Submitted by: Travis Larner, Newark Pilots
The Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) will host its first-ever All-Star Game at Dunn Field in Elmira on Monday, July 18 at 7:05 p.m. Eight players were selected to represent the Newark Pilots on the West Division Team.
"It's exciting. These kids are good, they worked hard and they are deserving of making the All-Star team," said Newark Manager Chris Ebright. Both Ebright and Pilots' Assistant Coach Damon Arnold will serve as assistant coaches for the West Division.
Three Newark infielders were voted to the All-Star squad as starters. Randy Villa (San Joaquin Delta), Kyle Attl (Cal State Northridge) and Matt Vera (San Joaquin Delta) will start at first base, shortstop and third base respectively.
Villa has been the Pilots' top batter throughout the season. He also led the league in batting average at the end of June and into the start of July. As of July 14, the powerful first baseman was second in the league with 36 hits and has a team-leading four homeruns. Villa's college teammate will join him at the opposite corner infield position. Vera has been a star in the "hot corner", constantly making many defensive plays. He has started 25 of 28 games at third.
"They are good corner infielders. Villa gets recognized for his bat, but offensively and defensively, he is the full package," said Ebright. "Vera definitely has the glove to play third. We've put him out there all but a few games and he's come through."
Attl's performance at the plate has made him a regular in the three-hole. His average has been above .300 the entire summer. The San Diego, C.A. native is second on the Pilots with 18 RBI and two homeruns. He recently went 4-for-4 in a shutout over the Watertown Wizards.
"I came this summer just trying to hit well and I think I did a good job," said Attl "You're there to show your stuff to the scouts. I'm going to have a lot of fun."
The speedy Michael Bolling (Lewis) was voted to the All-Star contest as a reserve outfielder. The Pilots' starting centerfielder has a team-best 24 runs scored. As the league's leading base-stealer, Bolling has only been thrown out once in 15 attempts.
"I'm honored. I didn't really see it coming," said Bolling. "I think I have been doing things to help the team win and that's why I got selected."
The Pilots are also sending four pitcher's to Elmira for the PGCBL's version of the Mid-Summer Classic. Carson Beauchaine (Saginaw Valley State), Justin D'Amato (St. John Fisher), Dominick Ruscitti (Kutztown) and Mark Scott (San Joaquin Delta) will take the mound for the West All-Stars.
Beauchaine and Canandaigua native D'Amato give the Pilots a duo of the league's best strike throwers. Beauchaine is second in the league with 40 strikeouts and D'Amato is fourth with 37 K's. Both are also inside the top eight in ERA.
"They have been two dependable guys. They like to throw strikes," said Ebright. "They have a chance to move on and do some good things at the next level."
Ruscitti lead's the PGCBL with a 1.11 ERA and has the Pilots' best record at 3-0. The big right-hander threatens to go all nine innings in almost every appearance. He threw Newark's first complete game in a win over Glens Falls on July 8.
"What I like about Dom the most is that he is a smart pitcher," said Ebright. "He's a workhorse on the mound and he pounds the zone, which makes for a good All-Star."
Scott's trip to Elmira means that all three San Joaquin Delta Mustangs can add All-Star status to their résumé along with their California Community College Athletic Association State Championship from the spring. The Pilots' closer has five saves and opposing batters are only hitting .160 against him.
"I'm out here having fun and I'm glad I made it. I put in a lot of hard work," said Scott. "It's a blast to play
with two of my best friends. We had a good year [at San Joaquin Delta]."
For more information and full 2011 PGCBL All-Star rosters, visit www.pgcbl.com.
The Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) will host its first-ever All-Star Game at Dunn Field in Elmira on Monday, July 18 at 7:05 p.m. Eight players were selected to represent the Newark Pilots on the West Division Team.
"It's exciting. These kids are good, they worked hard and they are deserving of making the All-Star team," said Newark Manager Chris Ebright. Both Ebright and Pilots' Assistant Coach Damon Arnold will serve as assistant coaches for the West Division.
Three Newark infielders were voted to the All-Star squad as starters. Randy Villa (San Joaquin Delta), Kyle Attl (Cal State Northridge) and Matt Vera (San Joaquin Delta) will start at first base, shortstop and third base respectively.
Villa has been the Pilots' top batter throughout the season. He also led the league in batting average at the end of June and into the start of July. As of July 14, the powerful first baseman was second in the league with 36 hits and has a team-leading four homeruns. Villa's college teammate will join him at the opposite corner infield position. Vera has been a star in the "hot corner", constantly making many defensive plays. He has started 25 of 28 games at third.
"They are good corner infielders. Villa gets recognized for his bat, but offensively and defensively, he is the full package," said Ebright. "Vera definitely has the glove to play third. We've put him out there all but a few games and he's come through."
Attl's performance at the plate has made him a regular in the three-hole. His average has been above .300 the entire summer. The San Diego, C.A. native is second on the Pilots with 18 RBI and two homeruns. He recently went 4-for-4 in a shutout over the Watertown Wizards.
"I came this summer just trying to hit well and I think I did a good job," said Attl "You're there to show your stuff to the scouts. I'm going to have a lot of fun."
The speedy Michael Bolling (Lewis) was voted to the All-Star contest as a reserve outfielder. The Pilots' starting centerfielder has a team-best 24 runs scored. As the league's leading base-stealer, Bolling has only been thrown out once in 15 attempts.
"I'm honored. I didn't really see it coming," said Bolling. "I think I have been doing things to help the team win and that's why I got selected."
The Pilots are also sending four pitcher's to Elmira for the PGCBL's version of the Mid-Summer Classic. Carson Beauchaine (Saginaw Valley State), Justin D'Amato (St. John Fisher), Dominick Ruscitti (Kutztown) and Mark Scott (San Joaquin Delta) will take the mound for the West All-Stars.
Beauchaine and Canandaigua native D'Amato give the Pilots a duo of the league's best strike throwers. Beauchaine is second in the league with 40 strikeouts and D'Amato is fourth with 37 K's. Both are also inside the top eight in ERA.
"They have been two dependable guys. They like to throw strikes," said Ebright. "They have a chance to move on and do some good things at the next level."
Ruscitti lead's the PGCBL with a 1.11 ERA and has the Pilots' best record at 3-0. The big right-hander threatens to go all nine innings in almost every appearance. He threw Newark's first complete game in a win over Glens Falls on July 8.
"What I like about Dom the most is that he is a smart pitcher," said Ebright. "He's a workhorse on the mound and he pounds the zone, which makes for a good All-Star."
Scott's trip to Elmira means that all three San Joaquin Delta Mustangs can add All-Star status to their résumé along with their California Community College Athletic Association State Championship from the spring. The Pilots' closer has five saves and opposing batters are only hitting .160 against him.
"I'm out here having fun and I'm glad I made it. I put in a lot of hard work," said Scott. "It's a blast to play
with two of my best friends. We had a good year [at San Joaquin Delta]."
For more information and full 2011 PGCBL All-Star rosters, visit www.pgcbl.com.
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