2018 Diamond Notes

TitleNewsDatelocationStory
Larry Babich Remembered
November 17, 2018

Larry Babich, an outstanding field manager and great supporter of the ACBL for 19 seasons, passed away on November 15 at the age of 82.

Larry managed the Jersey Pilots and over 100 of his former players went into professional baseball with fourteen reaching the Major Leagues including Rick Cerone, Charlie Puleo and Eric Young Sr. The Pilots won ACBL championships in 1973, 1984 and 1990.

Larry graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a degree in journalism and was a reporter for the Jersey Journal for more than 30 years. He also had successful stints while coaching baseball at Jersey City State and New York Tech.

Festa named Mariners' Minor League Pitcher of the Year
October 13, 2018

Matt Festa Photo Courtesy of MiLB.comMatt Festa named Seattle Mariners Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Photo Courtesy of MiLB.com

RHP Matt Festa (East Stroudsburg, Staten Island Tide) has been named the Seattle Mariners Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

He spent the majority of the 2018 season with the Mariners AA affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers. He posted a league high 20 saves for the Travelers with 5-2 record and a 2.76 ERA in 49 innings. He was promoted to Seattle and posted a 2.16 ERA in 8.1 innings at the Major League level.

Matt Swarmer (Kutztown, Allentown Railers) was named Chicago Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year previously.

ACBL prepares for 2019 season
October 12, 2018

The Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League will return to eight teams in 2019 after adding the New York Phenom and Ocean Ospreys.

Anthony Ferrante will be the field manager for the Phenom while Rob Bass is the General Manager. Angelo Fiore will be the executive director of the Ospreys while Joe Mazza will handle the GM duties.

The Kaiser Division will consist of the New York Phenom, North Jersey Eagles, Ocean Gulls and Ocean Ospreys.

The Wolff Division includes the Allentown Railers, Jersey Pilots, Quakertown Blazers and the Trenton Generals. The Generals have reorganized with Mike Olshin as general manager and Kevin Schneider as field manager.

Trivino, Fillmyer and Mayza Impress as Rookies
October 8, 2018

Left to Right, Lou Trivino, Heath Fillmyer and Tim Mayza

Lou Trivino, Heath Fillmyer and Tim Mayza Photos Courtesy of MLB.com

Lou Trivino (Slippery Rock, Quakertown Blazers) and Heath Fillmyer (Mercer CC, Trenton Generals) started their big league careers with good first seasons.

The 6-5 RHP Trivino pitched for the Oakland A’s in the AL Wild Card game and limited the New York Yankees to an infield hit and walk over three innings. He appeared in 69 games for the A’s during the regular season and posted an 8-3 record with four saves and 23 holds. He struck out 82 in 74 innings with a 2.92 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.

RHP Fillmyer joined the Kansas City Royals rotation after being recalled from Omaha in mid June. He posted a 4-2 record in thirteen starts with a 4.26 ERA in 82 innings.

LHP Tim Mayza (Millersville, Quakertown Blazers), a teammate of Trivino on the 2011 Blazers, was in his second year with the Toronto Blue Jays with rookie status and was not charged with an earned run in his last 17 appearances, mostly as a left-handed relief specialist. Mayza had a 2-0 record with a 3.28 ERA in 35.2 innings.

Swarmer named Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year
September 26, 2018

Matt Swarmer Photo Courtesy of MiLB.com

Matt Swarmer (Kutztown University, Allentown Railers 2014,2015) was named Chicago Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year after posting a 9-8 record with a 3.28 ERA in 128.2 innings.

In 24 starts between High A Myrtle Beach and the AA Tennessee Smokies the 6-5 RHP struck out 135 batters while walking just 21.

He will be honored with an on-field presentation on Thursday when the Cubs host the Pirates.

Will Latcham (Coastal Carolina, Allentown Railers, 2015) was promoted to the St. Louis Cardinals' AAA Memphis affiliate for the Pacific Coast League playoffs and struck out five in 2.1 innings against Fresno. The Redbirds won the AAA World Series as Kevin Herget (Kean, Staten Island Tide, 2010,2011) received the win in the championship game against Durham. Herget posted a 9-11 record in 138.2 innings for Memphis while striking out 121 with only 24 base on balls.

Kyle McGowin makes MLB debut
September 6, 2018

RHP Kyle McGowin (Savannah State, Sag Harbor 2011-12) became the sixth former ACBL pitcher to make a MLB debut in 2018 when he allowed one run, a solo home run by Yairo Munez, while pitching the sixth inning for the Washington Nationals against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Nationals lost 7-6 to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday evening. McGowin was recalled from Syracuse where he posted a 3-2 record with a 1.20 ERA and 0.66 WHIP in 52.2 innings.

RHP Cody Carroll (Southern Miss, Center Moriches, 2012) made his MLB debut on August 1 after being traded to the Baltimore Orioles from the New York Yankees one week earlier.

Carroll pitched a scoreless inning against the Yankees in his debut and made nine relief appearances for the Orioles. The 6-5 RHP posted a 4-0 record with a 2.72 ERA and nine saves for the Yankees' Scranton/Wilkes-Barre affiliate.

In other news rookie Lou Trivino (Slippery Rock, Quakertown Blazers, 2011) tossed a scoreless inning in the A’s 8-2 win over the Yankees.

Trivino lowered his ERA to 2.12 in 61 appearances. He has a 8-2 record with four saves and twenty holds for the resurgent A’s who have a MLB best 50-21 record since June 16.

Murphy Smith makes MLB debut with Toronto
August 28, 2018

Murphy Smith Photo Courtesy of MLB.comMurphy Smith make his MLB Debut, Photo Courtesy of MLB.com

RHP Murphy Smith (Binghamton, Kutztown Rockies, 2007) had his contract selected by the Toronto Blue Jays and he did not allow a run or hit in 1.1 innings of relief in the Toronto 7-0 loss to the Orioles on Monday evening.

Murphy posted a 3-2 record with a 0.67 ERA in 27 innings for the ACBL champion Kutztown Rockies in 2007. He was a 13th round pick of the Oakland A’s in the 2009 draft and played ten seasons in the minors with Oakland and Toronto. This year he posted a 3.69 ERA in 62.2 innings for Buffalo prior to his promotion.

He joins Tim Mayza (Millersville, Quakertown Blazers, 2011) in the Blue Jays’ bullpen and is the fourth former ACBL pitcher to make a MLB debut this year.

Lou Trivino (Slippery Rock, Quakertown Blazers, 2011), Heath Fillmyer (Mercer County College, Trenton Generals, 2013) and Matt Festa (East Stroudsburg, Staten Island Tide, 2014, 2015) made debuts with Oakland, Kansas City and Seattle respectively in 2018.

Ferrante involved in Little League World Series
August 18, 2018

Anthony Ferrante managed the Staten Island Tide last summer and this summer he is a coach with the Mid-Island Little League team which has advanced to the World Series in Williamsport.

