Post University Baseball Newsletter
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Post U. Baseball Volume32 Post University Baseball Newsletter Visit www.posteagles.com for all of the latest information on Post University Baseball GREEN SQUAD TAKES TWO IN SERIES The 2011/2012 inter-squad World Series started last week as the Green team slugged its way to two wins blasting the Black squad 11-0 in Game 1 and pulling away for a 6-2 victory in Game 2. Although both games, initially viewed, appear to be blowouts, both contests were low scoring ties heading into the 5th inning. “Obviously the green team has been executing much better with runners in scoring position. They’ve been a bit more aggressive running the bases and they’ve also been taking diligent approaches at the plate. It’s not like Black hasn’t had their opportunities to score runs; they just haven’t come through in the clutch thus far” said Coach McNamara. “The pitching has been okay up to this point. Some pitchers have shown flashes of attacking hitters but the younger guys have struggled with consistency a bit, which obviously is to be expected this early. I like how we’ve cut down on our strikeouts significantly so far.” Game 1 was a pitchers’ duel through the first four innings as team captains Cutler Ruby and Steve Corbett got the starts for their respective teams. Defense dominated as neither team could muster any scoring chances but in the 5th, Green exploded for five runs powered by good swings and aggressive base-running. “Green put themselves in really good hitting counts and attacked pitches the last two-thirds of the game. Once they gained confidence, they built off of it by running the bases extremely well and putting pressure on the defense to make plays.” From there, Green piled up the hits and runs on their way to the blowout first win. Game 2 mirrored much of the first game as both teams went into the 5th inning struggling to find their rhythm offensively. Tied at 1-1 in the 5th, Black’s defense faltered, making a few key mistakes, which led to four unearned runs for Green. Black fought hard and had opportunities to get back into the game but could not capitalize with runners on. “We talked about it afterwards that any slight breakdown in mental focus can lead to problems. We had a few mistakes which cost one team and forced them to play catch up. It was certainly a point of emphasis in practice this week.” Game 3 will be played Sunday, October 2nd at 2pm with Black hoping to get back into the series with a win. Since its inception in the fall of 2006, the annual World Series divides all the players into two teams who then compete in a five game series. Green holds a slight edge of 3-2 all-time. ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT COACH MCNAMARA at [email protected] SENIOR PROFILE: Each upcoming newsletter, a section will focus on a rising 2011/2012 senior. This week we will feature Russell Sirko, a catcher from Danbury, Connecticut. Russell transferred into the Program just before the start of the 2009/2010 season and will be a three year player for the Eagles this upcoming season. He started his career at Division III UMASS‐Boston, hitting .152 with 1 double and 3 RBI’s while playing in 15 games that season. He came into the Eagles’ program as a backup catcher but quickly caught the eye of the Coaching Staff for his toughness, attention to detail and his patience at the plate. He steadily climbed up to become the starting catcher midway through the conference season. Not relied upon to be a big offensive threat, Russell was determined to be an integral part of the offense as he utilized his patient approach at the plate to produce many quality at‐bats during the Eagles’ run to the conference championship. Although he only hit .169 for the year, his on‐base‐percentage was .300 and he was a very reliable signal caller behind the plate. He turned into a very quiet and unassuming leader during his first campaign. “Russ was one of the bedrocks for that team during the year. He became well‐respected and trusted by his teammates” says Coach McNamara. During his second season, Sirko picked up his offensive numbers as he hit .267 with 3 doubles, 1 triple and 15 RBI’s with an on‐base‐percentage of .350. He looks to help in bringing the Eagles their first ever CACC Championship and first trip to the NCAA Tournament. Russ is the son of Gail and Frank Sirko and has a brother Steven, who was also a member of the Eagles’ Baseball program. He will graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice in May 2012. WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT RUSS SIRKO: WAS A CAPTAIN OF HIS HIGH SCHOOL SWIM TEAM. PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 1995, 1996, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011 RICKER WRAPS UP THIRD SEASON IN THE N.E.C.B.L. 2008 ECAC 2nd Place Finish Associate Head Coach Ray Ricker wrapped up nd 2010 CACC 2 Place Tournament Finish his third season coaching in the NECBL, widely 2011 CACC 3rd Place Tournament Finish considered to be one of the top collegiate summer leagues in the nation. The NECBL AAALLLUUUMMMNNNIII PPPRRROOOFFFIIILLLEEE::: WWWHHHEEERRREEE AAARRREEE TTTHHHEEEYYY NNNOOOWWW??? consists of many of the top Division I baseball players in the country and has produced numerous Major Leaguers. “It’s an incredible Howdy Ya’ll! I’m Ben Schoenberg and I pitched for Post in 2008 experience being able to coach and work with and 2009 after transferring from Cedar Valley College in Texas. I was the first of many Texans to come to Post after playing my some of the finest ballplayers around” said Ricker. He started th junior college ball at Cedar Valley. I currently sit tied for 5 All‐ coaching in the league during the summer of 2009 when he was an Time in wins with 10. My 74 innings pitched in 2008 are good Assistant with the New Bedford Bay Sox enough for 5th most in a single season and my 7 wins in 2008 nd located in Massachusetts. The following places me tied for 2 most in a single season. I also only walked 27 batters in over 124 innings pitched. In 2008, I was named 2nd summer, he then took over as Manager of the Team All‐CACC. I currently live in Derry, NH with my girlfriend Bay Sox and coached players from the University of Southern Amanda Prince, a former softball player at Post, and our dog California, Wichita State University, Baylor University, Boston Grace. I currently work as an Accountant at Kronos Inc, a software College and many other top college programs. From there, he was company outside of Boston, MA. I graduated from Post in 2009 hired as the Manager for the Mystic Schooners for the summer of with a Degree in Accounting and am working on my M.B.A. at Southern New Hampshire University. GO EAGLES! 2011. It was the inaugural season for the Schooners as they had DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT BEN? moved the previous year from Bristol, CT. Ricker coached players from Virginia Tech University, Coastal Carolina University, Stanford Ben had 3 at‐bats in his two year college career. He grounded out University and many others. “Ray is one of the top young minds in to first base against Molloy in 2008 and went 2‐2 with a double against St. Joseph’s in 2009. For his career, he is 2‐3 with an RBI. the game and having him in the NECBL is a great asset for our program as a whole and personally for him. It brings us strength in promoting our program and it also allows him to network and meet coaches who we can bounce ideas off of as well as assist us in recruiting” said Coach McNamara. Ricker joined the Eagles’ staff in 2008 and quickly turned Post into one of the top hitting teams in the CACC. 2009 was a banner year as the team finished 1st in hitting with a .310 average and also led all of Division II in triples with 29. Under his watch, the Eagles have led the conference in hitting twice in his four years. Ricker looks to continue coaching in either the NECBL or step up to the Cape Cod League for next summer. .