Two more Atlantic Sun players to shine in Edenton
March 31, 2008
JACOB ROBBINS is a junior infielder, 5’10”, 150 lbs., attending Kennesaw State University (Georgia), a member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference; Jacob’s hometown is Calhoun, Georgia.
Jacob projects to be one of the fastest players in the Coastal Plain League this summer, having been officially timed at 6.4 seconds in the 60-yard dash. He brings a premium level of experience to Edenton, being a 3-year starter plus two summers in the Great Lakes League, and versatility with career starts at second base, shortstop, and center field. Robbins also possesses some traditional top-order skills with his speed, plate discipline, and hit ability.
Following the 2007 spring season at Kennesaw State, the left-handed hitting Robbins was named to the Atlantic Sun 2nd Team after winning the conference batting crown (.383) and leading the circuit in on-base average (.487). Last year also saw him complete a 35-game hitting streak that dated back to the final 22 contests of 2006 when he was a freshman.
Last summer with the Lima Locos of the Great Lakes League, Jacob batted .252 with a .349 on-base mark. He displayed excellent zone control with 14 walks versus only 11 strikeouts and showed his speed with 22 stolen bases in 23 attempts. He committed only four errors all summer at second base for a .969 fielding average. His 26 runs tied for fourth in the league, while his stolen base total ranked third. Robbins was a Great Lakes League all-star and a postseason All-League 2nd team selection at second base.
Approaching the halfway mark of the 2008 spring season thru 24 games, starting each as the Owls leadoff man, Jacob is currently batting .310 with 20 BB vs. 13 SO for a .453 on-base average; he has also laid down 6 sacrifice bunts and stolen 9 of 11 bases.
TY BOYLES is a redshirt-sophomore catcher, 5’9”, 170 lbs, who attends Gardner-Webb University (North Carolina), an NCAA Division I member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. His hometown is Ararat, North Carolina.
Ty projects as a strong and compact player, both behind and at the plate; the right-handed hitter gives the Steamers the potential for a complete backstop that can hit and defend well at a premium position.
With the Fairfax Nationals of the Clark Griffith Baseball League last summer, Boyles played in 40 games starting in 39; he hit .329 with a .391 on-base average, and a .490 slugging figure that came on the strength of 8 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 homers. Defensively, Ty threw out 32 percent of opposing base stealers with just two errors (.989 fielding average) and six passed balls the entire summer. He was a CGL all-star and a postseason All-League honoree at catcher.
Thru the Bulldogs first 24 games, Boyles has appeared in 17 and started 13; he is batting .388, getting on base at a .436 clip and slugging .571.
Currently at Kennesaw State University, Jacob Robbins is playing with one former Steamer in fellow junior right-handed pitcher Justin Freeman. Freeman closed for the Steamers a summer ago, playing a key role in sweeping the North Division titles for the third time in four years.
Pitching Search takes Steamers to Binghamton
March 25, 2008
JEFF DENNIS is a left-handed pitcher, 6’6”, 215 lbs., junior, attending Binghamton University (New York), a member of the NCAA Division I America East Conference; Jeff’s hometown is Syracuse, New York.
Jeff is currently pitching the 2008 spring season for the Bearcats as the game two weekend starter. He is attempting to continue his success from the 2007 summer campaign with Coastal Plain League foe Martinsville.
Dennis appeared in seven games for the Mustangs and pitched two complete games. He recorded a 3.73 ERA in 41 innings pitched and opposing batters hit .247 against him. He struck out 38 while only walking 12 and allowed one home run throughout the summer season, due in part to a 2.16 groundout:flyout ratio. Three out of his six starts came against the most powerful offense (Thomasville HiToms) in league history.
Dennis was named to the 2008 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award Watch List, given annually to the top Division I college baseball player. Through five starts for Binghamton, Jeff has thrown 2 complete games and pitched 27.1 innings, striking out 25 and only allowing one home run with a 1.75 groundout:flyout mark.
The southpaw is a highly-touted pro prospect who combines ample accomplish and experience in his background. Dennis features imposing height that helps create favorable leverage and angle to his pitches along with impressive movement on his fastball.
