Singer (Bayonne, NJ/ABCCL CLIPPERS) came in relief and closed the game.
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March 8, 2008
ABCCL Alum Active In Win Over 21 Ranked Texas
A & M
COLLEGE STATION, TX – Rutgers used a late-inning rally
with five runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth as the Scarlet Knights
took down No. 21 Texas A&M,
10-8, Friday night in front of 3,304 fans at Olsen Field. The win gave Rutgers
their third victory over a nationally-ranked team (also beat No. 25 Old Dominion
and No. 22 Georgia Tech) in the young season.
Facing a 5-1 deficit early on, Rutgers chipped away at Texas A&M's lead with
single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. A leadoff double set the stage for
a run-producing groundout to first base by Donny Callahan (Sparta, N.J./ABCCL
MONARCHS) two plays later for RU's second run and a two-out RBI single to right
field from Luis Feliz (New Brunswick, N.J./ABCCL MONARCHS) plated the Scarlet
Knights' third score of the game.
Rutgers starter Steve Holt (Toms River, N.J./ABCCL BLACK SOX) settled down from
five runs in the first three innings to work a solid six-innings with four strikeouts
and only one walk. After Holt left the game, RU turned to Kevin Lillis (Fair
Haven, N.J./ABCCL MONARCHS) in the bottom half of the seventh. He worked to three
batters getting one out before lefty Matt Patterson (Passaic, N.J.) came out
of the bullpen and the Aggies eventually tied the game. Rutgers came right back
in the eighth. A leadoff walk was issued to Callahan and Brett Garlick's (Livingston,
N.J.) sacrifice bunt was fielded by the third baseman, who attempted to get the
Callahann out at second but his throw sailed into the outfield to put runners
on the corners. A well-executed bunt from Vic Cegles (Phoenix, Ariz./ABCCL PROTOCALL
STARZ) scored Callahan for the eventual game-winning run. Rutgers' 10 runs are
the most scored by a Texas A&M opponent this season.
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March 8, 2008
LSU's Bertuccini Helps Take 2 From Stetson
BATON ROUGE, LA - LSU swept two games from Stetson in a doubleheader Saturday in Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers captured Game 1, 9-3, and held off the Hatters, 6-5, in Game 2 as LSU improved to 11-1 on the season..
The bullpen trio that included, Paul Bertuccini (Metarie, LA/ABCCL MONARCHS)
gave up only two runs in four solid innings of work to secure the win for the
Tigers. Bertuccini recorded an enormous out in the seventh inning. Coming in
to relieve with the tying run on second base and designated hitter Aaron Crittenden
at the plate, the sophomore induced a groundout to end the inning. “I don’t know how many superlatives I can use to describe Paul Bertuccini,” Coach Mainieri said. “It
seems he just keeps coming in every game and getting the key out of the game.”
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March 8, 2008
Pitchers Anderson & Amabile Combine In Win
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The College of New Jersey’s baseball team picked up their second win and junior pitcher Dan Anderson (Lincroft, NJ / ABCCL TIDES) collected his first collegiate victory pitching five strong innings, yielding three earned runs on eight hits while fanning three and walking three. Senior Nick Amabile (Holmdel, NJ / ABCCL TIDES) worked four shutout innings in a dominating relief performance and fanning four. Chris Esperon (Union, NJ / ABCCL Jersey Shore Tides) contributing to the win was 2 – 5
with an RBI and run scored.
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March 4, 2008
Dolbier's Three-Run Homer Completes Villanova 10-8 Win
BRADENTON, Fla. - Senior James Dolbier (Lebanon, N.J./ABCCL MONARCHS) hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to complete the second comeback of the day and Villanova hung on in the final innings for a 10-8 victory over Bowling Green at Academy Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Bowling Green's Right-handed relief pitcher was left in the game to face the left-handed hitting Dolbier and quickly got a head in the count 0-and-2. One pitch later, Dolbier drilled a 1-and-2 pitch through a steady wind and over the fence in right field to return the lead to Villanova.
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March 3, 2008
Black Sox Brothers Mongardini... Matt Mongiardini Named Atlantic 10 and Big 5 Pitcher Of The Week
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Just a week after his brother Mike, Junior Matt Mongiardini (Toms River)/ABCCL BLACK SOX) was named the Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Week. Matt Mongiardini (ABCCL BLACK SOX) surrendered just three hits in seven scoreless innings to lead Temple over Old Dominion, 5-2, on Saturday in Norfolk, VA. He added Philadelphia Big 5 Pitcher of the Week honors on Wednesday.
Opponents are now batting just .125 against Mongiardini in 13 innings this season. He is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA. This week's honor is the second A-10 award for the junior, who was also the conference pitcher of the week on April 30.
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March 2, 2008
Kelly Pitches Dickinson to 2-1 Victory
NEW MARKET, VA - The Dickinson College Red Devils team split its season opening double-header with Penn State Harrisburg. The Red Devils pushed across a run in the top of the eighth inning to claim a 2-1 victory. PSU returned the favor in the nightcap, scoring five runs in the top of the seventh for an 8-6 decision.