On Sunday Mid-Island plays the Texas team from the Houston area at 11am on ESPN and the winner advances to Wednesday’s winner bracket final.

ACBL Announces Season Awards
August 15, 2018

Shayne Fontana (Lynn, Allentown Railers) was selected for the Santy Gallone Most Valuable Player Award in a poll of the field managers.

Fontana topped the ACBL in runs (31), RBIs (26), and tied for first with five triples and seventeen stolen bases. He was second in hits (42) and tied for third with six home runs and a .632 slugging average. His batting average of .359 was fourth in the league.

Jimmy Kingsbury (Villanova, Quakertown Blazers) and Nick Snyder (West Virginia, Trenton Generals) were co-winners of the Darrin Winston Most Valuable Pitcher Award.

Kingsbury posted a league leading six wins and a 2.73 ERA which was fifth best in the ACBL. Snyder tossed a seven inning no-hitter against North Jersey and struck out all four batters he faced in the NYCBL-ACBL All-Star game. He topped the ACBL in strikeouts with 47 and posted a 3.18 ERA in 28 innings.

Charles Barebo (DeSales, Allentown Railers) won the Hitting Award with a .391 batting average which included a league leading eleven doubles, four triples and two home runs.

Bret Williams (PSU-Harrisburg, Allentown Railers) was awarded the Slugging Award with a .688 slugging average. Williams tied for the league home run title with seven home runs and added five doubles while hitting .351.

Tyler Guidos (Mansfield, Allentown Railers) earned the Relief Pitcher of the Year Award with six saves. Guidos made 13 appearances with a 2.49 ERA in 21.2 innings. He struck out 34 while walking eight batters.

Fillmyer picks up first Major League win
August 9, 2018

RHP Heath Fillmyer (Mercer County College, Trenton Generals) pitched seven shutout innings against the National League's best offense, the Chicago Cubs, as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Cubs on Wednesday night.

Fillmyer, a 5th round pick of the Oakland A's in the 2014 MLB draft, allowed only three hits with two walks and three strikeouts as he lowered his ERA to 3.13.

Blazers win ACBL championship
August 6, 2018

Quakertown Blazers capture 2018 ACBL championship

The #4 seed Quakertown Blazers swept back-to-back road doubleheaders in the past two days to claim the 2018 ACBL championship.

On Monday the Blazers defeated the Jersey Pilots by the scores of 7-2 and 6-2 to win their first championship since 2005.

C.J. Kilgarriff (Jefferson) allowed only two runs over seven innings to gain the win in the opener.

Nathan Sides (Alvernia) and Justin Horn (West Chester) each posted three hits. Andrew Cossetti (Saint Joseph’s), Matt Hand (Lehigh) and Chance DiFebbo (Delaware) had two RBIs apiece. Hand and Cossetti had two hits with Cossetti hitting a solo home run.

Jack Peterson (Rider) hit a two run home run for the Pilots.

Nolan Graber (Ursinus) tossed six shutout innings for the win in the second game.

Josh Kim (Villanova) and Sides each had two hits and Colin Hartey (Lafayette) chipped in with a two run single.

Sides was outstanding in the playoffs. He went 8 for 17 for a .471 average with three doubles and a triple plus played outstanding defense.

Quakertown Blazers capture 2018 ACBL championship


2011: Lightning Struck Twice for the Quakertown Blazers
August 6, 2018

By Don Leypoldt | Printed in the August 9th Bucks County Herald

Tim Mayza Photo Courtesy of Toronto Blue Jays Organization
Lou Trivino Photo Courtesy of Oakland Athletics Organization

All roads to the Major Leagues are arduous. Tim Mayza's and Lou Trivino's roads are no different.

But the strikingly similar roads of the local Big Leaguers frequently intersected. Trivino's Pennridge team beat Mayza's Perkiomen post to win the 2010 Bux-Mont Legion title, en route to Post 255's advancement to Nationals.

"Obviously Lou had a special arm that has continued to progress," Mayza noted. "It seems like his velocity has taken off since college. What stuck out was the power stuff. He always had a hard breaking ball and a hard fastball. You could see that he had the stuff to do it, and he definitely had the work ethic as well."

Three years later, Mayza's shutout enabled Millersville to top Slippery Rock in Trivino's final collegiate start.

"Tim Mayza works as hard as anyone," Trivino stated. "He and I have a very similar story. We got drafted, we were struggling early on in our careers and then at almost the exact time, figured it out. I keep up with him and I wish him all of the best. He is a great guy."

Tim Mayza, Former Quakertown Blazer now pitches in the Toronto Blue Jays systemIn 2013, the Toronto Blue Jays called Mayza's number just 14 players after the Oakland Athletics conscripted Upper Bucks Christian's Trivino. This April 18th, both players pitched in the Majors.

Their careers never intersected more than as teammates for the 2011 Quakertown Blazers. Trivino won Quakertown's pitching triple crown; Upper Perkiomen's Mayza fanned 22 in 24 innings.

"I remember the group of guys who were there," Mayza recollected. "I remember creating a tight knit team and any time you stick a group of guys together for months at a time, you create some sort of friendship with them."

"My game is movement and 2011 was the year I figured out how to throw a two seam fastball," Trivino added. "It was great being able to play in front of my hometown. When I was a kid, I went to a few Blazers games. You look up to those guys and think hopefully I'll be there one day. My grandfather was able to see me play a lot."

"It's a pleasure to see Lou and Tim progress to the major leagues. Only 1 out of 20 who sign pro contracts make it to the Major League level," said ACBL president and Quakertown's Tom Bonekemper. "We, the ACBL, are certainly proud of Lou and Tim. It's an unbelievably long road from the Rookie leagues to the Major Leagues with low pay, poor living conditions and a lot of travel along the way."

Lefty Mayza credits "trust and confidence" in explaining his huge leap forward during his junior year at Millersville. "I hit some bumps in the road going up to Cape Cod and pitching against some of the premier college talent in the nation," Mayza feels. "Being able to learn, and the amount of confidence that I was able to come back with, contributed to the amount of success that I had that year.

"I had a lot more trust in my pitches: my fastball, change-up and breaking ball, and it took off," Mayza added. "I started trusting the things I was doing, the work I was putting in and not putting so much pressure on myself. I let my preparation take over."

After two subpar professional seasons, Mayza broke out in 2015 at Class A Lansing, and followed it up with a 2.25 ERA in 42 games across High-A and Double-A.

"Once I started having some success," Mayza remembered, "it snowballed and I was able to gain some traction. I saw a little bump in velocity but really what changed in those two years was my breaking ball: being able to develop a good put away pitch is something that had to be done for me to have success at the next level."

Mayza debuted on August 15, 2017, throwing a shutout inning in Toronto against Tampa Bay in front of parents, coaches and his fiancée.

