ASTROS DEFEAT BREWERS AS PENCE DEBUTS
Friday night, the Houston Astros called up Hunter Pence (Schenectady ’02) from Triple-A Round Rock. Saturday night, Pence made his Major League debut at sold-out Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Wearing number nine, he started for the Astros in center field against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Astros tallied 10 runs on 13 hits as they clobbered the Brewers, 10-1.
Pence, batting sixth, went 1-for-3 with one run scored. The Arlington, Texas, native singled off Milwaukee starting pitcher David Bush in the sixth inning and scored on a double by Adam Everett. Pence’s single was his first Major League hit.
Pence began his night with a 12-pitch at-bat against Bush. Bush won the battle as he struck out Pence on a called third strike. The next time at the plate, the 2002 Schenectady Mohawk was hit by a pitch. In the sixth inning, Pence’s single helped ignite a five-run Astros rally.
In the field, Pence was flawless in three opportunities. In the sixth inning, Pence made an outstanding running catch to rob Prince Fielder of a hit.
Brad Lidge (Ithaca ’96) shut out the Brewers over one inning and two-thirds of relief. He allowed two hits but struck out three.
The victory ended Houston’s seven-game losing streak. The Astros and Brewers finish up their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. CDT.
Note: Astros Hunter Pence and Brad Lidge are two of the highest-drafted alumni in New York Collegiate Baseball League history. Pence was selected by the Houston Astros in the second round (64th overall) of the 2004 draft. The Astros tabbed Lidge in the first round (17th overall) of the 1998 draft.
BRADEN TO MAKE SECOND START ON SUNDAY
Dallas Braden (Hornell ’03), of the Oakland Athletics, will make his second Major League start on Sunday afternoon. The Athletics host the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at McAfee Coliseum. Game time is 1:05 p.m. PDT.
Braden made his Major League debut on Tuesday against Baltimore. He allowed one run on three hits and struck out six as the Athletics defeated the Orioles, 4-2, at Camden Yards.
The Athletics purchased Braden’s contract on Monday after placing Rich Harden on the 15-day disabled list.
Sunday’s game will mark Braden’s home debut. He is a native of Stockton, California. Stockton is just over an hour east of Oakland. In two stints with the Stockton Ports, Braden did not lose a decision and he compiled an 8-0 record. When playing for a professional team located in California, Braden has not lost a decision. He has pitched for the Stockton Ports, Sacramento River Cats and the Oakland Athletics.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
PENCE CALLED UP TO ASTROS, WILL START SATURDAY
The Houston Astros announced Friday night that they have purchased the contract of Hunter Pence (Schenectady ’02) from Triple-A Round Rock.
Pence will make his Major League debut on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston as the Astros host the Milwaukee Brewers. He is slated to start for Houston in center field. Game time is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CDT.
In 22 games with the Round Rock Express, Pence hit .341 with three home runs, 19 RBI and 10 doubles. Friday night, Pence went 3-for-5 with a double in his final game for the Express, an 8-7 loss to Albuquerque.
The 2007 season for Pence began at Major League spring training with the Astros. He was sent down to Triple-A Round Rock on March 21st. During an exhibition game between Houston and Round Rock, Pence collected two hits, including a two-run home run off Astros reliever Brad Lidge (Ithaca ’96).
Baseball America tabbed Pence as the Houston Astros “Top Prospect” in 2007. Last season, he was a Texas League all-star and helped the Corpus Christi Hooks to the Texas League championship. At the Major League all-star break, Pence played in the XM Satellite Radio Futures All-Star Game at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
The Astros selected Pence in the second round (64th overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball entry draft.
Pence batted .316 in 30 games for the 2002 Schenectady Mohawks. The Mohawks won the Eastern Division championship but lost to Hornell in the NYCBL Championship Series.
Pence will make his Major League debut on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston as the Astros host the Milwaukee Brewers. He is slated to start for Houston in center field. Game time is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CDT.
In 22 games with the Round Rock Express, Pence hit .341 with three home runs, 19 RBI and 10 doubles. Friday night, Pence went 3-for-5 with a double in his final game for the Express, an 8-7 loss to Albuquerque.
The 2007 season for Pence began at Major League spring training with the Astros. He was sent down to Triple-A Round Rock on March 21st. During an exhibition game between Houston and Round Rock, Pence collected two hits, including a two-run home run off Astros reliever Brad Lidge (Ithaca ’96).
Baseball America tabbed Pence as the Houston Astros “Top Prospect” in 2007. Last season, he was a Texas League all-star and helped the Corpus Christi Hooks to the Texas League championship. At the Major League all-star break, Pence played in the XM Satellite Radio Futures All-Star Game at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
The Astros selected Pence in the second round (64th overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball entry draft.
Pence batted .316 in 30 games for the 2002 Schenectady Mohawks. The Mohawks won the Eastern Division championship but lost to Hornell in the NYCBL Championship Series.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
NYCBL Diamond Notes 4/26/07
WILLIAMS DOES IT AGAIN: For the second straight week, David Williams (Glens Falls ’04-’05), of Rutgers University, has been named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll. Williams helped the Scarlet Knights to a 4-0 week, with wins over Iona and South Florida. He batted .438 for the week and .500 in the three-game series against South Florida. Williams had at least one hit in three of RU’s four games and drove in two runs in each game of the South Florida series. He was also flawless in the field, converting all of his 11 chances. Currently, Williams .415 batting average ranks near the top of the BIG EAST. The Scarlet Knights are ranked 29th in the latest Collegiate Baseball national poll.
WOLF IN BOMBERS CLOTHING, TAKE 2: For the second time this season, Ithaca’s Shane Wolf (Elmira ’06) has been named Empire 8 “Pitcher of the Week.” He allowed one run on four hits in six innings of work against Utica College. He walked none and struck out nine. Wolf also had three hits and three RBI in the four-game series. The former Lansing Bobcat leads the Bombers with a team-low 2.70 earned run average. Wolf pitched and played outfield for the Elmira Pioneers last summer.
RED DRAGONS RISING: This happened a few weeks ago but its worth mentioning. Two weeks again, Cortland State’s Jimmy Dougher (Glens Falls ’05) and Dan Maycock (Mohawk Valley ’05) were named State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Pitcher and Player of the Week. The award was given out on April 16th. Dougher is a senior from Liverpool, New York. He went 2-0 in two starts for Cortland and garnered a 0.00 earned run average. He yielded four hits and struck out six in a six-inning outing against Oswego State. Dougher would then pitch four innings of one-hit ball, striking out four against SUNYIT. For the week, Dougher pitched 10 innings, struck out 10 and allowed four hits. Maycock batted .500 (11-for-22) for the week with nine RBI, three doubles, one triple, seven runs, three walks, and three stolen bases. In a Cortland win over Centenary College, Maycock went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBI. The next day, he collected three hits in five at-bats in a Cortland loss to Keystone. Both Maycock and Dougher are seniors at Cortland. The Red Dragons are 28-3 and ranked third in the latest Division III ABCA coaches poll.
TWO WITH NYCBL TIES NAMED TO BIG FOUR ALL-STAR SQUAD: The Big Four Baseball Classic brings together four Division I baseball teams in western New York for a two-day tournament. The Big Four consists of Buffalo, Canisius, Niagara and St. Bonaventure. Canisius won this year’s Big Four Classic, defeating St. Bonaventure, 7-0, in the title game. One former NYCBL player and one future NYCBL player were named to the All-Big Four Classic team. Tim Alberts (Geneva ’06) of Niagara and Kevin Mahoney (Glens Falls ’07) of Canisius were selected to the All-Classic team. Alberts collected five hits, scored two runs and drove in two in two games. Against Canisius, he went 4-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored. In the same game, Kevin Mahoney drove in three runs for the Golden Griffs. Mahoney’s two-run RBI single in the eighth inning pushed what was a one-run Canisius lead to three.
WOLF IN BOMBERS CLOTHING, TAKE 2: For the second time this season, Ithaca’s Shane Wolf (Elmira ’06) has been named Empire 8 “Pitcher of the Week.” He allowed one run on four hits in six innings of work against Utica College. He walked none and struck out nine. Wolf also had three hits and three RBI in the four-game series. The former Lansing Bobcat leads the Bombers with a team-low 2.70 earned run average. Wolf pitched and played outfield for the Elmira Pioneers last summer.
