Game Set For July 28 At Fenway Park…

The Cape Cod All-Star Game will be played at Boston's historic Fenway Park.

The All-Star game is presented by the leading banks of Cape Cod —- Bank of America, Eastern Bank, TD Bank, Cape Cod Cooperative Bank and Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank.

Scott Pickler of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox will be the field manager for the East Division, with Harvey Shapiro of the defending champion Bourne Braves piloting the West.

Leading the way for the East are Brewster outfielder Drew Martinez (Memphis) and Orleans second baseman Kolten Wong (Hawai’i), who are currently 1-2 in the league in batting average.

Wong will be joined on the right side of the infield by Chatham first baseman Aaron Westlake (Vanderbilt). Anchoring the left side will be two players from second-place Y-D —-  shortstop Joe Panik (St. John’s) and third baseman Tyler Hanover (LSU). This is the second All-Star selection for Hanover, who was a reserve last year.

Martinez will also have a friendly face beside him in the outfield as teammate Cohl Walla (Texas) was named a starter along with Y-D’s Caleb Ramsey (Houston).

The designated hitter is Harwich’s Clint Moore (West Point), with Harwich’s Pratt Maynard (N.C. State) named the starting catcher.

The Mariners also landed two reserve players in utility man Levi Michael (North Carolina) and outfielder Ronnie Richardson (Central Florida). Chatham catcher Joe Pavone (UConn) fills out the roster.

Leading the pitching staff for the East will be Brewster’s Andrew Gagnon (Long Beach State). Gagnon leads the league with five wins and sports a 1.69 ERA through six appearances. He also ranks second with 38 strikeouts. He will be joined by a strong supporting staff that includes teammate and closer Colton Murray (Kansas), Kyle Simon (Arizona) and Marcus Stroman (Duke) of Orleans, Derek Self (Louisville) and Logan Verrett (Baylor) of Chatham, and Adam Morgan (Alabama), Braden Kapteyn (Kentucky) and Matty Ott (LSU) of Harwich.

The Wareham Gatemen lead the West Division All-Stars with five selections, while the Braves had three players named.

Representing Bourne will be starter Grayson Garvin (Vanderbilt), and relievers, RJ Alverez (Florida Atlantic) and Tony Zych (Louisville). Alvarez and Zych have yet to allow an earned run this summer. Garvin is 3-0 in four starts with a 0.79 ERA.

Right-hander Austin Wood (St. Petersburg), who has dominated, going 3-0, with an 0.58 ERA in 31 innings, represents Cotuit. Joining him from the Kettleers is right-handed reliever AJ Achter (Michigan State), who has posted a 1.03 ERA in 10 appearances.

Making the team from the Gatemen are right-hander Max Perlman (Harvard) and lefty Jed Bradley (Georgia Tech). Hyannis’ Tyler Ray (Troy) will make the trip to Fenway, along with Falmouth southpaw Christian Jones (Oregon).

Falmouth’s Andrew Susac (Oregon State) gets the start behind the plate, with Hyannis’ Cam Seitzer (Oklahoma) at first base, Falmouth’s Kevin Medrano (Missouri State) at second, Wareham’s Tyler Bream (Liberty University) at third and Falmouth’s KC Serna (Oregon) manning shortstop.

The starting outfielders are Cotuit’s Chad Wright (Kentucky), Wareham’s  Zach Wilson (Arizona State) and Hyannis’ John Ruettiger (Arizona State).

The designated hitter will be Cotuit’s Jordan Leyland (UC Irvine).

The reserves are Wareham catcher Tony Caldwell (Auburn), utility infielder Casey McElroy (Auburn) and Bourne outfielder Scott Woodward (Coastal Carolina).

General admission tickets for the game, priced at $10, are still available and can be purchased on the Cape League website at www.capecodbaseball.org, or at any of the 10 ballparks.

(Cape Cod Release)

Shortstop Is Only Baseball Player Among 14 Semifinalists

Clint Moore (Army Photo)

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army’s shortstop Clint Moore has been named one of 14 nominees for the AAU Sullivan Award, which honors the nation’s outstanding amateur athlete. Presented annually since 1930, the Sullivan Award is also based on leadership, character, sportsmanship and the ideals of amateurism.