Senior right-hander Brian Kelley (Cedar Knolls, NJ / ABCCL TIDES) earned the win in game one, striking out eight and scattering five hits over seven innings.
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March 2, 2008
Solid Pitching from Picerno as Stevens Splits Doubleheader
HOBOKEN, N.J. – The Stevens Institute of Technology baseball
team went 1-1 in a doubleheader against Skidmore College in Hoboken, N.Y. The
Ducks suffered a 10-5 loss in Game 1, but came back strong to earn a 7-3 win
over the Thoroughbreds. In the final three innings, senior pitcher Scott Picerno/ABCCL
TIDES came in to earn the save as he gave up just two hits and one run. Picerno
broke the school record for career wins during his junior season in 2007.
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February 29, 2008
Holt and Lillis Contribute to Upend No. 22 Georgia Tech
ATLANTA, Ga. – Rutgers used a four-run 11th inning to
break a 6-6 tie and sophomore Kevin Lillis (Fair Haven, N.J./ABCCL MONARCHS)
pitched two innings of scoreless relief to give the Scarlet Knights a 10-6 victory
over No. 22 and previously unbeaten Georgia Tech Friday afternoon at Russ Chandler
Stadium. In a game where ace Steve Holt (Toms River, N.J./ABCCL TIDES) saw his
first action in nearly two years after recovering from Tommy John surgery, the
game was decided in extra innings where Lillis provided strong pitching to combine
with opportunistic hitting to seal the victory for the Scarlet Knights. Holt
was sharp in his first start of the season as he allowed just one earned run
(two total) on six hits with three strikeouts in seven innings. Three scoreless
frames sent the Scarlet Knights into the ninth inning with the three-run lead
and set up the late-game dramatics. The Scarlet Knights struck first with a run
in the top half of the frame when junior Luis Feliz (New Brunswick, N.J./ABCCL
MONARCHS) drilled a double down the left-field line and came around to score
on a botched throw on a sacrifice bunt. After a scoreless 10th frame, Rutgers
went ahead for good in the 11th
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February 28, 2008
Arp’s HR leads Ohio State in Spring Classic Final
MILLINGTON, TN - The Buckeyes won the Service Academies Spring Classic last weekend in. Ohio State defeated Arkansas State, 7-3, to open the tournament on Friday. The Buckeyes beat Memphis, 1-0, on Saturday behind strong pitching performances. On Sunday, Ohio State captured the tournament title with a 6-5 victory over Seton Hall. Trailing 5-3 in the sixth inning, Ohio Sate rallied for three runs with Mike Arp (Reynoldsburg, OH / ABCCL TIDES) leading the way with a home run.
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February 26, 2008
Petrowski MAAC Pitcher of Week
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - Mike Petrowski (Hamilton Square/ABCCL MONARCHS), a junior
pitcher on the Rider University baseball team, was named the winner of the Metro
Atlantic Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week award for all games played February
18-24.
In the season opener at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Petrowski started
and pitched six innings, allowing just one unearned run, striking out seven without
allowing a walk. “I pretty much tried to just put the ball in play,” Petrowski said. “I wasn’t concerned with striking batters out. I was on a pitch count and I wanted to go as long as I could.” Petrowski threw 80 pitches, 60 for strikes. “Coach said to just go at them and see what happens, so that is what I did,” Petrowski said. Petrowski was also named Rider’s
Most Valuable Pitcher last year.
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February 26, 2008
Mike Mongiardini Named Big 5 Pitcher Of The Week
Phildelphia, PA - Senior Mike Mongiardini/Toms
River, NJ (ABCCL BLACK SOX), who allowed just two hits
and one earned run over six innings on Monday, has been named the Philadelphia
Big 5 Pitcher of the Week, in voting conducted by the area head coaches and sports
information offices. Mongiardini struck out three and walked three in his first
start for Temple against Bethune-Cookman after transferring from Yale.
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February 25, 2008
Gaynor Named BIG EAST Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Piscataway, NJ - Rutgers sophomore Casey Gaynor
(Toms River, N.J.)/(ABCCL Black Sox) was named the BIG
EAST Baseball Pitcher of the Week, the league announced on Monday. Gaynor, a
right-handed pitcher, took home the league's first weekly honor of the 2008 season.
Gaynor struck out eight and gave up just three hits in eight innings of work
in the season-opening, 7-1 victory. After giving up an infield single in the
first inning, Gaynor retired 12 of the next 13 hitters and did not surrender
a second hit until the eighth inning. The eight strikeouts was one shy of his
career-high of nine recorded as a freshman last season.
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February 24, 2008
Gaynor/Rutgers Baseball Wins Season-Opener at Old Dominion
NORFOLK, VA – Sophomore Casey
Gaynor/Rutgers University (Toms River Black Sox) struck
out eight and gave up just three hits in eight innings and Rutgers got hits
from eight of its nine batters as the Scarlet Knights cruised to a 7-1, season-opening
victory over No. 25 Old Dominion in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday
afternoon at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.
