Streaks snapped, Vermont needs a W tonight

With last night's 8-1 loss at home to New Bedford, Vermont needs a win tonight to get back to .500 before two days off to start next week.

But so does Holyoke.

Both teams are 8-9 and 4.5 games out of 1st place in the Western Division. The Blue Sox are 6-4 in their last 10 outings while Vermont is still 5-5. Both teams are off tomorrow.

Vermont was 0-1 in stolen base attempts last night (rare!) and has now gone three games (non-consecutive) without a stolen base.

Holyoke's best hitter is third baseman Paul McConkey, who is second in the league by average at .431 and tied for first in doubles with 8.

Vermont's Alex Haines still leads the league from the mound with an ERA of .48. Holyoke's Duncan is 3rd at 1.25 and Speer is 5th at 2.46.

Vermont, proudly, has the second-best average attendance in the league with 1,415 and had over 1,100 fans in attendance last night.

Speaking of last night, Holyoke lost at home, too: 8-7 to North Adams.

See you at the park!

-Anna Grearson

Vermont looks to keep streak alive tonight vs. New Bedford

The Vermont Mountaineers come into tonight's 6:30 p.m. contest with New Bedford on a two-game win streak and are back at .500 (8-8). The Bay Sox are 11-6 and 2nd in the Eastern Division while the Mountaineers are currently tied for 3rd in the Western Division. Vermont is 5-5 in its last 10 games while New Bedford is 7-3, including an 8-7 win over Vermont on Sunday in Massachusetts.

Vermont first baseman Rob Kelly is riding a 12-game on-base streak and will obviously be out to hit lucky No. 13.

New Bedford has one of the top offenses in the league, though. Two of the top four hitters (by average) are Bay Sox: Zach Stone is third at .366 and Alex Black is fourth at .365. The two of them have accounted for a combined seven home runs, 29 RBIs, 53 hits and 32 runs for the Bay Sox so far this summer. Black is also outstanding in the field, tallying 180 poutouts and seven assists having played in all 17  of New Bedford's games. He even pitched an inning of relief against Holyoke and earned the save.

Vermont has continued its base-stealing dominance and has two players inching closer to Robbie Minor's record of 38 for his career as a Mountaineer. John Mishu is at 32 and Brian O'Grady is at 30. As a team, Vermont has stolen 69 bases. The Mountaineers set a new league and franchise record of 118 last summer and are on pace to hit that mark again.

Vermont continues its homestand tomorrow against Holyoke at 6:30 p.m. The Mountaineers are then off for two days before a road trip to Holyoke on Tuesday and a home contest against Team Great Britain on the Fourth of July, also at 6:30 p.m.

- Anna Grearson

Cole Peragine ultimately chooses Vermont

In a back-and-forth weekend of decision-making, Stony Brook's Cole Peragine does indeed decide to come to Vermont for the summer to play for the Vermont Mountaineers of the NECBL.

The decision creates a bit of a toss-up for manager John Russo, as the middle infield has been pretty darn good for him so far this summer, and Peragine is primarily a short stop.

Some background on Peragine and his so-far exciting career at Stony Brook:

A freshman, Peragine was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team and was the America East Rookie of the Year. A switch-hitter who throws right-handed, he's 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, is 19 years old and hails from Belle Ewert, Ontario.

At Stony Brook, Peragine joined former Vermont Mountaineer Willie Carmona on the roster. Carmona, now a senior, was recently drafted and went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI-single in the Seawolves final game of the season, a 12-2 loss to Florida State in the College World Series.

Speaking of the CWS, Stony Brook made its and the America East's first-ever appearance and advanced with historic wins over top-seeded Lousiana State IN Baton Rouge (I watched one of the games at the gym, when some of the Mountaineers just happened to be there and watched some, too, supporting a teammate they had yet to meet).