The only college baseball player to be named a semifinalist, Moore is joined on the list by Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, who set the Alabama single season rushing record with 1,658 yards in leading the Crimson Tide to the national championship this past season, and Tina Charles, who was nominated for her contributions to the Connecticut women’s basketball teams’s perfect season and national title in 2009, among others.

Known as the “Oscar” of sports awards, and older than The Heisman Trophy, the AAU Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.

The AAU Sullivan Award was established in 1930 to honor Sullivan, a founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Recognized as a pioneer in the amateur sports movement, Sullivan is credited with developing the current concept of the playground and organized recreation of the present day. Accordingly, he and others opened the first public playground and gymnasium in New York City in 1906.

A member of West Point’s Class of 2011, Moore was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association NCAA Division I All-America Third Team as a sophomore last spring. He was also chosen to the First Team All-Patriot League squad while finishing second in the conference’s player of the year voting. Additionally, Moore was one of 15 semifinalists for the Brooks Wallace Award, presented to the nation’s top shortstop by the College Baseball Foundation.

The third Black Knight to earn Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors last season en route to a Freshman All-America citing, Moore didn’t miss a beat this spring. The Greensboro, N.C. (Grimsley H.S.), native batted .395 with 18 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs, 58 runs scored and 65 runs batted in. He posted a slugging percentage of .724 and an on-base mark of .494, while piling up 134 total bases, just one behind the single season school record set by Henshaw this season. A slick-fielding defensive standout, Moore registered a remarkable fielding percentage of .971 and helped Army set a new team record for double-plays (66), participating in 38 twin-killings from his shortstop position. He established new single season school records for both multi-hit (25) and multi-RBI (20) games this spring, batted safely in 43 of 53 outings and hit .378 with runners in scoring position.

Moore led the Patriot League in doubles, triples, slugging percentage and on-base percentage, while finishing second in batting average, runs scored (one short of the league lead), runs batted in, total bases (one shy of league lead) and walks. He hit .433 with seven doubles, three triples, three home runs, 23 runs scored and 28 RBI in 20 Patriot League tilts, recording a .761 slugging percentage in those outings. Moore authored an amazing nine game late-season stretch, batting .581 with three doubles, three triples, six home runs, 21 runs scored and 26 RBI. He fashioned a 1.452 slugging percentage and a .667 on-base mark during that span. Though just a sophomore, Moore already owns Army’s career record for multiple-RBI affairs (32) and has garnered 47career  multiple-hit contests. For Moore’s full bio click here.

Recent winners of the AAU Sullivan Award include Rulan Gardner (wrestling) in 2000, Michelle Kwan (figure skating) in 2001, Sarah Hughes (figure skating) in 2002, Michael Phelps (swimming) in 2003, Paul Hamm (gymnastics) in 2004, J.J. Redick (men’s basketball) in 2005, Jessica Long (paralympic women’s swimming) in 2006, Tim Tebow (football) in 2007 and Shawn Johnson (gymnastics) in 2008.

Former Army football greats Felix “Doc” Blanchard and Young Arnold Tucker garnered the award in consecutive years, claiming the honor in 1945 and 1946, respectively. They rank as the only two West Pointers to capture the honor.

Fans can cast a vote for their choice for the 2009 AAU Sullivan Award winner by clicking here.

The Sullivan Award Reception and Presentation will take place April 14 at The New York Athletic Club in New York City. The night’s activities begin with an athlete autograph session at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner at 6:15 p.m. and the awards presentation at 7:15 p.m.

A complete listing of nominees for the 80th annual AAU Sullivan Award is listed below:

Angela Bizzarri, Cross Country
Zak Boggs, soccer
Duran Caferro Jr., boxing
Tina Charles, basketball
Troy Dumais, diving
Armanti Edwards, football
Erin Hamlin, luge
Megan Hodge, volleyball
Mark Ingram, football
CLINT MOORE, BASEBALL
Amy Palmiero-Winters, paralympic ultra marathon
Sanya Richards, track and field
Jennifer Song, golf
Rebecca Soni, swimming

(Release)

Army Looks For Repeat After Record Setting 2009

2009 Regular Season Champion:  Bucknell and Army tied with 13-7 records.  The Bison took 3 of 4 from the Black Knights in the regular season to earn the postseason #1 seed.

