2014 Diamond Notes

Kevin Cash (Sussex Colonels, 1997) is the new manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Cash played third base for the Colonels after his freshman year at Florida State and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as a free agent in 1999. He played eight seasons in the Major Leagues as a catcher and served as Cleveland's bullpen coach for the past two seasons.

The 37 year old Tampa native becomes the youngest active manager in the majors. He replaces another former ACBL player, Joe Maddon (Scranton Red Soxx, 1973-75), who joined the Chicago Cubs as their new manager in October.

Kevin Cash photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Rays

Ryan Vogelsong (Kutztown University, Quakertown Blazers, 1996-1997) only allowed two hits and one run over 5 2/3 innings as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Washington Nationals 3-2 to advance to the NL Championship Series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

By holding the Nats to one run over 5 2/3 innings, Vogelsong became the first pitcher in Major League history to allow no more than one run in each of his five career postseason starts. Vogelsong's previous four playoff outings came in 2012.

He has now given up a total of four earned runs in 30 1/3 postseason innings for a 1.19 ERA which ranks him ninth lowest in postseason ERA with more than 30 innings pitched.

RHP Nick Tropeano was called up by the Houston Astros today and became the fourth former ACBL player to make a MLB roster for the first time this year.

Tropeano was an ACBL All-Star in 2009 when he posted a 7-3 record for Riverhead. He put up a 1.61 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 50 innings for the Tomcats.

In 2011 he was drafted in the fifth round of the MLB draft by the Astros out of Stony Brook University.

This season he struck out 120 in 124.2 innings with only 33 walks for the Oklahoma City Redhawks, the Astros' AAA affiliate. His ERA was 3.03 in 20 starts with a 9-5 record.

C.J. Riefenhauser (Tampa Bay Rays), Nick Ahmed (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Phil Klein (Texas Rangers) also made their MLB debuts this year.

By Matt Nelson, Trenton Generals Baseball Club

After missing the ACBL title game over the last two years, the Generals can finally call themselves champions. Trenton defeated the Tide 5-1 on Monday.

Luke Westerberg led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to left field. Jeremy Ake drew a five-pitch walk. After Brett Mele struck out swinging, Joe Jensen grounded into a fielder’s choice and the throw to second by Angel Garced was not in time. With the bases loaded, Michael Mecca was hit by a pitch and the Generals took a 1-0 lead.

Jensen ripped a two-out single to right-centerfield in the bottom of the seventh. The Hamilton College product stole second and third on back-to-back pitches by Matt Kostalos. Mecca ripped an RBI single to right-centerfield. Andy Lopez poked a single to centerfield. After Lopez and Mecca advanced to second and third on a wild pitch, Ryan Reitmeyer drew a walk on a five-count pitch. Delio Coutinho came in to pitch for Kostalos and Brandon Kirk ripped a bases-clearing single to centerfield.

Staten Island fought back in the top of the ninth, but they came up four runs short. Nick Espino ripped a one-out single to left field. After Espino stole second, Joe Venturino drew a four-pitch walk. Andrew Cohen came in to pitch for Paul Balestrieri to seal the deel. Dylan Sprague ripped an RBI single to centerfield before Steve Notaro grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.

Balestrieri picks up the win giving up one run on two hits, one walk and four strikeouts in eight and one-thirds. Michael Macchia picks up the loss allowing one run on two hits, two walks and seven strikeouts in four and one-thirds.

The Generals would like to thank all the parents, friends and family for their support throughout the season and we look forward to another season of baseball in June 2015.

Due to wet grounds at Mercer Community College today's game has been moved to a new location.

Today’s game wil be played at Bob DeMeo Field, located at Veterans Park in Hamilton, New Jersey.

The game will still begin at 3pm.

Today’s playoff game between the number two seed Trenton Generals and the number 3 seed South Jersey Giants has been postponed due to weather.

The game will be made up tomorrow at 3 P.M. at Mercer County Community College. All games in this best of three series are pushed back one day.

Matt Nelson will have the Play-by-Play action beginning at 2:45 P.M.

Every Generals postseason game will take place at www.ustream.tv/channel/trenton-generals/baseball

At this time the Allentown Railers will still host the Staten Island Tide in game one of their series this evening.

Check back often for the latest updates.

The Trenton Generals battle the South Jersey Giants in Round 1 of the ACBL Playoffs.

Game 1 begins Saturday, August 2 at 1P.M. at Mercer County Community College.

Matt Nelson will have the Play-by-Play action beginning at 12:45 P.M.

Every Generals postseason game will take place at www.ustream.tv/channel/trenton-generals/baseball

By Matt Nelson, Trenton Generals Baseball Club

The bench players got to play, but the Generals fell to the Giants 8-1 on Thursday in a shortened season finale.

Ryan Kelley ripped a lead-off double to centerfield for South Jersey in the top of the fourth. Jon Theckston laced an RBI single to left field. Steve Priolo ripped a double down the left-field line. Theckston came into score on a wild pitch by Corey Ensslin.

Ryan Reitmeyer poked a single to left field to lead off the bottom of the fourth. Brandon Kirk crushed an RBI double to left-centerfield to give the Generals their only run of the ballgame.

Kelley drew a two-out walk in the top of the fifth. Theckston and Brian Almand followed the trend and the bases were loaded. Priolo hit a ground ball to third and it bounced high off the third-base bag for an RBI infield single.

Kyle Lindsay poked a lead-off single to right field. Lindsay stole second and Josh Limon drew a five-pitch walk. John Brue ripped an RBI single to left field. Kelley smashed a two-run double to centerfield. Almand drew a full-count walk. Kelley and Almand advanced to second and third on a wild pitch by Mike Piscopo. Priolo ripped a two-run double to centerfield.

The Generals were retired in order by Josh Limon in the bottom of the seventh. Mike Marchitto picks up the win (1-0) allowing one run on three hits, no walks and two strikeouts in two innings. Corey Ensslin picks up the loss (0-1) and the young man from Shenandoah University gave up two runs on four hits, five walks and one strikeout in four innings.

The Generals play host to the Giants in Round 1 of the ACBL Playoffs on Saturday, August 2 at Mercer County Community College. First pitch is scheduled for 1 P.M. Listen to the game beginning at 12:45 P.M. with Matt Nelson at www.ustream/tv/channel/trenton-generals/baseball.

