Baseball Alumni Newsletter – Winter 2009
2008 MASCAC CHAMPS – NCAA TOURNAMENT
Dedication: The
spring season is being dedicated to Kevin Lyons
‟65 who passed away in November. The hope is to name the new
baseball field after him. Not only was Kevin named the greatest
player of the 20th century, he was an even better person. No one
did more for the college and its baseball team. First in the Hall
of Fame, he was also the first to lend a hand. WSC retied his #2
jersey in 1997, and he was named the 2002 Hickey Award winner. Son
Chris plans to continue the annual dinner at the Press Box before
the team heads to Fla. Many events were started by Kevin: Golf
Tournament, Alumni Game, and the reunion of the 1964-65 NESCAC
Title Teams. His answer was always the same, “WIN.”
State House: The
2008 MASCAC Champs are scheduled to be honored in Boston by Lt.
Governor Tim Murray on January 14 at 2pm. The team
will be photographed and given a tour of the Statehouse. This fall
Nate Nelson was photographed with Gov.
Deval Patrick at the grand-opening of the Nokona
glove factory. The Co. graciously donated bats and a 1B mitt to
Nelson for his 2009 spring training season.
1st Pitch Dinner:
This event will kick off the 2009 season. The 2008-09 teams,
families, and alumni are invited. Phil Spellane
‟97 has organized the event at Leo‟s Restaurant on
Brackett Court (behind Mt. Carmel) complete with an Italian buffet
($20 pay at door), 2008 highlight video, and guest speaker. The
team will honor the family of Kevin Lyons, 2009
Hickey Award winner John Mahan, 2008 player award
winners, and retiring softball coach Lynne Oleson.
Hickey Award 2009: John Mahan is Mr. Central Mass. Baseball. You see him everywhere. We all know he is the man behind the Clinton Legion Post, but he may be the best scout in the area. He routinely donates to the area schools, sends along newspaper clippings, and even attends the WSC basketball games. You know he‟ll be sitting behind the backstop at the MASCACs, Legion play-offs and World Series. Thanks for everything John!
Pro Baseball:
Tim Stronach pitched for 3 Mets minor league teams
in 2008: Savannah, Kingsport and Brooklyn. He won 5 in 28
appearances with 42 Ks. Check out articles on Stronach:
mets.scout/com Inside Pitch and nyfuturestars.com. Jeff
LaHair once again was an IF for the Worcester Tornadoes
(brother Bryan is MLB 1B Seattle). In 2008 Jeff played in 70 games
with 49 hits, 6 HR, 27 RBI. MLB Pick Nate Nelson
had 12 hits and 11 RBI for the Gulf Coast Blue Jays. JP Ricciardi
is the Toronto GM, Todd Smith MLB scout, Paul Turco Giants scout,
and Shawn Moore equipment manager for Arizona.
Field Update: The
baseball diamond is nearing completion with grass being planted
once the ground thaws in the spring. The following are all done:
dugouts, bullpens, press box, walk-way, fences, and backstop. Light
standards were installed for future set-up. High F‟s go out
to President Janelle Ashley, VP Tom
McNamara, Sen. Harriette Chandler,
John Mahan, Rep. Bob Spellane,
Worcester Parks and Rob Antonelli
for making this dream a reality.
New Recruits: Jake Sanderski (Holy Name;
T&G Super Team), Devin Bussiere &
AJ Passalugo (D-Y; 2008 Sr. Ruth World Series),
Jon Capachione (Wareham), Robert Cook
Jr. (Xaverian, NY), Bobby Foley
(Belchertown), Tyler Metcalf (Bellingham; Milford
Legion State Final 8), Ben Mullin (Burlington),
Jack Rafferty (Tourtellotte, CT), Phil
Recco (Concord-Carlisle), Jesse Witkowski
(Apponequet).
New Coach:
Welcome graduate assistant Coach Jason Schmitz
from North Dakota. He is enrolled in the Graduate School of Educ.