Stony Brook won a program-best 52 games and went 52-15 overall, 21-3 in conference play and 22-1 at home on Long Island. The Seawolves won the AE championship, the Coral Gables Regional and the Baton Rouge Super Regional to advance to Omaha for the CWS.

According to the Stony Brook baseball site, Peragine hit .304 with an on-base percentage of .386, started 67 of 67 games, had 214 at bats with 42 runs scored, 65 hits (11 doubles and six triples), 39 RBIs and drew 21 walks. He recorded 99 putouts, stole eight bases (he attempted 10 swipes) and had a fielding percentage of .946.

He wore No. 28 for Stony Brook and is listed on the Mountaineers' roster as No. 22. His eligibility date was June 26. He did not play against Danbury last night in Vermont's 5-0 win. The Mountaineers host Sanford in a make-up of Tuesday's rainout tonight at 6:30 p.m.

-Anna Grearson

Big-time honor for Mountaineers' Cammans

From the NECBL website: 

National Collegiate Baseball Writers select Cammans as Divison I (District 1) Player of the Year

KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island first baseman Jeff Cammans (Jamestown, R.I.) has been named the 2012 NCBWA District I Player of the Year, announced today by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America. Cammans is one of just nine players from around the nation to earn the honor, and the first ever from the University of Rhode Island. Previous NCBWA District Players of the Year have included Mark Teixeira (Georgia Tech), Mark Prior (USC), Khalil Greene (Clemson), Rickie Weeks (Southern), Jered Weaver (Long Beach State), Alex Gordon (Nebraska), Brad Lincoln (Houston), David Price (Vanderbilt), Buster Posey (Florida State), Stephen Strasburg (San Diego State) and Taylor Jungmann (Texas). Cammans - who registered 19 multiple-hit and 16 multiple-RBI games this year - ended the regular season ranked seventh in the nation with an Atlantic 10 best 23 doubles. He also finished second in the league in RBI (58), fourth in hits (77) and seventh in stolen bases (20). In the field, he posted a .993 fielding percentage, committing just three errors on 402 chances. A two-time All-Conference and All-New England selection, Cammans ended his collegiate career with a .313 average, 231 hits, 134 runs and 131 RBI. He also swiped 63 bags and collected 56 extra-base hits. 2012 NCBWA DIVISION I PLAYERS OF THE YEAR District I: Jeff Cammans - 1B - Rhode Island District includes teams from: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania

 

Mountaineers cancel Tuesday's home game early

From Vermont Mountaineers general manager Brian Gallagher:

Hello, 
There is no way we are going to play tonight with the forecast and the  
current field conditions.  It is a huge disappointment since we had  
Jim Kaat and other special events tonight, but considering the long  
trip ahead for Sanford and the odds of beating this rain that is  
hitting the east, I had to make the call early.  Let's hope it improves.

A make-up date has yet to be announced. Stay tuned, we'll announce it as soon as we hear.

- Anna Grearson

Ice Storm tackles Ravens in pre-season weekend contest

From the Vermont Ice Storm following this weekend's pre-season matchup in South Burlington:

The Vermont Ice Storm from South Burlington defeated the Vermont Ravens from Barre Saturday night 19-6 to finish their pre-season schedule at 2-0. 

A defensive battle for most of the game the Ice Storm made enough plays offensively to win the contest. 

Ice Storm running back Jason Young rushed for 84 yards and 2 touch downs, 4 and 1 yards, to lead the team. Quarterback Tim Kynoch was 9-26 throwing with all the completions going to receiver Rob Joy for 104 yards. Kicker James Praino was 1-2 on extra points and was 2-2 on field goals, one from 46 yards out, and the second from 26 yards, to complete the scoring. 

The Raven touch down was a 73 yard pass from quarterback Jaren Jeffcoat to David Maxfield with 1:43 left in the first half for their only score in the contest. This made the score 9-6 at the half in favor of the Ice Storm. 