Sophomore Jarred Jimenez (Monroe, N.J. / ABCCL Tides) made a stellar debut as a leadoff hitter with a 3-for-4 effort that included a pair of doubles and three runs scored in the opener. Rutgers used a two-out rally in the third inning to plate its first run of the game. Jimenez found the gap in right-center field for his first double of the contest to get things started. He scored on the next play when a Vic Cegles's (Phoenix, A.Z. / ABCCL Protocall Starz) grounder was mishandled by the shortstop. Jimenez got things started for Rutgers again in the fifth with a one-out double down the right-field line and Cegles drove him home on the next play with a single up the middle.
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February 22, 2008
Middletown MONARCHS Alum
Scores Big - Fernando Perez Named Player of the Year
TAMPA, FL - Fernando Perez, an outfield prospect in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization, led all of Minor League baseball in 2007 with 123 runs scored. En route to being named the Visalia Oaks' Player of the Year, the Columbia University product shared the California League lead with nine triples, ranked third with 168 hits, fourth in on-base percentage (.398) and stolen bases (33) and 10th with a .307 batting average. Way to go Fernando!!!
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February 16, 2008
Strength on the Mound Leads to Sweep
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. -- One pitcher who owns a Virginia Wesleyan College record and another pitcher who tied a VWC record produced impressive outings Saturday to lead the Marlins to a non-conference doubleheader sweep of Gwynedd-Mercy College's Griffins the defending Pennsylvania Athletic Conference champion at Marlins Field.
Senior David Imperato (Brielle, N.J. / ABCCL Tides) tossed the Marlins to an
11-2 victory in the first game. Imperato, who holds the VWC record for most
strikeouts in a game with 16 against Emory & Henry College in 2005, added nine
more to his career total. He faced 22 batters and allowed only a walk, three
hits, and two earned runs.
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September 2007
Clippers Alum Chris Scarola First Team All-America Scores Big
MILTON, Mass. - former Curry College/ABCCL CLIPPERS outfielder Chris Scarola (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) was signed by the Brockton Rox, an independent professional baseball team in Brockton, Massachusetts. The Rox are members of the Can-Am League, which includes teams from Worcester, Mass., Lynn, Mass. and Nashua, N.H.
Scarola appeared in the
final three games of the 2007 Rox season and has already been extended an invitation
to the team’s 2008 spring training camp.Last spring, Scarola led Curry to its
first Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament title since 1998 and its
first-ever NCAA Division III Tournament appearance.
A four-year starter in centerfield for the Colonels, Scarola started in all 36 games during the 2007 campaign. He set a school record for home runs in a game by belting three round-trippers during a win on March 30th. He also drove in six runs in two different contests in April. He recorded 19 multi-hit games and accomplished a season-high 13-game hitting streak from April 11th through the 28th.
Scarola established new season marks for home runs (12), runs batted in (48) and runs scored (48), and matched his own record for hits in a season (60), first accomplished in 2005. Among other 2007 totals, Scarola led his team with a .469 batting average, including 11 doubles and two triples. He also stole 10 bases in 11 attempts, walked 16 times and struck out just 12 times. On defense, Scarola compiled a .970 fielding percentage, committing just four errors in 69 total chances.
He was named as Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Player of the Week four
times. At season’s end, he was selected as conference Player of the Year and
earned CCC First Team All-Conference honors. In past years, Scarola had been
named to the All-CCC First Team in 2006 and the All-CCC Second Team in 2005.
Scarola also gained both regional and national recognition, most prominently as a national First Team All-America selection by d3baseball.com. The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) placed him on their list of Second Team All-America honorees, while the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) designated him as New England Regional Position Player of the Year, and the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association bestowed him with First Team All-New England accolades.
Scarola is also the school’s single-season record holder for games played (38 in 2006), at-bats (140 in 2005) and stolen bases (23 in 2004). Starting in all 142 contests since 2004, he is now Curry’s
career leader in games played, at-bats (534), hits (220), runs scored (160),
home runs (21), runs batted in (120) and stolen bases (55).
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August 8, 2007
Jersey Shore Tides win ABCCL
Championship
The Jersey Shore Tides won the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League (ABCCL) Championship in a hard-fought three-game series against the Toms River Black Sox.
The Tides just came off a sweep of the Protocall Starz in the second round, dominating the Starz, 9-1, in the opening game, and 13-2 to complete the sweep.
The Tides' starting pitchers, Chatham's Mike Ness (Duke University) and Westwood's Tim Klein (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), shut down the potent Starz offense, with both pitchers allowing only one run through the first six innings of each game. Before they left the game, the Tides had comfortable leads, with several players having strong offensive games. In the first game, Bridgewater's Greg DeSantis (Long Island University) had three hits, two RBIs, and a run scored while Monroe's Jarred Jimenez (Rutgers University) was on base in all four of his at-bats, with two hits, a hit by pitch, and safe on an error. Jimenez surpassed that in the second game, reaching base on all five of his plate appearances, including two doubles, three RBIs, and a run scored.
Offensive support was also provided by Staten Island's Frank DiMasi (Long Island University), who was 2-for-3 with a home run and two walks, and Dagsboro, Del.'s Josh Dean (University of Delaware), who had two doubles.