Coach Schmitz led the My Sports Dreams fund-raiser, booked
the Florida trip, and designed the clinic brochures.
Hall of Fame:
Welcome Kevin Gniadek to the WSC Athletic Hall of
Fame. Kevin sparked the 1999 team to the ECAC Finals (1st ever) and
a school record 25 wins. Baseball has the most inductees of any
sport.
Golf Tournament:
2008 Winner Team O‟Brien, 2nd
Burke, 3rd Wigren. Closest to
Pin: Len Kasprazk, Pat
O‟Leary, Tom Cousineau, Jim
Nimzik. Long Drive: Chris Gusha and
Closest to Line: Mark Recco. Putting Contest:
Mike O‟Brien. Thank you to our Hole
Sponsors: Jack Janasiewicz, Jack Hehir, Shawn Moore, Arthur Home
Improvement, Press Box, Dan Terio „00, the Paladino,
Bussiere, Cook and Brunetta Families, Cunningham Electric, St.
Thomas Solar Energy, Cornell‟s Pub, Center Bar & Grill,
Gary Walker, Regis Limo, Handy Helper, Leo‟s T-Bird &
Dugout Club. Every golfer received a 2008 NCAA Regionals RINGOR
jacket. We want to award a D1 trophy to the winning foursome each
fall. Please tell us who were the winning teams from 1999-2006.
Save the next golf date: Saturday September 12, 2009 1:30pm
@ Leicester CC.
Fund-raising: The
team raised over $6,000 through My Sports Dreams. Thank
you to all of the friends and family who contributed. After the
set-up fee, all of the money raised went directly to that
person‟s Fla. trip.
Gear: Items to
purchase
include RINGOR NCAA Regionals Jacket ($20), 2008 NCAA Collage ($5),
2008 NCAA Regionals T-shirt ($10), Akadema Performance T-shirt
($25), Akadema Shorts ($15), Akadema Hoody ($25), Akadema Fleece
($25), Akadema Track Suit ($35). RSVP with your size and money by
January 19. For a size comparison Coach Baker wears a Large T-shirt
and XL jacket/shorts/hoody. The 2009 adjustable hat order is TBA.
Make checks payable to “WSC Athletic Trust
Fund-Baseball.” Items make a great gift!
Alumni News: Best
wishes to Jack Hehir, Don
Cushing, and Don Lightfoot in their
retirement. Keith Bianchini ‟01 is a
professional boxer. Eric Swedberg ‟02 led
Auburn HS to the D2 MIAA State Finals. Matt Heenan
had another great summer in Stan Musial. Congrats to Jamie
Downie and Tom Cousineau on getting
engaged, and Bear Dunn on getting married.
Steve Ward ‟76 has joined the WSC Foundation
Board. Shawn McNamara and Don
Lehtola are new Dads. Todd Smith is a MLB
scout and led WBHS to the D3 Central Mass. Finals. Chris
Murphy is the new basketball coach at Salem State.
Congrats to all the 4-yr players who recently graduated. All alumni
and former players=please go to the baseball website and fill out
the alumni information piece (contact info) – this includes
graduates and those who played even a single season.
Calendar: Thanks
to everyone who donated this year. For an AD in the 2010 edition,
send in a $25 business card.
Photos: If anyone
has old head/action photos of your playing days please send them
along to Coach Baker. He‟ll scan and return the photo ASAP.
We want to add photos of former coaches and players to the media
guide. Games Book & Video: Coach Baker updated his Games Book
to over 200 baseball and softball games for kids (McFarland
Publishers, Inc.). The accompanying video was orchestrated by
Championship Productions.
Camps &
Clinics: Email Coach Baker for a flyer or see the athletics
website under camps/clinics.