Defensively the Ice Storm brought pressure which resulted in 5 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and 11 sacks. Linebacker Aaron Webster had 2 interceptions as did safety Jeremy Ringuette, while linebacker Gary Grant added another. Defensive tackle, Mike Tilton accounted for 3 sacks, Joe Thieret and Adolphe Lumumba had 2

each.

The Ice Storm have a week off before they return to battle July 7^th vs. the Plattsburgh North Stars. The game will be the first of the regular season and pit’s the long time rivals from across the lake. All home games are at South Burlington H.S. and start @ 7:30PM.

Vermont Mountaineers ppd at Newport

Rain Cancels Mountaineers Game at Newport

 

Newport, R.I. - Due to inclement weather, tonight's New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) contest between the Vermont Mountaineers and the Newport Gulls at Cardines Field has been cancelled. A make-up date has yet to be determined.

 

Vermont (6-8) now returns home for four straight days beginning on Tuesday, June 26 as they host the Sanford Mainers at 6:30 p.m. at Montpelier Recreation Field.

26 runs on 24 hits. New stolen base record. Not bad, Mountaineers.

Here's the release from last night's Vermont Mountaineers game/shootout with the Holyoke Blue Sox. The game went late, as you can imagine, and the release therefore came after we could put it in our print/e-edition. Enjoy!

Offense Dominates In 26-15 Win at Holyoke

 

Box Score

 

Holyoke, Mass. - The Vermont Mountaineers pounded out 26 runs on 24 hits as they defeated the Holyoke Blue Sox 26-15 in New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) action on Wednesday night. The win was Vermont's fifth in seven games and snapped the Blue Sox three game win streak. They also set a new league record for stolen bases in a game with 12, breaking their own mark of 11 set on July 31, 2008 in a 12-3 win over Manchester.

 

The Mountaineers (6-5) once again started off quickly scoring four runs in the first inning, setting the tone for the night. Michael White led off the game with a walk, followed by Brett Johnson's single. Logan Pierce then walked to load the bases with one out before Austin Green hit an infiled single to plate the first run of the game. Brian O'Grady (Warminster, Pa./Rutgers) then hit a bases clearing triple to right center giving Vermont a 4-0 lead through one.

 

In the second, they would add two more runs as Aaron Barbosa singled and stole second to start things off before White (East Orange, N.J./Louisville) walked. After a wild pitch, Johnson (Little Elm, Texas/TCU) laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Barbosa prior ro Rob Kelly's RBI single making it a 6-0 Mountaineers advantage and chasing Holyoke starter Aaron Weisberg after an inning and one-third.

 

The Blue Sox countered in the bottom half of the second inning as they broke through for six runs, tying the game, against Steve Ostapeck (Sacremento, Calif./Villanova). Connor Mackay hit an RBI double before Holyoke loaded the bases twice in the frame, helped along by a Rob Kelly error.

 

In the third, Vermont would again take the lead on a double steal with O'Grady coming home and Kelly's two RBI single. They would add two more in the top of the fourth to take an 11-6 lead after Barbosa laced another single scoring two more runs. Barbosa (Dracut, Mass./Northeastern) finished the night going 4-for-5 with two RBI and six stolen bases. Ostapeck settled in with a 1-2-3 bottom of the fourth, but again found trouble in the fifth.

 

After getting Connor Spencer to ground out for the first out, He allowed the next three batters to reach including a two RBI single from Evan Potter making the score 11-8 in favor of Vermont. after Danny Diekroger brough in another run with a double, and Jordan Keur worked a walk to put runners ont he corners with two outs, Ostapeck was relieved by Riche Ochoa. After a single to Paul McConkey and a couple wild pitches scoring two more runs to tie it at 11-11, Ochoa (Friday Harbour, Wash./Washington State) struck out Max Pentecost to end the inning.

