NECBL champion Navs finish #16 in summer baseball, Waldron named Manager of the Year

Accolades for the 2010 New England Collegiate Baseball League champion North Shore Navigators keep pouring in.

The Navigators started off the season at 0-6, but came back to finish the regular season with a 25-17 record, good for second in the Eastern Division (2.0 GB of Newport). On their way to the title, the Navs beat Sanford, Newport, and Danbury in their respective series, all in the maximum three games.

Two Navs were recognized recently when the NECBL announced the 2010 postseason awards were announced. Manager Jeff Waldron, a Lynn native, was named the league’s Manager of the Year as he guided the Navs to their first-ever title. Jason Banos (Columbia) was named to the NECBL First Team as an outfielder.

PG Crosschecker and Perfect Game USA released their final Summer Baseball Top 30 ranking on Tuesday morning and the Navs were ranked #16, highest among NECBL teams.

The Newport Gulls were the only other NECBL team to be ranked among the top 30, checking in at #24. The Navs ousted the Gulls from the NECBL Playoffs in the Eastern Division Championship Series. Western Division semifinalists Danbury and North Adams were among consideration for the final ranking.

Yarmouth-Dennis was top ranked among five Cape Cod League teams as they were #3, while Northwoods League champion Eau Claire checked in at the top spot.

The final ranking is as follows:

#	Team	ST	League	Record	Accomplishment
1	Eau Claire Express	WI	Northwoods	52-24	League champion
2	Chillicothe Paints	OH	Prospect	41-17	League champion
3	Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox	MA	Cape Cod	32-19	Eastern Division regular-season champion
4	Forest City Owls	NC	Coastal Plain	43-21	League champion
5	Liberal Bee Jays	KS	Jayhawk	37-14	National Baseball Congress World Series champion
6	Santa Barbara Foresters	CA	California	45-11	League champion
7	Cotuit Kettleers	MA	Cape Cod	25-24	League champion
8	Mat-Su Miners	AK	Alaska	33-15	League champion
9	Orleans Firebirds	MA	Cape Cod	25-22
10	Sedalia Bombers	MO	MINK	38-10	League champion
11	Brewster Whitecaps	MA	Cape Cod	27-19
12	Hamilton Joe’s	OH	Great Lakes	29-15	League champion
13	Amsterdam Mohawks	NY	New York	33-15	League champion
14	Victoria Generals	TX	Texas	34-17	League champion
15	Luray Wranglers	VA	Valley	33-18	League champion
16	North Shore Navigators	MA	New England	31-20	League champion
17	Wenatchee AppleSox	WA	West Coast	33-20	League champion
18	Alaska Goldpanners	AK	Alaska	34-15
19	Wisconsin Woodchucks	WI	Northwoods	43-30
20	Edenton Steamers	NC	Coastal Plain	37-26
21	Licking County Settlers	OH	Great Lakes	31-13	Regular-season champion
22	Youse’s Maryland Orioles	MD	Cal Ripken Sr.	37-15	All-American Amateur Baseball Association champion
23	San Luis Obispo Blues	CA	California	32-17
24	Newport Gulls	RI	New England	30-17	Eastern Division regular-season champion
25	North Fork Ospreys	NY	Atlantic	31-15	League champion
26	Winter Park Diamond Dawgs	FL	Florida	31-11	League champion
27	Haymarket Senators	VA	Valley	33-16	Regular-season champion
28	Bethesda Big Train	MD	Cal Ripken Sr.	29-17	League champion
29	Bourne Braves	MA	Cape Cod	24-22	Western Division regular-season champion
30	St. Cloud River Bats	MN	Northwoods	40-30

OTHERS RECEIVING CONSIDERATION: Kenai Peninsula Oilers/Alaska (33-17); Gastonia Grizzlies/Coastal Plain (37-24); Wilson Tobs/Coastal Plain (37-21); Morehead City Marlins/Coastal Plain (35-22); Waikiki Surfers/Hawaii (24-16); Tradewater Pirates/KIT (34-15); St. Joseph Mustangs/MINK (31-17); North Adams SteepleCats/New England (29-19); Danbury Westerners/New England (29-22); Elmira Pioneers/New York (31-17); Madison Mallards/Northwoods (41-29); Willmar Stingers/Northwoods (39-31); Rochester Honkers/Northwoods (39-31); Green Bay Bullfrogs/Northwoods (39-31); Danville Dans/Prospect (33-25); Springfield Sliders/Prospect (35-20); Palm Springs Power/Southern California Baseball Association (34-4); East Texas Pumpjacks/Texas (34-20); Corvallis Knights/West Coast (31-19); Swift Current Indians/Western Major (37-15).