Toronto recalled Mayza six different times this season; he has a 4.67 ERA in 16 Big League games. Mayza currently pitches at Triple-A Buffalo but a promotion could literally happen tomorrow.

"Once you make it, you want to stay," Mayza pointed out. "I think everybody's goal once they make it is to establish themselves and be that every day Big League player."

Lou Trivino, Former Quakertown Blazer now pitches in the Oakland Athletics systemAfter debuting this April 17th, Trivino is an integral part of arguably baseball's best bullpen. The Oakland A's were 34-36 on June 15th. Through Tuesday, they were 67-46, and held the wild card lead.

Oakland has the fourth best ERA in baseball after six innings. Trivino owns a sparking 8-1 record with a 1.16 ERA.

"It all starts in the clubhouse. There is not one guy who is selfish here," Trivino noted. "We're all playing for each other. We all enjoy being around each other as well. That helps, because you want to see everyone succeed and we are succeeding.

"I'm thankful I'm having a good year but if my defense doesn't make certain plays, my ERA is through the roof," Trivino candidly admitted. "Early in my career, I did struggle. Hearing other stories from people coming from different organizations, the A's very easily could have given up on me. I'm thankful to be here and they were able to stick with me."

In just his 11th game, Trivino threw two shutout innings at Fenway Park to help beat the Boston Red Sox 5-3. The game marked the return of teammate Stephen Piscotty, who homered in his first at-bat after burying his mother, a victim of ALS.

"I couldn't imagine what it would be like," Trivino said. "It's just a tough situation and not only is he a great teammate, but he is a great, great guy. He handled it as best as anyone could. To get called upon and be able to come through in that situation, I was really very blessed."

Trivino threw 1.2 beautiful, shutout innings on July 21st, an extra inning A's win in front of the largest crowd in Oakland Coliseum history.

"You talk about playoff atmosphere?" Trivino asked. "The electricity was in the air. A bolt of adrenaline goes through you as you're pitching. It was a really awesome experience and hopefully an experience that we can have if we, Lord willing, keep winning games and make a playoff push."

Trivino still gets together with his Legion coach, Rocky Wright, each offseason. If Oakland continues to thrive, Wright and a number of area A's fans will gladly lose sleep to watch West Coast playoff games.

Blazers sweep Railers to reach championship round
August 5, 2018

The #4 seed Quakertown Blazers defeated the #1 seed Allentown Railers by the scores of 5-2 and 6-4 at ECTB Stadium on Sunday. On Monday the Blazers travel to Drew University for a 2pm doubleheader with the #3 seed Jersey Pilots who defeated North Jersey 8-7 on Sunday at Overpeck Park.

Jimmy Kingsbury (Villanova) allowed one run over seven innings for the win in the opener as C.J. Kilgarriff (Jefferson) picked up the save. Nathan Sides (Alvernia) had two doubles with 3 RBIs to top the Blazers offense. Andrew Cossetti (Saint Joseph’s) added two hits and an RBI.

The Railers jumped off to a 4-0 lead in the second game, but the Blazers scored six unanswered runs in innings three through seven to gain a 6-4 edge.

Quinn McKenna (Lehigh) and Jeff Manto (Villanova) both hit two run home runs to set the pace. Ben Werkheiser (Delaware) contributed two hits also.

J.J. Spherley (Bloomsburg) went seven innings for the win in the nightcap while Matt Svanson (Lehigh) pitched two scoreless innings for the save.

Shayne Fontana (Lynn) and Charles Barebo (DeSales) had four and three hits respectively for the Railers in the doubleheader.

Weather Disrupts ACBL Playoffs Again
August 4, 2018

Weather Disrupts ACBL Playoffs Again
Today's first round doubleheader between the #1 Seed Allentown Railers and the #4 seed Quakertown Blazers at Memorial Park has been postponed due to wet grounds and the likelyhood of additional rain today.

The doubleheader has been moved to ECTB Stadium tomorrow at 3pm, weather permitting.

Game 3 of the #3 seed Jersey Pilots and the #2 seed North Jersey Pilots is also scheduled to be played tomorrow at Overpeck County Park beginning at 1pm. The series is tied at 1 game a piece.

Gulls, Pilots Split Two
July 22, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls were split a doubleheader with the Jersey Pilots, taking the opener 1-0 before falling in the nightcap, 5-0.

Thomas Holdorf’s RBI single in the bottom of the third was all the birds would need to win Game 1. Justin Bates was responsible for half of the team’s four hits, finishing 2-2.

Zach Mason didn’t give up a hit through four innings. The Manahawkin, New Jersey Native walked one batter and struck out two.

Jersey scored one run in the top of the second, and four times in the top of the sixth in Game 2.

Ocean had six hits from six different players.

The Gulls are scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, July 24, when they take on the role of the visitors against the Trenton Generals at Wall Municipal Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Pitching Propels Gulls Over Blazers
July 21, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

Solid pitching and timely hitting came through for the Ocean Gulls. The birds swept the Quakertown Blazers 2-0, and 2-1, at the Antrim Elementary School on Saturday.

It marks the first time the Gulls have swept the Blazers in franchise history.

In the opener, Johnny Zega got the scoring started with an RBI double in the bottom of the third. Two batters later, a sacrifice fly by Conor Gammond sealed the deal for Ocean.

Justin Fall gave up three hits and two walks, while tying his season-high with eight strikeouts in four innings. The Beachwood, New Jersey native gave way to Nick Zuppe in the fifth, as he walked two batters while setting a season-high with six strikeouts.

Kevin Blum was responsible for producing both Gulls’ runs in the nightcap. The Toms River, New Jersey native hit an RBI double in the bottom of the second. Quakertown tied the game with a run in the top of the third, but Blum responded with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth.

Despite walking five batters, Michael Soldo didn’t allow a hit and struck out four batters in three innings of relief. The Brick, New Jersey native picked up his first win of the season.

The Gulls are scheduled to return to the Antrim Elementary School on Sunday, July 22, when they play host to the Jersey Pilots in a doubleheader. Game 1 is set for 12 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Gulls Fall to Generals Despite Late Comeback
July 19, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls’ attempt at a come-from-behind effort was too little, too late, as the visitors dropped a 5-2 decision to the Trenton Generals at Wall Municipal Stadium on Thursday.

With the loss, the Gulls fall to 1-4 in the I-195 rivalry.

The Generals scored two runs in the bottom of the first, a run in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the bottom of the fifth.

Steve Santigate helped start a rally by grounding into an RBI 5-3 double play with nobody out in the bottom of the eighth. The ensuing batter, Kevin Blum ripped an RBI double to cut the deficit to three.

Mark Galvan gave up one hit and one walk while striking out three batters in two innings of relief. The Brielle, New Jersey native was making his Gulls’ debut.

Ocean received seven hits from seven different players.