MURPHY SMITH is a sophomore right-handed pitcher, 6’3”, 200 lbs, who attends Binghamton University (New York), an NCAA Division I member of the America East Conference. His hometown is Clifton Park, New York.
Capitalizing on a strong summer last year, Murphy took hold of the Sunday spot in the Bearcats rotation to open 2008. In the 2007 summer campaign, Smith pitched alongside fellow 2008 Steamer signee Dan Gardo (previously announced from Campbell University) and had an all-star season with the Kutztown Rockies in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League.
He appeared in five contests, all starts, completing two with one shutout over 27 innings. In those outings he held opposing batters to a .175 average, .89 WHIP, and a 0.67 ERA. He struck out 25 while walking 7 and had a staggering groundball ratio of 2.40.
Smith has started the 2008 season on the right foot as he is coming off America East Pitcher of the Week honors and through 5 appearances, four starts, has posted a 1.88 ERA in 24 innings pitched with an opposing batting average of .179. He has struck out 20 while walking 6 and has recorded a WHIP of .88. Murphy appears to be developing into a complete pitcher on the mound as he is able to induce a lot of groundouts, finish a batter by punchout, and is commanding the strike zone well due in part to plus control at the collegiate level.
Similar to last week’s announced pitching duo from Middle Tennessee State University, Jeff and Murphy are also following a Binghamton pitcher to Edenton. Redshirt-senior right-hander Zach Groh took his place as one of the finest Steamer starting pitchers in franchise history last summer. They all follow the first Bearcat in Edenton, all-star first baseman Brendon Hitchcock from 2006.
Steamers Raid Middle Tennessee State for Arms
March 17, 2008
KENNETH ROBERTS is a left-handed pitcher, 6’1”, 200 lbs., sophomore, attending Middle Tennessee State University, a member of the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference; Kenneth’s hometown is Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Roberts has opened the 2008 collegiate season as the game one weekend starter for the Blue Raiders and looks to remain somewhere in the conference rotation throughout. This prominent role is coming off a freshman campaign where Kenneth did not pitch many innings for MTSU.
Kenneth flourished in his 2007 summer season with the Carolina Sox out of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League where he was a midseason all-star. He made 14 appearances for the Sox and posted a 7-0 record. In 35.1 innings, batters only hit .223 against him and he posted a 2.04 ERA and .99 WHIP.
Kenneth gave up less than 1 walk every nine innings and recorded a 10.5 strikeout:walk ratio (42:4), which were unofficially two of the top figures in all of collegiate summer ball.
Baseball America ranked Roberts the #4 prospect out of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League, writing:
“Roberts used good location on a mid-80s fastball and the league’s top breaking ball (a curve)…He’s tenacious and adds a developing changeup as well.”
KEVIN WHITTAKER is a junior right-handed pitcher, 6’3”, 190 lbs, who attends Middle Tennessee State University, an NCAA Division I member of the Sun Belt Conference. His hometown is Cottontown, Tennessee.
Whittaker is starting the 2008 collegiate baseball season as a reliever for MTSU. As the season continues on, the Blue Raiders project Kevin to assume one of their rotation spots. He is a junior college transfer from Volunteer State Community College in Tennessee. Kevin was the ace there in 2007 and is a very physical pitcher with a projectable frame and above average stuff at the collegiate level.
Kevin enjoyed a quality 2007 spring with Volunteer State CC where he made 13 starts, pitched 70.1 innings with 6 complete games and 2 shutouts. He struck out 78 while only walking 34. His most impressive stat is that he only permitted one home run in 70.1 frames. He was also elected to the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association 1st Team.
Kenneth and Kevin follow in the footsteps of current MTSU senior pitcher Brad Robinson, who was a part of Edenton’s 2007 rotation and a key contributor to sweeping both North Division halves en route to a 39-win
summer.
Assistant Coach Rounds Out Edenton Coaching Staff
March 17, 2008
JASON MIORI comes to Edenton to serve as a third assistant caoch for the 2008 campaign. He comes to Edenton after completing four successful seasons as a player for the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.
Jason was a highly recruited athlete out of New Braunfels High School in New Braunfels, Texas. Upon graduation he moved on to the University of Incarnate Word. While at UCW, Jason helped lead the Cardinals to two Heartland Conference championships and a 148- 78 (.646) record over his four years of service.