 

Vermont then went on a tear in the top of the sixth as they sent 11 hitters to the plate, bringing in eight runs including four before the first out was recorded. Branndon Thomas faced seven batters in the inning getting just one out and giving up six runs, five earned, before being pulled for Nick Bougoupolus who allowed two more runs but got out of the inning with the Mountaineers ahead 19-11.

 

Ochoa cruised through both the six and seventh inning setting the Blue Sox down in order both times with two strikeouts. His offense would again add two more runs on singles from White and Johnson to push the advantage to 10 at 21-11 going into the final two innings. Holyoke would try to make their third comeback of the game in the bottom of the eighth. After a leadoff strikeout, Ochoa allowed the next four batters to reach on three hits and a walk. After Connor Mackay singled to drive in the fourth run of the inning, making the score 21-15, Ochoa turned the ball over to Zach Varela (Lake Elsinore, Calif./UC Riverside) who got the next two batters in order to end the threat.

 

With no lead safe at MacKenzie Field, the Mountaineers ensured enough run support in the final frame as they again batted around in the ninth scoring four runs. Johnson hit a bases clearing double at one point and came home on an error from second baseman Chris Wooley. In total, five runs crossed making the final line 26-15. Varela worked a hitless bottom half of the frame including back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.

 

Ochoa (1-0) got the win going two and two-thirds innings in relief fiving up four runs on five hits while Thomas got the loss giving up six runs (five earned) getting just one out. Ostapeck finished with four and two-thirds innings pitched giving up 11 runs, five earned, on nine hits walking three and striking out two.

 

For the third time this season, every Vermont starter reached base including pinch hitter Casey Brighton (Hyde Park, Vt./Plattsburgh) who singled in the ninth. Each starter scored at least twice in the game and drove in at least one run as well. Rob Kelly (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./Saint Anslem), Barbosa, and Chris Cook (Annapolis, Md./George Mason) each finished with four hits and O'Grady drove in a game high four runs.

 

Game Notes: Vermont stole a new league record 12 bases and upped their NECBL leading total to 47 on the night.

Pete Hartt Classic hoop event this weekend

The annual Pete Hartt Classic basketball event will take place this Saturday at the Memorial Park courts near the elementary school.

Hartt was my first "real" sports editor, and a man this office and the community misses tremendously. He passed away in 2009 and the event serves as a fundraiser for Stowe school sports (he was a fixture in the Stowe community, he knew everyone).

Here's the schedule - rain date is Sunday - with cost per event. Please support this cause in honor of Pete!

10 a.m., kids clinic, $5.

Noon, middle-school tournament, $30 per team, awards immediately after.

2 p.m., high school 3-on-3 tournament, $30 per team, awards immediately after.

4 p.m., open-age 3-on-3, $30 per team.

4 p.m., age 35 and over 3-on-3 tournament, $30 per team.

6:30 p.m. three-point contest.

7:30 p.m., slam dunk throwdown, with awards to follow.

Rain date is Sunday, June 24. Information: 802-760-7679.

Harwood hires new girls soccer coach

Harwood has announced who will replace Jon Hammond at the helm of the Harwood varsity girls soccer team. Hammond led the Highlanders to back-to-back finals appearances in 2009 and 2010, winning the program's first title in 2010. Hammond left the program recently to spend more time at a new job. Today, Harwood athletic director Sue Duprat announced the hiring of a new coach. Here's the release from HUHS:

"We are pleased to announce that we have hired a new Varsity Girls Soccer coach: Kurt Nielsen. Nielsen replaces Jon Hammond, HU’s long time coach, who resigned to devote his time to his new “Dream Job” as Director of the Hosmer Point Day Camp.

Kurt has a broad range of soccer coaching experience, including serving as an assistant Women’s Soccer coach at The United States Military Academy (West Point), the  head boys soccer coach at John Jay HS in NY, and the New York State Empire Games’ Hudson Valley Women’s Open Soccer Team Head coach, as well as numerous club teams."

Sounds like an impressive find for a strong program!

-Anna Grearson