The Gulls are scheduled to begin a four-game homestand at the Antrim Elementary School on Saturday, July 24, when they play host to the Quakertown Blazers in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 11:30 A.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Gulls and Railers Postponed
July 17, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls and Allentown Railers have been postponed due to inclement weather. The teams were supposed to play a doubleheader at ECTB Stadium.

A makeup date is TBD.

The Gulls are scheduled to return to action on Thursday, July 19, when they take on the Trenton Generals at Wall Municipal Stadium. The Gulls will be the away team. First pitch is set for 6:30P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Matt Festa makes MLB debut
July 15, 2018

RHP Matt Festa (East Stroudsburg, Staten Island Tide, 2013-2014) became the third former ACBL pitcher to make a MLB debut this year.

On Saturday Festa pitched two-thirds of an inning in relief for the Seattle Mariners and did not allow a run in a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies. He was promoted from the Arkansas Travelers where he posted 13 saves with 44 strikeouts and seven base on balls in 31.2 innings with a 3.13 ERA.

Festa was a seventh round pick of the Mariners in the 2016 MLB Draft.

Festa joins Lou Trivino (Slippery Rock, Quakertown Blazers, 2011) and Heath Fillmyer (Mercer County College, Trenton Generals, 2013) as former ACBL All-Stars making MLB debuts in 2018.

Trivino has been a rookie sensation for the Oakland Athletics with a 7-1 record, ten holds and four saves. The 6-5 RHP has a 1.25 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 35 games.

Fillmyer has a 3.45 ERA in five games over 15.2 innings for the Kansas City Royals.

Snyder tosses no-hitter
July 14, 2018

Nick Snyder Photo Courtesy of BlueGoldNews.comNick Snyder ​pitched a no-hitter Saturday, Photo Courtesy of BlueGoldNews.com

Nick Snyder (West Virginia) allowed no hits or runs over seven innings as the Trenton Generals defeated the North Jersey Eagles 1-0 in the second game of a doubleheader today.

The 6-7 LHP struck out eight and walked two while facing 23 batters. He threw 93 pitches with 60 strikes.

He tops the ACBL in strikeouts with 40 in 23 innings and recently struck out all four batters he faced in the NYCBL/ACBL All-Star showcase.

Gulls Split with Pilots
July 14, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls split a pair of games with the Jersey Pilots, dropping the opener 4-1, and picking up a 5-2 victory in the nightcap.

The Pilots scored two runs in the top of the first and two more in the top of the third in the opener. The hosts scored their lone run in the bottom of the seventh when Steve Santigate hit a pinch-hit home run to open the frame.

Ocean drew first blood in the nightcap by scoring three runs in the bottom of the second. A tworun single by Ben Montenegro put the Gulls on the board. The ensuing batter, Thomas Holdorf picked up his first hit of the game with an RBI single. The Freehold, New Jersey native went 2-4.

The Pilots scored a run in the top of the third and another run in the top of the fifth to make it 3-2.

In the bottom of the fifth, Marc Chernin scored on a throwing error by the Pilots’ catcher and Matt Cuppari scored on an error by the Pilots’ shortstop.

Daniel Chiusano picked up his first save of the season, while giving up one run on five hits and three strikeouts in three innings.

The Gulls are scheduled to hit the road for three games, beginning on Tuesday, July 17, whenthey meet the Allentown Railers in a doubleheader at ECTB Stadium. Game 1 is set for 5 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in PointPleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter@OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Gulls Drop to Generals in Extras
July 12, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls fell to the Trenton Generals 4-3 in extras at Wall Municipal Stadium on Thursday. A two-out home run was the difference maker for Trenton in the top of the tenth.

The hosts drew first blood on a wild pitch by the Generals’ pitching staff in the bottom of the first. Two pitches later, Johnny Zega’s RBI groundout gave Ocean a 2-0 lead.

The Generals tied scored three runs in the top of the 4th to take a 3-2 lead. An RBI double by Kevin Blum tied the game in the bottom of the sixth.

The Gulls are scheduled to wrap up their three-game homestand on Saturday, July 14, when they play host to the Jersey Pilots in a doubleheader at the Antrim Elementary School. First pitch is set for 11:30 A.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in PointPleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter@OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Eagles Knock Off Gulls
July 10, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls fell behind and were unable to keep up with the North Jersey Eagles on Tuesday night.

The Gulls finished their three-game road trip with a 10-1 loss to the Eagles at Overpeck County Park.

North Jersey set the tone with four runs in the bottom of the first and a run in the bottom of the third.

Ocean’s lone run came off an RBI single by Kevin Blum in the top of the fourth.

The Eagles added two runs in the bottom of the fifth and three runs in the bottom of the sixth.

The Gulls are scheduled to return to the Jersey Shore on Thursday, July 12, when they play host to the Trenton Generals at Wall Municipal Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in PointPleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter@OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

NYCBL edges ACBL All-Stars 7-6
July 9, 2018

The New York Collegiate All-Star team defeated the Atlantic Collegiate All-Star team 7-6 at Onondaga Community College on Monday evening.

Nick Snyder (West Virginia, Trenton Generals) was named ACBL Pitcher of the Game after striking out all four batters that he faced.

Tatem Levins (LaSalle, Trenton Generals) was selected ACBL Position Player of the game after going one-for-one with an RBI. Johnny Zega (Monmouth, Ocean Gulls) had two hits for the ACBL team.

Jacob Buser (Florida Tech, North Jersey Eagles) won the Home Run Derby.

Gulls Fall to Blazers
July 8, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls were swept by the Quakertown Blazers, 3-2, and 9-4, at Quakertown Memorial Park on Sunday.

Andrew Holmes gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the opener with an RBI single in the top of the second. A three-run blast by the Blazers made it a 3-1 game.

Ocean began a rally with an RBI single by Conor Gammond in the top of the seventh. Brian Markoski’s single gave the Gulls a chance to tie the game, but Ben Montenegro was thrown out trying to score from second.

The Gulls drew first blood in the nightcap thanks to a two-run double by Marc Chernin in the top of the first. Quakertown tied the game with two of their own in the bottom of the first.

Ocean returned the favor in the top of the third on an RBI double by William Johnson to make it a 3-2 game.

A run in the bottom of the fourth, five in the bottom of the fifth, and another run un the bottom of the sixth gave the host team a 9-3 lead.

Easton Brown scored on an infield error in the top of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to give the Gulls a split.

The Gulls are scheduled to wrap up their three-game road trip on Tuesday, July 10, when they take on the North Jersey Eagles at Overpeck County Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in PointPleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter@OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Gulls Sweep the Eagles
July 7, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls came back to the Jersey Shore looking for a little bit of magic after finishing their eight-game road trip with a 1-7 record.

They got that and more with a sweep over the North Jersey Eagles, 4-2, and 1-0 at the Antrim Elementary School on Saturday. It marks the first time the Gulls have swept an opponent at home and the first time since June 4, 2017, when they swept the Jersey Pilots.

