Player profiles: Brady Sheetz

His name just sounds like a ballplayer, doesn’t it?

 A native of Eighty-Four, Pennsylvania, Brady Sheetz  attends the University of Hartford where he’s a Management/Marketing major.  Managing to balance a dual major and college athletics is demanding. However, Sheetz is determined to get the most of his college years.

The matchup for this player and the New England College Baseball League and in particular the Swamp Bats was a matter of serendipity and word of mouth. “I was just looking for a good summer ball experience,” Brady explains.” My head coach at Hartford is from the Keene area. “

Geographic diversity is a hallmark of this league. “We face guys from all over,” Brady says.  Recently Pennsylvanian Sheetz faced a batter in a North Adams uniform, a Long Island native who attends Adelphi University. The North Adams catcher, Ramon Valdez is from Chestermere, Alberta who played his junior college ball in Illinois and now attends Barry University in Miami, Florida. “It blows my mind how they find these guys from the whole United States to come here and play.”

In 14 games, Sheetz is batting .260 and has started at each spot in the outfield, most frequently in left field. He has no preference. “I just like to hit. I like hitting, I like playing out here. “

Brady Sheetz scores vs the New Bedford Bay Sox June 18th.
Photo by Doc Gordon

Sheetz has been impressed with the caliber of play in the NECBL. “I think anyone who plays in this league has a chance to move onto another level.” As for his baseball future, Brady says “I’m from a smaller school I’m from Hartford. I’ll be a senior; I just want to take it all in, play as long as I can.”

Player Profiles: Dominic Severino

Dominic Severino
photo by Doc Gordon

One of the great things about the New England College Baseball League is seeing outstanding young players continue to develop their talent, hone their craft. It’s been particularly helpful for Dominic Severino, who pitches and plays first base.  

Severino is enjoying his second season in the NECBL. A year ago, he played for the North Adams SteepleCats. Moving from college ball to the NECBL means an adjustment, one Dominic is familiar with. “It’s a different scene, a different at atmosphere. After playing with essentially the same guys on a college team, going to a new environment’s quite a change.”  And in the NECBL, one faces not only outstanding players from collegiate play but players from across the United States and Canada “Playing in this league, no matter where you play you are going to face top talent from across the country.”

Joining him with the Swamp Bats are two Central Connecticut State teammates, pitcher Matt Blandino and catcher Connor Fitzsimons.  After a slow start as a batter, Fitzsimons has been hitting better as of late. And as a catcher, the skill with which he works with pitchers has been impressive, especially when he knows his pitcher. “I’ve been playing with Connor for three years. We have a real good connection, a real good chemistry. Every time I pitch, I seem to have Connor behind the plate. He knows me, I know him. And we know how to attack hitters.”
 

L-R Connor Fitzsimons, Matt Blandino and Dominic Severino

At bat, Severino had a pretty good weekend.  After a hitless Friday night, Dominic was 3-for-4 with 3 RBI Saturday and Sunday, he hit his first Home Run of the year, a two run shot.

It’s a love for the game that keeps these young men playing baseball after the college season ends. And, not for nothing is the NECBL phrase “Keep your eye on the dream”.  “I’m having fun and playing the game,” Dominic says. “If I get an opportunity to play at the next level, I’ll be sure to take it. If you are as passionate as I am, if given the opportunity, I feel like I can be an asset.”

Playing for baseball loving fans at Alumni Field is something every player enjoys but no NECBL player could feel comfortable without the kind of support they get off the field. “My family tries to make it to every game whether I’m in the lineup or not. It’s a pleasure, my Mom hasn’t missed a college game my whole career.” That encouragement and support also comes from the player’s home away from home. In the case, Dominic’s host in Keene is Pam Slack.  “It’s awesome to have someone take you in and give you a place to stay. Host families are “passionate about the organization, and the Swamp Bats.”

The enthusiasm is not limited to the domestic environment, Severino explains. “It’s a great community, every time that my teammates and I go downtown, we are recognized as Swamp Bats and people talk to us and wish us good luck on  the season. “

 

Keene Swamp Bats 4, Ocean State Waves 3

Dominic Severino
Photo by Doc Gordon

Zach Lauricella had an RBI double, First Baseman Dominic Severino hit a two run home run in the 6^th inning and in the 7^th, Ryan Summers’ RBI Single scored Conner Simonetti to give the Swamp Bats a 4-3 win Sunday night.