RED DRAGONS RISING: This happened a few weeks ago but its worth mentioning. Two weeks again, Cortland State’s Jimmy Dougher (Glens Falls ’05) and Dan Maycock (Mohawk Valley ’05) were named State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Pitcher and Player of the Week. The award was given out on April 16th. Dougher is a senior from Liverpool, New York. He went 2-0 in two starts for Cortland and garnered a 0.00 earned run average. He yielded four hits and struck out six in a six-inning outing against Oswego State. Dougher would then pitch four innings of one-hit ball, striking out four against SUNYIT. For the week, Dougher pitched 10 innings, struck out 10 and allowed four hits. Maycock batted .500 (11-for-22) for the week with nine RBI, three doubles, one triple, seven runs, three walks, and three stolen bases. In a Cortland win over Centenary College, Maycock went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBI. The next day, he collected three hits in five at-bats in a Cortland loss to Keystone. Both Maycock and Dougher are seniors at Cortland. The Red Dragons are 28-3 and ranked third in the latest Division III ABCA coaches poll.
TWO WITH NYCBL TIES NAMED TO BIG FOUR ALL-STAR SQUAD: The Big Four Baseball Classic brings together four Division I baseball teams in western New York for a two-day tournament. The Big Four consists of Buffalo, Canisius, Niagara and St. Bonaventure. Canisius won this year’s Big Four Classic, defeating St. Bonaventure, 7-0, in the title game. One former NYCBL player and one future NYCBL player were named to the All-Big Four Classic team. Tim Alberts (Geneva ’06) of Niagara and Kevin Mahoney (Glens Falls ’07) of Canisius were selected to the All-Classic team. Alberts collected five hits, scored two runs and drove in two in two games. Against Canisius, he went 4-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored. In the same game, Kevin Mahoney drove in three runs for the Golden Griffs. Mahoney’s two-run RBI single in the eighth inning pushed what was a one-run Canisius lead to three.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
FLORENCE FREEDOM SIGN TWO NYCBL ALUMS
The Florence Freedom of the Frontier League have signed two former members of the New York Collegiate Baseball League. The Freedom have agreed to contract terms with Ryan Steinbach (Allegany County ’04) and Ryan Basham (Glens Falls ’04). Steinbach and Basham will be invited to the Freedom’s spring training camp that begins on May 9th. The team’s final 24-man roster will be set on May 20th.
Steinbach was a member of the 2004 Allegany County Nitros. He played collegiate baseball at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). As a senior, Steinbach was a member of the 2005 Division I All-Independent baseball team. He was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 20th round (603rd overall) of the 2005 Major League Baseball entry draft. He became the highest drafted player in IPFW history.
Steinbach spent three seasons in the Orioles farm system and reached as high as the Class-A Carolina League. His most success came with the Aberdeen Ironbirds of the New York-Penn League. Steinbach hit .272 with nine RBI in 65 games for the Ironbirds in 2005. Last season, he split time between the Delmarva Shorebirds of the South Atlantic League and the Frederick Keys of the Carolina League before being released.
Basham was a member of the 2004 Eastern Division regular-season champion Glens Falls Golden Eagles. He played collegiate baseball at Michigan State University. As a junior, Basham was tabbed first-team All-Big Ten. He led Michigan State in almost every offensive category and finished the regular season ranked in the top five in the Big Ten in batting average (.363), slugging percentage (.562), total bases (113), sacrifice flies (5), RBI (53) and home runs (8).
The Toronto Blue Jays picked Basham in the 29th round (870th overall) of the 2006 Major League Baseball amateur entry draft. He signed with the Blue Jays on June 9th, 2006 but did not see game action for any of the Blue Jays minor league affiliates.
Steinbach was a member of the 2004 Allegany County Nitros. He played collegiate baseball at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). As a senior, Steinbach was a member of the 2005 Division I All-Independent baseball team. He was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 20th round (603rd overall) of the 2005 Major League Baseball entry draft. He became the highest drafted player in IPFW history.
Steinbach spent three seasons in the Orioles farm system and reached as high as the Class-A Carolina League. His most success came with the Aberdeen Ironbirds of the New York-Penn League. Steinbach hit .272 with nine RBI in 65 games for the Ironbirds in 2005. Last season, he split time between the Delmarva Shorebirds of the South Atlantic League and the Frederick Keys of the Carolina League before being released.
Basham was a member of the 2004 Eastern Division regular-season champion Glens Falls Golden Eagles. He played collegiate baseball at Michigan State University. As a junior, Basham was tabbed first-team All-Big Ten. He led Michigan State in almost every offensive category and finished the regular season ranked in the top five in the Big Ten in batting average (.363), slugging percentage (.562), total bases (113), sacrifice flies (5), RBI (53) and home runs (8).
The Toronto Blue Jays picked Basham in the 29th round (870th overall) of the 2006 Major League Baseball amateur entry draft. He signed with the Blue Jays on June 9th, 2006 but did not see game action for any of the Blue Jays minor league affiliates.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
BRADEN BOUNCES BALTIMORE IN ATHLETICS DEBUT
Dallas Braden (Hornell ’03) pitched a three-hitter over six innings as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Baltimore Orioles, 4-2, on Tuesday afternoon at Camden Yards.
Braden allowed one run on three hits, walked one and struck out six in his Major League debut. He was called up to the Athletics on Monday after the team placed Rich Harden on the 15-day DL.
Last Wednesday, Braden fanned seven batters over six shutout innings in his Triple-A debut with the Sacramento River Cats of the Pacific Coast League. He started the season with the Midland Rockhounds of the Double-A Texas League.
Tuesday, Braden walked the first batter he faced, Brian Roberts. But, Roberts was eliminated from the bases as Braden induced Melvin Mora to ground into a double play. Baltimore’s only run, against Braden, crossed the plate in the second. Aubrey Huff tripled with one out, and scored on a groundout by Jay Payton. Braden had started the inning by striking out Miguel Tejada.
Through six innings, Braden faced three batters over the minimum. He struck out Orioles lead-off hitter Brian Roberts twice. Braden’s other strikeout victims included Tejada, Alberto Castillo, Kevin Millar, and Nick Markakis.
The Athletics begin a five-game home stand on Wednesday when they host the Seattle Mariners.
Braden’s next start could come either Sunday, at home, against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, or a week from today, on the road, against the Boston Red Sox.
Braden allowed one run on three hits, walked one and struck out six in his Major League debut. He was called up to the Athletics on Monday after the team placed Rich Harden on the 15-day DL.
Last Wednesday, Braden fanned seven batters over six shutout innings in his Triple-A debut with the Sacramento River Cats of the Pacific Coast League. He started the season with the Midland Rockhounds of the Double-A Texas League.
Tuesday, Braden walked the first batter he faced, Brian Roberts. But, Roberts was eliminated from the bases as Braden induced Melvin Mora to ground into a double play. Baltimore’s only run, against Braden, crossed the plate in the second. Aubrey Huff tripled with one out, and scored on a groundout by Jay Payton. Braden had started the inning by striking out Miguel Tejada.
Through six innings, Braden faced three batters over the minimum. He struck out Orioles lead-off hitter Brian Roberts twice. Braden’s other strikeout victims included Tejada, Alberto Castillo, Kevin Millar, and Nick Markakis.
The Athletics begin a five-game home stand on Wednesday when they host the Seattle Mariners.
Braden’s next start could come either Sunday, at home, against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, or a week from today, on the road, against the Boston Red Sox.
Braden To Make Major League debut Tuesday Afternoon
The Oakland Athletics announced on Monday that they have called up Dallas Braden (Hornell ’03) from Triple-A Sacramento. Braden will join the Athletics rotation immediately, taking the place of Rich Harden. Harden has been placed on the 15-day DL.
Braden will make his Major League debut on Tuesday afternoon at Camden Yards as the Oakland Athletics meet the Baltimore Orioles. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 PM EDT.
[Editors Note: I previously had written 12:05 PM. But, that's the start time in the Pacific Daylight Time Zone. The game on the east coast begins a little after 3:00 PM.]
Last Wednesday, Braden made his Triple-A debut for the Sacramento River Cats. He pitched six shutout innings, allowed three hits, walked one and struck out seven as the River Cats defeated the Portland Beavers, 6-5, in 10 innings at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon.
Braden was a member of the 2003 Western Division champion Hornell Dodgers. Last year, two former Dodgers made their Major League debuts. Josh Kinney (Hornell ’98) was called up by the St. Louis Cardinals in July and would later help them to a World Series championship. The Pittsburgh Pirates called up Rajai Davis (Hornell ’00) in August. He finished the season with the Buccos. Kinney is projected to miss the entire 2007 season because of Tommy John surgery. Davis is currently playing for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in the International League.
