2015 Ocean State Waves Season in Review

August 14, 2015 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Ocean State Waves News Release

WAKEFIELD, R.I-In their third season in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), the Ocean State Waves continued to thrive in the competitive Southern Division for the second straight summer. The Waves finished the 2015 regular season with a 21-21 record, good for fourth in the Southern Division. The Waves also qualified for the NECBL Southern Division Playoffs for the third straight summer, battling the Newport Gulls in the Divisional Semifinals. Despite falling to the Gulls in three games, the Waves held the defending champions in check, as all three games were settled by a score of four or fewer runs.

Before the Waves embarked on their third season in the NECBL, the organization underwent several changes. Matt Finlayson, who was the team's General Manager for the first two summers, assumed the role of President and General Manager for the 2015 season. Alongside two holdovers from 2014 in Manager Eric Cirella and Bench Coach Jim Sauro, the Waves brought aboard four new assistants in Pitching Coach Brian Kehew, Third Base Coach Shane O'Connell, First Base Coach Harrison Barlow, and Hitting Instructor Pete Clays.

While the action behind the scenes rounded into form, the Waves organization prepared for the arrival of several players determined to continue the success from the first two seasons. The Waves led the NECBL with nine players returning for Opening Day from the 2014 roster: OF Ryan Blanton (Georgia State), INF Tim Lynch (Southern Mississippi), INF Robby Rinn (Bryant), OF AJ Ramirez (USC), C Buck McCarthy (Bryant), RHP Oliver Powers (Bryant), RHP Matt Murphy (Assumption), RHP Brad Applin (Rhode Island), and RHP David Gerber (Creighton).

In addition to the returners, the Waves also had players from schools all over the country, from local schools as Rhode Island and Bryant to distant schools such as USC and Trinity (Texas). The University of Rhode Island and the University of Southern Mississippi each sent four players, while Kennesaw State University and the University of Southern California each sent three to South County. All in all, the diversity of talent from across the nation would help the Waves establish a rhythm in the division.

JUNE 2015

Opening Day 2015 took place on a beautiful Thursday evening at Old Mountain Field as the Ocean State Waves battled their divisional rivals in the New Bedford Bay Sox. With right-handed hurler Tony Dibrell (Kennesaw State) on the hill for the Waves, the Waves Opening Day lineup looked like this: 3B Jake Palomaki (Boston College), 2B Nick Dawson (Southern Mississippi), CF Dylan Burdeaux (Southern Mississippi), 1B Lynch, DH McCarthy, LF Griffin Helms (Kennesaw State), RF Mike Corin (Rhode Island), C Chuckie Robinson (Southern Mississippi), and SS Alex King (Saint Louis). In the opener, the Waves fell behind courtesy of four-run innings in the third and sixth for the Bay Sox that enabled New Bedford to win, 8-2. Despite the loss, the Waves got solid long relief efforts from Geoff Murphy (Boston College), Matt Murphy, and Corey Randall (UNC-Asheville).

The Waves corralled their first victory of the summer with a come-from-behind thriller against the Danbury Westerners the next day. Despite six strong innings from Ryan Gray (Trinity TX), the Waves did not take the lead until the ninth, when a two-run single by Palomaki and an RBI double by Burdeaux propelled the Waves ahead. With shutout relief coming from Applin and Gerber, the Waves held onto a 5-3 victory at Rogers Park.

In the first ten games of the season, the Waves posted a record of 4-6, with victories coming against Northern Division foes in the Vermont Mountaineers, Sanford Mainers, and Keene Swamp Bats. After a rain-shortened, 7-4 loss to the Newport Gulls at Old Mountain Field on June 20, the Waves started to get hot, winning nine of their next ten games. The spark of the hot streak came on June 21, when Blanton blasted a walk-off home run in the bottom of the eleventh to sink the Mystic Schooners, 7-6.

After Blanton's walk-off, the Waves proceeded to string together victories against the Danbury Westerners (twice), Laconia Muskrats (twice), Keene Swamp Bats, Mystic Schooners (twice), and Plymouth Pilgrims. Finishing the month of June with a 10-7 record, the Waves sat towards the top of the Southern Division standings.

Lynch led the way for the Waves in the month of June; the first baseman hit .306 with six home runs and 12 RBI in 17 games that first month. Palomaki led the squad with seven stolen bases. On the bump, Geoff Murphy did not allow an earned run in the month of June, while southpaw Andrew Wright (USC) struck out a team-leading 14 batters. Reliever Richard Lovelady (Kennesaw State) also won three games in June, striking out 12 batters in 10 appearances.

JULY 2015

Similar to the way they ended June, the Waves started off the month of July on a hot streak. Entering their game against the Newport Gulls on July 6, the Waves had won nine of their last ten, including their last five in a row. The heat wave came to a stop on July 6, when the Gulls edged out the Waves in fifteen innings at Cardines Field, 9-8.

Following the fifteen-inning loss, the Waves lost three more games, including a doubleheader against the North Adams SteepleCats on July 7 as well as a pitcher's duel loss to the Gulls on July 9. However, the next day, the Waves picked up the victory as Gray hurled one of his finest outings against the Mystic Schooners. The lefty retired the first sixteen batters he faced, only allowing two hits in seven shutout innings as the Waves beat the eventual Division Champions, 2-0.