 

·         Swamp Bats starting pitcher Eric Lauer gave up 1 run, 1 hit, 3 walks and 7 strikeouts. Lauer pitched himself out of a two-on, no out jam in top 6^th.

·         Matt Crohan came in for starter Eric Lauer in the bottom of the 7^th.  He also pitched himself out of a 2 men on base, none –out jam.  

·         Sam Triece, who relived Crohan in the bottom of the 8^th, is credited with the Save.

·         Summers and Catcher Connor Simonetti had two hits.

·         Centerfielder Ryan Summers made a diving catch to rob Ocean State CF Drew Ferguson of a sure double to end the 4^th inning.

·         Left fielder Stephen Smith made a nice catch of a deep drive by Ocean State Catcher Ethan Ferreira.

·         3^rd baseman Patrick McGrath drove the first pitch of his second at bat to deep left where outfielder Blanton made a nifty catch.

·         The Swamp Bats have an off day Monday before hosting the Vermont Mountaineers Tuesday. Game time is 6:30 p.m.

Keene Swamp Bats 11, Valley Blue Sox 2

Matt Blandino pitched a complete game and the Keene Swmp Bats beat up on the Valley Blue Sox at Mc Kenzie Stadium in Holyoke. Blandino allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. He gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the 8^th.

Matt Blandino and Dominic Severino earlier this month.

Dominic Severino hit a two-out, two run single off Valley Sox pitcher Nick Lewis to score Jared Mederos and Bret Dennis to give the Swamp Bats a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Ryan Summers crashed a solo home run to centerfield in the sixth inning.

·         Everybody got to bat in the 6^th inning and each Swamp Bat had a hit.

·         The Swamp Bats had 16 hits.

·         Dominic Severino had 3 RBI on two singles.

·         Jared Mederos had the first Swamp Bats triple this season.

·         Taylor Perez had three hits.

·         Brady Sheetz had a very nice catch in left in the 2^nd inning.

·         Conner Simonetti made a fine running catch in the bottom of the 9^th for the second out.

North Adams 1, Keene Swamp Bats 0

Rightfielder Vladimir Gomez singled to score catcher Ramon Valdez to break up a scoreless game in the 8^th inning.

·         Swamp Bats starter David Sosebee threw 7 scoreless innings, 4 hits, 0 Runs 1 walk 6 strikeouts. He left the game with one on in the 8^th and is charged with the loss.

·         Swamp Bats catcher Connor Fitzsimons had two singles and was hit by a pitch (again).

·         In the 2^nd inning, designated hitter Dominic Severino and 1^st baseman Darick Hall each hit a deep fly (that gave home run hopes) to right and center, respectively.

Keene 6, Vermont Mountaineers 5

The Keene Swamp Bats rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to beat the Vermont Mountaineers.

Zach Lauricella had a busy night starting at first base and switching to right field in late innings. Zach was 2-for-4 with a Home Run, two RBI and two runs scored.

·         3^rd baseman Patrick McGrath had three hits.

·         Centerfielder Alex Liquori had two singles.

·         Shortstop Jared Mederos had a double.

·         Benjamin Criscuolo earned the win for Keene pitching the final 1 1/3 innings.

Laconia Muskrats 6, Keene Swamp Bats 0

Vinny Zarillo led off the game with a solo home run for the Muskrats and Laconia added 5 more runs in later innings to beat the Swamp Bats 6-0.

Keene travels to Laconia Wednesday for a rematch.

Darick Hall warms up.
Photo by Doc Gordon

 

• Left fielder Stephen Smith made a nice catch of a sinking liner out of the sun to end the top of the first and had two hits.
• Taylor Perez, playing second base, also had two hits.
• Darick Hall came on in relief and had 7 strikeouts and gave up 2 hits and an unearned run in 5 2/3 innings.

Newport Gulls 2, Keene Swamp Bats 0

Blaise Salter crashed a 2^nd inning solo home run and added a RBI single in the 8^th inning to push the Newport Gulls past the Keene Swamp Bats 2-0 Monday night.

