NJCAA DIVISION II WORLD SERIES ‘99 ◦‘04 ◦ ‘10 ◦ ‘11 ◦ ‘13 ◦ ‘15 NATIONAL RUNER UP ‘10 3RD PLACE ‘15 NJCAA DIVISION II EAST DISTRICT CHAMPIONS ‘99 ◦ ‘04 ◦ ‘10 ◦ ‘11 ◦ ‘13 ◦ ‘15 NJCAA DIVISION II NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONS ‘90 ◦ ‘99 ◦ ‘00 ◦ ‘04 ◦ ‘05 ◦ ‘06 ◦ ‘07 ◦ ‘08 ◦ ‘10 ◦ ‘11 ◦ ‘13 ◦ ‘14 ◦ ‘15 CSCC CHAMPIONS ‘73-’78 ROGER BIDWELL TO BE INDUCTED INTO NJCAA BASEBALL COACHES HALL OF FAME Grand Junction, CO As a 25-year old in 1982, Roger Bidwell began his 34-year journey as the head coach of the UConn-Avery Point baseball program. During his tenure from 1982 through the 2015 season, Bidwell saw tremendous success as the Ledyard, CT native posted a 1007-378-7 record. Some of Bidwell’s accomplishments include 13 NJCAA Region XXI Division II championships and six appearances in the NJCAA DII Baseball World Series, which included a runner-up finish in 2010 when the Pointers finished the year 41-10. His coaching during that championship was recognized with Coach of the Tournament honors. In his first six seasons from 1982-87, Bidwell won the Connecticut Small College Conference Championship and quickly established himself as one of the best coaches in the region. In the Constitution State, Bidwell earned a handful of awards. In 2004 and again in 2011, he was named the Connecticut American Legion College Coach of the Year. Bidwell was also recognized time by the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance in 2011, as he was given the Gold Key Award at the 70th annual Gold Key Dinner. Finally in 2012, the Pointers skipper was named to the Niantic American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame. Under Coach Bidwell’s guidance, more than 150 players went on to four-year schools with 34 of them going on to play professionally. When he retired as the head coach of the baseball team in 2015, Bidwell was the sitting chair for the NJCAA Region XXI Baseball and Standard and Ethics Committees. He held each position since 1994 and 2000, respectively. Currently, Bidwell remains with UConn-Avery Point as their athletic director. He’s married to his wife Nancy and has two sons, Casey and Shane. -NJCAA Press Release, 2017 After 34 years as Head Baseball Coach at UConn Avery Point, Roger Bidwell announced his retirement at the end of the 2015 season, and “What a way to go out”. In Coach Bidwell’s final year, Avery Point advanced to the NJCAA Division II World Series in Enid, OK and placed 3rd nationally. UCAP had previously played in the 1999, 2004, 2010 (2nd place), 2011 and 2013 NJCAA World Series. During Coach Bidwell’s tenure the Pointers also won NJCAA New England Championships in 1990, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015, (with 2nd place finishes in 1994, 1995, 2001 and 2012). Six NJCAA East Districts Championships: 1999, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, and six Connecticut Small College Championships: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987, compiling a career record of 1007 wins, 387 losses, a 72% win- ning percentage. Three former UCAP players went on to the Major Leagues: Rajai Davis, Pete Walker and John McDonald. Annemarie Seifert, Ph.D. WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE Campus Director Hall of Fame Induction- Inside Front Cover A Letter From The Director………………………………………………….. 1 University of Connecticut UCAP Quick Facts………………………………………………………………… 1 Avery Point The University of Connecticut at Avery Point……………………….. 2 Record of Excellence……………………………………………………………. 2 2016 Season in Review………………………………………………………… 4 2017 UCAP Baseball Preview……………………………………………….. 6 Letter From the Athletic Director………………………………………… 6 UCAP 2017 Baseball Roster………………………………………………….. 8 Spring is in the air and that means baseball season is Coaches’ Profiles………………………………………………………………….. 10-11 back in play for UConn Avery Point’s baseball team, the Trainers’/Managers’ Profiles……………………………………………….. 13 Pointers! We are proud to welcome all UConn Nation UCAP Pro Baseball Drafts…………………………………………………….. 15 members and fans back to support our team for the NJCAA Post Season Tournament Results……………………………… 15 2017/2018 season. Player Profiles………………………………………………………………..……. 17-23 Last year, Mike Aldrich, former Avery Point player and Alumni Currently Playing College Baseball…………………………… 24-26 Assistant Coach since 2012, led the team as Head Philosophy of UCAP Baseball Program…………………………………. 28 Coach. Working with Mike are Assistant Coaches Ed UCAP Players Who Continue to Play…………………………………….. 28 Harvey, Kyle Wilson and Dennis Long. Our coaches Individual Batting/Pitching Statistics……………………………………. 30 Avery Point Major Leaguers…………………………………………………. 32 understand the importance of an education with an UCAP Alumni Currently Playing Pro Baseball ……………………………… 33 athletic experience; the team’s average GPA remains a Avery Point All-Americans ……………………………………………………. 