Miori was elected the 2004 Freshman of the Year for the Heartland Conference, as well as being named to the all - Heartland Conference team for three years.
During his senior campaign Jason only missed two games of action and aided the Cardinals to a 34-21 record. He batted .328 in fifty three games and belted 9 home runs and had a .552 slugging percentage.
Miori graduated from Incarnate Word with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a certification in education. His upcoming stint in Edenton will be his first experience in coaching.
Northern Schools ship two players to Edenton
March 10, 2008
MIKE WOOD is a right-handed pitcher, 6’1”, 215 lbs., sophomore, attending the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), a member of the NCAA Division I Big East Conference;
Mike’s hometown is Endicott, New York.
Mike comes into the 2008 season after having successful 2007 spring and summer sessions for the University of Pittsburgh and with the Elmira Pioneers of the New York Collegiate Baseball League.
For the 2008 campaign Mike is going to be primarily used as a bullpen arm for Pittsburgh. In his freshman year with the Panthers he appeared in eleven games and struck out 22 in 23.2 innings of work. He yielded only four extra-base hits but none of them were home runs.
While Mike enjoyed success with the Panthers, he had an even better season with the Elmira Pioneers. Wood appeared in eleven games, started in nine of them, and posted a 4-2 win/loss record.
He pitched in 60 innings and had a 2.85 ERA throughout the summer for the New York Collegiate Baseball League champions. Mike struck out 49 while only walking 14 and posted a batting average against of .227, WHIP of 1.05, and pounded hitters to the tune of a 2.75 groundout:flyout ratio.
He was elected an all-star and to the postseason all-league 2nd team. Mike projects well to the Edenton pitching staff as a sinkerballer that features value with his versatility as he will bring experience as both a multi-inning reliever and a starter.
FRANK DIMASI is a junior outfielder, 5’10”, 210 lbs, who attends Long Island University (New York), an NCAA Division I member of the Northeast Conference. His hometown is Staten Island, New York.
Frank is looking to get back to full strength in the 2008 season after having his sophomore year cut essentially in half by injury. He batted .323 last spring, stroked seven doubles, and was 11 out of 14 in stolen bases. DiMasi has opened this season playing both left and right field and batting third in the lineup for the Blackbirds.
Frank produced an MVP-caliber summer in 2007 as he helped lead the Jersey Shore Tides to the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League title. In 39 games for the Tides he batted .356 with a .471 on base percentage, slugged .578 with six doubles, eight home runs, 39 RBI, and stole 18 of 21 bases.
DiMasi is a powerfully built player, who is a strong hitter and runner. He has battled some injury and inconsistency as an underclassman, but looks to put it all together in his junior spring coming off a monster summer.
Coaching staff looks to keep up pattern of success in Edenton
March 10, 2008
ERIC PETERSON joins the Edenton Steamers coaching staff as an assistant coach under first year head coach Jason Krug. Eric is in his first year as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator on the Pittsburg State University (Kansas) staff, after enjoying a three-year pitching career with the Gorillas.
Eric’s playing career at the collegiate level saw stops at the University of Kansas, Johnson County Community College and finally at Pittsburg State where he completed his junior and senior years of eligibility. At Kansas he saw action in 12 games and recorded a save for the Jayhawks. While at Johnson County he posted a 6-5 record and a 2.74 ERA, all while leading the Cavaliers to the NJCAA Region 6 Regionals.
During the last two years of his career, while at Pittsburg State, Eric recorded a 1-0 record and a 3.10 ERA during his junior year. That season was cut short after having “Tommy John” surgery but came back for his senior campaign to record a 1-4 record in seven starts.
Eric’s coaching tenure has been extensive as well, including the role of pitching coach for the Topeka Golden Giants. While serving in this capacity he led the Golden Giants to a sub 3.00 ERA for the season. He also served as pitching coach for the Arrowrents of the Ban Johnson league and as an instructor for the Kansas University Baseball Camps since playing for the Jayhawks in 2002.