Leading up to the All-Star Game on July 19, the Waves went 2-3, getting key victories over the Plymouth Pilgrims (July 11) and against the New Bedford Bay Sox (July 16) at Old Mountain Field. In the game against the Bay Sox, Dibrell allowed just three hits over six shutout innings, striking out seven batters en route to the victory. The Waves also had two players selected as NECBL Players of the Week in consecutive weeks; Southern Mississippi teammates Robinson (July 6) and Burdeaux (July 13) received the honors in addition to NECBL All-Star recognition.

At the annual NECBL All-Star Game in Sanford, Maine, the Waves sent six players to represent the Southern Division. Blanton, Lynch, Lovelady, Gray, Burdeaux, and Robinson were all selected to play in the game, while Lynch, Robinson, and Helms were selected to participate in skills competitions. Lynch won the Home Run Derby, blasting eighteen home runs to give the Waves their first Skills Competition victory in franchise history. While the All-Star Game was rained out, the Waves contingency was the strongest since the franchise's inception in 2013.

Following a two-day All-Star break, the Waves tried to finish out the final two weeks of the regular season with finesse. Backed by a fourteen-inning thriller over the Plymouth Pilgrims on July 24, as well as Burdeaux's two home runs against the Danbury Westerners in the second game of a doubleheader on July 25, the Waves had big momentum-swinging victories down the stretch. The Waves ultimately clinched a playoff berth on July 31, when a fourteen-inning victory over the New Bedford Bay Sox at Paul Walsh Field punched the Waves' ticket to the playoffs for the third straight summer.

In the month of July, several Waves hitters sizzled in the summer sun. Helms led the squad with a .319 average in 14 games, while Burdeaux (.308) and Blanton (.300) also benefitted the Waves offensively. Robinson and Burdeaux both collected five home runs in July, while Burdeaux also collected 22 RBI and nine stolen bases. On the mound, Dibrell led the staff with 22 strikeouts, while Lovelady posted a 0.69 ERA and 14 strikeouts in eight appearances. Johnny Amendola (Northeastern) led the Waves with three victories in July, with two of those wins coming out of the rotation. Essentially, after the Waves dropped their regular season finale to the Danbury Westerners on August 1, the team was determined to make some noise in the NECBL Playoffs.

AUGUST 2015

As the fourth seed in the NECBL Southern Division Playoffs, the Waves squared off against their Rhode Island rivals, the Newport Gulls, for the second straight summer. In Game One, the Waves rallied behind a strong start by southpaw Tyler Wilson (Rhode Island), who struck out nine batters in six innings, with a power surge against the Gulls in the eighth inning. Both Lynch and Ramirez went yard against the Gulls in the eighth, while Lovelady went three innings to get the win as the Waves took Game One, 6-5.

With a chance to advance to the Southern Division Finals for the first time in franchise history, the Waves hosted the Gulls in Game Two at Old Mountain Field. Despite a strong start from Dibrell, the Gulls scored six runs in the top of the seventh to force a Game Three with an 8-4 victory. Despite the loss, Capen hurled two shutout innings of relief, while Burdeaux and Robinson went deep in the bottom of the ninth. The Waves also set a franchise attendance record for a single game, as 1,459 fans came to Old Mountain Field to see the Waves and Gulls face off.

Game Three was a back-and-forth battle between the Gulls and Waves at Cardines Field. With runs scored in each half inning between the top of the third and the bottom of the sixth, the Gulls and Waves exchanged blows with the bats, particularly with the long ball. Blanton and McCarthy went deep for the Waves, evening the score up at 5-5 in the sixth. However, a three-run homer for the Gulls in the bottom of the sixth was the difference, ending a memorable 2015 season for the Waves.

In the playoffs, Palomaki and Ramirez led the Waves by each posting a .364 average in the three games. Six Waves went deep once, while McCarthy led the squad with four RBI. Out of the bullpen, Lovelady made two appearances, while Wilson led the team with nine strikeouts. In essence, the Waves put up a good fight against the Gulls, showing their determination and strength until the very end.

2015 OCEAN STATE WAVES PLAYER PROFILES (alphabetical):

RHP Johnny Amendola (#12, Northeastern): A versatile pitcher that contributed as both a starter and reliever for the Waves, Amendola was a force that helped the Waves get deep into many ballgames. In nine appearances (seven starts) during the regular season, Amendola posted a 4-3 record with a 3.12 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 40.1 innings of work. Although he lost his first two starts, Amendola soared into his element with four outings in which he allowed two or fewer runs. One of Amendola's finest starts came on June 23 at Laconia, where the righty only allowed two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts. Until the eighth inning, Amendola retired fourteen straight batters. Out of of the bullpen, Amendola was also effective, notably against the Pilgrims on July 24. Coming on in the thirteenth inning (three days after starting against the Pilgrims), Amendola struck out two batters with the bases loaded, setting up the Waves for a three-run fourteenth and the 6-3 victory. In the playoffs, Amendola made one appearance, striking out five batters in 1.2 innings of work despite allowing two home runs. In essence, Amendola emerged as a strong pitcher for the Waves, bringing his versatility and finesse to the hill in each appearance.