Marc Chernin gave Ocean a 1-0 lead in the opener with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the second. The Eagles tied the game in the top of the third.

The Gulls took the lead and never looked back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. A solo home run by William Johnson began the streak. Four batters later, an RBI groundout by Easton Brown gave Ocean a 3-1 lead. After a walk by Andrew Holmes, a bases-loaded walk by Conor Gammond made it 4-1.

North Jersey scored a run in the top of the sixth, but it was too little, too late.

The night cap featured a pitcher’s duel heading to the bottom of the seventh. Brown reached on a one-out walk and stole second. Johnny Zega reached on a base-on-balls to bring up Gammond.

The Spring Lake, New Jersey native hit a routine ground ball to the Eagles’ shortstop. He threw to second for the force out, but the second baseman’s relay throw soared over the first baseman’s head, and Brown scored to give the Gulls a walk-off fielder’s choice.

The Gulls are scheduled to embark on a three-game road trip on Sunday, July 8, as they take on the Quakertown Blazers in a doubleheader at Quakertown Memorial Park. First pitch is set for 1 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

ACBL announces All-Star team
July 6, 2018

The New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL) and the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League (ACBL) have partnered to create an All-Star Showcase between the leagues on Monday July 9 at the Onondaga Community College baseball complex.

The day begins with a luncheon and sign-in at 2pm. Batting practice begins at 4pm for the NYCBL and 4:40pm for the ACBL.

The Home Run Derby is scheduled for 5:20pm with first pitch at 6:30pm.

Click this link to view the 2018 ACBL All-Stars.


Gulls Fall Short to Generals Despite Late Rally
July 5, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

A rally in the top of the ninth inning wasn’t enough for the Ocean Gulls as they fell to the Trenton Generals 4-3 at Wall Municipal Stadium on Thursday. The birds were the away team.

Justin Bates tied the game with an RBI single before the Generals scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth.

Bates gave Ocean a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth. Trenton took the lead by scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Brian Markoski made it a 2-2 game with a sacrifice fly of his own in the top of the eighth. The Generals retook the lead in the bottom of the eighth.

Justin Fall surrendered one hit and struck out eight batters in three innings.

The Gulls are scheduled to return home on Saturday, July 7, when they take on the North Jersey Eagles in a doubleheader at Antrim Elementary School. First pitch is set for 11:30 A.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in PointPleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter@OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Blazers to mark 35th anniversary on Saturday
July 1, 2018

The Quakertown Blazers will celebrate 35 years of college summer baseball on Saturday July 7 when they host the Jersey Pilots in a 1pm doubleheader. Former players are invited to attend and former Blazer manager Denny Robison will be present.

Robison managed the Blazers for 25 years and tops the ACBL managers with 601 career wins. Over 160 former Blazers have entered pro ball with twelve making it to the major leagues.

Lou Trivino is the most recent former Blazer to make the big leagues and off to a good start with the Oakland A’s. Trivino has a 6-1 record with nine holds and three saves. His ERA is 1.56 with a WHIP of 0.95 in 29 appearances.

Click this link to read the full article written by Keith Groller of the Morning Call.


Comebacks Fall Short as Railers Sweep Gulls
July 1, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

Despite a pair of come-from-behind efforts, the Ocean Gulls were swept by the Allentown Railers, 7-4, and 3-2 on Sunday at ECTB Stadium.

A two-out solo home run by Conor Gammond gave Ocean a 1-0 lead in the top of the first of the opener. A two-run shot by the Railers made it a 2-1 game in the bottom of the first.

Allentown scored a run in the bottom of the second and three runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a commanding 6-1 lead.

The Gulls got a run back thanks to an RBI fielder’s choice by Steve Santigate in the top of the fifth. A run in the bottom of the frame by the Railers made it a 7-2 contest.

Ocean’s comeback began with one out in the top of the seventh. A two-run blast by Santigate cut the deficit to three. After back-to-back singles by James Donlan and Kevin Blum, Andrew Holmes struck out and Easton Brown grounded out to first to end the ballgame.

The Gulls scored the nightcap’s first run of the game on an RBI single by Ben Montenegro in the top of the second.

Allentown tied the game on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth. They would take the lead for good with two runs in the bottom of the fifth.

A wild pitch by the Railers’ starting pitcher made it a one-run game in the top of the sixth before the Gulls nearly tied the game the very next inning.

Blum led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Allentown’s relief pitcher. Montengero drew a walk before the Railers made a call to the bullpen. A double-steal put Montenegro and Blum on second and third before Justin Bates struck out and Brown flied out to put two outs on the board.

Thomas Holdorf drew a five-pitch walk to load the bases, but Craig Larsen flied out to end the game.

Donlan, Gammond, and Santigate combined to go 6-9 with a double, two home runs, four RBIs, and four runs, including a season-high three RBIs by Santigate.

The Gulls are scheduled to return to the diamond on Thursday, July 5, as they take on the Trenton Generals at Wall Municipal Stadium. The Gulls will be the away team. First pitch is set for 6:30 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Gulls and Pilots Split DH
June 30, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls split a doubleheader with the Jersey Pilots, dropping the opener, 13-8, before taking the nightcap, 8-3, at Drew University on Saturday.

The Pilots scored four times in the bottom of the first before the Gulls got one back in Game 1. An RBI fielder’s choice by Easton Brown made it a 4-1 game in the top of the third. Jersey responded with eight runs in the bottom of the inning.

William Johnson’s two-run double in the top of the fourth cut the deficit to 12-3. A balk by Jersey’s relief pitcher and an RBI double by Craig Larsen made it a seven-run game in the top of the fifth.

The Pilots scored a run in the bottom of the sixth before the Gulls responded with three runs in the top of the seventh. An infield error, an RBI groundout by Marc Chernin, and an RBI double by Johnson began a rally, but it wasn’t enough to finish the comeback.

In the nightcap, Ocean got off to a great start with four runs in the top of the second. Brown drew a one-out bases-loaded walk to put the Gulls on the board. Thomas Holdorf extended the visitor’s lead with a two-run single and Larsen followed through with an RBI groundout.

Jersey scored a run in the bottom of the third. The Gulls responded with a sacrifice fly by Larsen in the top of the fourth. The Pilots got a run back in the bottom of the fourth to make it a 5-2 ballgame.

An RBI single by Larsen in the top of the sixth gave Ocean a 6-2 lead before the Pilots scored a run in the bottom of the sixth.

The Gulls sealed the deal with two runs in the top of the seventh thanks to back-to-back RBI singles by Brown and Holdorf.

Holdorf had four RBIs in Game 2 and Johnson went 3-4 with two doubles and three RBIs in the opener. Brown and Larsen combined to go 3-7 with two runs, a double, and four RBIs in the nightcap.

Michael Saldo struck out seven batters while giving up two runs on four hits and three walks in four innings of work.

