July 23, 2009

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Fresh off winning the 2009 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship in May, several members of the Marist College baseball team are extending their seasons in various collegiate summer leagues across the region. Four Red Foxes - catcher Bryce Nugent (Binghamton, N.Y.) and pitchers Eric Alessio (Nyack, N.Y.), B.J. Martin (Manalapan, N.J.) and Kyle Putnam (New Windsor, N.Y.) -- were selected to the All-Star Game of their league.

Nugent, along with pitchers Jake Rifkin (West Deptford, N.J.), Brendan Chapin (South Weymouth, Mass.), Sean McKeown (Hillsborough, N.J.), and Richard Cary (Binghamton, N.Y.), are currently competing in the New York Collegiate Baseball League - a developmental league aimed at giving college players experience with wood bats while developing their skills in front of professional scouts.

Nugent and Rifkin are part of the Mohawk Valley DiamonDawgs' roster while Chapin and McKeown are suiting up for the Amsterdam Mohawks. Cary is a member of the Elmira Pioneers.

In 26 games for Mohawk Valley, Nugent has three home runs and 22 RBIs. His .307 batting average is the highest on the team, and he belted a home run in the NYCBL All-Star Game. Rifkin, meanwhile, leads the DiamonDawgs' pitching staff in appearances with 15 en route to striking out 14 batters in 18.2 innings.

Chapin and McKeown have emerged as anchors in the Mohawks' bullpen with 17 and 15 appearances, respectively. Chapin is boasting a stellar 2.04 ERA while McKeown is 2-0 with a 2.41 ERA.

"It's great to see the success our players are having this summer," said Marist first-year head coach Chris Tracz. "Some are looking to break through in 2010, while others are building on their success from last season."

While the NYCBL is an ideal league for local collegiate baseball players, there are also several other summer leagues on the East Coast which offer players the opportunity to compete at a high level.

For instance, a quartet of Red Foxes are playing for the Faquier Gators of the Valley Baseball League in Warrenton, Va., including Martin, Putnam, and infielders Ricky Pacione (Newburgh, N.Y.) and Ryan Gauck (Clifton Park, N.Y.).

Putnam is 4-0 with a 1.38 ERA for the Gators. He leads the team in strikeouts with 38 and opponents are hitting just .199 against him. Martin is also unbeaten on the mound for the Gators, going 2-0 with a stellar 0.88 ERA in 30.2 innings pitched.

Alessio is also playing in the Valley League for the New Market Rebels, and is sporting a 4-0 record with a 3.18 ERA in 39.2 innings.

Infielder Jon Schwind (Hilton, N.Y.) is batting .253 with a home run and eight RBIs for the Vienna Senators of the Clark Griffith League, which has long been regarded as one of the premiere collegiate summer leagues in the country.

The lone Red Fox player from Florida, infielder John Prano (Oviedo, Fla.), is in his third summer with the Sanford River Rats of the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Prano has 24 hits in 31 games and five RBIs for the River Rats.

With many of his players well into their summer league schedules and enjoying continued success, Tracz is pleased with the reports he has received and is looking forward to the team reconvening on campus in September.

"As a staff, we are excited for the continued development of this team as they look to have another championship season," said Tracz.