LHP/OF Eddie Apice (#27, CCRI): Joining the Waves midway through the summer, Apice was a key contributor in both the lineup and bullpen for the Waves. In nine games in the outfield, Apice collected a base hit against the Bay Sox on July 26, also working a walk in that ballgame. Apice made one appearance out of the bullpen, striking out one batter in 0.2 innings of work against the Mystic Schooners on July 28. Even though his arrival came later in the summer, the lefty helped bring a new element to the Waves lineup towards the end of the season. 

RHP Brad Applin (#21, Rhode Island): In his second summer with the Waves, Applin continued to serve as a critical component from the bullpen. In 13 appearances, Applin went 2-1, striking out 26 opponents and allowing only 15 hits in 24.1 innings of work. The righty led the squad with just a .163 opponent's batting average, while recording a save against the Danbury Westerners on June 22. Primarily a middle relief option for the Waves, Applin made several notable appearances throughout the summer with the Waves. In the fifteen-inning thriller against the Newport Gulls on July 6, Applin threw 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out five batters. On July 24 versus the Plymouth Pilgrims, Applin only yielded one hit over three shutout innings, all while striking out four batters. In his final regular season appearance against the New Bedford Bay Sox on July 31, Applin allowed just two hits in four innings of work, striking out a season-high six batters. With the powerful command of his fastball, Applin continued to be a terrific reliever for the Waves in 2015, helping round out the bullpen as one of the most consistent units across the NECBL.

OF Ryan Blanton (#4, Georgia State): One of the key returning players from the 2014 Waves squad, Blanton lived up to the billing in his second summer with the Waves in 2015. Although he was sidelined for the first two weeks of the season due to a finger injury sustained at Georgia State, Blanton made an immediate impact when he was healthy. In 36 games, Blanton hit .286 with two homers, 11 RBI, and eight stolen bases. Named an NECBL All-Star for the second straight summer, Blanton also flashed signs of brilliance with his glove, recording a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in center field. In Blanton's second start back from injury, the outfielder went 4-6 with the walk-off home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning to propel the Waves over the Schooners, 7-6, on June 21. Blanton also posted four hits with a double and RBI in a fourteen-inning victory over the Plymouth Pilgrims on July 24, 6-3. Blanton also strung together a seven-game hitting streak between June 27 and July 7, with five of those games bringing two or more hits from the lefty. In the playoffs, Blanton garnered two hits, including a solo home run in Game Three of the Southern Division Semifinals. Whether it was with his glove or his bat, Blanton always delivered for the Waves, maintaining a consistent presence at the top of the order.

OF Dylan Burdeaux (#18, Southern Mississippi): Burdeaux was a lightning rod of consistency for the Waves in 2015, as he was one of two Waves (the other being Jake Palomaki) to play in all 42 games for Ocean State this summer. Named an NECBL All-Star this summer, Burdeaux hit .288 with six home runs, 30 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. Burdeaux's 30 RBI tied a team record held by Mike Gerber in 2013. Burdeaux was at his strongest in the first week of July. On July 6, Burdeaux went 4-7 with a home run and 4 RBI in a fifteen-inning loss to the Newport Gulls at Cardines Field. The following day, Burdeaux went 3-4 with an RBI in Game Two of a doubleheader against the North Adams SteepleCats. In Game Two of a doubleheader against the Danbury Westerners, Burdeaux went 2-4 with two home runs and five RBI, including the go-ahead grand slam that gave the Waves the 5-4 victory. In the postseason, Burdeaux collected two hits, including a solo home run in the ninth inning of Game Two. Through his versatility and consistency, Burdeaux was one of the sparks that guided the Waves to the playoffs.

RHP George Capen (#13, Holy Cross): As a shutdown reliever that could go for multiple innings at a time, Capen was effective in pressure situations for Ocean State, especially during the second half of the season. Capen went 1-0 with 14 appearances on the summer, striking out 16 batters while posting a 2.53 ERA. The former shortstop dazzled with his curveball-fastball combination, keeping opposing batters off guard with a .192 batting average. With the postseason atmosphere heating up in the final two weeks of the summer, Capen was at his finest, only allowing one run in fourteen innings of work ranging back to July 16. On July 21, Capen hurled two hitless innings against the Plymouth Pilgrims, striking out two batters. Three days later, Capen stymied the Pilgrims once again, only walking a batter while striking out three over 2.2 innings of work. Capen's puzzling fastball-curveball combination was at its finest on July 31, as he struck out four batters in three innings of work against the New Bedford Bay Sox. In the playoffs, Capen worked two innings against the Newport Gulls in Game Two of the Southern Division Semifinals, striking out two batters. Armed with excellent command and unmatched composure, Capen was a reliable relief option for the Waves that helped the squad reach new heights in 2015.

INF Mike Corin (#20, Rhode Island): A native of North Providence, RI, Corin was a key player in the sense he could hit anywhere in the lineup while being slotted in various positions across the diamond. Corin split his time between third base and the outfield, while also playing a few games at first base. In 35 games this summer, Corin collected 14 hits, slugging two home runs with nine RBI. Corin's two home runs came at important times for the Waves in the early going of the summer. Corin's first blast, a colossal grand slam at Old Mountain Field, propelled the Waves past the Keene Swamp Bats on June 14. Five days later, Corin worked a 2-4 performance against the Plymouth Pilgrims, including a solo home run in the seventh. Essentially, Corin's flexibility across the lineup and around the diamond made him a key role player for the Waves in 2015.