Braden will make his Major League debut on Tuesday afternoon at Camden Yards as the Oakland Athletics meet the Baltimore Orioles. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 PM EDT.
[Editors Note: I previously had written 12:05 PM. But, that's the start time in the Pacific Daylight Time Zone. The game on the east coast begins a little after 3:00 PM.]
Last Wednesday, Braden made his Triple-A debut for the Sacramento River Cats. He pitched six shutout innings, allowed three hits, walked one and struck out seven as the River Cats defeated the Portland Beavers, 6-5, in 10 innings at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon.
Braden was a member of the 2003 Western Division champion Hornell Dodgers. Last year, two former Dodgers made their Major League debuts. Josh Kinney (Hornell ’98) was called up by the St. Louis Cardinals in July and would later help them to a World Series championship. The Pittsburgh Pirates called up Rajai Davis (Hornell ’00) in August. He finished the season with the Buccos. Kinney is projected to miss the entire 2007 season because of Tommy John surgery. Davis is currently playing for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in the International League.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Notes From The Eagles Nest
TEWS TABBED IVY LEAGUE POW: On Monday, Bryan Tews (Glens Falls ’06), of Brown University was named the Ivy League “Player of the Week.” Last week, Tews hit .571 (4-for-7) with two home runs and 11 total bases. In the second game of a doubleheader against Dartmouth, the Brown senior bashed two home runs and finished 3-for-3 with a walk and a sacrifice bunt. Tews showed his defensive range in the doubleheader by playing first and second base. Heading into the weekend, the defending Ivy League batting champion is hitting .311 with five home runs and 22 RBI. Tews is a senior tri-captain at Brown from Park Ridge, Illinois. He is majoring in Public and Private Sector Organizations and Economics. Last summer with the Golden Eagles, he batted .228 with 12 RBI and six stolen bases.
WILLIAMS MAKES BIG EAST HONOR ROLL: David Williams (Glens Falls ’04), of Rutgers University, was named to the BIG EAST Baseball Honor Roll on Monday. Williams helped the Scarlet Knights to three wins, including a pair over in-state rival Seton Hall. He hit .450 (9-for-20) with one home run and seven RBI. Against Seton Hall, Williams batted .462 (6-for-13) and drove in five runs. He smashed a two-run home run in Rutgers series opening, 13-9, victory over the Pirates. Entering the weekend, Williams ranked fourth in the BIG EAST in batting average (.412), sixth in on-base percentage (.493), eighth in doubles (10), and 10th in runs scored (34) and hits (49).
Williams has been selected in each of the last two Major League Baseball drafts. The Arizona Diamondbacks took Williams in the 25th round (741st overall) of the 2005 draft. Last June, he was chosen by the Florida Marlins in the 36th round (1085th overall) of the entry draft. David was a member of the 2004 Eastern Division regular-season champion Glens Falls Golden Eagles. He returned to Glens Falls in 2005 but saw limited action due to injury. Last summer, Williams played for the Chatham Athletics of the Cape Cod League.
WILLIAMS MAKES BIG EAST HONOR ROLL: David Williams (Glens Falls ’04), of Rutgers University, was named to the BIG EAST Baseball Honor Roll on Monday. Williams helped the Scarlet Knights to three wins, including a pair over in-state rival Seton Hall. He hit .450 (9-for-20) with one home run and seven RBI. Against Seton Hall, Williams batted .462 (6-for-13) and drove in five runs. He smashed a two-run home run in Rutgers series opening, 13-9, victory over the Pirates. Entering the weekend, Williams ranked fourth in the BIG EAST in batting average (.412), sixth in on-base percentage (.493), eighth in doubles (10), and 10th in runs scored (34) and hits (49).
Williams has been selected in each of the last two Major League Baseball drafts. The Arizona Diamondbacks took Williams in the 25th round (741st overall) of the 2005 draft. Last June, he was chosen by the Florida Marlins in the 36th round (1085th overall) of the entry draft. David was a member of the 2004 Eastern Division regular-season champion Glens Falls Golden Eagles. He returned to Glens Falls in 2005 but saw limited action due to injury. Last summer, Williams played for the Chatham Athletics of the Cape Cod League.
Braden Shines In Triple-A Debut
Dallas Braden (Hornell ’03) pitched six shutout innings and Antonio Perez hit a 10th-inning home run as the Sacramento River Cats defeated the Portland Beavers, 6-5, on Thursday night at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon.
Braden allowed three hits, walked one and struck out seven in his Triple-A debut. Only once, did a Beavers runner get past first base with Braden on the mound. He was called up to Sacramento after starting the season with Double-A Midland.
Braden was a member of the 2003 Western Division champion Hornell Dodgers. The Dodgers defeated Geneva in the Western Division playoffs before falling to Amsterdam in the NYCBL Championship Series.
The Stockton, California, native was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 46th round (1383rd) of the 2001 Major League Baseball draft. Instead of signing, Braden went to college. He would pitch for American River College and Texas Tech University. He pitched for Hornell after two years at American River. After a standout season with the Red Raiders in 2004, that included 93 strikeouts, Braden was drafted again. The Oakland Athletics took Braden in the 24th round (727th overall) of the 2004 draft.
Dallas started his professional career with the Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League. He lasted just seven appearances. Braden went 2-0 with a 2.76 earned run average, two saves and 26 strikeouts in 16.1 innings. He finished the season with the Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League. He struck out 33 batters in five starts and went 2-1 with a 4.70 earned run average.
Braden then returned home to start the 2005 season with the Stockton Ports of the California League (High Class-A). The hometown ace went 6-0 with a 2.78 earned run average and 64 strikeouts in seven starts. This success would earn him a ticket to Double-A Midland. Braden’s pitching mastery continued as he pitched the remainder of the season with the Rockhounds. He went 9-5 with a 3.90 earned run average and 72 strikeouts in 97 innings pitched. At season’s end, he was the Oakland Athletics Minor League “Pitcher of the Year.”
But, off-season shoulder surgery would slow Braden in 2006. He started the season on a rehab assignment with the A’s Arizona League team. There, Braden struck out 36 batters in 21 innings and went 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA. After that, it was back to Stockton for the Stockton native. He quickly gobbled up two wins in three starts and fanned 13 batters in 12 innings.
Dallas closed the 2006 season where he closed out 2005, with Midland. He only made once appearance and threw three and one-third innings. But, just to return to Double-A after off-season shoulder surgery was amazing enough.
Braden allowed three hits, walked one and struck out seven in his Triple-A debut. Only once, did a Beavers runner get past first base with Braden on the mound. He was called up to Sacramento after starting the season with Double-A Midland.
Braden was a member of the 2003 Western Division champion Hornell Dodgers. The Dodgers defeated Geneva in the Western Division playoffs before falling to Amsterdam in the NYCBL Championship Series.
The Stockton, California, native was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 46th round (1383rd) of the 2001 Major League Baseball draft. Instead of signing, Braden went to college. He would pitch for American River College and Texas Tech University. He pitched for Hornell after two years at American River. After a standout season with the Red Raiders in 2004, that included 93 strikeouts, Braden was drafted again. The Oakland Athletics took Braden in the 24th round (727th overall) of the 2004 draft.
Dallas started his professional career with the Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League. He lasted just seven appearances. Braden went 2-0 with a 2.76 earned run average, two saves and 26 strikeouts in 16.1 innings. He finished the season with the Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League. He struck out 33 batters in five starts and went 2-1 with a 4.70 earned run average.
Braden then returned home to start the 2005 season with the Stockton Ports of the California League (High Class-A). The hometown ace went 6-0 with a 2.78 earned run average and 64 strikeouts in seven starts. This success would earn him a ticket to Double-A Midland. Braden’s pitching mastery continued as he pitched the remainder of the season with the Rockhounds. He went 9-5 with a 3.90 earned run average and 72 strikeouts in 97 innings pitched. At season’s end, he was the Oakland Athletics Minor League “Pitcher of the Year.”
But, off-season shoulder surgery would slow Braden in 2006. He started the season on a rehab assignment with the A’s Arizona League team. There, Braden struck out 36 batters in 21 innings and went 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA. After that, it was back to Stockton for the Stockton native. He quickly gobbled up two wins in three starts and fanned 13 batters in 12 innings.