The Gulls are scheduled to wrap up their seven-game road trip on Sunday, July 1, when they take on the Allentown Railers in a doubleheader at ECTB Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Gulls and Generals Postponed
June 28, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

Thursday’s game between the Ocean Gulls and Trenton Generals has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, July 26 at 5 P.M. at Wall Municipal Stadium.

The Gulls are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, June 30, as they take on the Jersey Pilots on the campus of Drew University in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Despite Late Rally, Gulls Fall To Eagles
June 26, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls did everything they could to come from behind, but it was too little, too late as the Gulls dropped a road game to the North Jersey Eagles, 4-3, at Overpeck County Park.

Trailing 4-2 in the top of the seventh, the Gulls played a game of “small ball” to make it a onerun game. James Donlan drew a two-out bases-loaded walk to make it 4-3.

The Eagles laid the Gulls down in order in the top of the eighth. Thomas Holdorf became the game-tying run with a one-out single in the top of the ninth, but a strikeout by Craig Larsen and a fly out by Johnny Zega was too little, too late, for Ocean.

The Gulls took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to a pair of RBI singles by Easton Brown and Holdorf.

North Jersey never looked back after scoring four times in the bottom of the third.

Holdorf picked up his first career three-hit game after going 3-4. Brown went 2-4 with a run scored, making this his first multi-hit game.

The Gulls are scheduled to return home on Thursday, June 28, when they play host to the Trenton Generals at Wall Municipal Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Blazers Sweep Gulls
June 24, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls were swept by the Quakertown Blazers, 11-6, and 10-0, at Quakertown Memorial Park on Sunday.

The Blazers took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single in the bottom of the first before the Gulls scored four times in the top of the third in the opener.

Following a double by Thomas Holdorf, a single by Johnny Zega, and a base-on-balls by Marc Chernin, James Donlan drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game. Kendall Pierson’s RBI single and Kevin Blum’s two-run single gave Ocean a 4-1 lead.

Quakertown retook the lead for good with five runs in the bottom of the inning. The Gulls got a run back courtesy of Zega’s RBI single in the top of the fourth.

A run in the bottom of the fourth and four runs in the bottom of the fifth sealed the deal for the Blazers. William Johnson’s RBI groundout in the top of the sixth wasn’t enough to start a rally.

In the nightcap, the Blazers scored once in the bottom of the second before adding six runs in the bottom of the third. They added a run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

The Gulls are scheduled to head to Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, to take on the North Jersey Eagles on Tuesday, June 26, at Overpeck County Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Gulls Split DH with Eagles
June 23, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The 2017 season saw the Ocean Gulls hit eight home runs. On Saturday, the Gulls went yard five times, including twice in Game 1, and three times in the nightcap, to help earn a split with the North Jersey Eagles.

North Jersey took the first game, 8-4, before Ocean shutout the Eagles, 8-0, in Game 2.

The Eagles took a 1-0 lead heading to the bottom of the first before the Gulls took it away in Game 1. A one-out triple by Craig Larsen led to an RBI single by Brian Markoski to tie the game. The ensuing batter, Marc Chernin hit a sacrifice fly to give the Gulls a 2-1 lead.

A three-run fourth inning by North Jersey put them in front 4-2 before Ocean came from behind again.

A pair of leadoff home runs by Kendall Pierson and Marc Chernin in the bottom of the fifth and the bottom of the sixth tied the game, 4-4. That was before the Eagles pulled away with four runs in the top of the seventh.

A leadoff home run by Johnny Zega and a bases-loaded walk by Ben Montenegro gave the Gulls a 2-0 in the bottom of the first to begin the second game.

Brian Markoski’s leadoff home run began a four-run third inning. A two-run play by Justin Bates and an infield error put Ocean on top 6-0.

Bates added another run with an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth and a leadoff home run by James Donlan in the bottom of the sixth added more run support for the Gulls’ pitching staff.

Nick Marotta gave up two hits and struck out two batters in five innings.

The Gulls are scheduled to play the Quakertown Blazers in a doubleheader at Quakertown Memorial Park on Sunday, June 24. First pitch is set for 1:00 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Five Run Inning Propels Gulls over Generals
June 21, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls picked up their second win of the 2018 campaign, with their largest margin of victory, 9-2, over the Trenton Generals at Wall Municipal Stadium Thursday night.

The Gulls, who are usually the home team when playing at Wall, were the away team.

Ocean scored the game's first run in the top of the first on an RBI groundout by Brian Markoski. Two innings later, William Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 2-0.

Thomas Holdorf scored on a wild pitch by Trenton’s relief pitcher before Markoski picked up his second RBI of the game with an RBI groundout to give the Gulls a 4-0 lead in the top of the sixth.

The Generals got a run back in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to cut the deficit to 4-1. It was Trenton’s first hit of the game. Two innings later, the Gulls blew the game wide open.

Marc Chernin was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The ensuing batter, Kevin Blum reached on an infield error to score the Craig Larsen from third. Back-to-back RBI singles by Johnson and Ben Montenegro gave Ocean an 8-2 lead. An RBI groundout by Justin Bates gave the Gulls a 9-2 advantage.

Another home run by the Generals in the bottom of the eighth wasn’t enough to begin a rally.

Michael Saldo didn’t allow a hit while walking three batters and striking out eight in four innings pitched.

The Gulls are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, Jun 23, as they take on the North Jersey Eagles in a doubleheader at the Antrim Elementary School. First pitch is set for 11:30 A.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrim Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

ACBL Games Washed out for 3rd Consecutive Day
June 20, 2018

Weather Disrupts ACBL Season
All games are postponed again today due to the weather.

Weather has impacted ACBL play for the last 3 days.

The weekend forecast is looking good. Lets Play Ball

Royals recall Fillmyer from Omaha
June 19, 2018

Heath Fillmyer Photo Courtesy of MLB.comHeath Fillmyer gets the call, Photo Courtesy of MLB.com

RHP Heath Fillmyer (Mercer County College, Trenton Generals, 2013) will be the second former ACBL player to make a Major League debut this year after being recalled by the Kansas City Royals.

Fillmyer was a 5th round selection of the Oakland A’s in the 2014 MLB Draft. Fillmyer started 13 games at AAA Omaha with a 4-5 record and 5.75 ERA in 67 innings this year after being traded to the Royals.

Lou Trivino (Slippery Rock, Quakertown Blazers, 2011) made his MLB debut in April and has a 1.69 ERA in 23 relief appearances for the A’s. He has a 3-1 record with one save and eight holds.

D'Andrea and Welhaf sign Free Agent contracts
June 17, 2018

LHP Jerry D’Andrea (Ramapo, Staten Island Tide, 2016-17) and RHP Robbie Welhaf (Elon, Quakertown Blazers, 2016) have signed free agent contracts with the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers respectively.

D’Andrea posted a 3.11 ERA in 12 starts for Ramapo while striking out 86 in 81 innings. He had a 5-4 record with three complete games.