INF Nick Dawson (#1, Southern Mississippi): Dawson blossomed this summer as an effective middle infielder for the Waves. Playing in 37 games, Dawson collected 18 hits, six doubles, 10 RBI, 18 walks, and six stolen bases. His agility and range kept many balls in the infield, saving Ocean State on multiple occasions this past season. Dawson only committed three errors this summer, maintaining an efficient fielding percentage of .978. In addition to his defensive flare, Dawson possessed a flare for the dramatic, coming through with his bat on several occasions. On June 13, Dawson droved home two runs and scored a run as the Waves rolled past the Sanford Mainers, 11-5. In a showdown against the Plymouth Pilgrims on July 21, Dawson went 3-4 with a stolen base. In the playoffs, Dawson collected a hit in each of the three games against the Newport Gulls, posting a .300 average. All in all, Dawson was an efficient player for the Waves in 2015 due to his timely hitting and sensational defensive performance.

RHP Ricky Dennis (#36, Monmouth): A versatile reliever that could appear in various situations, Dennis shined with his situational pitching in 2015. Dennis made eleven appearances with the Waves, striking out five batters in 12.1 innings of work. Dennis pitched in various close games this summer, keeping the Waves within striking distance many times. On July 11, Dennis hurled a 1-2-3 inning against the Plymouth Pilgrims, striking out a batter as the Waves went on to win the ballgame, 8-3. Dennis also recorded a scoreless frame against the Valley Blue Sox on July 14, doing the same against the New Bedford Bay Sox on July 16. Dennis also threw 1.1 scoreless frames against the Plymouth Pilgrims on July 24, keeping the two squads knotted up heading into the extra-innings thriller. Through his efficiency on the hill, Dennis was a key pitcher that helped the Waves escape many jams this summer.

RHP Tony Dibrell (#23, Kennesaw State): Dibrell was an impressive starter for the Waves this season, leading the Waves with 36 strikeouts across eight starts. Dibrell hurled 39.2 innings of work throughout the summer, posting a 2-4 record with a 4.76 ERA across a team record eight starts. Dibrell settled into a rhythm in July, as he posted four quality starts to help the Waves clinch a playoff berth. On July 7, Dibrell hurled a complete game against the North Adams SteepleCats in the first of two seven-inning games as part of a doubleheader; Dibrell struck out five batters in six innings of work in a 2-1 loss to the SteepleCats. In his next start, Dibrell hurled six shutout frames, allowing just three hits while striking out seven batters as the Waves rolled past the New Bedford Bay Sox on July 16, 10-0. Dibrell shined once again in his next start, allowing just one run in seven innings against the Vermont Mountaineers on July 23; Dibrell matched his season-high with seven strikeouts in the outing. In the playoffs, Dibrell got the start in Game Two of the Southern Division Semifinals, striking out six batters over 6.1 innings against the Newport Gulls. Dibrell was a stabilizing presence in the starting rotation this summer as he helped the Waves go deep into several ballgames along the way.

OF Brad Douglas (#2, RIC): A local player that came in when the Waves needed outfield depth at the beginning of the summer, Douglas only made one plate appearance with the Ocean State Waves this summer. Following a spring campaign in which he was named the Little East Conference's Rookie of the Year, Douglas came in as a pinch-hitter versus the Mystic Schooners on June 6. Even though he left the squad after just two weeks, Douglas provided a quality outfield option that helped give the Waves more depth in the outfield in the early stages of the season.

RHP David Gerber (#17, Creighton): Coming off a campaign in which he set the Ocean State Waves record for strikeouts in a season (37), Gerber was determined to do big things as the closer for the Waves in 2015. In seven appearances, Gerber sealed the deal on many ballgames early on in the summer, recording five saves. Gerber also posted a 2.89 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 9.1 innings. Gerber recorded all five of his saves in June, with a four-out save coming against the Vermont Mountaineers on June 10. In Gerber's final appearance of the summer, the righty struck out six batters over two innings of work, allowing a run on four hits as the Gulls edged out the Waves at Cardines Field on July 6, 9-8. Although Gerber left the team midway through the summer, his impact as a reliable bullpen option for the Waves was treasured as he helped the Waves win in six of his seven appearances.

LHP Ryan Gray (#15, Trinity TX): A Division III American during his time with Trinity (TX), Gray emerged as one of the top starting pitchers for the Ocean State Waves in 2015, shining against lineups with mostly Division I hitters. An NECBL All-Star in 2015, Gray posted a 4-0 record with a 1.86 ERA and 17 strikeouts in eight appearances (seven starts). In four of his starts, Gray did not yield a run, while maintaining efficient control on his fastball, changeup, and slider. Gray's best two starts came in the month of July. On July 10, Gray retired the first 16 batters he faced, only allowing two hits across seven innings as the Waves rolled past the Schooners, 2-0. Meanwhile, on July 30, Gray allowed just two hits over six shutout innings, striking out two batters as the Waves edged out the Newport Gulls, 7-0. Gray also started in the decisive Game Three of the NECBL Southern Division Semifinals, striking out six batters over 4.1 innings of work. All in all, Gray proved to be an exceptional option out of the starting rotation this summer, flashing signs of brilliance in each of his appearances.