By Phil Engel, Quakertown Blazers

EASTON, Pa. – The Quakertown Blazers rallied from a one run deficit to defeat the Lehigh Valley Catz 6-2 in game one to push their season-high win streak to 10 games, the longest by a team in the ACBL this year. However, the Catz jumped out to a big lead early in game two and held on to win 7-2. The loss handed the Blazers their first loss in almost two weeks of action.

In addition to seeing their winning streak come to end on Tuesday night, the Blazers also saw their playoff hopes vanish. The Staten Island Tide needed just one win in their remaining three games to clinch the fourth seed and eliminate the Blazers. The Tide picked up that win as they knocked off the Generals in game one of their double dip on Tuesday, 8-3.

Trailing 2-1 entering the top of the fifth, the Blazers rallied for three runs to take the lead. Patrick Donnelly came through with another big hit as he drove in Ed Posavec and Brandon Martinez on a bloop single to right to put the Blazers in front 3-2. Chris Melillo also added an RBI in the frame to give the Blazers a two-run lead.

The Blazers added two insurance runs in the sixth to increase their lead to 6-2. Corey Baiada had the big blow in the inning, depositing a home run over the right field fence.

Connor Donovan went the distance in the first game to pick up the victory for Quakertown. He allowed just four hits in his seven innings of work. He struck out four.

After the Blazers scored in the top of the first to start game two with a 1-0 edge, the Catz jumped on starter John Santioanni for seven runs in the first two innings to chase him from the game.

Quakertown did not go quietly as they scored in the fifth on an RBI double off the bat of Kevin Jewitt to make it 7-2 Catz. Reliever Dan Furman pitched four perfect innings in relief of Santioanni to help keep the Blazers in the game but the early six run hole proved to be too much to dig out from.

The Blazers return to Memorial Park tomorrow night as they host the first place Allentown Railers in the last home game of the season. The Blazers will then conclude the 2014 season on Thursday as they travel to New Jersey to face the Pilots.

By Mike Mannucci, Jersey Pilots

The Jersey Pilots came into Sunday afternoon’s game knowing that they would be up against a South Jersey Giants club fighting to further solidify their 2nd place position in the Kaiser division playoff race. The Pilots, with an opportunity to play spoiler at this point in the season, could not hold off the Giants, who won the game in comeback fashion by a score of 5-4.

After giving up two runs in the 1st inning, Pilots’ starting pitcher Stephen Silvestri was able to bounce back strongly after his offense answered quickly in the bottom of the 1st inning with 4 runs of their own to take a 4-2 lead. Silvestri pitched a full 7 innings giving up 9 hits on two earned runs and struck out 5 batters.

1st baseman, Anthony Critelli, singled in his first at bat scoring leadoff hitter Mike Caputo. Next batter, Malcolm Kelsey, hit a double in his first at bat to bring Critelli home to tie the game up. Designated hitter, Jeff Anderson would follow up with a single of his own scoring Kelsey to take the lead, and Anderson scored on a wild pitch to take a two-run lead.

After the 1st inning, the game remained scoreless all the way up until the top of the 7th inning with Silvestri still on the mound. Down to their last out of the game with two runners on base, the Giants would make a substitution where pinch hitter Ryan Kelley doubled scoring 1st baseman, Josh Limon. The Giants found some life and 3rd baseman, Shaine Hughes, drove in both runners on base to take the 5-4 lead and ultimately winning the game in another tough loss for the Jersey Pilots at home.

The Pilots next game is a Monday night doubleheader beginning at 5pm in Pennsylvania where Jersey will take on the Wolff division-leading Allentown Railers.

By Phil Engel, Quakertown Blazers QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – The Quakertown Blazers bested the North Jersey Eagles 10-5 and 5-3 on Sunday afternoon. The two wins ran the Blazers’ season long win streak to nine straight, tying the ACBL-mark for the longest winning streak by a team this season.

With the Trenton Generals sweeping the Staten Island Tide on Sunday, the surging Blazers now sit just 2.5 games behind the Tide for the fourth seed in the ACBL playoff standings. Quakertown has four games remaining in the regular season to try and earn a playoff berth.

The Blazers continued their hot hitting as they scored four times in the first inning to begin game one. Quakertown was aided by sloppy North Jersey defense in the frame as the Eagles committed three errors that led to the four runs. Chris Melillo brought home Blazers returnee, Brandon Martinez, for the first run of the game. Martinez led off the inning with a hustle double to shallow left field. Tyler Kirkpatrick reached base on a fielder’s choice to plate Jackson Martin, who reached on an error attempting to sacrifice Martinez to third. Kirkpatrick came around to score on a deep double to center off the bat of Kevin Jewitt. Jewitt scored the fourth run of the inning on a single by Corey Baiada.

Jewitt tacked on another run for the Blazers in the third inning as he reached on an infield hit to shortstop. Melillo was able to cross home plate on the play to provide Quakertown with the 5-0 advantage.

The Blazers were not done as they scored five more times in the fourth to go in front 10-0. Martin, Patrick Donnelly, Melillo and Baiada had four consecutive RBI singles to center field driving in all five runs in the inning. Baiada finished game one with two hits and a team-best three runs batted in.

The Eagles cut into the lead in the fifth inning, scoring four times with the big blow coming from a three-run home run by Ryan Carroll. The four runs snapped Blazers starter John Geffre’s 18 inning scoreless streak.

North Jersey loaded the bases with one out in the sixth looking to cut into the deficit further but Geffre was able to escape the jam with only one run scoring, making it 10-5. Geffre finished the day allowing five runs on nine hits in six innings of work but was given plenty of run support to pick up his fourth win of the year.

In the nightcap, the Blazers started right where they left off as they took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Kirkpatrick delivered a two-out base knock to center and Martin came in from third to give Quakertown the early edge.

North Jersey took their first lead of the day in the fourth inning as they got to starter Kevin Long for two runs (one earned). Long misfired on a pickoff attempt to first which allowed Jason Uliano to score from third to tie the ballgame. Dane McDermott singled to left to bring home Brian McKenna to put North Jersey in front 2-1.