The Toms River Black Sox also swept their earlier round and would provide a formidable opponent in the ABCCL championship series. The opening game featured an outstanding pitching duel between the Tides' Tim Klein and Black Sox's Marty Cabalar (Montclair State University). Klein allowed only one unearned run, but Cabalar shut down the Tides, as the Black Sox took a 1-0 lead into the ninth. The Sox added another unearned run in the top of ninth for a 2-0 lead, and that proved to be the difference, as the Tides' Frank DiMasi hit a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough, as the Tides lost by the score of 2-1 in the opening game of the series.
With the Tides facing elimination in game two, Holmdel's Nick Amabile (The College of New Jersey) took the mound and matched Hillsdale's Dennis Hill (Rutgers University) through the first three innings as both teams were tied at 1-1. The game broke open in the fourth, with the Tides striking for 14 runs over the final six innings. Paramus' Marc Palestina (Montclair State University) hit a grand slam homer in the fourth to put the Tides in front for good. DiMasi added his second homer of the series, and Farmington, Conn.'s Mike McGuire (St. Peter's College) hit his first in the ninth, as the Tides took a 15-8 victory to tie up the series. Freehold's Jeff Calabrese (Felician College) pitched three strong innings in relief, and Hazlet's Sean Donovan (Stockton College) closed the game for the Tides.
With the series tied at one win each, game three would be for the championship. The Tides' Mike Ness took over the contest with a brilliant performance, limiting the Black Sox to one run over nine innings, striking out seven and throwing only 89 pitches in the complete-game victory. The Tides' offense continued to roll, with seven runs behind Mike McGuire as he went 3-for-4 with his second homer of the series and a double. He was responsible for five of the Tides' seven runs, with two RBIs and three runs scored. DiMasi had another big playoff game with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored. Elmwood Park's Adam Gomez (Wesleyan University) added a 3-for-4 game.
The ABCCL champion Jersey Shore Tides will be back in action, playing a postseason match-up against the Russian National Baseball Team on Saturday, Aug. 11, at Brookdale Community College with a start of 2 p.m. The Russian team is on a tour of the U.S. this summer, playing top collegian summer league teams and national teams, including Team USA and the Chinese National Team. This is the 20th year of competition for the Russian National team. Several Russians have signed contracts with Major League baseball teams, and one had reached the Majors. The U.S. tour is the team's preparation for this September's European Championships and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
All proceeds from the game will be used to cover Team Russia's travel expenses for the game. With the continuation of baseball being threatened as an Olympic sport after 2008, the funding for international baseball has been severely cut back and it is necessary to host visiting international teams. Advertisements and sponsorships for the event and game-day program are being accepted (tides@abccl.com). Bat boys/girls are also sought for the game. The game will be Team Russia's only game in New Jersey as they travel from Philadelphia to New York City, where they will end their tour.
http://independent.gmnews.com/news/2007/0808/Sports/067.html
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July 12, 2007
All-Star Rosters
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October 17, 2006
McTamney Named Top Prospect
Baseball America Names Mike McTamney (ABCCL's Toms River Black Sox 2001-04)
as Top Prospect
Reno Silver Sox Pitcher Makes List of Eight High Potential Independent Ballplayers
(Pleasanton, CA. October 17, 2006) The Golden Baseball League is pleased to
announce that Mike McTamney, right handed pitcher for the 2006 GBL Champion
Reno Silver Sox has been named by Baseball America as one of the 2006 Independent
Leagues Top Prospects. The Top Prospects List is compiled each year by Baseball
America for each major league team’s farm system, but this is the first time
they have named the top prospects from all 56 Independent League teams.
McTamney,
23, 6 foot 1 inch and 190 pound right-handed pitcher was noted by Baseball America
for his 94 MPH fastball and his secondary pitch which is a hard knuckleball.
After graduating from Wagner College in New York, he joined the GBL with the
Fullerton Flyers in 2005, he had an outstanding rookie season as a relief pitcher
and spot starter going 2-4 with a 2.63 ERA while striking out 51 and only walking
19 in 62 innings pitched. Garnering attention from several major league scouts,
he wasn’t able to land a spring training invitation and returned to the Flyers
for the 2006 campaign. After a slow start with Fullerton he was traded to the
Reno Silver Sox and was virtually untouchable the remainder of the season. In
18 relief appearances he compiled a 2-0 record with 1 save in 31 innings pitched
while striking out 17, walking only four, and allowing opposing hitters a paltry
.196 batting average against him. In addition, he picked up the Save in Game
2 of the GBL Championship Series pitching a scoreless final inning giving the
Silver Sox a 2-0 game lead in a series they would win three games to one over
Fullerton, who had traded him early in the season.
“In a year where we have seen seven Reno Silver Sox players signed by major
league organizations, I predict that Mike will be the next one to go,” said
Reno Silver Sox Manager Les Lancaster. “Although I’d love to have him back next
year, I’d be shocked if he wasn’t acquired and in spring training in a big league
system for the 2007 season. He deserves this recognition and has a great baseball
future ahead of him.”