C Griffin Helms (#16, Kennesaw State):In his first season with the Waves, Helms brought power and speed to the lineup in 2015. Compiling a .269 batting average in 29 games, Helms also had 25 hits, four doubles, a triple, six RBI, two walks, and two stolen bases. Defensively, Griffin could be found behind the plate, in left field, or as the designated hitter. He also represented Ocean State in the NECBL All-Star 60-yard shuttle contest in Sanford, Maine. At the plate, Helms had several strong offensive performances to set the tempo for the Waves lineup. On July 29, Helms went 2-4 with two doubles as the Waves edged out the Plymouth Pilgrims, 6-5. Three days later, Helms went 3-4 with a walk and RBI as the Waves rolled past the Laconia Muskrats, 11-3. Helms also recorded a triple as part of a 2-4 performance against the North Adams SteepleCats in the second game of a doubleheader on July 7. Helms went 2-5 with two RBI's in an 8-3 Waves victory over the Plymouth Pilgrims on July 11. On July 16, Helms went 2-3 with a double and two runs scored as the Waves rolled past the New Bedford Bay Sox, 10-0. With his solid offensive approach and defensive flexibility, Helms was a versatile option that helped the Waves greatly in 2015.

INF Alex King (#9, Saint Louis): Coming off a successful freshman season with the Saint Louis Billikens, King continued to grow as a collegiate shortstop with the Waves in 2015. King collected 18 hits, one double, eight runs, seven RBI, 13 walks, and three stolen bases. King also had several key offensive performances for the Waves this summer. King went 2-3 with a double, walk, and RBI against the Newport Gulls on June 12. The next day, King went 2-5 while scoring a run in an 11-5 victory over the Sanford Mainers. King also collected a pinch-hit two run single against the Laconia Muskrats on July 2. In the playoffs, King collected two hits, working a walk and scoring a run in Game One of the Southern Division Semifinals. As a dynamic shortstop who could bring a flare to the plate, King provided a strong presence for the Waves as he rounded out his game this summer.

LHP Richard Lovelady (#29, Kennesaw State): As one of the lone lefty options out of the bullpen for the Waves, Lovelady shined under pressure as he emerged as one of the top relievers across the NECBL. In a team-leading 19 appearances, Lovelady recorded three victories, five saves, and 28 strikeouts alongside a 1.90 ERA. Chosen as one of six Ocean State Waves selected to play in the NECBL All-Star Game, Lovelady started the summer as a middle-inning weapon before getting the promotion to closer midway through the summer. Lovelady was at his finest when the games were tight. On July 6, Lovelady went 2.2 innings against the Newport Gulls, allowing just two hits with two strikeouts to his credit. On July 12, Lovelady struck out the side in the bottom of the eighth against the New Bedford Bay Sox. Two weeks later, Lovelady struck out four batters in two innings en route to a save against the Valley Blue Sox. Lovelady came through once again on August 1, striking out two batters in 2.1 innings to force extra innings against the Gulls in the continuation of a suspended game. In the postseason, Lovelady led the Waves with two appearances, striking out four batters in Game Three. All in all, Lovelady was a versatile reliever that provided stability and power to the back end of the Waves bullpen this summer.

INF Tim Lynch (#26, Southern Mississippi): Returning for his second summer with the Waves, Lynch picked up where he left off in 2014, setting many Ocean State Waves records in 2015. Coming into 2015 with the team records in on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG), Lynch broke the team's home run record with a two-run blast against the Plymouth Pilgrims on July 11. In 41 games this summer, Lynch shared the team lead in batting average (.288 with Burdeaux) and home runs (9 with Robinson), all while breaking the team record in doubles in a summer (11). An NECBL All-Star in 2015, Lynch also won the league's Home Run Derby, crushing 18 home runs throughout the two rounds at Sanford's Goodall Park. Lynch maintained a twelve-game hitting streak in June, four off the team record held by 2013 Wave Christian Muscarello. On July 11, the day in which he broke Mike Gerber's home run record, Lynch went 4-4 with a double and a walk as the Waves rolled to an 8-3 victory over the Pilgrims. Three days later, Lynch went 3-4 with his ninth home of the summer in an 8-5 loss to the Valley Blue Sox. Although Lynch's bat cooled off towards the end of the regular season, the first baseman posted a .286 average in three postseason games, even contributing the go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning of Game One at Cardines Field. Lynch's presence in the lineup for the second straight summer was beneficial as one of the league's most lethal hitters took the Waves to new heights in 2015.

C Buck McCarthy (#8, Bryant): A versatile catcher and outfielder for the Waves in 2014, McCarthy returned in 2015 to continue his versatile impact on the Waves offense. In 35 games, McCarthy contributed twenty hits, a double, two home runs, 7 RBI, and sixteen walks. McCarthy's shining moments included a 2-3 performance with a double and 2 RBI against the Danbury Westerners in Game One of a doubleheader on July 25, a 1-2 outing with two walks against New Bedford on July 12, as well as a 2-3 mark with an RBI against the Newport Gulls on June 12. However, it was in the postseason where McCarthy made the biggest difference for the Waves. In two games, McCarthy posted a .333 average, clubbing a home run with 4 RBI. McCarthy had a two-run single in Game One, while his two-run bomb tied up the score in Game Three. In essence, McCarthy's bat proved to be clutch for the Waves due to his ability to reach base while serving as a versatile presence across the diamond.