Dallas closed the 2006 season where he closed out 2005, with Midland. He only made once appearance and threw three and one-third innings. But, just to return to Double-A after off-season shoulder surgery was amazing enough.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Familiar Name To Play For Pioneers
If you mention the name, Valesente, one might conjure up images of Ithaca’s South Hill and the nationally-known Ithaca College baseball team. George Valesente has been the head baseball coach at Ithaca College since 1979. During his time at IC, Coach Valesente has won two national championships (1980, 1988), appeared in nine NCAA Division-III World Series and 27 NCAA tournaments.
Now, another Valesente is looking to make his collegiate baseball mark. David Valesente (pictured) is a freshman infielder at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This summer, he will patrol the infield for the Elmira Pioneers of the New York Collegiate Baseball League.
The younger Valesente is batting a team-high .341 with 11 RBI for St. Joseph’s. He has appeared in 25 of the Hawks 31 games and started 21. Valesente is third on the team in hits (29), runs (13), and doubles (4).
Prior to St. Joseph’s, David attended Lansing High School in Lansing, New York. He was a high-school teammate of former Elmira pitcher Shane Wolf (Elmira ’06). Last year, Valesente was named to the New York State Sportswriters Association Class B all-state baseball first team. His Lansing Bobcats were also undefeated in the Interscholastic Athletic Conference (IAC).
David’s sister, Christina, is a senior at Clarkson University and played four years of ice hockey for the Golden Knights. She was a member of Clarkson’s first women’s ice hockey recruiting class.
Now, another Valesente is looking to make his collegiate baseball mark. David Valesente (pictured) is a freshman infielder at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This summer, he will patrol the infield for the Elmira Pioneers of the New York Collegiate Baseball League.
The younger Valesente is batting a team-high .341 with 11 RBI for St. Joseph’s. He has appeared in 25 of the Hawks 31 games and started 21. Valesente is third on the team in hits (29), runs (13), and doubles (4).
Prior to St. Joseph’s, David attended Lansing High School in Lansing, New York. He was a high-school teammate of former Elmira pitcher Shane Wolf (Elmira ’06). Last year, Valesente was named to the New York State Sportswriters Association Class B all-state baseball first team. His Lansing Bobcats were also undefeated in the Interscholastic Athletic Conference (IAC).
David’s sister, Christina, is a senior at Clarkson University and played four years of ice hockey for the Golden Knights. She was a member of Clarkson’s first women’s ice hockey recruiting class.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
SEC and the Amsterdam Mohawks
The Amsterdam Mohawks and the SEC have built a strong relationship over the past few years. This weekend that point became very evident.
- Ryan Byrd ('07) tossed a complete game in LSU's 8-2 win over 13th-ranked Ole Miss on Saturday. He improved to 5-1 on the year and leads the Tigers with a 3.65 ERA.
- Chris McGhee ('07) started all three games in the LSU vs Ole Miss series. He played right field in all three games for LSU, hitting .333 on the weekend.
- Duran Ferguson ('06) picked up the win in relief in #19 Kentucky's huge win over #1-ranked Vanderbilt on Sunday. He improved to 2-1 and lowered his ERA to 1.95.
- Brock Wright ('07) got the start at designated hitter for Kentucky in that win.
- Austin Hyatt ('06) started for Alabama in their 5-3 win over Georgia on Sunday. He pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing only a two run homerun in the first inning. He leads the Crimson Tide in ERA as well.
- Blake Cannady ('04-'05) appeared in all three games for Georgia in the Alabama series. He came off the bench for the Bulldogs late in the game in all three games. He is hitting .321 on the season.
Thanks to Amsterdam Mohawks General Manager Brian Spagnola for the following notes.
It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s A Byrd!
Ryan Byrd (Amsterdam ’07) (pictured, LSUSports.com) hurled the first complete-game of the season by a Louisiana State pitcher as LSU defeated 13th-ranked Mississippi, 8-2, on Saturday at Alex Box Stadium.
Byrd scattered out seven hits and two ‘Ole Miss runs over the nine-inning game. He struck out three and did not allow a walk.
According to the LSU press release, it was the first complete-game thrown by a Tigers pitcher since Derik Olvey accomplished the feat on April 2, 2006.
Chris McGhee (Amsterdam ’07) aided in LSU’s eight-run outburst. He scored one run and drove in another with a fielders’ choice.
Byrd is 5-1 with a team-low 3.65 earned run average. He is second on the team in wins and third in innings pitched (44.1). Two of Byrd’s three wins have come in Southeastern Conference action and his in-conference ERA, 3.86, is first on the team.
He is a sophomore from Denham Springs, Louisiana. Byrd made seven appearances last season after sitting out all of 2005 with a redshirt. At Denham Springs High School, he was a 2004 Louisville Slugger All-American and a two-time all-state selection.
Byrd scattered out seven hits and two ‘Ole Miss runs over the nine-inning game. He struck out three and did not allow a walk.
According to the LSU press release, it was the first complete-game thrown by a Tigers pitcher since Derik Olvey accomplished the feat on April 2, 2006.
Chris McGhee (Amsterdam ’07) aided in LSU’s eight-run outburst. He scored one run and drove in another with a fielders’ choice.
Byrd is 5-1 with a team-low 3.65 earned run average. He is second on the team in wins and third in innings pitched (44.1). Two of Byrd’s three wins have come in Southeastern Conference action and his in-conference ERA, 3.86, is first on the team.
He is a sophomore from Denham Springs, Louisiana. Byrd made seven appearances last season after sitting out all of 2005 with a redshirt. At Denham Springs High School, he was a 2004 Louisville Slugger All-American and a two-time all-state selection.
NYCBL Alumni Report (As of 4/13/07)
Major League Baseball
Jeremy Accardo (Wellsville '03) Toronto Blue Jays
Scott Cassidy* (Geneva '97) San Diego Padres
Brendan Harris (Schenectady '99) Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tim Hudson (Hornell '96) Atlanta Braves
Josh Kinney** (Hornell '98) St. Louis Cardinals
Steve Kline (Little Falls '92) San Francisco Giants
Brad Lidge (Ithaca '96) Houston Astros
John McDonald (Cohocton '93) Toronto Blue Jays
*Placed on 15-day disabled list
** Will miss entire 2007 season because of Tommy John surgery
Nippon Baseball League (Japanese MLB)
Alex Graman (Little Falls '97) Seibu Lions (Pacific)
Greg LaRocca (NYCBL '92) Orix Buffaloes (Pacific)
Minor League Baseball
Triple-A
Rajai Davis (Hornell '00) Indianapolis Indians (PIT)
Lou Merloni (NYCBL '90) Sacramento River Cats (OAK)
Hunter Pence (Schenectady '02) Round Rock Express (HOU)
Scott Sauerbeck (Ithaca '92) Round Rock Express (HOU)
Earl Snyder (Little Falls '96) Louisville Bats (CIN)
Terry Tiffee (Hornell '98) Norfolk Tides (BAL)
Double-A
Sebastien Boucher (Plattsburgh '02) West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (SEA)
Dallas Braden (Hornell '03) Midland Rockhounds (OAK)
Chip Cannon (Cortland '01) New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR)
Brett Carroll (Hornell '02) Carolina Mudcats (FLA)
Brad Hassey (Newark '99) New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR)
Justin Mallett (Watertown '02) Chattanooga Lookouts (CIN)
Matt Pali (Rome '02) Arkansas Travelers (LAA)
Anthony Raglani (Schenectady '02) Jacksonville Suns (LAD)
Brett Wayne (Wellsville '01) Montgomery Biscuits (TB)
High Class-A
Terry Blunt (Glens Falls '04) Bakersfield Blaze (TEX)
Quentin Davis (Amsterdam '03) Myrtle Beach Pelicans (ATL)
Matt Devins (Rome '02) Vero Beach Rays (TB)
Jason Motte (Rome '01) Palm Beach Cardinals (STL)
Mike Rozema (MV '02/Geneva '03) Myrtle Beach Pelicans (ATL)
Low Class-A
Steve Calicutt (Glens Falls '04) Augusta GreenJackets (SF)
Daniel Griffin (Saratoga '04) Augusta GreenJackets (SF)
Andrew Holder (Alfred '03) Lexington Legends (HOU)
Jared Locke (Hornell '05) Clinton LumberKings (TEX)
Avi Rasowsky (Schenectady '02) Greensboro Grasshoppers (FLA)
Mike Schellinger (Watertown '05) Swing of the Quad Cities (STL)
Justin Souza (Hornell '04) Wisconsin TimberRattlers (SEA)
Brett Zamzow (Glens Falls '04) Clinton LumberKings (TEX)
Independent Leagues
Mike Benacka (Hornell '05) River City Rascals (Frontier)
Ryan Bethel (Hornell '03) Evansville Otters (Frontier)
Steve Checksfield (Schenectady '98/Hornell '00) Brockton Rox (Can-Am)
Josh Colafemina (Amsterdam '04) Grays (Can-Am)
Rocky Collis (Geneva '03) Bradenton Juice (South Coast)
Nate Espy (Hornell '97) York Revolution (Atlantic)
Billye Hollister (Allegany County '05) Slippery Rock Sliders (Frontier)
Adam Kroft (Amsterdam '02) Rockford Riverhawks (Frontier)
Mike Marksbury (Allegany County '04) Rockford Riverhawks (Frontier)
Matt Mazurek (Mohawk Valley '05) Evansville Otters (Frontier)
Shawn McNamara (Glens Falls '05) North Shore Spirit (Can-Am)
Ray Navarrete (Geneva '96) Long Island Ducks (Atlantic)
Brad Rea (Watertown '00) North Shore Spirit (Can-Am)
Matt Reilly (Plattsburgh '04) Brockton Rox (Can-Am)
Trey Roberson (Alfred '05) San Angelo Colts (United)
Shawn Ryan (Glens Falls '04) Quebec Capitales (Can-Am)
Chris Shank (Watertown '00) Worcester Tornadoes (Can-Am)
Steven Spragg (Watertown '02-'03) Gary SouthShore Railcats (Northern)
Jake Upwood (Watertown '01) South Georgia Peanuts (South Coast)
Andy Weimer (Rome '01) New Haven County Cutters (Can-Am)
4/1/07 Added Rocky Collis
4/3/07 Removed Val Pasucci, Aaron Williams, Dennis Diaz, Joe Serfass, Corey Haggerty, Matt Enuco, Jeff Vincent, Kale Garrison, Matt Reilly, Cody Merrell and Steven Suarez. All of them were released during the off-season or during spring training.