Welhaf made 24 relief appearances for Elon with a 2.25 ERA and team-best six saves. He struck out 61 in 56 innings and held opponents to a .213 average.

OF Austin Edgette (Bloomsburg, Lehigh Valley Catz, 2016) signed with the San Francisco Giants. Edgette placed third in D-2 with a .439 batting average and fourth with a .530 On Base Percentage. He stole 24 bases in 25 attempts and was a 33rd round selection of the Giants in the 2018 MLB Draft.

Railers Sweep Gulls
June 16, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls were swept by the three-time defending Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League champion Allentown Railers by final scores of 5-2 and 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at the Antrim Elementary School.

Allentown scored a run in the top of the fourth and two runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 3-0 lead heading to the bottom of the fifth. Andrew Holmes reached on an infield error and advanced to second to lead off the frame. Two batters later, Ben Montenegro’s RBI single put the Gulls on the board. After Johnny Zega drew a five-pitch walk, Kendall Pierson scored on a double-steal attempt to make it a 3-2 contest, while Zega was caught stealing.

The Railers added a couple of insurance runs in the top of the seventh to preserve the Game 1 victory.

Dylan Taliafero held the Railers to no runs on no hits, while walking one batter and striking out four in the first three innings.

Allentown scored two runs in the top of the first and one run in the top of the second to begin the nightcap. Ocean’s offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth.

After three consecutive walks by James Donlan, William Johnson and Andrew Holmes, a wild pitch by the Railers’ starting pitcher, and a fielder’s choice by Steve Santigate, Thomas Holdorf drove home the Gulls’ first run of the game with an RBI single. A bases-loaded walk by Craig Larsen cut the deficit to 3-2, but it was all the Gulls could muster.

Ocean’s bullpen held the Railers to no runs on two hits, three walks and four strikeouts in the final five innings.

The Gulls are scheduled to play the Trenton Generals on Thursday, June 21 at Wall Municipal Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 P.M. and the Gulls will play as the away team.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at the Antrm Elementary School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Generals Pull Away Late for 7-3 Win
June 14, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

Despite a back-and forth game that took place in the middle innings, the Ocean Gulls fell to the Trenton Generals 7-3 at Wall Municipal Stadium Thursday night.

The Gulls struck first on a double-steal attempt in the bottom of the fourth when Brian Markoski stole home while teammate James Donlan was caught on his way back to first after he tried to steal second base.

Trenton tied the game, 1-1, with an RBI single in the top of the fifth. The ensuing frame, Johnny Zega gave the Gulls a 2-1 lead with an RBI single of his own in the bottom of the fifth.

The Generals tied the game on an RBI groundout in the top of the sixth and took the lead for good with two runs in the top of the seventh. Ocean got a run back on an infield error in the bottom of the eighth, but the Generals added three insurance runs in the top of the ninth.

Nick Marotta struck out five batters while allowing no runs on four hits in four innings as the starter for Ocean.

The Gulls are scheduled to play host to the Allentown Railers on Saturday, June 16 at Point Pleasant High School (Antrim School). Game 1 is set for 11:30 A.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at Point Pleasant High School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ and Wall Municipal Stadium in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Matt Leon signs with LA Angels
June 13, 2018

RHP Matt Leon (Seton Hall, Lehigh Valley Catz, 2015) has signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

Leon was an ACBL All-Star in 2015 after he made the Seton Hall team as a freshman walk-on. This year he was an unanimous selection for the All-Big East first team after breaking the Pirates’ single season record with 12 saves while posting a team low 1.17 ERA in 30.2 innings.

Leon will be the sixth former ACBL pitcher to either sign as a free agent or be selected in the recent 2018 MLB Draft.

Former ACBL pitchers selected in the recent draft:

LHP Joe Baran (Lackawanna, Allentown Railers), Seattle Mariners, Round 22
RHP Gabe Mosser (Shippensburg, Allentown Railers), San Diego Padres, Round 27
LHP Joe Jacques (Manhattan, Trenton Generals), Pittsburgh Pirates, Round 33
RHP Cory Heitler (Ramapo, North Jersey Eagles), Cincinnati Reds, Round 34
RHP Andrew Ciolli (Mercyhurst, Jersey Pilots), Baltimore Orioles, Round 37

Gulls and Blazers split a Doubleheader
June 9, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

Last weekend, the Ocean Gulls’ home opener was postponed due to the threat of inclement weather. The very next day, they were swept by the Jersey Pilots.

Saturday was a different story for the Jersey Shore’s summer collegiate baseball team as they split their home opener with the Quakertown Blazers, losing Game 1 1-0, and picking up their first win of the season 4-2, in the nightcap.

The games were moved from Point Pleasant High School to Point Pleasant Borough High School due to pesticide spraying.

Michael Saldo and Jonathan Martin combined for two hits, on one run, one walk and eight strikeouts in four innings pitched. The Blazers scored the game’s only run on a wild pitch.

After trailing 2-0 heading to the bottom of the fifth, the Gulls put up a four-spot in Game 2. Following a leadoff walk by William Johnson and back-to-back singles by Thomas Holdorf and Easton Brown, Brian Markowski hit a two-run single to tie the game 2-2. Marc Chernin followed through with a pinch-hit two-run single to give Ocean the lead for good.

The Gulls are scheduled to play host to the Trenton Generals on Thursday, June 14 at the Wall Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 6:30 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at Point Pleasant High School and Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ and Wall Sports Complex in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Balestrieri spins no-hitter
June 8, 2018

Paul Balestrieri Photo Courtesy of Allison Rhoades | Peoria ChiefsPaul Balestrieri ​throws a pitch for the Peoria Chiefs, the Cardinals' Class A affiliate. Balestrieri threw a no-hitter Thursday, Photo Courtesy of Allison Rhoades | Peoria Chiefs

RHP Paul Balestrieri (Cornell, Trenton Generals, 2014) tossed a no-hitter for the Peoria Chiefs as they defeated Kane County 8-0 on Thursday. He only allowed one baserunner on a first inning error.

Balestrieri was a 26th round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2017 MLB draft and Peoria is the Cardinals A level affiliate in the Midwest League.

Will Latchem (Coastal Carolina, Allentown Railers, 2015) was also drafted by the Cardinals in the 2017 MLB Draft as a 17th rounder. He currently leads the Florida State League in games finished with 17 and also has eight saves which places him a save below the league leader.

He is pitching for the Palm Beach Cardinals, the advanced A affiliate of the Cardinals.

Gulls Lose a Pair to Pilots
June 3, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Ocean Gulls fell to the Jersey Pilots, 2-1 in extras, and 6-1 in a season-opening doubleheader at Drew University.

Game 1 saw the Gulls score their only run in the top of the eighth on an error by the Pilot’s shortstop. Jersey came from behind with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Kevin Blum (1-3, BB), Johnny Zega (1-4, R), and Thomas Holdorf (1-4) provided Ocean with the team’s first hits of the season.