Severino pitching June 7.

Dominic Severino took the loss. In 6 innings he gave up just 4 hits, struck out 6 and walked 2 while surrendering Salter’s Homer Run.

Connor Fitzsimons had a double and single in three at-bats.

The Swamp Bats left 8 on base.

Laconia visits Alumni Field Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Swamp Bats win fourth straight in 12 innings

 

Darick Hall  earlier this month.

Left Fielder Darick Hall’s bases loaded two run single to left scored Conner Simonetti and Aubrey McCarty to give the Swamp Bats a 4-2 win over the North Adams SteepleCats Saturday night.

Winning pitcher Aubrey McCarty had a busy night. After starting the game at first base, McCarty came on to relieve in the 9th.

Of interest:

·         The score was tied at 2 after nine innings.

·         The Swamp Bats overcame a perfect game bid by North Adams starting pitcher Trevor Scott who took an unblemished record to the 7^th inning.

·         Alex Liquori’s base hit to left field ruined Scott’s bid in the top of the 7^th.

·         Catcher Ryan Summers made a nifty catch of SteepleCats DH Edgar Michelangeli ‘s pop up behind home plate in the 12th.

·         Mat Crohan made the start and gave up 2 runs before making way for Alex Robinson. Robinson pitched four innings, surrendering zero runs while giving up his first two hits. Michael Dunnigan and Ben Criscuolo succeeded Robinson for an inning, each recording a strikeout. Aubrey McCarty gets 3 hits and the win. .

·         McCarty’s six fingered glove and skill as an ambidextrous pitcher has been a fun topic but his technique was orthodox as he pitched right-handed tonight. McCarty gave up 2 hits and two strikeouts in gaining his first win.

Three in a row

Zach Lauricella’s RBI Single in the top of the sixth inning scored Brady Sheetz  and Alex Liquori to put the Keene Swamp Bats up 3-2.

The 8th inning started with Brady Sheetz being hit by a pitch. Bret Dennis doubled and Lauricella singled again to score Sheetz.  Taking a wide turn at first, Lauricella was thrown out at 1st while allowing Dennis to score. –Heads-up base running by Zach and Bret.

The Mainers scored an inconsequential run in the top of the ninth to make the final score 5-3.

Starter Eric Lauer picks up the win. He notched six strikeouts and 5 were recorded by Matt Clancy. Alex Robinson also looked sharp in relief and Ben Criscuolo got the save.

Hitting

"They give you a round bat and they throw you a round ball and they tell you to hit it square."

Willie Stargell as quoted in the New York Times, April 2, 1978.

Until Thursday night, hitting the ball square was a problem for the Swamp Bats. 

After trailing 6-0, the Swamp Bats sent 12 men to the plate and scored seven runs on nine hits in the 5^th inning Thursday night en route to beating the Blue Sox, 9-7. Taylor Perez had an infield hit, Patrick McGrath doubled, Connor Fitzsimons had an RBI single, Ryan Summers had an RBI single, Brady Sheetz had a single to load the bases, Bret Dennis had an RBI single and Conner Simonetti picked up an RBI on a fly out to left. Zack Lauricella had a two RBI double down the  third base line. Patrick McGrath had an RBI on a high fly to right.

The Swamp Bats had eighteen hits. Brady Sheetz, Zach Lauricella, Taylor Perez, Aubrey McCarty and, Connor Fitzsimons had three hits.  Lauricella had three RBI.

                                 
                                                                              Photo by Doc Gordon

Connor’s walk-up music tonight was Dion’s “The Wanderer”. To suggest one affects the other would be to embrace a logical fallacy (and you can look that up on your own). One can be certain we’ll hear that song again “I think so,” Connor said. At least until it stops working.”

Swamp Bats 9, Valley Blue Sox 7

After trailing 6-0, the Swamp Bats sent 12 men to the plate and scored seven runs on nine hits in the 5^th inning Thursday night to beat the Valley Blue Sox, 9-7 at Alumni Field. Taylor Perez had an infield hit, Patrick McGrath doubled, Connor Fitzsimons had an RBI single, Ryan Summers had an RBI single, Brady Sheetz had a single to load the bases, Bret Dennis had an RBI single and Conner Simonetti picked up an RBI on a fly out to left. Zack Lauricella had a two RBI double down the  third base line. Patrick McGrath had an RBI on a high fly to right.

