ernie
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Posts: 24
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Post by ernie on Feb 14, 2022 11:39:40 GMT -5
The CAA conference is a very competitive conference! We see a lot of local players land at JMU, UDel and W&M. Occasionally, someone plays at Elon or CoC.
Players always prefer to head south but Northeastern went 36-12 last year, won the CAA tourney and lost two close games in the regionals. A local weekend trip to Towson to perch on the hill or the bridge is fun to watch a CAA game.
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Post by Bert on Feb 14, 2022 11:45:53 GMT -5
Yep! Cookie Monster and I hope to watch many a Tiger games this spring. Though it lacks some amenities, overall Towson is a wonderful place to watch some of our locals get after it.
Regarding the CAA overall, can’t wait to report back how some of those local heroes are doing…. Again, Cookie Monster loves tracking the youngsters and which will make an impact day 1.
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Post by Statler on Feb 14, 2022 16:25:58 GMT -5
Whoa! I’m confused. I didn’t think that quality information was allowed on this thing. ;-)
Keep up the strong work. It’s nice to see the locals competing and finding success at the next level.
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ernie
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Post by ernie on Feb 14, 2022 21:05:16 GMT -5
Thanks Statler,
Hanging local this weekend is Navy hosting UMBC in Annapolis. Junior Reece Early from Gerstell looks to return to his abbreviated but knockout Freshman numbers as a big part of the Mids pitching staff. Logged 32 IP last year and a 1-2 record. Freshman Thomas Joseph from Spalding and Brendan Munnelly from Dematha hopeful to get some quality time as freshman. Navy only played 32 games last season with a 17-15 as they battled Covid related postponements early in the season.
UMBC Skipper Liam Bowen begins his second "full" season looking to improve on a 17-26 2021 campaign and 12-26 American East conference schedule. You may note that many of the Maryland clubs played a predominately "conference-only" schedule in 2021 resulting from Covid-19 conference restrictions...seems we are back to normal in 2022 so lets hope the next variant doesn't pop up! Those Ryan boys out of Walt Whitman should produce offensively while Juniors Gabe Delgado (Howard) should log a few more innings from the pen. Keep an eye on promising Freshman Evan Selmer who can fill it up, out of Indian Creek.
We realize everyone loves to play south but the biggest gem on the East Coast is the new $60M Baseball Complex at Binghamton University. Jump on the website at this complex is awesome! Not just the best in the American East but maybe the entire East Coast. It certainly helps Garret Matheny (Calvert Hall) venture north from Radford for his Grad year. Garrett hit .289 in the lead off role for the Highlanders in 2021, capping 4 years there with 139 games played, 110 hit and 12 homers while playing CF. Have a stellar final season Garrett wearing the green.
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ernie
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Post by ernie on Feb 15, 2022 10:15:04 GMT -5
Frank Leoni makes his Mt. St. Mary's debut this season looking to accomplish the first winning season since 2007. He and his staff are working the recruiting circuit hard getting out and about and hosting several camps. The Mountaineers were 9-28 last season under an interim coach but expect forward movement in 2022 and beyond.
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Post by Bert on Feb 15, 2022 14:24:13 GMT -5
And yes, The Mount…. Can’t wait to see Andrew Wells as he begins his journey into D1 baseball at The Mount. It’s D1 or bust for many - Cookie Monster and I am so excited to see so many former viewers of Sesame Street begin their careers.
Virginia Wesleyan on livestream as I write this…. Fun stuff, Cookie Monster watching intently pulling for the VW Marlins
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ernie
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Post by ernie on Feb 15, 2022 14:44:33 GMT -5
Bert...a quick roster glance does not have former CHC player Andrew Wells. Steve Schenning from Loyola is the only freshman from the Metro area. Perhaps you need a refresher with Count von Count to fact check?
Two huge MSM losses, we bring to your attention...low 90s Jordan Geber transferred to the Hokies for his grad year. First team All-NEC with 3.88 ERA and 68 punch outs in 60 1/3. Enjoy Blacksburg JG.
Couple that with from Don, AJ Holcomb packing it in after 2 years at HPU at his junior year at MSM in 2021. This big bat hit .296 with 4 home runs and will missed in the middle of the MSM lineup.
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ernie
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Post by ernie on Feb 15, 2022 14:55:22 GMT -5
Lets stay on VT for a moment...and this slam dunks the world of D1 baseball....
First, Ryan Gleason, LHP from G'town Prep is redshirted during his freshman season at VT. Transfers to Charleston Southern were I understand he is fitting in nicely!
The real head scratcher is Kevin Madden (St. Pauls)....50 games in 2019 as a freshman and hit .316. 2020 was Covid. 2021 was 51 starts at third hitting .313 and a top several other team leads statistically. On the surface, all looks great for Kevin going into his next two years at a Power 5 ACC...well not quite as Kevin is down in Columbia, SC playing his junior year for the Gamecocks. This world of D1 baseball provides no crystal balls.