McTamney's battery-mate, catcher James
Koehler, also a Toms River Black Sox alum, ended his first pro season with the
Silver Sox with a .500 BA and was nominated for GBL Player of the Week 8/21/06.
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August 6, 2006
2006 ABCCL LEAGUE CHAMPION FREEHOLD CLIPPERS
Freehold Clippers Nip Manchester Yankees to claim
2006 ABCCL Jerry Lillis Championship
After a grueling second round playoff, the Freehold Clippers claimed the team’s
second spot in the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League (ABCCL)
championship finals. To get there, the 6th seed Clippers had to first defeat
2005 champion the Toms River Black Sox, and then fight it out for four straight
days with the 2006 regular season champion Wall Angels.
After splitting the first two games, the Clippers and Angels left the field
Friday night still tied 8-8 at the end of nine innings. The contest resumed
on Saturday, and in the top of the 10th, Dave Drechsel (Lafayette College) led
off with a single to left. Tim Doherty (St. Francis College) followed with a
sacrifice bunt advancing Drechsel to second. The next batter Vinny DiBenedetti
(Felician College), was hit by a pitch. Dan Morvay (Wagner College) followed
with an infield hit, loading the bases. Pat Rogers (Wagner) laid down a successful
squeeze bunt to score the ninth run and put the Clippers up 9-8. In the bottom
of the inning, the Angels managed to get a runner to third base but were unable
to push him across, securing the victory for the Clippers.
The Clippers had no time to rest on their laurels. The first game in the best
of three championship round began immediately, and the Clippers left off where
they began the day, claiming a 5-3 win over the Manchester Yankees, the regular
season’s second place finishers.
Mike Nunes (Montclair State University) was 3-5 on the day with a triple and
two singles and one RBI; Dave Drechsel (Lafayette) had the big blow on the day,
driving in two runs in the four-run fifth inning, that sealed the victory for
the Clippers. Morvay’s single and DiBenedetti’s three-bagger also contributed
to the offense. Terry Wells (Bentley College) was the winning pitcher for the
Clippers, and Chris Yamaguchi (Bucknell Uinversity) recorded the save.
On Sunday, the championship series switched to Monmouth University. Faced with
elimination, the Yankees dominated in the first game of the day, scoring an
8-4 win. For the winning Yankees, Adam Taha (Central Connecticut State U) was
2-4 and Rob Parks (Villanova University) was 2-4 with a double pacing the offense.
Lefty Matt Coulson (Monmouth U) pitched nine strong innings, allowing four runs
eight hits and striking out 12 Clippers to earn the win. For the Clippers, Morvay
continued his hot hitting, going 3-3, including a double and one RBI, and Bruce
Reibis (Rowan University) blasted a two run homer, but it wasn’t enough to overcome
the four run deficit.
In the second and deciding game of the day, the Yankees sprinted out to a three
run lead at the end of the third inning, aided by two errors by the Clippers.
The Clippers responded with two runs of their own in the top of the fifth inning.
Bruce Reibis led off with a double to left center. A hit batter and a walk loaded
the bases for Pat Rogers (Wagner), who singled, driving in two runs, and narrowing
the Yankee’s lead to 3-2.
The score remained unchanged until the top of the seventh. A leadoff walk, a
hit batter, and another walk loaded the bases. Consecutive singles by DiBenedetti,
and Mike Nunes (Montclair State University) gave the comeback Clippers a 6-3
lead. The Clippers added another run in the top of the 8th on a leadoff double
by Dave Drechsel and a run-producing sacrifice fly by Tim Doherty. In the bottom
of the eighth the Yankees generated an unearned run aided by a Clipper error
and a single by Taha.
Holding a 7-4 lead, the Clippers slammed the door on the Yankees in the 9th,
claiming their first ABCCL championship. Matt Singer (Seton Hall) picked up
the win for the Clippers and Dan Lanzano (Wagner College) earned the save with
one and a third innings of shut out relief. Steve Pfeil, Caldwell College, suffered
the loss while Billy Ryan (Caldwell) and Adam Taha each went 2 for 3 as Taha
picked up 3 RBIs for the Manchester Yankees.
The Freehold Clippers were led by General Manager John Morvay, Head Coach Anthony
Piccolo, Assistant Coaches, Chris Roma, Bob Kane, Lou Piccolo and Mike Morvay.
The Clipper batboy was Tommy Lanzano.
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July 22, 2006
2006 All-Star Rosters
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July 21, 2006
Ianelli clears another one of life's hurdles
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 07/21/06
(PHOTO: MIKE MC LAUGHLIN, SPECIAL TO THE PRESS)
Ryan Ianelli will play center field for the Yogi Berra All-Stars in Saturday's ABCCL All-Star game at First-Energy Park.
BY SCOTT STUMP
STAFF WRITER
When Ryan Ianelli was diagnosed with testicular cancer about three weeks before
he was set to play in last year's Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate
League All-Star game, there were no moments of his life flashing before his
eyes.
In fact, Ianelli, 22, said he tried to put surgery off for a few weeks with
the All-Star game and the playoffs for the wood bat collegiate league coming
up.