Peterson earned his Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration from Pittsburg State and is currently pursuing a master’s degree. He and his wife Christina were married in October 2007.
JEFF HALTER comes to Edenton as an Assistant Coach as well as the Pitching Coach for the 2008 season. Currently Jeff is an Assistant Coach in charge of pitchers and defense at Hampshire High School in Hampshire, Illinois.
As a player Jeff was an All-State selection in high school and continued his playing career at Illinois Benedictine College under the legendary coach John Ostrowski. After completing his career at IBC Jeff went on to coach for ten seasons, the last six being at the high school level. He is honored with the Tom House/National Pitching Association Certified Pitching Coach distinction, which only 200 others in the nation have.
He is also a member of the Pitch and Hit club of Chicago, American Baseball Coaches Association, and the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association.
Coach Halter and his wife Joan currently reside in South Elgin, Illinois with their three children Riley, Hannah and Emily.
Atlantic Sun Conference Sets Two Southpaws in Edenton
March 3, 2008
DANIEL GARDO is a left-handed pitcher, 6’3”, 215 lbs., redshirt-freshman, attending Campbell University (North Carolina), a member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference; Daniel’s hometown is West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Gardo debuted last weekend in relief due to the series being rain-shortened, but projects to be a weekend starter, and in fact opened game two this past weekend.
The 2008 season will be the first competing year for him as he red-shirted in 2007 at the University of Pittsburgh. In Daniel’s first collegiate outing he threw 3.2 shutout innings and only allowed two hits in the second game of a doubleheader sweep against Dayton. He was credited with the win in relief, coming in after former Wilson Tob, and CPL record holder, Brandon Scott.
Daniel saw a considerable amount of action with the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League Kutztown Rockies during 2007 summer baseball play, earning all-star distinction. He made nine starts and was 7-0, pitching 53 innings with four complete games and only allowed batters to hit .188 against him along with a .96 WHIP and 2.04 earned run average. He ranked amongst league leaders in ERA (4th), opponent batting average (1st), IP (2nd), wins (1st), GS (t-1st), CG (t-1st), and also posted an impressive 1.89 groundout:flyout ratio with yet another league-high 70 groundball outs.
Baseball America ranked him the #5 prospect in the ACBL for the 2007 summer with a report that read, “…he pitches from a good downward angle with a 6-feet-3, 205-pound frame. Gardo works in the mid- to high-80s with his fastball and also has a decent curveball.”
DAN APRIL is a junior left-handed pitcher, 6’1”, 195 lbs, who attends Mercer University (Georgia), an NCAA Division I member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. His hometown is Fort Collins, Colorado.
Dan comes into the 2008 season with Mercer having transferred from Colby Community College in Kansas where he was elected to the 2007 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference 2nd team.
Last year at Colby he appeared in 12 games and pitched 56.1 innings while posting a 2.40 ERA. He struck out 57 opposing batters while only walking 18.
Presently April is working from the Bears bullpen, but will likely stretch out to a starter’s role sometime this spring.
Dan also had a very successful summer campaign, his with the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League Fort Collins Foxes. He appeared in seven games with four starts; in 25.2 innings he finished with a .90 WHP and a 2.10 ERA. His most impressive statistic was striking out 37 while walking 6 in those 25+ frames for the Foxes, resulting in astonishing ratios of 6.17 strikeouts to every
walk and 1.44 strikeouts for every inning pitched.
Gardo and April got a chance to face off against the other this past weekend when Mercer took two of three from Campbell in Buies Creek, North Carolina.
PDF of Press Release 3-03-08 April and Gardo
Press Release STEAMERS RICE AND SUTTON SUPPLY HOME COOKIN’ IN EDENTON
February 25, 2008
KYLE RICE is a 6’0”, 195 lbs, sophomore catcher attending the University of South Carolina-Aiken, a member of the NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference; Kyle’s hometown is Augusta, Georgia.
Kyle begins his 2008 campaign with the University of South Carolina-Aiken Pacers in the mix at catcher, first base, and designated hitter. The Pacers as of February 22 were off to their best start in school history and ranked #19 in Division II.