2009 Tournament Champion:  Army beat Lafayette 2-0 in the best-of-three championship.*

*The Patriot League has probably the most unique postseason tournament format in college baseball (it’s also probably the most fair).  The Patriot League Baseball Championship is conducted as a field-of-four tournament over two weekends.  The two higher seeds host first round best-of-three series pitting the No. 4 seed at the No. 1 seed and the No. 3 seed at the No. 2 seed. The championship best-of-three series will be played at the site of the highest seed remaining. The Patriot League champion earns the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Patriot League 2010 Preview

Army

2009 Record:  (36-21, 13-7)

Mascot:  Black Knights

Head Coach:  Joe Sottolano

Location:  West Point, NY

Vitals:  .329 BA, 57 HR, .417 OBP, .970 OBP…5.04 ERA, 7 CG, 9 SV, 336 K, 212

Clint Moore

BB, .281 opp. BA

Young Knights Shine Bright:  Current juniors Joey Henshaw (.383, 13 HR, 75 RBIs) and SS Clint Moore (.395, 11 HR, 63 RBIs) were two of Army’s top players in 2009.  They both received ABCA All-American recognition.  The 6’7 Henshaw is the tallest player in the Patriot League.  Moore led the Patriot League in doubles (18) , triples (5) , slg% (.724) and OBP (.494).  He was also a Brooks Wallace Award finalist.  Zach Price (.355, 25 RBIs, 59 R, 14 SB) was also named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.

Two-Way McKague:  Another current junior was big both on the mound and at the plate as a sophomore Kevin McKague (.389, 6 HR, 44 RBIs) also served as Army’s closer and earned 7 of the team’s 9 saves.

Armed And Ready:  The pitching staff returns three other top arms from last year with Kirk Porter (6-3, 4.18 ERA), Matt Fouch (7-5, 4.70 ERA) and Ben Koenigsfeld (8-4, 4.89 ERA, 4 CG).

Dugout Distinction:  After guiding Army to a 36-21 record and an NCAA Regional appearance head coach Joe Sottolano was named an ABCA Regional Coach of the Year.  He has led the Black Knights to NCAA berths in four of his ten seasons.

Bucknell

2009 Record:  (21-23, 13-7)

Mascot:  Bison

Head Coach:  Gene Depew

Location:  Lewisburg, PA

Vitals:  .306 BA, 34 HR, .386 OBP, .959 Fld%…6.66 ERA, 7 CG, 5 SV, 213 K, 191 BB, .337 opp. BA

Big 10 Challenge:  Bucknell plays Illinois, Ohio State and Northwestern March 18-20 in Winter Haven, FL.

New Footing:  The Bison will play home games this spring on a newly installed FieldTurf surface at Depew Field.

Depew Distinction:  Bison head coach Gene Depew was named Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2009.  He picked-up his 500th career win during the season.  Entering his 29th season at the helm, he is the longest tentured coach in Bucknell history.

Bison Back:  Andy Brouse was among the Patriot League leaders in home runs (10), triples (5), runs batted in (56), total bases (109) and slugging percentage (.665).  Catcher B.J. LaRosa hit .316 with 22 RBIs while throwing out 19 of 34 baserunners.

Ace Lost:  Bucknell must First Team Patriot League pitcher Chris Yamagouchi (7-2, 4.45 ERA)

Holy Cross

Matt Perry

2009 Record:  (22-27, 11-7)

Mascot:  Crusaders

Head Coach:  Greg DiCenzo

Location:  Worcester, MA

Vitals:  .291 BA, 45 HR, .370 OBP, .958 Fld%…7.07 ERA, 5 CG, 5 SV, 279 K, 214 BB, .306 opp. BA

Leader Of The Pat:  Reigning Patriot League Player of the Year Matt Perry (.423, 7 HR, 37 RBIs)  is among four returning line-up regulars who started at least 46 of the Crusaders’ 49 games last year.  Perry, John Sills (.283, 6 HR, 31 RBIs),  Eric Oxford (.280, 10 HR, 45 RBIs), and Brendan McCrea (.304, 2 HR, 22 RBIs) combined to hit 25 of the team’s 45 home runs last year.