The Swamp Bats had eighteen hits. Brady Sheetz, Zach Lauricella and, Connor Fitzsimons had three hits.  Lauricella had three RBI.

Photos coming.

Cheshire Oil night

Cheshire Oil set up a non-profit booth for the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. The next Relay for Life event is scheduled for tonight at Monadnock Regional High School at 6 p.m. There’s another Relay for Life event at BrattleboroMemorial High School next Friday, June 27, at 6:00 p.m.



Mr. Bob Whitcomb and Bryant R. Beaulieu of the Shipping Shack.

As he does for every game at Alumni Field, Bryant R. Beaulieu of the Shipping Shack delivered the ball for the first pitch to the home plate umpire.

Swamp Bats in the Sentinel

Brady Sheetez scores winning run.
Photo by Doc Gordon

Michelle Berthiaume sums up the Swamp Bats win in today's Sentinel and explains why the Red Storm is welcome in Keene.

Swamp Bats 7, Bay Sox 6

Bret Dennis
Photo by Doc Gordon

Bret Dennis’ two-out two run double scored Dominic Severino and Brady Sheetz to lead the Keene Swamp Bats to a 7-6 win over the New Bedford Bay Sox Wednesday night.

Conner Simonettti was 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and Zach Lauricella was 2 for 3.

Matt Clancy got the win for Keene.  
The win allowed the Swamp Bats to overcome a 3 run, 3 error 1^st inning.

Keene hosts the Valley Blue Sox Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at Alumni Field.

Sunday night

New Bedford Bay Sox 1, Keene Swamp Bats 0

Catcher Nick Sciortino’s bases loaded 5^th inning sacrifice fly scored Brad Johnson as the New Bedford Bay Sox beat the Keene Swamp Bats 1-0 Sunday night at Paul Walsh Field.

Three pitchers, Ryan Lawlor, Michael Dunnigan and Matt Clancy allowed only one run.

The Swamp Bats were never able to hit a runner home and left nine runners on base.

Saturday night

After three nights of mist and two rainouts, the skies were clear and sunny. Twenty three hundred fans came to Alumni Field for baseball and fireworks sponsored by C&S Wholesale Grocers. Pregame included a parade by Mr. Gemmell's Reading with Ribby kids from elementary schools and Swamp Bats.

The Swamp Bats scored two in the bottom of the fifth when Conner Simmonetti crossed the plate on the Sanford shortstop’s error on a sharply hit ball by Patrick McGrath. Once on first, McGrath was ruining all the way and scored as second baseman Bret Dennis hit the ball to right. Keene led 2-0.

After Zach Lauricella walked and Darrick Hall was hit by a pitch Sanford got out of a bases- loaded jam when Designated Hitter Aubrey McCarty struck out.

Sanford tied the score in the sixth and later added another four runs to beat the Swamp Bats for the second time this week.

The Swamp Bats are off to a rough start but, as pointed out this week with Zach Lauricella, Michelle Berthiaume reminds us in today’s Sentinel, the Swamp Bats were 3-11 a year ago before agoing on a 30-9 tear en route the the NECBL Championship.

Valley Blue Sox 6, Swamp Bats 0

           Two Valley Blue Sox pitchers gave up eight hits but zero runs in a 6-0 shutout. One player told said it’s a matter of pitch selection. “I’m swinging at bad pitches,” he said. Players are hitting the ball hard; it’s just a matter of crossing the plate.

 

Player profiles: Zach Lauricella

Returning for his second year with the Swamp Bats is rightfielder Zach Lauricella. Joining Lauricella on the Swamp Bats is pitcher Matt Clancy and second baseman Bret Dennis, his teammates at St. John’s University.

Ryan Summers, Zach Lauricella and Marty Testo.

Keene’s off to a rough start at 1-3 but last years’ experience goes a long way to Zach’s mindset. “We were something like 3-12 in June and really came together in July and won the championship. As we play more, we’ll play better.”