RHP Geoff Murphy (#7, Boston College): A versatile starting pitcher and reliever, Geoff Murphy helped the Waves pitching staff in a variety of roles during the 2015 season. In twelve appearances (four starts), Murphy went 1-1 with a 2.75 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 32.2 innings of work. Although Murphy joined the starting rotation midway through the season, the righty still maintained his effective grasp of the game that helped him out of the bullpen. Throughout Murphy's first six appearances, Murphy did not yield a run, striking out seven batters in eight innings of work. When he moved to the starting rotation, Murphy held his ground, giving a solid five innings in all but one of his starts. Murphy dazzled in his final start of the summer, allowing just one run on five hits with five strikeouts over five innings of work against the New Bedford Bay Sox on July 31. Through his ability to go multiple innings out of the bullpen and rotation, Murphy proved to be a reliable option for the Waves, establishing a solid grasp over opponents throughout each of his appearances.

RHP Matt Murphy (#10, Assumption): Initially joining the Waves as an infielder in 2014, Murphy converted into a full-time, reliable reliever throughout his two seasons with the Ocean State Waves. In his first full season as a pitcher, Murphy made fifteen appearances, posting a 1-4 record with a 3.90 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 25.1 innings. Nine of his fifteen appearances resulted in the righty striking out at least two batters; Murphy even had a streak of six straight appearances with two or more punch-outs. Two of Murphy's shining moments out of the bullpen both came against the New Bedford Bay Sox at Paul Walsh Field. On July 12, Murphy hurled 2.2 hitless innings with two strikeouts, retiring all eight batters he faced. Coming into the July 31 showdown in the bottom of the thirteenth inning, Murphy retired six of the seven batters he encountered, only allowing a walk in the thirteenth inning. Murphy also struck out two batters, helping the Waves win the ballgame, 4-3, enabling the Waves to clinch a berth in the playoffs. Through his power pitching and his durability to go more than an inning in each outing, Murphy was a versatile pitcher that helped the Waves go deeper into each ballgame with their bullpen.

INF Jake Palomaki (#6, Boston College): Coming out of his first year of college ball, Palomaki played around the infield which included third base, short stop, and second. He also came with the the ability to hit from the right and left side and hit a batting average of .203 this season for the Waves, with 28 hits, 20 runs, three doubles, 10 RBI, and eight stolen bases. He led the team with a total of 23 walks this season, and also had a .327 OBP. Palomaki also posted seven games with two or more hits, also driving home two runs against the Danbury Westerners (June 5) and Mystic Schooners (June 21). In the playoffs, Palomaki led the Waves with a .364 average, driving home two runs and stealing two bases during the three-game series. As a flexible defensive infielder who possesses a patient offensive approach, Palomaki was a contributor who could produce in any role given to him during his time with the Waves.

RHP Mason Perryman (#22, USC): A key starting pitcher that dictated the tempo with his fastball and offspeed pitches in each of his starts, Perryman was a major piece of the Waves pitching rotation in the early part of the summer. The righty made four starts with the Waves, posting a 3.72 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 19 innings of work. Perryman's final three starts went at least five innings, showing his ability to go for distance after pitching as a reliever with the USC Trojans this spring. Perryman's final start of the summer demonstrated his potential to be a power pitcher, as he struck out eight Gulls in five innings at Cardines Field on July 6. Although injuries prematurely ended his season, Perryman's presence in the starting rotation set the tempo for the Waves in the first half of the season as the squad won two of the four games in which he pitched.

RHP Oliver Powers (#24, Bryant): Becoming the first three-time Wave in franchise history, Powers demonstrated his ability to be a durable relief option for the third consecutive summer. Even though Powers did not pitch in the spring due to his transfer to Bryant University from Radford University, it did not take long for Powers to settle back into a rhythm, as the righty made nine appearances this summer. In those nine games, Powers struck out six batters in 12 innings of work, only enabling his opponents to hit just .273. Powers hurled a shutout inning against the Keene Swamp Bats on June 14, yielding two walks as the Waves won, 7-0. Powers hurled a scoreless inning against the Valley Blue Sox on July 14, striking out a batter despite an 8-5 loss to the Blue Sox. Powers hurled his longest outing of the summer, going four innings against the Danbury Westerners on August 1. Throughout his several appearances, Powers proved to be a durable option, helping the Waves go deeper into many ballgames this summer.

OF AJ Ramirez (#2, USC): Returning to the Ocean State for his second straight summer, Ramirez emerged as a spark that could invigorate the Waves with his hitting and defensive flare. In 33 games, Ramirez hit .205 with two homers and 10 RBI. Ramirez also stole six bases, also collecting five doubles and a triple along the way. In the postseason, Ramirez led the Waves with a .364 average in the three games against the Gulls, blasting a solo home run in Game One. Ramirez collected hits in twelve of his final thirteen games, including a seven-game hitting streak between the regular season and postseason. During the regular season, Ramirez had several strong performances that propelled the Waves to victories. On June 26, Ramirez went 2-2 with a solo home run as the Waves rolled to a 2-0 victory over the Mystic Schooners. Ramirez also had a flare for the dramatic; on July 23, Ramirez sent a showdown with the Vermont Mountaineers into extra frames with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. A week later, Ramirez hit the go-ahead RBI double in the top of the fourteenth to give the Waves a 4-3 victory over the New Bedford Bay Sox. With his clutch hitting, Ramirez was an essential spark that was key to the Waves run in the postseason.