Postgame Journal: Navs come-from-behind to win 2010 NECBL crown

LYNN, Massachusetts (Tuesday, August 10, 2010) – Catcher Garret Smith (Boston College) delivered a two-out, two-run title-clinching double to lift the North Shore Navigators to a 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Danbury Westerners in the third game of the NECBL Championship Series.

The win gives the Navs their first NECBL championship in franchise history, despite starting the season winless through six games.

Danbury actually took a lead over the first two innings thanks to a solo home run to right field by the second batter of the game in right fielder Brandon Boudreaux (Tulane). In the second, a sacrifice fly to center field by shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez (Maryland) made it 2-0.

North Shore tied the game at 2-2 with a pair of runs in the third on singles to the outfield by second baseman Matt Hamlet (Boston College) and center fielder Braxton Graven (Bellarmine). Both were hit with two outs with Hamlet’s going to straight-away center and Graven’s to left-center field.

The Navs took the lead again in the fifth inning when third baseman Jack Mayfield (Oklahoma) drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs, scoring shortstop Cody Dent (Florida) for the go-ahead score.

In the seventh, the Westerners made things interesting with a pair of runs to tie the game at 4-4. The second batter of the inning, left fielder Brett Knief (North Carolina) delivered an RBI double to left-center field bringing Danbury within one. Two batters later, Boudreaux singled to left field bringing home Knief as the tying run.

Smith came through in the clutch with a his two-out, two-run double that was lined into deep right field, scoring third baseman Anthony Melchionda (Boston College) and Mayfield for the title-winning runs.

Nolan Corr (Wheaton) was the Navigators’ starter, allowing nine hits and four runs over six innings, which did not credit him for a win. It marked the first instance that a North Shore starter did not earn the win during the playoff run. Daniel Duval (RPI) earned the win as he allowed two baserunners in the seventh inning, but escaped the jam.

Bryant Gauthier (Southern New Hampshire) came in for the eighth, allowing just one hit. Closer Hunter Rivers (Jacksonville State) retired the final three batters for Danbury in succession, ending with a line shot right to left fielder Jason Banos (Columbia) for the final out.

Westerner starter Michael Anarumo (LeMoyne) lasted just three innings, allowing four hits and two runs for a no-decision. Matt Alvarez (Boston College) allowed a hit and two runs in 1.1 innings to take the loss.

Following the final out, the celebration began with fans jumping out onto the field to congratulate the team and ending with a dinner that was enjoyed by all of the players and fans in attendance.

The teams ended the season separated by one game, with the Navs finishing at 31-20 overall.

KCT Baseball Game Preview: Danbury at North Shore, NECBL Championship Game 3

Tonight the North Shore Navigators face the Danbury Westerners in the deciding game three of the best-of-three NECBL Championship Series on Tuesday evening at Fraser Field. The Westerners won both regular season meetings on July 1 and 26, but this series is tied at 1-1.

The Navs finished the season at 25-17, while the Westerners finished one game worse at 24-18. Both teams are 5-3 currently on the postseason.

Nolan Corr (0-1/Wheaton) will be the starter for the Navs, while Mike Anarumo (0-1/LeMoyne) makes the start for Danbury. Corr was the losing pitcher of the Navs’ 5-4 loss to Newport on Thursday night, allowing five hits and three earned runs in five innings. Anarumo threw three innings and allowed three runs and three hits over a pair of appearances against the Navs this season. He suffered the loss in the opening game of the Western Division Championship against North Adams.

Get a quick lodown of everything you need to know for the game with this quick audio podcast.

Westerners even NECBL Championship Series with win at home

Michael Williams (Kentucky) went 3-for-5 and drove in three runs as the Danbury Westerners used a five run third inning to defeat the North Shore Navigators 9-3 on Monday night in the middle game of the NECBL Championship Series.