"It was in back of my head for a while," Ianelli said. "I didn't think it was
a big deal and was just ex-pecting it to just go away. After I found out what
it was, the doctors said that playing with it was a bad idea and that it could've
spread."
"You just can't keep him off the field," said his mother, Donna Ianelli.
Ianelli viewed it simply as one more of life's hurdles.
"I didn't consider it a "my life is on the line' kind of thing," he said. "There's
just things you have to overcome. It's just another fork in the road where you
can be a man about it or be miserable. That's something I learned through sports
and through baseball, something that will carry through for the rest of my life."
A former star outfielder at Kingsway Regional in Swedesboro, Gloucester County,
and a current outfielder at Oral Roberts University, Ianelli underwent surgery
four days before last year's ABCCL All-Star game. Even though he was sidelined,
he still traveled two hours to support his team in the playoffs from the bench.
After about a four-month recovery period, the player who hadn't taken more than
two weeks off from baseball since he was a little kid was back on the diamond.
He played sparingly this past spring as a junior for an Oral Roberts team that
finished as a consensus Top 25 team in the nation for the first time in school
history.
One year after being diagnosed with cancer, he will finally get his chance to
play in the ABCCL All-Star game at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood when the annual
event is held on Saturday.
"It's pretty exciting," Ianelli said. "It's an honor to be part of it. It's
a pretty competitive league with good players from all over the place."
Ianelli, who plays for the ABCCL's Ocean Giants, will be playing Saturday for
the Yogi Berra All-Stars, who will be pitted against the Larry Doby All-Stars
in a game beginning at 1 p.m. The proceeds from the 10-inning game will all
be donated to the Going to Bat for Brian Fund. The fund provides money to help
the family of former Manchester High School standout Brian Malast, a New Jersey
state trooper who was seriously injured in the line of duty this past October
and is undergoing extensive rehabilitation.
The collection of collegiate talent from the league's eight teams will also
work out for a group of major-league scouts beginning at 11 a.m., which may
be the most significant benefit of being selected to play in the event.
"I think that's everybody's favorite part," Ianelli said. "You live your whole
life hoping to make it to the big leagues."
The ABCCL has also provided Ianelli with a place where he can play regularly,
after not seeing much action on a team that was only a few outs away from reaching
the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
Entering his senior year at Oral Roberts, Ianelli feels last year's ordeal will
only benefit him down the line.
"I didn't consider it a big enough deal to need sympathy," he said. "It was
just another step in the road, and you just go upwards from there. The reward
is a lot better on the other side."
-----
June 21, 2006
Summertime the right time for ABCCL action
Greater Media Newspapers Independent Sports
June 21, 2006
(STAFF PHOTO: CHRIS KELLY)
The Manchester Yankees' Efrain Velazquez
stretches to record a putout, but not before the Freehold Clippers' Joe Marangella
reaches the bag during a game on Sunday at Michael Tighe Park in Freehold Township.
With the summer heat upon us, action in the Atlantic Baseball Confederation
Collegiate League (ABCCL) wood-bat baseball league is beginning to sizzle once
again.
Some the nation's top collegiate ballplayers have descended upon the Shore area
to play in the ninth ABCCL season.
Many of the ABCCL's teams are featuring local players this season, though as
the league becomes more popular, it is drawing from greater distances with each
passing season.
This year's Jersey Shore Tides roster includes several local players, including
Chris Kapsales (Niagara University), Marty Cecire (Ramapo College), Matt Miller
(Middlesex CC) and Nick Amabile (College of New Jersey) as well as Middletown's
Chris Messa (College Misericordia in Pennsylvania), Hazlet's Alex Mautone (Wesleyan
University), and Old Bridge's Mike Rossi (Centenary College).
The Tides are coached by Jeremy Milonas, who is assisted by Hy Gumnitz and Chris
Seibert. Peter Kapsales is the team's general manager.
Many of the ABCCL's teams are featuring local players this season, though as
the league becomes more popular, it is drawing from greater distances with each
passing season.
This year's Tides roster includes several local players, including Kapsales,
Cecire, Miller and Amabile, as well as Middletown's Chris Messa (a freshman
infielder at College Misericordia in Pennsylvania), Hazlet's Alex Mautone (a
senior infielder at Wesleyan University), and Old Bridge's Mike Rossi (a junior
pitcher at Centenary College).
The Ocean Giants, coached by Dave Yorke, have Raritan's Keith Kwiatek (a junior
outfielder for Kean University) on their roster, as well as Howell's Matt Watson
(a sophomore pitcher/third baseman at Wagner College), Middletown's Dan Gallagher
(a sophomore at Marist University), Manalapan's Pete Delleani (a sophomore infielder
at Wagner College), and RBC graduate Kyle Bradley of Howell (a freshman pitcher
at Rutgers).
The Freehold Clippers feature a slew of local players this year, including Middletown's
Pat Rogers (a senior infielder at Wagner College) and Chris Yamaguchi (a sophomore
pitcher at Bucknell University); Jackson's Bruce Reibis (a junior infielder
at Rowan University), Dan Morvay (a junior catcher at Wagner) and Pete Doherty
(a junior pitcher at St. Francis University); Allentown's Matt Grinkevich (a
sophomore pitcher at Kean University); Hazlet's Mike Nunes (a junior infielder
at Montclair State University); Colts Neck's Sean Driscoll (a sophomore pitcher
at Bucknell); and East Brunswick's Dan Lanzano (a senior pitcher at Wagner).