The Eagles threatened to pad their lead in the fifth as they put runners on second and third with just one out. But Long buckled down and was able to record the final two outs via a strikeout and groundout to keep the score at 2-1 North Jersey.

The Blazers bounced back in the bottom of the fifth as they put two runs on the scoreboard to regain the lead at 3-2. Donnelly came through in the clutch as he singled to right on the seventh pitch of the at bat. Connor Donovan and Brandon Martinez scored on the play to put Quakertown in front.

The Blazers added two insurance runs in the sixth to increase their lead to 5-2. Jewitt drove a ball over the center fielder’s head to bring home Kirkpatrick. Jewitt later scored in the frame on a base hit up the middle from Ed Posavec.

Closer Ryan Flipowicz finished out the game, throwing two innings of relief. He allowed one run on three hits and one walk. He punched out two in the outing to earn his seventh save of the season.

The Blazers travel to Easton, Pa. on Tuesday night with a doubleheader against the Lehigh Valley Catz to try and stretch their winning streak to 10 games and continue their push to the postseason.

By Phil Engel, Quakertown Blazers.

QUAKERTOWN, Pa – The Quakertown Blazers defeated the South Jersey Giants 6-5 and 8-3 on Friday night at Quakertown Memorial Park. The two wins pushed the Blazers’ current win streak to seven consecutive victories, a season-high. Kevin Jewitt provided the spark in game one as he drove home Patrick Donnelly in the bottom of the ninth for the walk-off win. In game two, an early 6-0 lead was all the Blazers needed as they went on to win 8-3.

The two victories helped bring the Blazers to within 4.5 games behind the Staten Island Tide and the Giants for the fourth seed in the ACBL playoff standings with just six games remaining in the regular season.

Play began tonight with the Blazers having runners on second and third with only one out as the two squads set out to complete the July 8th contest that was suspended in the fifth inning, tied at 2-2. New pitcher for the Giants, Matt Rakus, struck out Jewitt and Connor Donovan to get out of the two-week old jam.

The Blazers took the lead in the sixth inning as Ed Posavec singled home Tyler Kirkpatrick, Kirkpatrick started the frame with a deep double to the left center field gap.

The Giants rallied in the top of the eighth as they scored three runs (one earned) against relievers Brandon Kulp and Ryan Flipowicz. A costly two-base error by centerfielder Jackson Martin allowed the two go-ahead runs to cross home plate.

Quakertown was unfazed as they were able to score twice in the bottom of the eighth off RBI base hits by Corey Baiada and Vince Careghini to knot the score up at 5-5.

In the bottom of the ninth, Donnelly led off with a single to right. With one out in the frame, Jewitt came up to the plate. The Villanova-product cranked the 0-1 offering to the center field wall. Donnelly raced around from first and scored without a throw to give the Blazers the 6-5 walk off win.

The Blazers jumped out to an early lead in game two, scoring three times in the second inning. Kirkpatrick put the Blazers on the scoreboard as he drove in Posavec on a single to center. Later in the frame with the bases loaded, Donnelly smacked the ball up the middle, plating Careghini and Kirkpatrick. Quakertown did all their damage in the inning with two outs.

Quakertown padded their lead in the third inning as the Blazers scored three more runs to move ahead 6-0. Baiada scored the game’s fourth run as he scampered home on a wild pitch by Giants pitcher, Anthony Buonopane. It appeared as that was all the Blazers would get in the inning as Kirkpatrick hit a fly ball to left for the third out. However, the left fielder mishandled the catch and Posavec and Careghini scored without issue to provide the Blazers with the six run cushion.

The Giants cut into the lead as Kyle Lindsay deposited a two-out base hit into right field, just over the reach of first baseman Connor Donovan. Two Giants scored on the play to make it 6-2 Blazers. Quakertown starter Matt Ternowchek limited the damage as he got Shaine Hughes to fly out to left to end the inning.

In the top of the sixth, the Giants sent the tying run to the plate with just one out. Dan Furman entered from the bullpen to try and prevent further damage. Furman did his job as he retired both hitters he faced in the frame, allowing just one inherited runner to score on a wild pitch.

The Blazers answered in their half of the sixth. Jewitt reached base with a one-out single. Three wild pitches over the course of the next two Blazer hitters allowed Jewitt to reach home to put the Blazers in front 7-3. Quakertown tacked on another run as South Jersey pitcher, John Brue, issued four straight free passes which brought home Baiada to put the Blazers in front by five.

Furman closed it out in the seventh, recording a clean 1-2-3 inning to pick up his first save of the season.

The Blazers will look to continue their season-high seven game winning streak as they host the North Jersey Eagles for a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.

By Matt Nelson, Trenton Generals Baseball Club

Andrew Cohen gave up four runs in the top of the 10th inning as the Trenton Generals dropped the second to last regular season meeting against the South Jersey Giants 5-1 in 10 innings.

Brian Almand laced a single to right field. Nick Tierno came in to pinch-run for Almand. Following a stolen base by Tierno, Ned Kerr drew a pinch-hit walk on a full count. Kyle Lindsay ripped a single to centerfield to load the bases for Shaine Hughes. The young man from Monmouth University delivered with a bases-clearing triple to right-centerfield and South Jersey jumped out to a 4-1 lead. Anthony Cocuzza hit an RBI sacrifice fly to centerfield, Hughes scored and the Giants extended their lead to 5-1.

South Jersey grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth. John Brue walked on five pitches. Jon Theckston ripped an RBI double to right-centerfield and Brue came in to score.

The Generals tied the ballgame in the bottom of the fourth. Andy Lopez led off with single down the right field line. Brandon Kirk poked a double to straightaway centerfield. Luke Westerberg tied the ballgame with an RBI sacrifice fly to centerfield.

Ben Hoffman picks up the win (2-0) allowing no runs on no hits, no walks and one strikeout in two innings. Cohen is responsible for the loss (2-2) and the right hander from Rowan College at Gloucester County gave up four runs on three hits, one walk and two strikeouts in the top of the 10th inning.

The Generals play host to the Jersey Pilots on Saturday, July 26 in a doubleheader at Mercer County Community College. Game 1 begins at 1:00 P.M. Listen to all the Play-by-Play action beginning at 12:45 P.M. with Matt Nelson at www.ustream.tv/channel/trenton-generals-baseball.

