2015 Ocean State Waves Player Previews: East Coast Edition
May 12, 2015 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Ocean State Waves News Release
With Opening Day 2015 right around the corner, several 2015 Waves who come from schools on the East Coast have shined on the diamond this spring. These players have either sizzled the competition with their fastball or with their offensive prowess. With productive performances, these players have helped their teams improve towards a goal of capturing a conference championship before the NECBL season.
Leading up to the beginning of the 2015 season, OceanStateWaves.com will preview all of the players on the 2015 roster based on the geographical location of their schools. Last week, seven Waves from Rhode Island schools (Bryant University and the University of Rhode Island) were spotlighted. This week, players from five schools on the East Coast will be featured in this week's preview. These schools include Northeastern University (RHP John Amendola), Monmouth University (RHP Ricky Dennis), College of the Holy Cross (RHP George Capen), Assumption College (RHP Matt Murphy), Belmont University (OF/RHP Dom Veltri), and The University of North Carolina at Asheville (RHP Corey Randall).
BELMONT UNIVERSITY (Nashville, Tennessee)
OF/RHP Dom Veltri
A key two-way player with the Belmont Bruins, Veltri looks to bring his expertise on the mound and at the plate with the Waves in 2015. As a redshirt sophomore in 2015, Veltri made 18 appearances (ten starts) at the plate, hitting two home runs while driving home ten runs. On the mound, Veltri made fourteen appearances (seven starts), winning two games while striking out 27 batters in over 30 innings of work.
Although Veltri redshirted in his true sophomore season, Veltri made waves with solid production as a freshman. Veltri hit .246 in 43 games (35 starts) with three homers, one triple, and three doubles. On the mound, Veltri made twelve appearances with a 3.60 ERA and a save in 15 innings of work.
Due to his flexibility as a pitcher and outfielder, Veltri could play several different roles for the Waves this summer. Veltri might become a versatile starter or reliever within the pitching rotation since he has an arsenal of pitches that could carry him for multiple innings. When he isn't pitching, Veltri could play either left or right field, showing off his flexibility in the field. Either way, Veltri is an important piece for the 2015 Waves because he can play numerous roles on the mound and in the field.
COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS (Worcester, Massachusetts)
RHP George Capen
A durable reliever who can make an impact in each of his appearances, Capen joins the Ocean State Waves after two successful seasons with the Holy Cross Crusaders. As a sophomore in 2015, Capen made 20 appearances (one start), striking out 22 batters in 29 innings of work. Capen also recorded two victories for the Crusaders, picking up the wins against Richmond (February 21) and Massachusetts (April 28).
During his freshman season, Capen was a consistent force in the Crusader bullpen. The righty from Gainesville, Virginia won two games while striking out 27 batters in 36 innings of work. With his emergence out of the bullpen with the Crusaders, Capen figures to be a major piece of the Waves bullpen in 2015. Since he led Holy Cross in appearance, Capen is expected to make numerous appearances in critical situations this summer.
MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY (West Long Branch, New Jersey)
RHP Ricky Dennis
A prominent reliever during his time at Monmouth, Ricky Dennis has the potential to be a solid reliever during his time with the Waves in 2015. In eight appearances (one start), Dennis struck out 12 batters in 15 innings. Dennis continued his solid performance in 2015 after a dominant freshman campaign in 2014. In 10 appearances, Dennis posted a 1-0 record with a 0.51 ERA and eleven strikeouts. In addition to his solid performance on the field, Dennis was also named to the 2014 New Jersey College Baseball Association's All-Rookie Team.
Injury problems plagued Dennis during his sophomore season, but he will look to regain his strength in his elbow and natural dominance when he pitches out of the bullpen for the Waves this summer. If Dennis can reclaim the glory of his freshman season, then he will become a lethal reliever that can reign over the mound each time he pitches.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA-ASHEVILLE (Asheville, North Carolina)
RHP Corey Randall
An experienced starting pitcher with the UNC-Asheville Bulldogs, Randall looks to bring his veteran presence to the Waves in 2015. In thirteen appearances (seven starts) as a junior, Randall went 1-5 with 21 strikeouts in 48 innings of work. Making his debut as a weekend starter for the Bulldogs as a sophomore, Randall went 2-6 with a team-high 57 strikeouts in 60 innings. As a freshman in 2013, he went 4-4 while posting a 4.40 ERA and 38 strikeouts.
As an experienced starter, Randall appears to be primed for a spot in the starting rotation once the Waves begin their season on June 4. Randall is a workhorse than can regularly put up starts of five or more innings, mixing in a solid arsenal of pitches while maintaining an efficient stamina. If Randall continues his endurance on the mound, then he could be a great starter for the Waves in 2015.
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY (Boston, Massachusetts)
RHP John Amendola
A versatile right-handed reliever, Amendola played a key role for the Northeastern Huskies in his freshman season. In ten appearances, Amendola secured two victories while striking out 13 batters in 23 innings of work. The right-handed reliever shined in the Boston Beanpot tournament, earning the win after hurling four scoreless innings against Harvard on April 22.
Amendola is a versatile pitcher that could make an impact on the mound in any role with the Waves this summer. His arsenal of pitches and command over opposing offenses should make him a quality pitcher when he makes his Waves debut this summer.
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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from May 12, 2015
- 2015 Ocean State Waves Player Previews: East Coast Edition - Ocean State Waves
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