Holdorf provided the Gulls with their only run in the night cap on a wild pitch in the top of the second.

The Gulls are scheduled to play their home opener on Saturday, June 9, against the Quakertown Blazers in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 11:30 A.M. at Point Pleasant Borough High School.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at Point Pleasant High School in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, Point Pleasant Borough High School in Point Pleasant, NJ and Wall Sports Complex in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acblonline.com.

Gulls and Railers Postponed
June 2, 2018

By Matt Nelson | Ocean Gulls

The Gulls will have to wait another day to begin the 2018 season as their doubleheader with the Allentown Railers on Saturday has been postponed due to the threat of inclement weather.

The games will be made up at a date TBD.

The Gulls will hit the road on Sunday, June 3, to take on the Jersey Pilots at Drew University in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 P.M.

The Ocean Gulls, proud members of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at Point Pleasant High School (Antrim School) in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ and Wall Sports Complex in Wall, NJ. Follow the Gulls on Twitter @OceanGulls and visit them online at www.acbl-online.com.

Melone tops D-2 in hitting
May 7, 2018

Jared Melone Photo Courtesy of West Chester University AthleticsJared Melone tops D-2 in hitting, Photo Courtesy of West Chester University Athletics

Jared Melone (West Chester, Quakertown Blazers, 2016; Allentown Railers, 2017) is the leading hitter in NCAA Division II with a .482 average through games of May 6, 2018.

The junior 1B/LF is 79 for 164 with 15 doubles, ten home runs and 67 RBIs in 44 games. West Chester won the PSAC East and enters the PSAC Tournament on Thursday in Johnstown.

Outfielder Austin Edgette (Bloomsburg, Lehigh Valley Catz, 2016) placed third in hitting with a .457 average and second in On Base Percentage with a .547 OBP.

Middle infielder Alec Craig (Chesnut Hill, South Jersey Giants 2017) topped D-2 in stolen bases per game with 47 SBs in 44 games. Michael Rothmund (Illinois-Springfield, Quakertown Blazers, 2015) was second with 72 RBIS. The senior first baseman was third with 21 home runs and total bases with 154.

LHP Dan Wirchansky (Pace, North Jersey Eagles, 2016) tops NCAA Division II with a 0.71 ERA and 0.57 WHIP over 51 innings in six appearances.

Trivino's MLB debut followed by a win
April 19, 2018

Lou Trivino (Slippery Rock, Quakertown Blazers, 2011) began his MLB career with a hectic, but enjoyable 24 hours in Oakland.

Trivino learned of his promotion at a Des Moines, Iowa pizza restaurant late Monday night. On Tuesday evening he made his MLB debut with a scoreless ninth inning as the Oakland A’s defeated the Chicago White Sox 10-2.

On Wednesday afternoon the A’s and White Sox were involved in a 14 inning marathon affair. Trivino tossed three scoreless innings, the 12th, 13th and 14th. Matt Olsen’s walk-off single in the bottom of the 14th gave the A’s a 12-11 victory and Trivino picked up his first MLB win.

Tim Mayza (Millersville, Quakertown Blazers, 2011) recorded a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday evening as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Kansas City Royals 15-5.

Trivino called up by the Oakland A's
April 17, 2018

Lou Trivino Photo Courtesy of MLB.comLou Trivino get the call, Photo Courtesy of MLB.com

Lou Trivino (Slippery Rock, Quakertown Blazers, 2011) was called up by the Oakland A’s from the Nashville Sounds on Tuesday.

The 6-5 RHP had a save in three appearances with Nashville and retired all 13 batters he faced, eight by strikeouts.

The former ACBL All-Star joins former Blazer teammate and current Toronto Blue Jay reliever Tim Mayza (Millersville, Quakertown Blazers, 2011) in the American League and will be the 109th former ACBL player to reach the Major Leagues.

In other MLB transactions RHP Kevin McCarthy (Marist, Sag Harbor, 2011) and LHP Donnie Hart (Texas State, Westhampton, 2010) were recalled to the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles respectively on April 13.

RHP Casey Lawrence (Albright, Kutztown, 2008-09) was optioned to Tacoma by the Seattle Mariners on April 14. Hart was optioned back to Norfolk on April 15 after not allowing an earned run in two relief appearances for the O’s.

Tropeano is outstanding in return to Angels
April 13, 2018

Nick Tropeano Photo Courtesy of Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Nick Tropeano returns from Tommy John Surgery

RHP Nick Tropeano (Stony Brook, Riverhead) made his first MLB start since July 18, 2016 a big one as he tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a 7-1 Los Angeles Angels win over the Kansas City Royals.

The former ACBL All-Star struck out six with two walks and threw 88 pitches. Tropeano underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2016.

The Angels are off to their best start since 1979 with five straight wins and a 11-3 record.

Blue Jays recall Mayza from Buffalo
April 11, 2018

LHP Tim Mayza (Millersville, Quakertown Blazers) was recalled to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. Mayza posted a 1.69 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in ten relief appearances in spring training.

Several former ACBL players are off to good starts in the Major Leagues.

RHP Zack Godley (Tennessee, Southampton) has allowed only one run in two starts with 2-0 record for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has an 0.64 ERA in 14 innings.

D-Back teammate SS Nick Ahmed (UConn, Westhampton) is hitting .321 with eight RBIs.

LHP Chris O’Grady (George Mason, North Jersey Eagles) has six relief appearances for the Miami Marlins with a 1.59 ERA and 0.88 WHIP.

Former ACBL players report for spring training
February 15, 2018

Twenty former ACBL players are reporting to Major League spring training sites this week in preparation for the 2018 season. The following list includes players on the 40-man roster and non-roster invitees (NRI).

Angels, Nick Tropeano, RHP
A’s, Lou Trivino, RHP
Blue Jays, Tim Mayza, LHP
Diamondbacks, Zack Godley, RHP
Diamondbacks, Nick Ahmed,SS
Marlins, Chris O’Grady, LHP
Mariners, NRI, Matt Festa, RHP
Mariners, NRI, Casey Lawrence,RHP
Orioles, Donnie Hart, LHP
Padres, NRI, Kyle Lloyd, RHP
Reds, Stuart Turner,C
Rockies, Jordan Patterson,1B
Royals, Heath Fillmyer,RHP
Royals, Kevin McCarthy, RHP
Royals, NRI, Frank Schwindel, 1B
Royals, NRI, Nick Dini, C
Twins, Zack Granite, OF
Twins, Aaron Slegers, RHP
White Sox, NRI, Seby Zavala, C
Yankees, NRI, Cody Carroll, RHP




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2019 ACBL Standings

Wolff Division

 WLTPCT
Allentown221110.662
Trenton201620.553
Quakertown172210.438
Jersey142010.414

Kaiser Division

 WLTPCT
North Jersey211600.568
New York171400.548
Ocean Ospreys181700.514
Ocean Gulls92210.297

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