By Matt Nelson, Trenton Generals Baseball Club

On the day after the ACBL All-Star Game, Andrew Cohen gave up three runs in the eighth inning as the Trenton Generals fell to the South Jersey Giants 5-2 on Friday evening.

Tied 1-1 in the top of the eighth, John Brue led off with a single to shallow centerfield. Josh Limon was hit by a pitch from Cohen. Mike Marchitto hit a sacrifice bunt toward third base, but the throw by Andy Lopez sailed over the head of Brandon Kirk and Brue came in to from second base. Josh Limon scored on the throwing error by Kirk. After Rick Elfreth grounded out to second, Kyle Lindsay hit an RBI sacrifice fly out to centerfield and the Giants jumped out to a 4-1 lead.

South Jersey put the first of the day on the board on the top of the third. Kyle Lindsay was hit by a pitch from Generals’ starting pitcher Adam Schreck. Following a swinging strikeout by Jon Theckston, Lindsay stole second base. Shaine Hughes ripped an RBI single down the left field line to give the Giants a 1-0 lead.

The Generals tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Luke Westerberg struck out swinging off the glove of Giants’ reliever Kevin Milley. Mike Piscopo laced a single to left field and advanced on a wild pitch. Michael Mecca walked on a full count. After a swinging strikeout by Joe Jensen, Steven Kowalski ripped an RBI single to left-centerfield and the game was tied 1-1.

After South Jersey jumped out to a 4-1 lead, Trenton cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the eighth. David Osnato led off with a single down the left field line. Ryan Reitmeyer laced a single to left field. After a swinging strikeout by Brandon Kirk, Westerberg reached on an error by Shaine Hughes. Mike Piscopo grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice to cut South Jersey’s lead to 4-2.

The Giants returned the favor in the top of the ninth. Hughes led off with single to shallow centerfield Generals closer Ryan Thomas. Anthony Cocuzza reached on an error by Lopez. Nick Tierno walked on a full pitch. After Brue struck out looking, Josh Limon delivered with an RBI single to right centerfield.

Matt Rakus picks up the victory (4-1) giving up one run on three hits, no walks and two strikeouts in the seventh and eighth innings. Cohen receives his first loss (2-1) in a Generals uniform. The right-hander from Marist College allowed three runs (one earned), on one hit, one walk and one strikeout in 2 2/3 innings.

The Generals welcome the Jersey Pilots to Mercer County Community College for the only time this season. The two teams square off in a doubleheader on Saturday, July 19 beginning at 1:00 P.M. Listen to the game with Matt Nelson at www.ustream.tv/channel/trenton-generals-baseball.

The best players of the Kaiser Division will go head-to-head with the best of the Wolff Division in the ACBL All-Star Game on Thursday, July 17 at 7 P.M. Matt Nelson will have the Play-by-Play action with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 P.M. on USStream.

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By Mike Mannucci, Jersey Pilots

The Jersey Pilots split their doubleheader Sunday evening in Berkeley Heights, NJ, as they were defeated in the first game 9-0, but were able to bounce back, winning by a score of 4-1.

In the first game, Drue Brooks started for the Pilots, giving up 9 runs on 8 hits and was replaced by middle reliever, Emmanuel Abreu in the 3rd inning. Abreu had a solid, one-hit performance, going 4.1 innings pitched with 2 strikeouts and holding the Blazers scoreless for the rest of the game. The Blazers offense was very effective in the first game led by shortstop, Patrick Donnelly, who had 5 RBIs on 2 hits. The Pilots offense was rather dormant in this game leaving multiple runners on base despite two hits each from shortstop Sean Feeney and outfielder Ian Glassman.

Stephen Silvestri started the second leg of the doubleheader and it was another impressive game from the University of Pennsylvania product. Silvestri took command of the strike zone and was making pitches when he needed to against a very potent Blazers offense. The lefthander struck out four batters and gave up just 6 hits, 1 run, and 1 walk on his way to a complete game. Once again, Silvestri’s leadership rubbed off on the Pilots offense and the team was able to pick up their veteran starter. The Pilots scored 3 runs in the first inning thanks to Ian Glassman’s RBI and a two-run blast off the bat of 3rd baseman, Anthony Critelli. Jersey would add some insurance off the bat of outfielder, Malcolm Kelsey’s RBI single in the 5th inning.

The Pilots next game is a doubleheader on Tuesday night at 5pm in Easton, Pennsylvania as the Pilots look to build some confidence against the Lehigh Valley Catz.

By Matt Nelson, Trenton Generals Baseball Club

The Generals were looking to end Independence Day weekend with a bang, but the bullpen did not get the job done as the Eagles sweep the Generals 5-3 in both games of Sunday’s doubleheader.

North Jersey struck first in the top of the first. John Brucker reached on an error by Mike Scarangelli. Dane McDermott grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to empty the bases. Kyle Cullen walked on a full count pitch from Paul Balestrieri. After a stolen base by Cullen, Kyle Grimm delivers an RBI double to left-centerfield. Cullen comes in to score and the Eagles had a 1-0 lead.

Trenton fought back in the bottom of the first. Following a groundout to the shortstop by Joe Jensen, Michael Mecca was hit by a pitch off of Matt Hennie. Andy Lopez laced a single to left-centerfield, but he was thrown out at second by Shane Brown. David Osnato walked. Brandon Kirk hit a ground ball to first and Ryan Carroll threw the ball away from the catcher. Mecca scores and the Generals tie the game at 1-1.

The Generals took the lead in the bottom of the third. Mecca was hit by a pitch for the second straight time. Lopez hit a line drive to right field. Osnato hit a sacrifice fly to left field and Mecca advanced to third. Mecca scored on a wild pitch and the Generals took the lead 2-1. Mike Piscopo grounded into a fielder’s choice, Lopez scored and the Generals had a 3-1 lead.

