June 27, 2007 - Rider’s Boys of Summer
June 27, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Baseball
Rider's Boys of Summer
Several members of the Rider University baseball team are traveling to such places as the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, New England, the state of Maryland and the Jersey Shore to hone their skills on the diamond.
“Any summer league that allows your players to play competitive baseball for two months will always be beneficial,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “We try to place them in the best leagues we can, but ultimately it is the team's choice.”
Four of Rider’s top players, All-MAAC catcher Sean Olson, All-MAAC shortstop/relief pitcher Jamie Hayes, along with Rider’s top two pitchers, Mike Petrowski and Jimmer Kennedy, are competing in the Valley League in Virginia.
“Of all of the leagues that we have placed our players, the Valley has the most tradition,” Davis said.
Hayes is currently ninth in the league in hitting, while Petrowski and Kennedy are among the league leaders in wins and earned run average, and look to make the all-star team.
Derek Caldwell and Nick Wojnowski, a pair of Maryland natives, are competing in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League, and pitcher Ryan Miller is in the New England Collegiate League, where he is 15th in the league in earned run average. Caldwell missed almost two full seasons at Rider after ‘Tommy John’ surgery, but is now healthy and pitching again.
“The other leagues are newer and are building there reputations as solid leagues and we do not hesitate in sending players to any of the leagues that recruit our guys,” Davis said. “If you look at any roster in any league you will see college players from many of the top programs across the country.”
A little closer to home is the Jersey Shore League of the Atlantic Baseball Federation. There, Darron Lattomus and Matt McCollum are playing for the Protocal Starz, Dan Sasso and Brian Herman are pitching for the Manchester Yankees, and Mo Williams is playing for the Wall Angles.
Across the Delaware River in Bucks County, PA, pitcher Kris Brown and catcher Eric Woodrow make up the battery on the ABCO Phillies of the Harry Starzell AAABA Collegiate League.
“It is a great experience to play with the nations best college players and compete at a high level day in day out much like in the minor leagues,” Davis said.
-RU-