4/4/07 Added Avi Rasowsky
4/4/07 Changed the classification status of Terry Blunt, Quentin Davis, Mike Rozema, Justin Mallett, Jared Locke, Mike Schellinger, Justin Souza, and Brett Zamzow
4/7/07 Added Alex Graman, Re-added Lou Merloni
4/13/07 Removed Rocky Collis; Jason Motte moved from Triple-A Memphis to Single-A Palm Beach; Brett Wayne moved from Triple-A Durham to Double-A Montgomery; Moved Matt Devins from Low-A Columbus to High-A Vero Beach; Moved Steve Calicutt from SS-A Salem-Keizer to Single-A Augusta; Moved Andrew Holder from SS-A Tri-City to Single-A Lexington
4/13/07 Re-added Matt Reilly, placed him with Brockton Rox; Added Brad Rea, placed him with North Shore Spirit
Jeremy Accardo (Wellsville '03) Toronto Blue Jays
Scott Cassidy* (Geneva '97) San Diego Padres
Brendan Harris (Schenectady '99) Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tim Hudson (Hornell '96) Atlanta Braves
Josh Kinney** (Hornell '98) St. Louis Cardinals
Steve Kline (Little Falls '92) San Francisco Giants
Brad Lidge (Ithaca '96) Houston Astros
John McDonald (Cohocton '93) Toronto Blue Jays
*Placed on 15-day disabled list
** Will miss entire 2007 season because of Tommy John surgery
Nippon Baseball League (Japanese MLB)
Alex Graman (Little Falls '97) Seibu Lions (Pacific)
Greg LaRocca (NYCBL '92) Orix Buffaloes (Pacific)
Minor League Baseball
Triple-A
Rajai Davis (Hornell '00) Indianapolis Indians (PIT)
Lou Merloni (NYCBL '90) Sacramento River Cats (OAK)
Hunter Pence (Schenectady '02) Round Rock Express (HOU)
Scott Sauerbeck (Ithaca '92) Round Rock Express (HOU)
Earl Snyder (Little Falls '96) Louisville Bats (CIN)
Terry Tiffee (Hornell '98) Norfolk Tides (BAL)
Double-A
Sebastien Boucher (Plattsburgh '02) West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (SEA)
Dallas Braden (Hornell '03) Midland Rockhounds (OAK)
Chip Cannon (Cortland '01) New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR)
Brett Carroll (Hornell '02) Carolina Mudcats (FLA)
Brad Hassey (Newark '99) New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR)
Justin Mallett (Watertown '02) Chattanooga Lookouts (CIN)
Matt Pali (Rome '02) Arkansas Travelers (LAA)
Anthony Raglani (Schenectady '02) Jacksonville Suns (LAD)
Brett Wayne (Wellsville '01) Montgomery Biscuits (TB)
High Class-A
Terry Blunt (Glens Falls '04) Bakersfield Blaze (TEX)
Quentin Davis (Amsterdam '03) Myrtle Beach Pelicans (ATL)
Matt Devins (Rome '02) Vero Beach Rays (TB)
Jason Motte (Rome '01) Palm Beach Cardinals (STL)
Mike Rozema (MV '02/Geneva '03) Myrtle Beach Pelicans (ATL)
Low Class-A
Steve Calicutt (Glens Falls '04) Augusta GreenJackets (SF)
Daniel Griffin (Saratoga '04) Augusta GreenJackets (SF)
Andrew Holder (Alfred '03) Lexington Legends (HOU)
Jared Locke (Hornell '05) Clinton LumberKings (TEX)
Avi Rasowsky (Schenectady '02) Greensboro Grasshoppers (FLA)
Mike Schellinger (Watertown '05) Swing of the Quad Cities (STL)
Justin Souza (Hornell '04) Wisconsin TimberRattlers (SEA)
Brett Zamzow (Glens Falls '04) Clinton LumberKings (TEX)
Independent Leagues
Mike Benacka (Hornell '05) River City Rascals (Frontier)
Ryan Bethel (Hornell '03) Evansville Otters (Frontier)
Steve Checksfield (Schenectady '98/Hornell '00) Brockton Rox (Can-Am)
Josh Colafemina (Amsterdam '04) Grays (Can-Am)
Rocky Collis (Geneva '03) Bradenton Juice (South Coast)
Nate Espy (Hornell '97) York Revolution (Atlantic)
Billye Hollister (Allegany County '05) Slippery Rock Sliders (Frontier)
Adam Kroft (Amsterdam '02) Rockford Riverhawks (Frontier)
Mike Marksbury (Allegany County '04) Rockford Riverhawks (Frontier)
Matt Mazurek (Mohawk Valley '05) Evansville Otters (Frontier)
Shawn McNamara (Glens Falls '05) North Shore Spirit (Can-Am)
Ray Navarrete (Geneva '96) Long Island Ducks (Atlantic)
Brad Rea (Watertown '00) North Shore Spirit (Can-Am)
Matt Reilly (Plattsburgh '04) Brockton Rox (Can-Am)
Trey Roberson (Alfred '05) San Angelo Colts (United)
Shawn Ryan (Glens Falls '04) Quebec Capitales (Can-Am)
Chris Shank (Watertown '00) Worcester Tornadoes (Can-Am)
Steven Spragg (Watertown '02-'03) Gary SouthShore Railcats (Northern)
Jake Upwood (Watertown '01) South Georgia Peanuts (South Coast)
Andy Weimer (Rome '01) New Haven County Cutters (Can-Am)
4/1/07 Added Rocky Collis
4/3/07 Removed Val Pasucci, Aaron Williams, Dennis Diaz, Joe Serfass, Corey Haggerty, Matt Enuco, Jeff Vincent, Kale Garrison, Matt Reilly, Cody Merrell and Steven Suarez. All of them were released during the off-season or during spring training.