Sean Hagan (St. John’s) threw six strong innings giving up three runs, striking out six and walking four and allowing three hits to pick up the victory.  Matt Alvarez (Boston College) and Ian Gardeck (Dayton) pitched the final three innings.  Alvarez struck out two batters in two innings of work while Gardeck struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth inning. Daniel Patrick (Pepperdine) lasted just three innings as he took the loss for the Navigators. Patrick gave up six of the nine Westerner runs and all six were earned.

The Navs and Westerners face-off in a winner-take-all game three on Tuesday in Lynn. Mike Anarumo (LeMoyne) will face Nolan Corr (Wheaton).

Postgame Journal: Mowing ‘em down; Kyle leads Navs to win in Finals opener

Kevin Kyle (left) struck out 12 Westerners in a 2-0 win on Sunday.

LYNN, Massachusetts (Sunday, August 8, 2010) – Starter Kevin Kyle (Clemson) struck out 12 over seven-plus innings as the North Shore Navigators were 2-0 winners over the Danbury Westerners in the opening game of the NECBL Championship Series on Sunday night at Fraser Field.

The Navs improved to 5-2 this postseason and are now one win away from their first-ever league title, while the Westerners fell to 4-3.

The only scoring in the game came in the bottom of the first inning as the Navs got the only two runs they needed. The second batter of the game in second baseman Matt Hamlet (Boston College) doubled to deep right-center field, scoring left fielder Jason Banos (Columbia) for a 1-0 lead. With one out, third baseman Anthony Melchionda (Boston College) plated his Eagle teammate Hamlet on a single to right field.

Westerner starter Kevin Kilpatrick (St. John’s) was able to shake off the rough start keeping his team in the game, but six hits did not do the trick compared to North Shore’s eight.

Kyle walked surrendered just four hits and two walks en route to evening his record to 1-1. Hunter Rivers (Jacksonville State) came in for the ninth and allowed just one walk, earning his third consecutive save.

Kilpatrick fell to 1-1, despite throwing a complete-game eight innings and allowing eight hits and two earned runs, while walking one and fanning two.

The Navigators will look to sweep the series from Danbury two games straight on Monday night at Rogers Park. Daniel Patrick (Pepperdine) goes for North Shore, opposite Sean Hagan (St. John’s). Patrick earned the win in the deciding third game of the East Division Semifinals against Sanford on Wednesday, pitching a solid 6.1 innings, allowing six hits and four runs.

KCT Baseball Game Preview: Danbury at North Shore, NECBL Championship Game 1

Tonight the North Shore Navigators and Danbury Westerners open the best-of-three NECBL Championship Series on Sunday evening at Fraser Field. The Westerners won both regular season meetings on July 1 and 26.

The Navs finished the season at 25-17, while the Westerners finished one game worse at 24-18. Both teams are 4-2 on the postseason.

Kevin Kyle (0-1/Clemson) will be the starter for the Navs, while Kevin Kilpatrick (1-0/St. John’s) makes the start for Danbury. Kyle was the losing pitcher of the Navs’ 5-1 loss to Sanford on Tuesday night, allowing five hits and four runs in six innings. Kilpatrick allowed just two hits over six innings in a 4-3 win at Fraser Field on July 1. He earned the win in a 5-3 win over Bristol on Tuesday, allowing three unearned runs and three hits over 7.1 innings.

Get a quick lodown of everything you need to know for the game with this quick audio podcast.

Postgame Journal: Derailing the champs

NEWPORT, Rhode Island (Saturday, August 7, 2010) – The North Shore Navigators are headed to the NECBL Championship Series, thanks to a 5-2 win over the Newport Gulls on Saturday night at Cardines Field. Heading into Friday’s second game, the defending NECBL champion Gulls had won 11 straight games, but the Navigators broke that streak tonight to end their season.

The Navigators jumped out in the second inning with four runs on five hits against Gulls starter Geoff Brown (Washington), all with two outs. Brown was very successful against North Shore during the regular season as he threw a complete-game four-hitter at Fraser Field on July 31, but it was a whole different outcome this time around.

Third baseman Jack Mayfield (Oklahoma) doubled to center field and scored on an RBI single through the infield by designated hitter Garrett Smith (Boston College) two batters later. Shortstop Cody Dent (Florida) singled and then two runs came in on a double to right field by left fielder Jason Banos (Columbia). He came around on a perfectly placed single into left field by second baseman Matt Hamlet (Boston College) giving the Navs a 4-0 cushion that starter Crayton Bare (Baylor) had to work with.