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Post by Bert on Feb 15, 2022 15:22:37 GMT -5
Wow Ernie - you really have your facts ready! You mention some head scratchers for sure, the local dandruff sure has been itchy the last few years.
Lots of dandruff.
Ernie - Cookie Monster and I are discussing this xfer stuff, will be very interesting to see these upperclbuttmen transfers produce, not produce or even see the field.
Cookie Monster doesn’t love these 22+ year old kids extending careers when we all know 19 year olds are raring to go. COVID no COVID, move on…. Thoughts?
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ernie
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Posts: 24
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Post by ernie on Feb 15, 2022 15:36:12 GMT -5
Lets disclose the facts on the Covid effect
2020 Free eligibility year for all
2021 D1 and D2 use a year of eligibility. Non-eligible year for D3 and Juco
So....in theory, a 2019 HS graduate enters a JUCO/D3 in Fall of 2019, likely 18/19 years old. Covid effects spring 2020. He returns in Fall 2020 (likely remotely) but now 19/20 years old. Plays the spring 2021 season, but no eligibility used. Fall 2021, weather he returns or transfers at 20/21...he still has 4 years of eligibility! Competing against him is the true freshman from the clbutt of 2021 as an 18/19 year old....like a freshman competing against a junior. Result....many freshman are red-shirted for the 21/22 season, if not cut. Deck is physically stacked against those Clbutt of 21 freshman.
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Post by Waldorf on Feb 16, 2022 7:11:30 GMT -5
Do not forget about the many players from the area playing in the tough ODAC. A shout out to Bridgewater College who went down to Rocky Mount and took 2 of 3 from nationally ranked North Carolina Wesleyan. Bridgewater is lead by local product Jeffrey Snider (Loyola) who is the starting SS and in hitting in the 3 hole.
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Post by Statler on Feb 16, 2022 7:37:55 GMT -5
Indeed, Waldorf. Nice program at Bridgewater. Just up the road, James Madison has a handful of MD guys on the roster, including Freshman arms Matt Leikus from Gilman and Todd Mozoki from Dulaney. They kick things off in the deep end of the pool at #11 Florida State on Friday.
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ernie
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Post by ernie on Feb 16, 2022 10:26:29 GMT -5
The Dukes were a little "dismal" in 2021. Granted, they played in the CAA southern bubble but only went 11-17 overall. Harrisonburg and the JMU campus is fantastic, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. They have nice facilities and really can use the campus and area to recruit to their advantage. Ike has to turn this season into a winning record and CAA tourney appearance. Couple other MD guys to mention as well. Coleman Calabrese (DeMatha) is a freshman as well as Jason Schiavone (SJC) and fellow SJC Junior Sean Culkin. BTW...you ever notice how many SJC guys land at so many high college programs..... Cadets are doing something VERY right. In a most roundabout route, Jacob Steinberg, also a former SJC dude...finally lands at JMU. Won't bother to bring you full circle but Jacob graduated in 2018 with a commit to Ole Miss. Injuries and a few pit stops along with way but it looks like Jacob has a couple years of eligibility at JMU so lets root for Steiny to put it all together this year!
One other tidbit is PC Jimmy Jackson is a local Glen Burnie boy who has been on staff there for 6 or so years. JJ pitched at Old Mill after being the ace at Shepherd. JJ is a wonderful story of pursuing a dream to coach college baseball, starting at Siena, advancing to Fordham and now at James Madison.
Guys like Jim Jackson, Jeff Palumbo and others (that will pop in my mind) are great examples of local talent that continued their competitive spirit in the collegiate coaching ranks. Like to put a list of those "living the dream" dudes together soon....
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Post by Bert on Feb 16, 2022 18:05:21 GMT -5
Guys-
Kudos to all for the activity…. Snyder, Mozoki and Leikus will all be great follows this season.
No question Jeffrey is positioned to be a real producer in the heart of the Bridgewater lineup. Will be interesting to see what kind of performance JMU shows this year.
Years back Mozoki was quite a hitter in the county, will be interesting to see what kind of impact he has this freshman season at JMU. Leikus also will be an interesting follow coming off a few years of injury.
Like me, okie monster is a huge fan of all 3 of these Balto/ Metro dudes.
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ernie
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Post by ernie on Feb 17, 2022 9:17:57 GMT -5
Here is a great "Dude" story....
2019 Mt. St. Joe graduate
Smart Dude! Goes to Brown for freshman year but limited appearances due to Covid
As the case with the Ivy's in 2021...no season. So....this DUDE was ramping the velo up and the past summer...
Transferred to University of Michigan. John Torroella will be Big 10 first or second team as a Junior. Have a great season JT!
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