The Clippers are coached by Anthony Piccola, while the general manager is John
Morvay.
The Wall Angels, coached by Sal Palmieri, include a trio of Monmouth University
players - sophomore infielder Kyle Higgins, sophomore pitcher Tim Ballard (from
Sayreville) and sophomore first baseman Rick Niederhaus - as well Holmdel's
Vincent Foley (a sophomore third baseman from Brookdale), Brick's Kevin Gambrino
(a sophomore shortstop at Moravian College, Pa.), Howell's Kevin Barrett (a
senior pitcher at Felician College), Oceanport's Dennis Chachko (a sophomore
pitcher at Niagara University) and his brother Brett (a junior at Central Connecticut
State University), Tinton Fall's Maurice Williams (a sophomore outfielder at
Rider University), Manasquan's Ryan Jefray (a sophomore pitcher at Brookdale),
and Freehold's Casey Walko (a sophomore catcher at Central Connecticut State).
The Middletown Monarchs' roster includes CBA graduate Kevin Lillis of Fair Haven
(a sophomore pitcher at Rutgers), as well as Colts Neck's John Minio (a junior
infielder at Drew University) and Atlantic Highlands' Nick Ricker (a pitcher
from Brookdale Community College). The Monarchs are coached by Jim Duffy and
Bill Malloy. Art Post is the team's general manager.
Monmouth University's Mike Casale, a sophomore infielder from Toms River, is
playing for the Toms River Black Sox, along with CBA grad Chris Lillis (a senior
pitcher at Rutgers) and South River's Harry Douglas (a sophomore infielder at
Harvard University.
Brick's Efrain Velazquez, a senior infielder at Caldwell College, is playing
for the Manchester Yankees this summer, along with Manalapan's Mike Santoro
(a senior catcher at Villanova University), Red Bank's Matt Hicks (a senior
outfielder at Drew), Freehold's Matt Coulson (a senior pitcher at Monmouth University),
and Brookdale's Joe Schiettino.
Manalapan's Chris Raniere, a senior infielder at Alvernia College in Pennsylvania,
is also in the league, playing for the Medford-based Protocall Starz.
As has become tradition, the 2006 ABCCL All-Star Game will be held July 22 at
FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, home of the Philadelphia Phillies' Class A affiliate
Lakewood BlueClaws. The game will feature standout players from each of ABCCL's
eight teams in a special 10-inning contest designed to showcase their talents
for Major League Baseball scouts. The day will include a special workout prior
to the game conducted by the Major League Scouting Bureau. Scout workout begins
at 11 a.m.
The All-Star Game starting time is scheduled for 1 p.m. Admission to both events
is $5 and is a fully tax-deductible donation to the Going to Bat for Brian fund
on behalf of New Jersey State trooper Brian Malast, who was seriously injured
in the line of duty in October of last year and is still undergoing extensive
rehabilitation. All donations from the Going to Bat for Brian fundraiser will
go directly to the Malast family to help pay for rehabilitation services and
equipment that Brian will need to continue his recovery when he returns home.
-----
June 1, 2006
CATCHY TREND
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 05/30/06
(STAFF PHOTO: MIKE MC LAUGHLIN)
Toms River Black Sox catchers Brett Connor (left) and Matt Dorick watch their
team's at-bat in a game against the Manchester Yankees.
TOMS RIVER BLACK SOX HAVE KNACK FOR DEVELOPING
CATCHERS
BY SCOTT STUMP
STAFF WRITER
In only its sixth season of existence, the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate
League has already established a strong tradition.
The Toms River Black Sox, which have won four titles in the first five seasons
of the local wood bat summer league, have had six of their catchers sign professional
contracts since the league's inception. The ABCCL consists entirely of college
players and some incoming college recruits, many of whom are former Shore Conference
stars as well as others who come from high-profile college programs like Rice
and LSU.
James Koehler, Josh Norton, Bryan Mulhern, Brian Weingart, Ken Lup and Fernando
Fuentes are all former Black Sox catchers who were drafted, played or are currently
playing with either independent-league teams or minor-league affiliates of Major
League Baseball teams.
Independent teams are professional teams that are not directly affiliated with
MLB teams, and players are usually signed off independent teams by big-league
teams to fill rosters at the Class AA and Class AAA levels.
"It's not a coincidence," said Koehler, a Middletown North graduate who is with
the Pensacola (Fla.) Pelicans of the independent American Association. "(The
ABCCL) is not only a place where you play good baseball, but you also get coached."
Koehler's mother, Monique, is the league's president, and has helped the league
become a spot where up-and-coming players can develop before heading to top-notch
summer leagues such as the Cape Cod League and the New England Collegiate Baseball
League. The league kicked off its season Sunday and will run through mid-August.