The Gulls got one back in the third on an RBI single to right field by left fielder Brendan Kelliher (George Washington). The inning led off with shortstop David Bentrott (Washington) getting hit by a pitch and a single to left field by catcher Bryce Nugent (Marist).

In the top of the fourth, Banos connected for a towering home run over the 20-foot right field fence with two outs (1), giving the Navs a 5-1 lead.

Bentrott drove in Newport’s second and final run on a sacrifice fly to medium-depth right field for a sacrifice fly, driving in the final run of the game and eventually the Gulls’ season.

The Navs needed to play keep away and that they sure did. Bare earned his second win of the postseason, allowing six hits and a pair of earned runs over a solid six innings. Bryant Gauthier (Southern New Hampshire) and Dan Duval (RPI) held the lead for Hunter Rivers (Jacksonville State) to earn his second save of the playoffs.

Newport used five total pitchers against the Navs with starter Brown taking the final loss of their playoff run. Brown allowed five hits and four earned runs over just two innings, before going to the bullpen. The final four pitchers for the Gulls in John Farrell (William and Mary), Mark Appel (Washington), Mike Francisco (Villanova) and Seth Simmons (East Carolina) combined to allow just three hits and a run over the final eight innings.

This will be North Shore’s first trip to the NECBL Championship Series in their three-year franchise history. The opening game of the best-of-three clash against the Danbury Westerners will take place at Fraser Field on Sunday at 6:15.

KCT Baseball Game Preview: North Shore at Newport, East Division Finals Game 3

Tonight the North Shore Navigators travel down to Cardines Field for the decisive third game of the East Division Championship Series against the Newport Gulls. The current best-of-three series is tied at 1-1, while the Gulls won the regular season series, 4-2.

The Navs finished the season at 25-17, good for second place in the Eastern Division, two games behind the top-seeded Gulls at 27-15.

Crayton Bare (1-0/Baylor) will be the starter for the Navs, while Geoff Brown (0-0/Washington) makes the start for the Gulls. Bare, who was 3-1 during the regular season, allowed just two hits in a five-inning no-decision against Newport on June 13. Brown, who was a perfect 3-0 during the season, threw a complete-game four-hitter at Fraser Field on July 31.

Get a quick lodown of everything you need to know for the game with this quick audio podcast.

Postgame Journal: Johnson twirls gem to tie East finals

LYNN, Massachusetts (Friday, August 6, 2010) – Lefty Michael Johnson (Dartmouth) spun a gem on Friday night, leading the the North Shore Navigators to a 2-0 win in the second game of the best-of-three Eastern Division Championship Series at Fraser Field.

Offense was hard to come by as two Ivies, in Johnson and Eric Eadington (Harvard) threw outstanding outings. Eadington took the loss despite allowing three hits and one earned run while pitching 6.2 innings. Both teams managed just three hits, so defensive miscues dumped the Gulls.

The Navs took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI double to right-center field by third baseman Anthony Melchionda (Boston College).

In the third, shortstop Cody Dent (Florida) walked and scored on a passed ball that went right through the legs of Newport’s Chris Forsten (William and Mary) for the second score.

Both pitchers received their first decisions of the postseason, while Hunter Rivers (Jacksonville State) earned the save.

The division title will be decided in Newport on Saturday at 6:35, where the Navs dropped the opening game on Thursday.

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In the Western Division Championship Series, Danbury’s Alfredo Rodriguez (Maryland) hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to propel the Westerners to a 7-6 win over North Adams in game two at Rogers Park. The series will be decided in North Adams on Saturday.

KCT Baseball Game Preview: Newport at North Shore, East Division Finals Game 2

Tonight the North Shore Navigators face the Newport Gulls in the second game of the Division championship series at Fraser Field. The Gulls lead the best-of-three series, 1-0, while the Gulls won the regular season series, 4-2.

The Navs finished the season at 25-17, good for second place in the Eastern Division, two games behind the top-seeded Gulls at 27-15.

Michael Johnson (0-0/Dartmouth) will be the starter for the Navs, while Eric Eadington (0-0/Harvard) makes the start for the Gulls. Johnson, who was 1-3 during the regular season, allowed just a run and two hits over five innings against the Gulls in the regular season finale on July 31. Eadington, who was 1-0 during the season, threw two innings against the Navs on June 30.

Get a quick lodown of everything you need to know for the game with this quick audio podcast.