Kyle was a member of the 2007 Edenton Steamer squad that went 39-16 (.709) and won the North Division titles for the first and second halves of the season. Rice played in 32 games for the Steamers and started in 23 of those contests. He batted .233 for the season while posting a .337 on-base average, slugging .244, and only committing 1 error in 184 chances between catcher and first base.
He impressed the coaches from last season with his versatility, readiness, and consistent approach despite having only logged 15 games as a freshman while at USC-Aiken. Rice spelled
older guys, both behind the plate and at first base, showing enough promise to excite the Steamers about returning this summer.
BROC SUTTON is a 5’11”, 185 lbs, sophomore infielder attending East Carolina University (North Carolina), which is a member of the NCAA Division I Conference USA; Broc’s hometown is Edenton, NC.
Broc comes into the 2008 East Carolina campaign looking to contribute on a starting basis at a variety of infield positions. Sutton will more than likely see most of his action at shortstop throughout the upcoming spring.
He will play for his hometown Steamers, hoping to follow the success of fellow Edenton native Juddy Smith (2005-2006). The 2008 Pirates are preseason ranked 24th in the country by Baseball America.
Sutton comes to Edenton off of a productive summer season playing for Coastal Plain League counterpart Asheboro. Broc batted .273 with a .358 on-base average and slugged .427 for the Copperheads while hitting nine doubles, four home runs, and contributing 26 RBI. Sutton had a breakout week June 25-July 1 when he was selected as the Coastal Plain League Hitter of the Week.
He ranked 2nd or 3rd on the Copperheads in nine different offensive statistical categories despite only starting and playing in 38 games.
PDF of Press Release 2-25-08 Rice-Sutton
Press Release 2-18-08
February 18, 2008
RETURNING BATTERY HOPES TO SUSTAIN EDENTON’S CHARGE
BRANDON MICHON is a left-handed pitcher, 6’0”, 170 lbs., a redshirt-sophomore, attending Brigham Young University (Utah), a member of the NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference; Brandon’s hometown is Hamilton, Virginia.
Brandon projects to open the 2008 campaign with Brigham Young as a key reliever that will be used on weekends. Michon begins his second season for the Cougars as he was redshirted his freshman year. In his first year of action in the spring of 2007 he recorded one win in 13 appearances. That lone victory came against UNLV when he threw 2.2 hitless innings, his longest outing of the season. He struck out 17 in just 15.2 innings pitched and held opposing hitters to a .273 average against last year. He only gave up five walks in those 15.2 innings.
Brandon is a returning member of the 2007 Steamers squad that won both North Division half titles en route to 39 wins, which set the record for victories in a season for the Steamers. He appeared in 24 contests and in 32 innings pitched had an ERA of 0.84 and a WHIP of .91. His games total was second on the staff by only one to closer Justin Freeman. In those 32 innings he also held opposing Coastal Plain League batters to a .140 average, which was one of the lowest for pitchers who had over 20 appearances. Michon is arguably the most effective left-handed reliever in Steamers franchise history. While not overpowering with fastball velocity, he essentially dominated CPL hitters last summer with command accompanied by three quality secondary pitches.
RYAN BOELSEN is a redshirt-junior catcher/first baseman, 6’2”, 225 lbs, who attends Adelphi University (New York), an NCAA Division II member of the East Coast Conference. His hometown is Garden City, New York.
Ryan bats and throws right-handed and looks to be the starting catcher for the Adelphi Panthers when they open their season on February 29th. In his sophomore year with the Panthers, Ryan was second on the team in batting average (.393) and runs batted in with 49 for the East Coast Conference champions. He was second on the team in home runs with eight and third in doubles with 13. Boelsen only struck out in ten percent of his at bats (19 in 191), an impressive feat for his power production. Ryan was also second on the team with a .586 slugging percentage. He was elected to the East Coast Conference 1st Team and the Division II Northeast Region 2nd Team.
Boelsen came to Edenton last summer just before the transaction deadline in late July. He joined the team and made an immediate impact against the rival Outer Banks Daredevils when he doubled twice in a 3-for-4, 3-run, 3-RBI debut at Hicks Field in a 15-3 win. Ryan presents a quality summer collegiate profile beyond his offensive output due to a strong arm, ability to catch, and play some first base.