4/4/07 Added Avi Rasowsky
4/4/07 Changed the classification status of Terry Blunt, Quentin Davis, Mike Rozema, Justin Mallett, Jared Locke, Mike Schellinger, Justin Souza, and Brett Zamzow
4/7/07 Added Alex Graman, Re-added Lou Merloni
4/13/07 Removed Rocky Collis; Jason Motte moved from Triple-A Memphis to Single-A Palm Beach; Brett Wayne moved from Triple-A Durham to Double-A Montgomery; Moved Matt Devins from Low-A Columbus to High-A Vero Beach; Moved Steve Calicutt from SS-A Salem-Keizer to Single-A Augusta; Moved Andrew Holder from SS-A Tri-City to Single-A Lexington
4/13/07 Re-added Matt Reilly, placed him with Brockton Rox; Added Brad Rea, placed him with North Shore Spirit
Thursday, April 12, 2007
NYCBL Diamond Notes 4/12/07
WILLIBANKS WILLI-TASTIC FOR OUACHITA BAPTIST: Zach Willibanks, of Ouachita Baptist University, will pitch for the Allegany County Nitros this summer. This spring, he’s been one of the main components of the third-nationally ranked, 39-3 Ouachita Baptist Tigers (NCAA Division II). Willibanks is 8-0 with a 2.34 earned run average. He’s thrown 59 innings in 10 appearances, pitched three complete games and struck out 31. The junior is second on the team in wins and starts and third in innings pitched. Willibanks is a junior from Winfield, Alabama. He is in his first season at Ouachita Baptist. He transferred to OBU from Jackson State Community College. 2006 NYCBL all-star Steve Smith (AC ’06) is 5-0 with a 3.41 ERA for the Tigers. Jeremy Haworth (AC ’06) is tied for a team high with a .421 batting average. He has eight home runs and 52 RBI. Ouachita Baptist hosts Arkansas Tech in a three-game series this weekend.
NYCBL ALUM TAKES DICE-K’S SPOT WITH SEIBU: This next note comes from our good friend, Jon Rathburn, at the Little Falls Times. Alex Graman played for the Knickerbocker Baseball Club of Little Falls in the summer of 1997. After a lengthy minor-league career, he moved across the ocean to the Nippon Baseball League. He’s a member of the Seibu Lions of the Pacific League. Graman was 4-6 last season and is a member of the Lions starting rotation this year, filling the void left by the departure of Daisuke Matsuzaka to the Boston Red Sox. At last check, Graman is 0-2 this season after a 3-0 loss to the Softbank Hawks on April 4.
LOOK OUT BELOW, DIGERONIMO!! After helping Little Falls to the NYCBL playoffs last season, Joe DiGeronimo (MV ‘05/LF ’06) is having another standout season for the Wagner College Seahawks. Last weekend, DiGeronimo went hitless for the first time this season. He started the spring with a 20-game hitting streak and overall had a 22-game streak dating back to last season. After last weekend, he led the Seahawks in most major offensive categories including batting average (.385), hits (37), runs (20), triples (4), total bases (57), slugging percentage (.594) and stolen bases (11). Thanks again to Little Falls Times sports editor Jon Rathburn for the note.
HERR TEARING UP BIG EAST: Jordan Herr (Rochester ’06) sat out last season at the University of Delaware. After a summer in Rochester, a change of scenery has greatly benefited the 2006 NYCBL all-star. Herr transferred to the University of Pittsburgh, where he is putting up outstanding numbers as a redshirt freshman. Through Tuesday, Herr is batting .325 with three home runs and 14 RBI. His .325 batting average is second on the team and he is fourth in runs batted in. Herr has played in 25 of Pitt’s 28 games and he has started 24. Last summer, Herr hit .327 with 22 RBI and a team-high five home runs for the Rochester Royals. He also stole eight bases and tallied 49 hits. Three of Pitt’s top five hitters have NYCBL ties. The next two behind Herr are Seth Button (Amsterdam ’06) and Sean Conley (Watertown ’05).
NYCBL ALUM TAKES DICE-K’S SPOT WITH SEIBU: This next note comes from our good friend, Jon Rathburn, at the Little Falls Times. Alex Graman played for the Knickerbocker Baseball Club of Little Falls in the summer of 1997. After a lengthy minor-league career, he moved across the ocean to the Nippon Baseball League. He’s a member of the Seibu Lions of the Pacific League. Graman was 4-6 last season and is a member of the Lions starting rotation this year, filling the void left by the departure of Daisuke Matsuzaka to the Boston Red Sox. At last check, Graman is 0-2 this season after a 3-0 loss to the Softbank Hawks on April 4.
LOOK OUT BELOW, DIGERONIMO!! After helping Little Falls to the NYCBL playoffs last season, Joe DiGeronimo (MV ‘05/LF ’06) is having another standout season for the Wagner College Seahawks. Last weekend, DiGeronimo went hitless for the first time this season. He started the spring with a 20-game hitting streak and overall had a 22-game streak dating back to last season. After last weekend, he led the Seahawks in most major offensive categories including batting average (.385), hits (37), runs (20), triples (4), total bases (57), slugging percentage (.594) and stolen bases (11). Thanks again to Little Falls Times sports editor Jon Rathburn for the note.
HERR TEARING UP BIG EAST: Jordan Herr (Rochester ’06) sat out last season at the University of Delaware. After a summer in Rochester, a change of scenery has greatly benefited the 2006 NYCBL all-star. Herr transferred to the University of Pittsburgh, where he is putting up outstanding numbers as a redshirt freshman. Through Tuesday, Herr is batting .325 with three home runs and 14 RBI. His .325 batting average is second on the team and he is fourth in runs batted in. Herr has played in 25 of Pitt’s 28 games and he has started 24. Last summer, Herr hit .327 with 22 RBI and a team-high five home runs for the Rochester Royals. He also stole eight bases and tallied 49 hits. Three of Pitt’s top five hitters have NYCBL ties. The next two behind Herr are Seth Button (Amsterdam ’06) and Sean Conley (Watertown ’05).
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
NYCBL Diamond Notes 4/10
DENNSTEDT DOES IT AGAIN: Last Thursday, Brockport State’s Jake Dennstedt (GV ’06) was named the Division III “National Pitcher of the Week,” for the week ending April 1st, by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. It’s the second time this season that Dennstedt has earned the award. Dennstedt hurled a complete-game victory over third-ranked Cortland State on March 31st. He allowed one run on seven hits, walked one and struck out nine. This season, the crafty right-handed pitcher is 4-0 with a 0.56 earned run average. He has two complete-game victories and 20 total strikeouts.
NIETO TAKES SECOND MAAC ROOKIE AWARD: Kevin Nieto (Amsterdam ’07) was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference “Rookie of the Week” on Monday. Nieto helped the Jaspers to a 4-0 week, including a MAAC series sweep of Iona College. He batted .471 (8-for-17) with seven runs scored, two RBI, two triples, two walks, four stolen bases and a double. Nieto also compiled 11 putouts in right field and did not commit a single error. Currently, Nieto has scored a run in eight-straight games and has a five-game hitting streak. He has played and started all of the Jaspers 26 games and has a .242 batting average. Nieto’s Manhattan teammate, Zac Goyer, will also play for the Amsterdam Mohawks this summer. Mike Garcia (AC ’06) played for Allegany County last year.
BERNARDINI STILL UNBEATEN: It’s been a while since Louie Bernardini (Saratoga ’06) has been on the losing end of a pitching decision. Last summer, he went 7-0 in seven starts and was tabbed as the NYCBL “Pitcher of the Year.” He also pitched five complete games and had a 1.63 earned run average. This spring, Bernardini has kept up his winning ways for Wheaton (MA) College. Through Saturday, he is 4-0, in five starts, for the nationally-ranked Wheaton Lyons. Bernardini has made five appearances, pitched a team-high 31 innings, and has a 2.03 earned run average. He’s also holding opposing hitters to a .195 batting average. He’s compiled wins this season over Johns Hopkins, Coast Guard, Springfield and MIT. His only no-decision was in Wheaton’s 8-7 comeback win over the College of New Jersey on March 18th. Bernardini’s only loss in the last two seasons was to Division-I Holy Cross on March 26th, 2006. He was on the losing end of three decisions in 2005 as a freshman.
SCHELLINGER SOLID IN SWING DEBUT: Mike Schellinger (Watertown ’05) did not pitch anywhere last season. He missed all of the 2006 season because of shoulder surgery. He was the 2005 NYCBL “Pitcher of the Year” and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals at season’s end. He finished the 2005 season with the New Jersey Cardinals of the New York-Penn League. Then, he sat out all of last year. Monday, he made his 2007 debut with the Swing of the Quad Cities against the Clinton LumberKings. It was the home opener for the Swing at John O’Donnell Stadium in Davenport, Iowa. Schellinger pitched three innings, allowed one run on one hit, walked one and struck out six. The only run he allowed was from a first-inning home run. After the home run, he fanned six of the next nine batters he faced. Unfortunately, the Swing couldn’t get the offense going and Clinton won, 5-1.