The Eagles retook the lead in the top of the fifth. Paul Balestrieri was replaced by Andrew Lysy and the game quickly got away for the Generals. Lysy gave up a lead-off walk to Brian McKenna. McKenna stole second and Brown drew another walk. Nick Mascelli sliced an RBI single to left field. McKenna scored and the Eagles were down 3-2. Dane McDermott drew a walk to load the bases for Cullen. Cullen grounded into a fielder’s choice, Brown scores and North Jersey ties the game at 3-3. Cullen stole second and Grimm walked to first to load the bases. Adam Schreck game into pitch for Trenton and allowed a go-ahead two-run RBI single to Ryan Carroll. Cullen and Mascelli scored and North Jersey hung on for the 5-3 win.

Mike Lembo picks up the win allowing no runs on two hits, no walks and three strikeouts in three innings of relief. Lysy takes the loss allowing four runs on one hit, four walks and no strikeouts on two-thirds innings of relief.

Game 2 featured Anthony Pacillo and Andrew Biggs as the starters for the Eagles and Generals. John Brucker led off with a single to right field in the top of the first. After Dane McDermott flied out to centerfield, Brucker stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Kyle Cullen hit an RBI sacrifice fly to left field, Brucker scored and North Jersey took a 1-0 lead.

Trenton took the lead in the bottom of the first. Joe Jensen laced a single to right field. Michael Mecca flied out to centerfield for out number one. Andy Lopez flied out to left field for the second out. Jensen stole second and David Osnato followed with an RBI single to left-centerfield. Jensen scored and the Generals tied the ballgame. Ryan Reitmeyer hit a ground ball to short the ball was misplayed by Brucker. Luke Westerberg drew a walk on four pitches to load the bases for Jeremy Ake. Ake hit an RBI single to centerfield, Osnato scored and the Generals took a 2-1 lead. Steven Kowalski followed through with a bases-loaded walk. Reitmeyer scored and the Generals took a 3-1 lead.

Jason Uliano led off the top of the second with a strikeout and he was thrown out at first. Ryan Bailey drew a walk and Shane Brown grounded into a fielder’s choice. Nick Mascelli laced a single to left-centerfield. Brucker hit a groundball to centerfield for an RBI single, Brown scored and the Eagles were trailing 3-2.

Ryan Thomas came in to pitch for Biggs and the game got out of hand in the top of the sixth. Kyle Grimm led off with a single to centerfield. Ryan Carroll grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. Jason Uliano walked and Mike Sheppard came in to pinch-run for Uliano. Brian McKenna laced a single to left field. Eduardo Familia hit a ground ball to first and the toss was wide right by Ake. Sheppard scored and the Eagles tied the game 3-3.

Joe DiGiovanni made his Generals debut in the bottom of the seventh. Brucker led off with a single to left field. McDermott reached on an error by Lopez and Cullen hit an RBI sacrifice fly to centerfield, Brucker scored and North Jersey took a 4-3. Grimm laced an RBI double to left field, McDermott scored and the Eagles took the Sunday sweep.

DiGiovanni takes the loss allowing two runs on two hits, no walks and no strikeouts in the seventh inning. Brandon Ryan picks up the win allowing no runs on two hits, no walks and two strikeouts in two innings of relief. Steven Bloodworth picks up the save allowing no runs on one hit, no walks and no strikeouts in the seventh.

The Generals travel to Susan Wagner High School to play the Staten Island Tide on Tuesday, July 8 at 5:00 P.M.

By Phil Engel, Quakertown Blazers

QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – After falling behind 7-0 before even coming to the plate in the first inning, the Blazers remained unfazed and focused, battled back, and scored 15 unanswered runs to pick up their most impressive win of the season over the Lehigh Valley Catz 15-7 on Tuesday night at Memorial Park.

Trailing 7-1, the Blazers batted around in the fourth, plating six runs to tie the game at seven. The first six men reached base for Quakertown, all of whom came around to score in the frame. Ed Posavec, Brett Smith, Jackson Martin and Ben Moller netted RBIs for the Blazers.

The Blazers capped off their comeback, taking the lead in the sixth inning when Smith scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch by Lehigh Valley reliever, Connor McMahon.

Quakertown put the game away in the seventh when Smith and Jackson earned back-to-back bases loaded walks to give the Blazers a 10-7 advantage. Both players had big days at the dish to carry the offense. Smith reached base all six times including five base hits. The Bucknell-product added two runs batted in and three runs scored. Jackson reached base four times on one hit, two walks and one hit-by-pitch. The Seton Hall-product scored once and brought home two runs.

The Blazers batted around again in the eighth, sending 10 men to the plate. Quakertown scored five runs in the frame to seal the contest. Patrick Donnelly tripled home Tyler Coleman and would later score on a wild pitch. Donnelly recorded four hits and scored three runs for the Blazers. Doug Trimble drove in two runs with a two-out single and Tyler Kirkpatrick followed suite with an RBI base hit of his own as he singled home Smith to provide the 15-7 final.

The bullpen was tremendous on the night for the Blazers. After Quakertown starter John Santoianni struggled to record just one out in the opening inning, the relief corps, led by Connor Donovan, held the Catz scoreless over the next 26 outs. Donovan entered the game down seven with the bases loaded and only one out. The Lehigh sophomore struck out both men he faced in the inning to help the Blazers avoid further damage. Donovan pitched five more shutout innings to help Quakertown to the win. He finished the night allowing seven hits and two walks in his 5.2 innings en route to earning the victory. He punched out three Catz.

Aiding Donovan out of the pen was Brandon Kulp, who worked two no-hit innings and Ryan Flipowicz, who closed it out in the ninth, allowed one hit and one walk but finished the ninth unscathed.

The Blazers will look to continue their momentum as they host this same Lehigh Valley Catz squad on Friday, July 4th, at 1 p.m.

Eagles certainly turned some heads this past Saturday with two huge wins against the first place Trenton Generals. The Generals came into the double header with a 12-2 mark, when the day was done, their record was at 12 - 4, two losses coming from the North Jersey Eagles. The Eagles had a slow start to the season but our bats have awoken and are very hot right now.

In the first game the Eagles came out swinging, after recording the first out, Dane McDermott (High Point University) hits a monster triple to right field and Kyle Cullen (University of New Haven), followed right behind him with a hard single to right to bring McDermott home. General’s pitcher Josh Sharik attempted to pick off Cullen at first but misses, but Cullen dives in under the tag. Kyle Grimm (Seton Hall) then smashes a double to left field and moves Cullen over to third. Finally, Ryan Carroll (Fordham) hits a sacrifice fly to center driving Cullen home for the second run.