After a year of summer play in Syracuse, Zach got word of the Swamp Bats through the baseball grapevine. He describes his decision to return to Keene as an easy decision. Aside from his two college mates, Zach has an enthusiasm and affection for the Swamp Bats family and community. “This is a great place, returning to Keene was a no-brainer,” Zach said.

Three summers of playing baseball while pursuing a degree is quite the commitment, a commitment Zach attributes to unwavering support from home. “Without baseball, all people can judge you on is character. My parents have taught me that.”

Player profile: Patrick McGrath

It’s been a rainy week. Monday’s game was postponed due to threat of rain. Tuesday night’s game had cloudy skies but, the threat and a few raindrops passed.

Rain had fallen off and on Wednesday but there was no danger of the game being called.               


3^rd baseman Patrick McGrath

The greenery and June clouds of New Hampshire are not altogether new for Swamp Bats 3^rd baseman Patrick McGrath of Washington State. “I’m used to the rain. Playing in Pullman, in out east in Washington, it gets really cold.”

That prompts a question of East and West. And West. Teammate Darick Hall is from Arizona.  “It’s always hot there so, pick your poison. In the desert, it’s never really fun playing in 100 degrees or in Pullman, which you can play in 15 degrees.  Out here, it’s pretty similar.”
One can see his point. Of course, 15 degrees seems unlikely the next eight weeks.
 “I had a roommate actually play here last year, he loved it. And I had some teammates from years passed from my college play here. This is kind of a hotspot for a bunch of players from our college. Coach has a good reputation and Mr. Watterson, here so it’s working out.

His host family is Dwight Haskell and Ann Pratt. “They give us everything we need, they care about us. My teammate last year stayed with them. I have an advantage, there is some familiarity. They’re like Mom and Dad.”

Wednesday night

North Adams SteepleCats 6, Keene Swamp Bats 5

Wednesday night’s game was sloppy. It was no one’s fault; it was just untidy on both sides. There were a combined six errors. But goodness, these young men play hard.

 

Sanford Mainers 2, Swamp Bats 1

Marty Testo gave me a baseball truism after Tuesday's game: at this time of year, pitching is ahead of hitting. Boy, that sums up tonight's game.

The Swamp Bats scratched out a run in the bottom of the sixth inning, Sanford scored two in the top of the seventh.
The Swamp Bats infield looks strong! Most of the Sanford batted balls went to the left and were scooped up by 3^rd baseman Patrick McGrath and shortstop Taylor Perez. Bret Dennis made impressive plays at 2^nd base.

Michael Dunnigan gave up two runs in 6 2/3 innings.

 

This Blog

This blog:

This blog will give the Swamp Bats management, their players and their fans a window for what my mission is, to document the fun and foibles of the Swamp Bats 2014 season. 

As the days become weeks and we have ourselves a season, I’ll be adding tidbits and photos. At some point, I should interview each player and coach. Not every photo and every quote will be here (have to save some for the book). In fact, I’m sure to ask more questions than I need, take more photos than I can use (and toss the stinkers) and miss a story or two.

I’ll also be interviewing support staff, vendors, volunteers, board members, advertisers and sponsors, ticket takers, interns, reporters and photographers, parents and host families.   With my background, I think of myself as a reporter. But I am a guest of the Swamp Bats.

I am enjoying the process and hope you are, too.

Monday, June 9

Road Trip:

The bats and hats of the Swamp Bats.

The team set off by 1:20 p.m. (there’s always one guy who’s late, I won’t say who) for Rhode Island. The forecast for rainstorms however, made for a quick turnaround.
The game with the Ocean State Wave has been rescheduled for June 29.

Sunday, Jun 8

Dominic Severino gave up just two hits in seven innings and the Swamp Bats scored two in the fourth Saturday night as  Severino and Matt Clancy combined on a 5-0 shutout of the Laconia Muskrats.

 The scoring began when Connor Fitzsimons scored on a Brady Sheetz broken bat single after reaching base on an error. Taylor Perez doubled to left and scored on a Bret Dennis single. After two games, the Swamp Bats record is 1-1.

The bus leaves Alumni Field at 1:15 p.m. Monday  for the trip to Rhode Island  for the game with Ocean State.