- Sunday Baseball School January 25-March 1 (6 dates for Grades 1-12)
- Advanced Catchers Clinic Featuring Rich Gedman Jan. 19, Feb. 20 9-12 (3 dates for Ages 9+)
- Hitting Clinic Feb. 16-18 (3 days for Ages 7-18)
- Pitchers/Catchers Clinic April 21 & 23 9-12 (2 days for Ages 11-18)
- All-Sports Summer Camp July 27-31 9am-4pm (Ages 8-13 with Wed. overnight and Tornadoes game)
Baseball Alumni Advisory
Board: We are looking for a panel of alumni who want to be
an influence on continuing the excellence of WSC Baseball. Please
contact Coach Baker at dbaker1@worcester.edu or (508) 929-8852 if
interested in being connected to decisions on the Alumni Game,
Newsletter, Homecoming, Golf Tournament, Community Involvement,
Special Events, Reunions, or Home Games.
Captains: As
voted by their peers, our 2009 Captains: Joey
Lucier RHP (Brockton), Andy Cunningham
LHP (Leicester), Craig McBride RHP (Attleboro),
and Pat Good RHP (Hull).
Alumni Day: Welcome all alums and former players to a lunch
between games on April 18 vs. MCLA at Tivnan Field.
2009 Schedule: The Fla. trip
is March 13-22. Home DHs: Mass. Maritime, Westfield, Newbury,
Salem, MCLA. Away DHs: Fitchburg, Framingham, Bridgewater. Away
games: WPI, Salve Regina, RIC, Colby-Sawyer, Suffolk. Home games:
Albertus Magnus, Babson, Endicott, UMass-Boston, WPI, Anna Maria,
Becker, Nichols, MIT. JV games @ Worcester Academy, QCC, and
Franklin Pierce. Check out the website for the updated Game
Schedule and box scores/recaps plus live video feeds of certain
home games. The NCAA games in 08 were filmed live by D3Cast.
1st Game March 7, 2009 DH @ William Paterson University,
NJ
2008 Notes: (24-18; 12-5 MASCAC; regular season co-champs;
tournament champs 3-0)…NCAA Tournament as #7 seed (3rd
regional since 2002)…greatest turn-around in school history:
6-13 record to 17-3 through MASCACs…in NCAAs lost
heartbreaker to Wheaton in 12 inn. (led 3-1 with 2 outs in 9th),
beat St. Joseph‟s (8-0 in 1st with 3 HRs; grand slam by
LaPrade), lost to WNEC 8-3 to end season…since 1998: 9th 20+
win season, 9th season with a play-off win, 7th year playing for a
Championship…5 last at-bat wins and 8 comeback
victories…pre-season #4 in MASCAC…season highlights:
1-3 in NJ and 3-5 in Fla…had 1-0 lead in 9th in Game 1 at
Rowan (knocked out Ryan Kulik 1st team LHP All-American, 8th round
pick, 1st D3 player picked)…Nate Nelson (d3baseball.com
pre-season All-American) smacked the go-ahead game-winning grand
slam in 7th inn. (down 3-0) at William Patterson, Kevin Hayes
bunt/hit and 16-10 win vs. Gordon (6-runs in 10th with 3 squeeze
bunts)…game-winning run thrown out at plate in 9th vs.
recent CWS champ Wisc-Whitewater…huge catches by Abbascia
vs. Salem in MASCACs and Hart DP from CF in semis vs.
Westfield…McBride shutout of Hamilton…2-out 2-RBI 2B
by Nick Caparell to win huge Game 2 at Bridgewater…2
last-inning defeats at Mass. Maritime…DH sweeps over #1
hitting team in MASCAC at Salem (2 shutouts), Fitchburg and
Framingham…undefeated at Holy Cross (Salve, RIC,
Colby-Sawyer, Framingham-2) with defeats of New England ranked RIC
and Suffolk in same week…7-6 simulating win in 10 inn. vs.