RHP Corey Randall (#27, UNC-Asheville): Before injuries sidelined the righty reliever, Randall was a key long-relief option for the Waves in the first week of the summer. In two appearances, Randall did not allow a run, striking out three batters in three innings of work. Randall started the summer with 1.2 scoreless innings against the New Bedford Bay Sox on Opening Day. Six days later, Randall hurled two scoreless innings, only yielding a walk as the Waves rolled past the Northern Division champion Vermont Mountaineers, 3-1. Even though Randall did not finish the summer with the Waves, his ability to go more than one inning of relief was crucial to reducing the number of pitchers that came out of the bullpen during long games.

INF Robby Rinn (#25, Bryant): An NECBL All-Star in 2014, Rinn was expected to be a major part of the Waves lineup in his second season at Old Mountain Field. In 2015, Rinn only played in two games before a lingering injury from his collegiate season ended his campaign early. Rinn scored two runs and collected a walk in those two games, getting a base hit against the Danbury Westerners on June 5. Although Rinn could not finish the lineup due to his injury, Rinn's presence in the lineup reflected a strong emphasis on power that jumpstarted a Waves offense who finished second in the NECBL in home runs in 2015.

C Chuckie Robinson (#14, Southern Mississippi): Emerging as one of the top all-around catchers in the NECBL, Robinson was a major staple for the Waves lineup throughout the summer. In 38 games, Robinson hit .259 with nine home runs and 30 RBI. An NECBL All-Star, Robinson accrued numerous offensive records with the Waves. Robinson shares the team record for home runs in a season (with fellow Southern Mississippi teammate Tim Lynch) and also holds the team records for triples in a season with two. Robinson went on a tear from the end of June towards the beginning of July, winning the NECBL Player of the Week award for the week ending July 6. Robinson started off the week with a 3-5 performance against the Plymouth Pilgrims on June 29, driving home the go-ahead run on an RBI double in the ninth. Four nights later, Robinson went 3-4 with two home runs and 5 RBI against the Mystic Schooners at Fitch High School. Of the seven home runs hit during the regular season at Fitch High School, three came off the bat of Robinson. Robinson also went 3-3 with 3 RBI on July 16 as the Waves rolled past the New Bedford Bay Sox, 10-0. In the playoffs, Robinson hit .308 (4-13) in the three games against the Gulls, hitting a solo home run in Game Two. In essence, Robinson became a staple of consistency for the Waves, mixing offensive prowess with defensive finesse en route to becoming one of the best catchers throughout the league this summer.

OF/RHP Dom Veltri (#5, Belmont): Veltri acted as a flexible two-way player for the Waves this season, working on the mound and in the outfield. The Belmont Bruin collected nine hits, two doubles, six runs, one RBI, and seven walks this summer. As a pitcher, he started made three appearances (one start) for the Waves, accruing eight innings on the bump. Veltri struck out seven batters, allowing just two doubles while posting a .267 opponent's average. Veltri made his lone start on the hill on July 25 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Danbury Westerners, hurling three innings while striking out four batters. Veltri helped his own cause at the plate, going 2-2 with a double and a walk. Through his versatile performance at the plate and on the hill, Veltri was a flexible player that helped the Waves in various ways this summer.

RHP Blaise Whitman (#11, Rhode Island): A pitcher that made strides as both a starter and reliever with the Waves, Whitman went 2-3 with a 3.05 ERA. He threw 35.1 innings, striking out 26 opponents and walking only two batters. Whitman started off the summer with a bang, hurling five shutout innings with five strikeouts against the NECBL Champion Vermont Mountaineers on June 10. Whitman also hurled 5.1 shutout innings with two strikeouts against the Keene Swamp Bats on June 25. In his next start, Whitman threw five shutout innings with two strikeouts as the Waves rolled past the Mystic Schooners, 8-0, on July 3. Whitman also posted shutout appearances out of the bullpen against the Newport Gulls (July 9), Plymouth Pilgrims (July 18), and Vermont Mountaineers (July 23). All in all, Whitman was an efficient pitcher that helped the Waves in various roles throughout the summer.

LHP Tyler Wilson (#28, Rhode Island): Coming off a freshman campaign in which he received the Atlantic-10 Conference Pitcher and Rookie of the Year honors, Wilson continued his sterling pitching with the Ocean State Waves this summer. The southpaw made three starts this summer, finishing 0-2 with a 3.06 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 14.2 innings of work. In his first start of the summer, Wilson allowed just one hit over five innings, striking out seven batters against the Newport Gulls at Old Mountain Field. Wilson also shined against the New Bedford Bay Sox on July 26, striking out seven batters in six innings of work. Wilson got the ball in Game One of the Southern Division Semifinals against the Newport Gulls on August 3. In six innings of work, Wilson struck out nine batters as the Waves would win Game One, 6-5. With his spectacular stuff and consistent command, Wilson proved to be a special pitcher that significantly bolstered the Waves pitching staff in 2015.

LHP Andrew Wright (#33, USC): A power pitcher notorious for racking up high strikeout numbers in each of his appearances, Wright was effective for the Waves throughout the first half of the summer. Wright made five appearances (one start) in 2015, posting a team-leading 1.76 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 15.1 innings of work. Wright recorded five strikeouts in two consecutive appearances out of the bullpen (June 17 at Sanford, June 20 vs. Newport). Wright's lone start of the summer came on June 26, when he hurled 5.1 shutout innings with two strikeouts in a 2-0 victory over the Mystic Schooners. Although injuries ended Wright's season early, his dominance was crucial for the Waves as they strung together their hottest stretch of the summer, winning nine of ten games into his final appearance on July 6.