Anthony Pacillo, from Seton Hall University, started for the Eagles and was cruising until the 5th inning where the Generals plated two tying the game. David Osnato led off the fifth with a base hit center field. After a fielder’s choice by the right fielder Russumagno, the shortstop, Ryan Reitmeyer drilled a single to right moving Russumagno to third. The next batter, Steven Kowalski grounds out to Grimm at third for the second out, but driving in Russumagno and Reitmeyer moving to second. Then the centerfielder, Joe Jensen, on a 2-2 count drilled a line drive to center driving in the tying run. Pacillo would then retire Andrew Lopez on a called strike.

The Eagles offense was right there in the 5th to pick Pacillo up. Shane Brown (Gloucester Community College) with a single to start it up, Nick Mascelli (Wagner) hot bat comes alive with a double to left sending Brown to third. Generals, at this point make a pitching change bringing in Andrew Cohen. Cohen intentionally walks McDermott to load the bases. This leads up to the PBI Turning Point of the game, Grimm, who has a batting average of .347, hits a beautiful shot to center to bring in both Brown and McDermott making the score 4 to 2.

Anthony Pacillo would retire the next six batters he faced. With two outs in the top of the seventh, the Generals down to their last out, Ryan Reitmeyer hits a grounder to third that is misplayed for an error. Steven Kowlaski, the leadoff hitter for the Generals, then follows with a soft roller between third and home for an infield hit. Pacillo bore down and retired Joe Jensen on a fly ball to Brown in center to seal the victory. Pacillo had his complete game win.

Going into the second game we had Matt Hennie (St. John’s). Matt would follow Pacillo with an outstanding outing himself. on the mound that showed a stellar performance up to the 6th inning giving up only two run, to follow Steven Bloodworth finishing the game with no runs and no hits. In the Eagles 2nd, Carroll leads off with a walk. Jason Uliano (St. Johns) gets on by an error by the first baseman. Brown with a groundout second to first plating Carroll for the game’s first run. Mascelli, with a huge swing, smacks a triple over the right fielders head scoring Uliano. The Eagles would score a third run in the next frame. McDermott walks, steals second, and is driven home by Cullen with a base hit to right.

Hennie was cruising along until the top of the sixth. He would retire the first two hitters with relative ease. The number three hitter, Andrew Lopez crushes a 0-1 curveball over Cullen’s head in left for a double. Osnato, the Generals cleanup hitter, who is way ahead in the count, hits a 3-1 curveball over McDermott in right for an RBI double. This was then followed by a single to center for Brandon Kirk – driving in the second run. With the score now 3-2 and the last three hits were hit hard, the Eagles decide to bring in their closer, Steven Bloodworth (Wagner). The Generals counter with pinch hitter Luke Westerberg, and on the first pitch he sees, he grounds out to Grimm at third. That turned out to be the PBI Turning Point of the game.

With the score now 3-2 Eagles and the Generals attempting to hang close with the two time ACBL champions, the Eagles offense came alive again in the 6th inning. Grimm hits a singles to left. After a successful sack bunt by Carroll, Uliano follows a single to center sending Grimm to 3rd. Brian McKenna (Post University) with a single to left field that driving Grimm home. After a Brown pop-up, Mascelli who then hits a base hit to right to drive in both Uliano and McKenna. Mascelli had a tremendous day at the plate, hitting a triple and single with three RBIs. This made the score Eagles 6 Generals 2.

Steve Bloodworth, aka “Bloodie”, retired the three hitters he faced in the seventh for the win. Matt Hennie improved his record to 2-1 with a great performance, and Bloodworth gets his second save of the season.

As of right now the Eagles aren't to be reckoned with, our bats are hot and pitching staff getting in line, they are ready to turn this season around. With the hot bats, Kyle Cullen shares the league lead in home runs with 2, and Kyle Grimm is hitting .347, fifth in the league. Watch out for the Eagles - here we come!

By Matt Nelson, Trenton Generals Baseball Club

The Generals’ bats came alive for the first time since week one and Joe Jensen went 3-4 with two RBIs and four runs in a 9-4 victory over the South Jersey Giants on Wednesday.

The Giants jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Kyle Lindsay led off with a single to centerfield. Rick Elfreth was hit by a pitch on a full count. Jon Theckston laced a single to left field. The throw by Geggie Russumagno was misplayed by Andy Lopez, Lindsay scored and it was 1-0 Giants. Anthony Cocuzza flied out to second. Nick Tierno hit an RBI single to right field, Elfreth scored and the Giants took a 2-0 lead. Brian Almand hit an RBI single to centerfield, Theckston scored and the Giants took a 3-0 lead.

The Generals fired back with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Joe Jensen and Andy Lopez led off with back-to-back singles. Both runners advanced to second and third after Andrew Schorr threw a wild pitch to Luke Westerberg. Westerberg struck out swinging for the first out. Brendan Benecke hit into a fielder’s choice to third base; the throw by Josh Limon was high to first, Jensen scored, Lopez advanced to second and the Generals trailed the Giants 3-1.

Jensen led off the bottom of the sixth for Trenton with a single to centerfield. A stolen base by Jensen set up an opportunity for Lopez to bring Jensen home, but Lopez struck out swinging on seven pitches. Westerberg was hit by a pitch and the Generals had runners at first and second. Benecke fouled out to left field for the second out. During Jeremey Ake’s at-bat, Schorr threw a pass ball to Tierno and Westerberg and Jensen advanced to second and third respectively. Schorr was called for a balk on the very next pitch, Jensen scored and the Generals trailed 3-2. Ake laced a single into right field, Westerberg came into score and the game was tied 3-3.

Trenton would add four runs in the bottom of the seventh. Geggie Russumagno and Michael Mecca led off with back-to-back singles. Following a wild pitch by Giants relief pitcher Kevin Milley, which allowed Mecca and Russumagno to advance to second and third, Steven Kowalski was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jensen drew a walk on four pitches, Russumagno scored and the Generals had a 4-3 lead. Andy Lopez hit a sacrifice fly to left field, Mecca came in to score and Trenton had a 5-3 lead. Westerberg hit a double into left field, Kowalski and Jensen scored and the Generals had a 7-3 lead.