"It's kind of like our own little version of the linebacker tradition at Penn
State," Monique Koehler said about the Black Sox catchers.
Lup is currently with the Fort Worth (Texas) Cats, who are also part of the
American Association, and Mulhern is now with the Greeneville (Tenn.) Astros,
the rookie-level affiliate of the Houston Astros. Norton played with the independent
Atlantic City Surf, and is now the head coach at Division II Nyack (N.Y.) College.
Weingart was a teammate of former Toms River East star Jake Daubert with the
Brockton (Mass.) Rox, an independent team, before being waived by the Rox on
March 23. Fuentes was a 36th-round draft pick by the Yankees in 2001 out of
Weehawken High School, but instead went to William Paterson University.
It certainly helps that one of the Black Sox assistants under head coach Bill
Castner is John Karkovice, whose brother, Ron, was a catcher with the Chicago
White Sox from 1986 to 1997. In addition, it can't hurt to be talking baseball
and trading advice with other players on their way to becoming professionals.
"I played on the Black Sox with just about every one of those guys who played
professionally," said Koehler, who played collegiately at Rutgers-Newark. "All
of those players signing is something that not many people realize. It's kind
of like a secret trend, and I give a lot of credit to coach Castner and coach
Karkovice. Being around people with wisdom and experience helps a lot."
While Brett Connor (Tusculum College), Matt Dorick (Ocean County College) and
Adam Achilles (Felician College), this season's Black Sox catchers, will try
to keep the tradition alive, there are some new developments in the ABCCL this
season. There is a new team in the eight-team league, the Wall Angels, who will
play their games at the Shore Christian Academy and the fields on 18th Avenue
in Wall.
Also, the sales of all tickets to the ABCCL's All-Star game at FirstEnergy Park
in Lakewood on July 22 will benefit state trooper Brian Malast, a former Manchester
standout who was badly injured in a crash in a high-speed chase. Also, the benefits
from a game June 9 at FirstEnergy Park between a team of state troopers and
Manchester High School alumni will go to benefit Malast.
-----
August 6, 2005
2005 ABCCL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
TOMS RIVER BLACK SOX
Kyle Forrest/Rice University-Texas, Marc
Weres/Monmouth U-NJ,
Cole Kimball/Centenary College-NJ, Jimmy Principe/U of New Orleans-LA,
Phillip Allen/University of Texas-San Antonio, Joe Franceschini/Rowan University-NJ,
Dan Limone/William Paterson U-NJ,Chris Lillis/Rutgers U. New Brunswick-NJ,
Brian Butler/Montclair State U-NJ, Ryan Hill/Rutgers U. New Brunswick-NJ,
Mike Rivera/William Paterson U-NJ, Miles Cabeceiras/U of New Orleans-LA,
Antonio Mule/Northwestern U-IL, Frank Meade/Rutgers U. New Brunswick-NJ,
Peter Vernon/College of William & Mary-VA, Mike Santana/William Paterson U-NJ,
Brett Picaro/Montclair State U-NJ, Kyle Long/Rutgers U. Newark-NJ,
Bobby Darling/Tusculum College-TN, Mark Pappas/Seton Hall University-NJ,
Ben Brown/College of New Jersey, John Farmer/Rutgers U. Newark-NJ,
Bob Acampora/Rutgers U. New Brunswick-NJ, Dan Bates/Wesley College-RI,
Frank Vicendese/Rider University-NJ
Coaches: Bill Castner, John Karkovice, Mike Dorick and James Koehler
-----
July 27, 2005
2005 ABCCL REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONS
MIDDLETOWN MONARCHS
Rich Goulian/Fordham U, NY, Eric
Reese/Fordham U, Kris Molloy/Villanova U, PA,
Donny Callahan/Rutgers U-New Brunswick, NJ, Kevin Cuozzi/Montclair State U,
NJ,
Kevin Lillis/Rutgers U-New Brunswick, Jonathan Torres, Bloomfield College, NJ,
Matt Kamine/Lafayette College, PA, Mike Hart/Muhlenburg College, PA,
Ethan Silverstein/Brown University, RI, Michael Marcucci/Rutgers U-Newark,
Robert Yodice/Florida Atlantic University, Anthony Sarno/Hofstra University,
NY,
Justin Squashic/Rider University, NJ, Mike Bujalkowski/Wagner University, NY,
Tom Battista/Bloomfield College, NJ, Joseph Graziano/Georgetown University,
DC,
Bernardo Aviles/Bloomfield College, NJ, Jonathan McCue/Rutgers U-New Brunswick,
David Fisher/Elizabethtown College, PA, Shawn Hirsch/Bucknell University, PA,
Tony Danella/University of Bridgeport, CT, Erik Holck/Rider University, NJ,
Brett Rossi, Barry University
Coaches: Jim Duffy, Bill Malloy and Art Post
-----
July 25, 2005
ABCCL 2005 Final Regular Season Standings
1. Middletown Monarchs
2. Manchester Yankees
3. Toms River Black Sox
4. Freehold Clippers
5. Ocean Giants
6. Protocall Starz
7. Jersey Shore Tides
8. Central Jersey Cougars