NIETO TAKES SECOND MAAC ROOKIE AWARD: Kevin Nieto (Amsterdam ’07) was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference “Rookie of the Week” on Monday. Nieto helped the Jaspers to a 4-0 week, including a MAAC series sweep of Iona College. He batted .471 (8-for-17) with seven runs scored, two RBI, two triples, two walks, four stolen bases and a double. Nieto also compiled 11 putouts in right field and did not commit a single error. Currently, Nieto has scored a run in eight-straight games and has a five-game hitting streak. He has played and started all of the Jaspers 26 games and has a .242 batting average. Nieto’s Manhattan teammate, Zac Goyer, will also play for the Amsterdam Mohawks this summer. Mike Garcia (AC ’06) played for Allegany County last year.
BERNARDINI STILL UNBEATEN: It’s been a while since Louie Bernardini (Saratoga ’06) has been on the losing end of a pitching decision. Last summer, he went 7-0 in seven starts and was tabbed as the NYCBL “Pitcher of the Year.” He also pitched five complete games and had a 1.63 earned run average. This spring, Bernardini has kept up his winning ways for Wheaton (MA) College. Through Saturday, he is 4-0, in five starts, for the nationally-ranked Wheaton Lyons. Bernardini has made five appearances, pitched a team-high 31 innings, and has a 2.03 earned run average. He’s also holding opposing hitters to a .195 batting average. He’s compiled wins this season over Johns Hopkins, Coast Guard, Springfield and MIT. His only no-decision was in Wheaton’s 8-7 comeback win over the College of New Jersey on March 18th. Bernardini’s only loss in the last two seasons was to Division-I Holy Cross on March 26th, 2006. He was on the losing end of three decisions in 2005 as a freshman.
SCHELLINGER SOLID IN SWING DEBUT: Mike Schellinger (Watertown ’05) did not pitch anywhere last season. He missed all of the 2006 season because of shoulder surgery. He was the 2005 NYCBL “Pitcher of the Year” and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals at season’s end. He finished the 2005 season with the New Jersey Cardinals of the New York-Penn League. Then, he sat out all of last year. Monday, he made his 2007 debut with the Swing of the Quad Cities against the Clinton LumberKings. It was the home opener for the Swing at John O’Donnell Stadium in Davenport, Iowa. Schellinger pitched three innings, allowed one run on one hit, walked one and struck out six. The only run he allowed was from a first-inning home run. After the home run, he fanned six of the next nine batters he faced. Unfortunately, the Swing couldn’t get the offense going and Clinton won, 5-1.
Friday, April 6, 2007
NYCBL Diamond Notes 4/5/07
It’s “Opening Day 2007” for Minor League Baseball, and what are teams greeted with in the northeastern portion of the country? Snow. That’s right, there’s snow falling in the northeast right now and it’s in the forecast for most of the weekend. There’s nothing like a good April snowshower. I saw a few flakes flutter through the air this morning in Virginia, I guess its not quite perfect weather for baseball yet. Now, to the news.
MOVIN’ ON UP: The start of the minor league season has brought the promotion of numerous NYCBL alumni. As of today, here is the breakdown in the minor leagues, with the number of players at each level.
AAA: 9
AA: 8
High-A: 4
Low-A: 7
Five of the seven players that are starting the season in Low-A played in short-season leagues, or didn’t play at all, last season.
BLUNT BELONGS TO BLAZE: The Texas Rangers have assigned 2004 NYCBL “Player of the Year” Terry Blunt (Glens Falls ’04) to the Bakersfield Blaze of the California League (High Class-A). Blunt played for the Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League last season. He batted .271 (third on team) with one home run and 43 RBI in 115 games. It was his first full season of minor league baseball. Blunt becomes the only NYCBL alum to be currently playing in the California League.
LUMBERKINGS BOAST TWO NYCBL ALUMS: Even though Terry Blunt was promoted to Bakersfield, the Clinton LumberKings will still have a NYCBL influence on their roster. Jared Locke (Hornell ’05) and Brett Zamzow (Glens Falls ’04) will pitch for the LumberKings this season. Locke pitched for the Rangers affiliate in the Arizona League last summer. He went 3-4 with a 4.56 earned run average. Zamzow is making his first appearance at the full-season level. He spent the last two years with the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League. He had a 2.86 earned run average and two saves for the Indians last year. He was originally drafted by the Rangers in 2004.
PELICANS PAIR HAS NYCBL ROOTS: Clinton is not the only team that has multiple players with NYCBL connections on its roster. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League also boast two former NYCBL’ers: Quentin Davis (Amsterdam ’03) and Mike Rozema (MV ‘02/Geneva ’03). Davis played last season for the Rome Braves. He batted .259 with 39 RBI and 41 stolen bases. He made his pro debut in 2005 with Danville of the Appalachian League. Rozema spent most of last season with the Mississippi Braves of the Southern League. He hit .232 with 21 RBI in 80 games. Rozema started the season with Myrtle Beach where he smacked four homers and hit .277.
COLLIS STARTS AT THE HEAD OF THE CLASS: Rocky Collis (Geneva ’03) was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the 28th round (831st overall) of the 2006 MLB amateur draft. The former Cornell Big Red hurler started his pro career in the Arizona League. Late in the season, he made two scoreless appearances with the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. Collis must have made an impression. Not even a year removed from graduation, Collis is staying in Triple-A. The Mariners have assigned him to start the 2007 season with Tacoma.
FORMER ROYAL NAMED TO NATIONAL HONOR ROLL: Eric Darlage (Rochester ’06), of Miami (OH) University was named the Mid-American Conference East Division “Player of the Week” this past Monday. It was the second-straight week he earned the award. He was also selected to the College Baseball Foundation’s National Honor Roll. Last week, Darlage hit .475 with a team-high-tying nine hits. In a three-game series against Ball State, he batted .545 with five RBI. In a 16-15 Miami comeback win, Darlage went 5-for-5 with one home run, two doubles and five RBI, the most by any Red Hawk since 2005. He is currently a sophomore at Miami (OH).
WOLF EARNS E8 AWARD: Shane Wolf (Elmira ’06), of Ithaca College, has been named the Empire 8 “Pitcher of the Week.” Wolf improved to 2-0, on the mound, with a complete-game shutout on Sunday against St. John Fisher College. He struck out eight and allowed only one runner to reach second base. Earlier in the week, Wolf pitched two shutout innings against New Paltz. He is junior at Ithaca after transferring from the University at Buffalo. Wolf helped the Pioneers to the NYCBL playoffs last year. He went 4-2 with a team-best 1.58 earned run average and he batted .229 with nine RBI.
MOVIN’ ON UP: The start of the minor league season has brought the promotion of numerous NYCBL alumni. As of today, here is the breakdown in the minor leagues, with the number of players at each level.
AAA: 9
AA: 8
High-A: 4
Low-A: 7
Five of the seven players that are starting the season in Low-A played in short-season leagues, or didn’t play at all, last season.
BLUNT BELONGS TO BLAZE: The Texas Rangers have assigned 2004 NYCBL “Player of the Year” Terry Blunt (Glens Falls ’04) to the Bakersfield Blaze of the California League (High Class-A). Blunt played for the Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League last season. He batted .271 (third on team) with one home run and 43 RBI in 115 games. It was his first full season of minor league baseball. Blunt becomes the only NYCBL alum to be currently playing in the California League.
LUMBERKINGS BOAST TWO NYCBL ALUMS: Even though Terry Blunt was promoted to Bakersfield, the Clinton LumberKings will still have a NYCBL influence on their roster. Jared Locke (Hornell ’05) and Brett Zamzow (Glens Falls ’04) will pitch for the LumberKings this season. Locke pitched for the Rangers affiliate in the Arizona League last summer. He went 3-4 with a 4.56 earned run average. Zamzow is making his first appearance at the full-season level. He spent the last two years with the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League. He had a 2.86 earned run average and two saves for the Indians last year. He was originally drafted by the Rangers in 2004.
PELICANS PAIR HAS NYCBL ROOTS: Clinton is not the only team that has multiple players with NYCBL connections on its roster. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League also boast two former NYCBL’ers: Quentin Davis (Amsterdam ’03) and Mike Rozema (MV ‘02/Geneva ’03). Davis played last season for the Rome Braves. He batted .259 with 39 RBI and 41 stolen bases. He made his pro debut in 2005 with Danville of the Appalachian League. Rozema spent most of last season with the Mississippi Braves of the Southern League. He hit .232 with 21 RBI in 80 games. Rozema started the season with Myrtle Beach where he smacked four homers and hit .277.