Looking For Some ‘Ws’:  Senior Tommy Arrigg (2-0, 6.82 ERA) worked exclusively out of the bullpen in 2009.  He was one of two HC pitchers to have a winning record.  Closer Ryan George (2-3, 8.55 ERA), who had all five of his team’s saves last year, returns as well.

Lafayette

2009 Record:  (24-29, 9-11)

Mascot:  Leopards

Head Coach:  Joe Kinney

Location:  Easton, PA

Vitals:  .302 BA, 30 HR, .389 OBP, .966 Fld%…6.21 ERA, 5 CG, 5 SV, 277 K, 151 BB, .314 opp. BA

Lafayette Legend:  Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Madden is a Lafayette alum who was recently inducted into the school’s Maroon Club Hall of Fame.  The 2008 A.L. Manager of the Year played baseball for three seasons at Lafayette and also played quarterback for one year with the football team.

Overachievers:  Lafayette was the #4 seed in the Patriot League Championships last year, but they beat #1 Bucknell in the first round best two-of-three series to advance to the Patriot finals.

Leopards Lost:  Team MVP Daniel Bierce (.360, 5 HR, 45 RBIs, 21 SB) has graduated.  His 194 games played are the most in Lafayette history.  Lafayette also loses Jeff Butler (.308, 6 HR, 35 RBIs, 14 SB)

Solid Returns:  Junior Rob Froio led the team in batting average (.367), runs scored (45) and  OBP (.437) while also stealing 20 bases.  Senior Matt Hall (.306, 8 HR, 38 RBIs) was the team home run leader.  The Leopards also return their top four pitchers (ERA), including team pitching MVP Corey Shea (4-3, 4.81 ERA).

Lehigh

2009 Record:  (11-36-1, 4-14)

Mascot: Moutain Hawks

Head Coach:  Sean Leary

Location:  Bethlehem, PA

Vitals:  .279 BA, 28 HR, .352 OBP, .945 Fld%…7.13 ERA, 5 CG, 4 SV, 260 K, 216 BB, .325 Fld%

Andy Russell

Top Hawk: Returning junior Andy Russell led the team in virtually every category including batting average (.348) , slg.% (.604), OBP (.457), runs scored (35), RBIs (38) , doubles (13), triples (4), home runs (7), and stolen bases (10).  Russell also hit .418 in Patriot League play.

Pitching Prowess:  Lehigh returns 10 of its 12 pitchers from 2009, including Andy Russell’s brother senior Rob Russell.

Cats And Hawks:  The Mountain Hawks host the defending America East champion Binghamton Bearcats with a pair of doubleheaders on March 20th & 21st.

Navy

2009 Record:  (20-26-1, 8-12)

Mascot:  Midshipmen

Head Coach:  Paul Kostacopoulos

Location:  Annapolis, MD

Vitals:  .286 BA, 30 HR, .376 OBP, .965 Fld%…5.84 ERA, 1 CG, 6 SV, 319 K, 177 BB, .965 opp. BA

Academy Action:  Navy plays three games vs. Air Force Feb. 26-28 in

Mike Guadagnini

Savannah, GA and hosts its Patriot League series vs. Army with doubleheaders on April 10 & 11.

Back In Action:  The Mids return their top three hitters from 2009:  Mike Guadagnini (.374), Kendall Bolt (.328) and Matthew Curley (.311).  The trio combined to hit 13 of Navy’s 30 HR and had 25 of the team’s 54 stolen bases last year.

Mighty Mid Duo:  Luke Roberts (2-0, 1.00, SV) and Alec Thomas (2-0, 4.18) are two of 10 returning Navy pitchers.  Together they struckout 35 batters with just 9 walks in a combined 50 2/3 IP last year.  They were Navy’s only two pitchers with winning records in ’09.

2010 Patriot League Predictions

Champion:  Army-The combination of returning hitting and pitching from a team that beat Texas State and Boston College in NCAA play is unmatched in the league.

Player of the Year:  Clint Moore-Army

Pitcher of the Year:  Matt Fouch-Army