The Generals would continue to add to their lead in the bottom of the eighth. Kowalski drew a walk on a full count. Jensen hit a double into right centerfield, Kowalski scored all the way from first and Trenton had an 8-3 lead. Lopez hit a single to right field and was thrown out at second, Jensen scored and the Generals had a 9-3 advantage.

South Jersey did not back down in the top of the ninth. Mike Marchitto was walked by Ryan Thomas on five pitches. Joe Brooks hit a pinch-hit single to right field. After Kyle Lindsay struck out looking, Rick Elfreth hit a sacrifice groundout to second and Brooks and Marchitto advanced to second and third. Thomas was called for a balk during Jon Theckston’s at-bat, Marchitto scored and that was all the Giants were able to afford.

Andrew Cohen picks up the win for Trenton allowing no runs, on no hits, one walk and one strikeout in two innings of relief (1-0). Andrew Schorr picks up the loss allowing three runs on four hits, one walk and five strikeouts in five and two-thirds innings (1-1).

The Trenton Generals will travel to Breslin Field in Lyndhurst, New Jersey as they take on the North Jersey Eagles in a doubleheader. The first game begins at 1:30 P.M. on Saturday, June 28. Listen to the game at www.ustream/tv/channel/trenton-generals/baseball with Matt Nelson beginning at 1:15 P.M.

The Trenton Generals have been a very energetic team since the start of the season and they continued to show why they are the best team in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League on Wednesday when they defeated the Staten Island Tide 2-1 in 10 innings.

With runners on the corners and one out, Luke Westerberg stepped to the plate to face Jordan Picini. On a 1-1 pitch, Westerberg lifted a fly ball to right field and when Michael Abate made the catch for the Tide, Steven Kowalski tagged from third and scored the game-winning run.

The Generals put a run on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Michael Mecca drew a walk on a full count pitch from Delio Coutinho. After a single by Andrew Lopez, Westerberg fouled out to right field and Mecca advanced to third base. Jeremy Ake came to the plate and on a 2-1 pitch, Ake hit a sacrifice groundout to the shortstop and Mecca came in to score to make it 1-0.

Staten Island was held scoreless until the top of the ninth. Michael Abate hit a leadoff double to left field off of Ryan Thomas. Angel Garced grounded out to second and Abate advanced to third base. On an 0-1 pitch, John Giakis hit an RBI single to centerfield to drive in the game-tying run.

Thomas picks up the win for Trenton allowing one run on two hits, one walk and two strikeouts in two innings of relief. Picini gets credit for the loss and pitched one-third of an inning.

Andy Sullivan went seven innings and allowed no runs on three hits, one walk and struck out seven batters as the starter for the Generals. Coutinho went five and one-third of an inning allowing one run on two hits, four walks and he struck out six batters.

The next Generals game will start a six-game road trip on Saturday when the face the Lehigh Valley Catz on a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 P.M. Every Generals game can be heard on www.ustream.tv/channel/Trenton-Generals-Baseball.

All scheduled game for today have been postponed.

The Jersey Pilots at Quakertown game will be made up next Thursday as part of a twilight doubleheader with game one scheduled to start at 5pm.

North Jersey at Staten Island and South Jersey at Trenton have not been rescheduled at this time.

Gaby Rosa (Rutgers, Staten Island Tide, 2014) was named American Athletic Conference Co-Rookie of the Year. The freshman right hander posted a team best 2.28 ERA in 14 appearances with a 6-2 record and opponents only hit .219 against him.

Three other Rutgers and former ACBL players made All-Conference teams. Nick Favatella (Trenton Generals, 2012) was selected to the first team while Pat Sweeney (Westhampton Aviators, 2010) and Vinny Zarillo (Southampton Breakers, 2012) were placed on the third team.

Kyle Grimm (Seton Hall, North Jersey Eagles, 2012-14) and Josh Prevost (Seton Hall, Lehigh Valley Catz, 2011-12) were named to the All-Big East first team.

Prevost was also awarded Pitcher of the Year and topped the nation with a 0.72 WHIP.

D.J. Ruhlman (Seton Hall, Westhampton Aviators, 2012), Derek Jenkins (Seton Hall, Lehigh Valley Catz, 2013) and James Lomangino (St. John's, Westhampton Aviators, 2010) were also selected to the first team.

Dillon Hamlin (Seton Hall, Staten Island Tide, 2011), Luke Cahill (Seton Hall, Lehigh Valley Catz, 2013) and Brian Breuning (Xavier, Sag Harbor Whalers, 2011) were placed on the second team.

Joe Forcellini (Allentown Railers, 2012-14) was named to the All-Colonial States Conference baseball first team. The junior infielder at Centenary College hit .465 which ranked fifth nationally in D-3.

Joe O'Connor (Jersey Pilots, 2011-12) and Dan Hansen (Jersey Pilots, 2014) of Kean University were named NJAC Player and Pitcher of the Week respectively.

Joe Jensen (Trenton Generals, 2014) was selected to the NESCAC Baseball All-Conference Second Team. The junior outfielder topped Hamilton College with a .398 average and ranked third nationally with .88 stolen bases per game.

Brett Smith (Bucknell, Quakertown Blazers, 2014) was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year after hitting .313 for the regular season league champion Bucknell University. The freshman centerfielder topped the Bison with 35 runs scored. Smith also earned a slot on the All-Conference Second Team.

Mike Garzillo (Lehigh, Lehigh Valley Catz, 2013-14) was selected to the First Team All-Patriot League as a second baseman after hitting .319 with 30 RBIs for the Mountain Hawks.

Cory Spera (Lafayette, Lehigh Valley Catz, 2013-14) was a first team selection as a relief pitcher. Spera posted a 1.52 ERA in 23.2 innings with 14 appearances. Both Garzillo and Spera were named to the Baseball Academic All-Patriot League Team. Spera was selected as the Patriot League Baseball Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Brett Smith photo courtesy of Bucknell University Athletics
Mike Garzillo photo courtesy of Lehigh University Athletics
Cory Spera photo courtesy of Lors Photography

Three players on the South Jersey Giants roster were selected for conference honors recently.