COLLIS STARTS AT THE HEAD OF THE CLASS: Rocky Collis (Geneva ’03) was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the 28th round (831st overall) of the 2006 MLB amateur draft. The former Cornell Big Red hurler started his pro career in the Arizona League. Late in the season, he made two scoreless appearances with the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. Collis must have made an impression. Not even a year removed from graduation, Collis is staying in Triple-A. The Mariners have assigned him to start the 2007 season with Tacoma.
FORMER ROYAL NAMED TO NATIONAL HONOR ROLL: Eric Darlage (Rochester ’06), of Miami (OH) University was named the Mid-American Conference East Division “Player of the Week” this past Monday. It was the second-straight week he earned the award. He was also selected to the College Baseball Foundation’s National Honor Roll. Last week, Darlage hit .475 with a team-high-tying nine hits. In a three-game series against Ball State, he batted .545 with five RBI. In a 16-15 Miami comeback win, Darlage went 5-for-5 with one home run, two doubles and five RBI, the most by any Red Hawk since 2005. He is currently a sophomore at Miami (OH).
WOLF EARNS E8 AWARD: Shane Wolf (Elmira ’06), of Ithaca College, has been named the Empire 8 “Pitcher of the Week.” Wolf improved to 2-0, on the mound, with a complete-game shutout on Sunday against St. John Fisher College. He struck out eight and allowed only one runner to reach second base. Earlier in the week, Wolf pitched two shutout innings against New Paltz. He is junior at Ithaca after transferring from the University at Buffalo. Wolf helped the Pioneers to the NYCBL playoffs last year. He went 4-2 with a team-best 1.58 earned run average and he batted .229 with nine RBI.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
SCHELLINGER TO START SEASON WITH SWING
The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that Mike Schellinger (Watertown ’05) will start the 2007 season with the Swing of the Quad Cities. The Swing play in the Class-A Midwest League.
Schellinger signed with the Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent on August 19, 2005. He was assigned to the New Jersey Cardinals, St. Louis’ short-season, Class-A affiliate in the New York-Penn League. Schellinger made his professional debut on August 21st, 2005, against the Staten Island Yankees, and struck out the first batter he faced.
The 2005 NYCBL “Pitcher of the Year” made four appearances for the Cardinals. He compiled one save and a 5.23 earned run average. Schellinger pitched 10.3 innings, struck out 13 and walked three.
He sat out all of 2006 after off-season shoulder surgery.
Schellinger helped lead the 2005 Watertown Wizards to the franchise’s first Eastern Division playoff championship and an appearance in the New York Collegiate Baseball League Championship Series. He went 6-3 with a 1.15 earned run average, 70.2 innings pitched and 100 strikeouts. Against Amsterdam, in the opening game of the Eastern Division playoffs, Schellinger struck out 17 and Watertown won, 1-0.
The Fayetteville, New York, native pitched for three different teams during the 2005 baseball season. Schellinger started the year with Division III Oneonta State. He was a first-team All-SUNYAC pitcher and the Red Dragons made the conference playoffs. With Watertown, Schellinger earned a myriad of awards including NYCBL “Pitcher of the Year,” Watertown Wizards co-“Pitcher of the Year,” and 2005 NYCBL Championship Series “Defensive MVP.” He finished the season with New Jersey.
The Swing of the Quad Cities open the 2007 Midwest League season, on Thursday, April 5th, on the road, against the Clinton LumberKings.
Schellinger signed with the Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent on August 19, 2005. He was assigned to the New Jersey Cardinals, St. Louis’ short-season, Class-A affiliate in the New York-Penn League. Schellinger made his professional debut on August 21st, 2005, against the Staten Island Yankees, and struck out the first batter he faced.
The 2005 NYCBL “Pitcher of the Year” made four appearances for the Cardinals. He compiled one save and a 5.23 earned run average. Schellinger pitched 10.3 innings, struck out 13 and walked three.
He sat out all of 2006 after off-season shoulder surgery.
Schellinger helped lead the 2005 Watertown Wizards to the franchise’s first Eastern Division playoff championship and an appearance in the New York Collegiate Baseball League Championship Series. He went 6-3 with a 1.15 earned run average, 70.2 innings pitched and 100 strikeouts. Against Amsterdam, in the opening game of the Eastern Division playoffs, Schellinger struck out 17 and Watertown won, 1-0.
The Fayetteville, New York, native pitched for three different teams during the 2005 baseball season. Schellinger started the year with Division III Oneonta State. He was a first-team All-SUNYAC pitcher and the Red Dragons made the conference playoffs. With Watertown, Schellinger earned a myriad of awards including NYCBL “Pitcher of the Year,” Watertown Wizards co-“Pitcher of the Year,” and 2005 NYCBL Championship Series “Defensive MVP.” He finished the season with New Jersey.
The Swing of the Quad Cities open the 2007 Midwest League season, on Thursday, April 5th, on the road, against the Clinton LumberKings.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
FUTURE MOHAWKS HELP LSU DEFEAT ALABAMA AND FORMER MOHAWK
Chris McGhee (Amsterdam ’07) (pictured, right) went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and Ryan Byrd (Amsterdam ’07) (pictured, left) scattered six hits over 5.1 innings as LSU defeated Alabama, 7-3, on Sunday at Sewell Thomas Stadium.
Austin Hyatt (Amsterdam ’06) threw 2.2 innings in relief for Alabama. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out two.
At one point, it was the two Amsterdam hurlers opposing one another, Byrd for LSU and Hyatt for Alabama. Byrd and Hyatt went toe-to-toe in the third, fourth, and fifth innings.
Byrd, a redshirt sophomore, won his fourth decision of the season and second of the week. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts.
He was originally slated this season to come out of the bullpen for LSU. Instead, he’s one of LSU’s three conference starters in the very competitive Southeastern Conference. He’s tied for the team lead in victories with four and his 3.48 earned run average is second among the team’s starters.
McGhee, a sophomore, batted lead-off and played second base. He connected for an RBI single off Hyatt in the fifth inning that put LSU up, 4-1. McGhee drove in his second run of the game on an infield single in the seventh inning.
This season, McGhee is batting .310 with one home run and six runs batted in. He has started eight of the Tigers nine conference games. In SEC games, McGhee leads the Tigers in batting average (.324), hits (11) and on-base percentage (.410).
Hyatt has made nine appearances and one start for Alabama. He is 2-1 with a 1.96 earned run average. Hyatt’s thrown 23 innings, struck out 24 batters and converted one save.
One other NYCBL alum played in the game. Elvin Vargas (Hornell ’05) started for Alabama and played right field. He went 0-for-2, but made two putouts.
Tyler Odle (Amsterdam ’06) also plays for the University of Alabama. He’s played in 17 games for the Crimson Tide this spring.
Austin Hyatt (Amsterdam ’06) threw 2.2 innings in relief for Alabama. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out two.
At one point, it was the two Amsterdam hurlers opposing one another, Byrd for LSU and Hyatt for Alabama. Byrd and Hyatt went toe-to-toe in the third, fourth, and fifth innings.
Byrd, a redshirt sophomore, won his fourth decision of the season and second of the week. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts.
He was originally slated this season to come out of the bullpen for LSU. Instead, he’s one of LSU’s three conference starters in the very competitive Southeastern Conference. He’s tied for the team lead in victories with four and his 3.48 earned run average is second among the team’s starters.
McGhee, a sophomore, batted lead-off and played second base. He connected for an RBI single off Hyatt in the fifth inning that put LSU up, 4-1. McGhee drove in his second run of the game on an infield single in the seventh inning.
This season, McGhee is batting .310 with one home run and six runs batted in. He has started eight of the Tigers nine conference games. In SEC games, McGhee leads the Tigers in batting average (.324), hits (11) and on-base percentage (.410).
Hyatt has made nine appearances and one start for Alabama. He is 2-1 with a 1.96 earned run average. Hyatt’s thrown 23 innings, struck out 24 batters and converted one save.
One other NYCBL alum played in the game. Elvin Vargas (Hornell ’05) started for Alabama and played right field. He went 0-for-2, but made two putouts.
Tyler Odle (Amsterdam ’06) also plays for the University of Alabama. He’s played in 17 games for the Crimson Tide this spring.
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