35 steady and solid 3.0, with five players having made the 2015 Season Results……………………………………………………………. 37 Dean’s List. UCAP Baseball Records……………………………………………………….. 39-44 As with our other team sports at Avery Point, our Spring Schedule- Back Cover……………………………………………….. baseball program is a point of great pride, bringing home an average of thirty-seven wins each season since UCAP QUICK FACTS Location................1084 Shennecossett Rd., Groton, CT 06340 1999. Main Telephone Number....................................860-405-9000 My best wishes and congratulations to Athletic Director Website…………………….…...……....…www.averypoint.uconn.edu and former baseball Coach Roger Bidwell, on being Enrollment...........................................................................800 inducted into the 2017 NJCAA Hall of Fame. We are Nickname......................................................................Pointers proud of your accomplishments and all that you do for Colors......................................................................Navy, white our campus. Athletic Department Phone.................................860-405-9183 Our athletes are students, family members, friends, and Athletic Dept. Fax..................…............................860-405-9043 role models for the entire UConn community. We Affiliation...........….National Junior College Athletic Association recognize and celebrate their leadership and strong Campus Director (Interim)….....................Dr.Annemarie Seifert character, and wish them the best in the coming Athletic Director...….............................................Roger Bidwell season. Baseball Coach.......….............................................Mike Aldrich Assistant Coaches………………………..…Kyle Wilson, Dennis Long …………………………………………………………………..……….., Ed Harvey Home Field..................................Washington Park, Groton, CT UCAP Baseball Yearbook 2017- Page 1 THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AT AVERY POINT UConn-Avery Point is one of five regional campuses in the University of Connecticut system. Located on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Thames River, UConn-Avery Point challenges students with specialized four-year degree programs in English, Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies. Students here also receive an outstanding education in more traditional areas of study, beginning their college journey in most any of the 100+ majors that UConn offers and then, upon completing of the first 54 credits, seamlessly transition to the main campus in Storrs to finish their degree. Students at Avery Point benefit from small classes taught by esteemed faculty, distinctly modern facilities and unlimited opportunities for undergraduate research, internships and education abroad programs. The interdisciplinary approach to learning is complemented by a fully-staffed Academic Center where supplemental free tutoring in math, the sciences, writing, computer literacy and study skills help students participate with confidence in every class. At UConn-Avery Point you can start small, save money and still enjoy all the benefit of a nationally renowned UConn education while taking advantage of our beautiful waterfront location. RECORD OF EXCELLENCE Since 1999, The University of Connecticut at Avery Point Baseball Program has posted an impressive winning percentage of 80%, 577 wins and 166 losses, and an average of 32 wins per season. The 2010 team established the program record with 41 wins, and the 2003 team posted the best winning percentage of 85.3% with a 29-5 record. During the past 17 years UCAP has won 12 NJCAA Division II New England Championships (1999, 2000, 2004-2008, 2010, 2011, 2013-2015), Six East District Championships (1999, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015), six World Series appearances (1999, 2004, 2010, 201l, 2013, 2015), capped off with the 41-10 National Runner-Up performance of the 2010 team, and a 3rd place finish for the 2015 team. In addition, in 2006, three UConn-Avery Point alumni played in Knights of Columbus Rodrigo the major leagues: shortstop John McDonald and pitcher Pete Walker with the Toronto Blue Jays, and outfielder Rajai Davis Council 44, New Haven, CT with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2008, John McDonald played for the Toronto Blue Jays and Rajai Davis for the Oakland A’s. In 2011, Rajai Davis joined John McDonald with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2013, Pete Walker was named the Pitching Coach for the Good Luck Michael Corso Toronto Blue Jays. In 2013, John McDonald played for the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox and Rajai Davis was 2nd in the And the 2017 Avery Point American League with 45 stolen bases with Toronto. Baseball Team In 2016, Rajai Davis played for the American League Champion Cleveland Indians, leading the league with 43 stolen bases. The Indians advanced to the