Ryan Dorosh (Misericordia) was named Middle Atlantic Conference, Freedom Division Pitcher of the Year after posting a 9-0 record with a 1.63 ERA. Dorosh tossed a two hit shutout on Friday as Misericordia defeated FDU-Madison 3-0 in the opening round of the Freedom Conference playoffs.

Teammate Kyle Lindsay was a 1st team All Conference selection along with Dorosh. The second baseman hit a team leading .388.

Joe Brooks (Rutgers-Camden) was named NJAC Rookie of the Year and also selected to the All Conference First Team. The infielder and DH hit .428 for the season as Rutgers-Camden captured the NJAC title.

Xavier Hammond (Allentown Railers 2012-14) was named Patriot League Pitcher of the Week as Bucknell defeated Army 9-0 over the weekend.

The 6 foot 4 inch left hand pitcher allowed two hits in nine innings as the Black Knights only managed four base runners with one getting to second base.

On the season Hammond has posted a 3.83 earned run average in 49.1 innings pitched with 30 strikeouts and eight base on balls.

He has a 2-3 record with one save and two complete games.

Photo courtesy of Bucknell University Athletics

Junior Dane McDermott (North Jersey Eagles 2013-14) has been named the Big South Player of the Week after hitting .481 with 13 hits and nine runs to help High Point University to a 5-1 record last week.

McDermott recorded multiple hits in five of six games including a 4-for-5 game to close out the sweep of Charleston University on Saturday.

McDermott is hitting .322 on the year with 20 runs scored. The versatile McDermott has seen action at the 2B, CF and RF positions while playing in all 31 games for the 18-13 Panthers.

He plans to return for his second season with the North Jersey Eagles in June.

Photo Courtesy of High Point University Athletics

Marist freshman Ben Moller (Quakertown Blazers, 2014) was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week after hitting .517 (8 for 14) over the past week. The 6 foot 1 inch infielder also had four RBI and scored three runs.

Teammate Scott Boches (Quakertown Blazers, 2014) tossed 4.1 innings of shutout ball as Marist defeated Siena on Monday 1-0 for their first conference win. Boches has posted a 3.26 ERA in 30.1 innings thus far this spring.

Photo courtesy of Marist Athletics

Matt Patterson (Trenton Generals, 2012-13) and Mike Weinhold (Quakertown Blazers, 2011-13) were named Commonwealth Conference Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week respectively as announced by the Middle Atlantic Conference.

Patterson, a senior first baseman, hit .586 through eight games and went 7-for-8 with two RBIs in Sundays double header with Stevenson.

Weinhold, a senior left-handed pitcher, gave up just one run over 13 innings while striking out 16 and posting a 0.69 ERA.

Three former ACBL players have signed free agent contracts with Major League teams and are now in spring training.

Victor Monteagudo (Felician, North Jersey Eagles) was an ACBL All-Star pitcher after posting a 2.16 ERA in 45 innings for the North Jersey Eagles. He also played other positions and signed as a catcher with the Colorado Rockies.

Outfielder Kevin Grove (St. John's, Sag Harbor Whalers) was also an All-Star in 2010 as he hit .325 for the Whalers with seven home runs. He signed with the Miami Marlins.

Drew Rossi (Mitchell, Torrington Titans) played infield for the Titans and signed with the Washington Nationals. Drew is the son of former ACBL player and current Miami Marlins scout, Phil Rossi.

Victor Monteagudo's photo is courtesy of Felician College Athletics.

Matt Bahnick (Lehigh Valley Catz, 2011; Allentown Railers, 2013) and Kevin Jewitt (Quakertown Blazers, 2013-14) started the 2014 season with hot bats.

Bahnick, a junior third baseman, is hitting .636 ( 7-for-11) for Kennesaw State. Jewitt, a sophomore third baseman, tops Villanova with a .417 average (5-for-12) and was named to the BIG EAST weekly honor roll and is also the Philadelphia Big Five Player of the Week.

Ryan Vogelsong (Quakertown Blazers), Anthony Varvaro (Metro NY Cadets) and Mike Aviles (NY Generals) top the list of former ACBL players reporting to Major League spring training sites on Monday. Vogelsong hopes to keep his spot in the San Francisco Giants rotation while Varvaro builds on his success as a middle reliever for the Atlanta Braves. Aviles will provide infield support for the Cleveland Indians.

Zach Lutz (Kutztown Rockies) looks for increased playing time with the New York Mets while Sean Nolin (Peekskill Robins) and C.J. Riefenhauser (Peekskill Robins) hope to make the 25 man rosters of the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays respectively as left handed pitchers.

Mark Minicozzi (Delaware Valley Gulls) spent eight years in the minor leagues and independent ball before having a breakout season at Richmond in 2013. The infielder has landed a spot with the San Francisco Giants as a non-roster invitee. Other non-roster invitees include Chris Reed, Los Angeles Dodgers, Nick Ahmed, Arizona Diamondbacks and Nick Tropeano, Houston Astros.

Kevin Becker-Menditto (Alvernia, Trenton, 2012), Brian Mauro (DeSales, Lehigh Valley, 2012) and Mike Weinhold (Alvernia, Quakertown, 2011-2013) were named to the 2014 D3baseball.com Preseason All-America team.

Becker-Menditto, a junior reliever, and Mauro, a senior first baseman, were selected to the First Team while Weinhold, a senior starter, gained Honorable Mention honors. Weinhold was a 2013 ACBL All-Star and topped the league with 59 strikeouts in 44.2 innings pitched. In 2013 he broke the Alvernia single season strikeout record and placed fourth in D3 with 104 strikeouts.

By: Kev Hunter, [email protected]

As snow blanketed the area on Tuesday, forcing just about everyone indoors, Brandon Martinez could feel the anticipation building inside him.

"Getting kind of antsy," he said from his dorm room at Kutztown University. "I can't wait to get back out on the field."

In the midst of indoor January practices, Martinez and his Golden Bear teammates are looking forward to the sunshine.

"Our main goal is to make regionals," the outfielder said. "Everything is focused on working together as a team."

Martinez should once again be a vital piece to Kutztown success. He is playing the best baseball of his career and is beginning to gain national recognition.

The North Penn grad was selected to the...

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