Salem (Gusha drives in Logan) with 6- then 9-game win
streaks…3-0 in MASCACs, beat Westfield and Salem 3 times in
2008, played 12 away MASCAC games and went 7-5…have made
every MASCAC Tournament except 2007…tied with Westfield for
co-champs at 9-5 with final day sweep of Framingham (4-way tie for
3rd)…GW1B in Championship Game by Abbascia (MVP) with 2 wins
in relief by Pat Good (Lucier saves title game)…McBride wins
Game 2 vs. Westfield and in NCAAs vs. St. Joe‟s…23
people played in NCAAs at Harwich…08 NCAAs: Trinity (CWS
champs), Wheaton, So. Maine, WNEC, St. Joe‟s, Castleton,
Keene State, EConn…8 of 18 losses to 08 NCAA teams: Rowan-2,
Heidelberg, Wisc-Stevens Pt., Wisc-Whitewater (CWS), EConn,
Wheaton, WNEC…8 seniors (84 career wins, 2 NCAAs) and 2008
captains: Chris Gusha and Nate Nelson (WSC Athletes of Yr), Mike
McCormack (WSC Top Student), Mike Moffett, Joel Brierley, Josh
Buzzell, Ryan Hawley, Chris Logan…NCAA All-Tournament 2B
LaPrade…All-MASCAC: Logan, Lucier, Nelson, Gusha (1st
team)…All-New England (2nd team), ECAC (2nd team) &
Fenway All-Star Game: Nelson (had MLB tryout at
Skydome)…Nelson 40th round MLB pick Toronto #1209 overall
(only 20 D3 players drafted, 3 in NE, 2nd Lancer in 3
years)…Lancer Baseball Awards: MVP (TEAM), Top Hitter
(freshman Abbascia .369), Defense (Logan), Pitcher (Lucier 3.27, 67
Ks), Most Improved (Regan), Top Student (Cunningham 3.5), Rookie
(Bob DeVito 3-0), Courage (LaPrade), Sportsmanship (seniors),
Unsung Hero (Hinkell)…2 NCAAs: Moffett, Buzzell, Logan,
Gusha, Sunshine…2 full-color T&G articles on
Gusha…MASCAC Players of Week: Lucier and DeVito (pitchers),
Nelson-2, Abbascia...Lucier made Lowell All-Americans and had CCBL
tryout…LaHair played 2B for Tornadoes…team honored at
Tatnuck Post with 1976 AL Rookie of the Year Mark Fidrych as the
guest speaker…NCAA games broadcast live on web
D3Cast…spring 9 with 3.0+ GPAs: Brierley, Buzzell, Nick
Caparell, *Cunningham, *Gusha, *Hawley, Hayes, *McCormack, Thompson
(*Dean‟s List)…Team Stat Leaders: Nelson (12 HRs=25th
NCAA, 42 games, 2 3B, 48 RBI, 93 TB, .694 slug, 5 HBP, .428
on-base, 253 putouts, .982 field %), Hart (21 BB, 11 SB), Abbascia
(.369 BA 8th in league), Gusha (160 AB, 42 games, 58 hits), Hinkell
(5 HBP), Logan (43 runs, 15 2B, 2 3B, 11 SB), Raleigh (42 games, 90
assists), Lucier (14 games, 11 starts, 2 complete games, 71.2 inn.,
67 K), McBride (6 wins), Good (3 saves), DeVito (3.05 ERA, .242
opp. BA)…Team in MASCAC: 2nd batting (.317), 4th pitching
(4.88 ERA), 3rd fielding (.950)…team led MASCAC: 4 shutouts,
339 inn., 268 K, 42 games, 1382 AB, 438 hits, 283 runs, 27 HR, 253
RBI, 608 TB, 1017 putouts…player led MASCAC: Nelson (.694
slug, 48 RBI, 12 HR), Logan (43 runs, 16 caught stealing), Gusha
(160 AB), Lucier (71.2 inn, 67 K), 25 K looking, 6 starts), McBride
(6 wins).