2015 OCEAN STATE WAVES (STATS/SPLITS)

BATTING AVERAGE

1. Tim Lynch (.288)

1. Dylan Burdeaux (.288)

3. Ryan Blanton (.286)

4. Griffin Helms (.269)

5. Chuckie Robinson (.259)

HOME RUNS

1. Tim Lynch (9)

1. Chuckie Robinson (9)

3. Dylan Burdeaux (6)

4. Ryan Blanton (2)

4. Mike Corin/Buck McCarthy (2)

RBI

1. Dylan Burdeaux (30)

2. Chuckie Robinson (28)

3. Tim Lynch (26)

4. Ryan Blanton (11)

5. Palomaki/Ramirez/Dawson (10)

STOLEN BASES

1. Dylan Burdeaux (14)

2. Ryan Blanton (8)

2. Jake Palomaki (8)

4. AJ Ramirez (6)

4. Nick Dawson (6)

WALKS

1. Jake Palomaki (23)

2. Tim Lynch (20)

3. Nick Dawson (18)

4. Buck McCarthy (16)

5. Chuckie Robinson (14)

RUNS SCORED

1. Tim Lynch (25)

2. Dylan Burdeaux (22)

2. Ryan Blanton (22)

4. Jake Palomaki (20)

5. AJ Ramirez/Chuckie Robinson (18)

ERA

1. Andrew Wright (1.76)

2. Brad Applin (1.84)

3. Ryan Gray (1.86)

4. Richard Lovelady (1.90)

5. George Capen (2.53)

WINS

1. Ryan Gray (4)

1. Johnny Amendola (4)

3. Richard Lovelady (3)

4. Brad Applin (2)

4. Blaise Whitman/Tony Dibrell (2)

STRIKEOUTS

1. Tony Dibrell (36)

2. Johnny Amendola (31)

3. Richard Lovelady (28)

4. Brad Applin (26)

4. Blaise Whitman (26)

SAVES

1. Richard Lovelady (5)

1. David Gerber (5)

3. Brad Applin (1)

APPEARANCES

1. Richard Lovelady (19)

2. Matt Murphy (15)

3. George Capen (14)

4. Brad Applin (13)

5. Geoff Murphy (12)

OPPONENT'S AVERAGE

1. Brad Applin (.163)

2. Richard Lovelady (.179)

3. Ryan Gray (.182)

4. George Capen (.192)

5. Andrew Wright (.193)

ON BASE PERCENTAGE

1. Tim Lynch (.376)

2. Ryan Blanton (.362)

3. Dylan Burdeaux (.349)

4. Chuckie Robinson (.342)

5. Jake Palomaki (.327)

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE

1. Chuckie Robinson (.540)

2. Tim Lynch (.532)

3. Dylan Burdeaux (.431)

4. Ryan Blanton (.368)

5. Griffin Helms (.333)

AVERAGE VS. LH (Hitting)

1. Dom Veltri (.455)

2. Ryan Blanton (.297)

3. Dylan Burdeaux (.289)

4. Griffin Helms (.278)

5. Tim Lynch (.277)

AVERAGE VS. RH (Hitting)

1. Tim Lynch (.295)

2. Dylan Burdeaux (.286)

3. Chuckie Robinson (.284)

4. Ryan Blanton (.280)

5. Griffin Helms (.268)

AVERAGE VS. LH (Pitching)

1. Tyler Wilson (.133)

2. Andrew Wright (.136)

3. Brad Applin (.158)

4. Richard Lovelady (.188)

5. George Capen (.192)

AVERAGE VS. RH (Pitching)

1. Brad Applin (.167)

2. Ryan Gray (.174)

3. Richard Lovelady (.186)

4. Blaise Whitman (.190)

5. George Capen (.192)

LEADING OFF INNINGS (Hitting)

1. Griffin Helms (.400)

2. Ryan Blanton (.385)

3. Tim Lynch (.270)

4. Chuckie Robinson (.285)

5. Dylan Burdeaux (.217)

LEADING OFF INNINGS (Pitching)

1. Brad Applin (.091)

2. Dom Veltri (.125)

3. Ryan Gray (.139)

4. Andrew Wright (.231)

5. George Capen (.235)

AVG WITH RISP (Hitting)

1. Dylan Burdeaux (.438)

2. AJ Ramirez (.375)

3. Tim Lynch (.314)

4. Chuckie Robinson (.300)

5. Jake Palomaki (.278)

AVG WITH RISP (Pitching)

1. Brad Applin (.034)

2. Andrew Wright (.048)

3. Tyler Wilson (.118)

4. Oliver Powers (.120)

5. Ryan Gray (.167)

HOME BATTING AVERAGE

1. Griffin Helms (.315)

2. Dylan Burdeaux (.307)

3. Tim Lynch (.306)

4. Dom Veltri (.304)

5. Chuckie Robinson (.303)

AWAY BATTING AVERAGE

1. Ryan Blanton (.369)

2. Tim Lynch (.274)

3. Dylan Burdeaux (.271)

4. Chuckie Robinson (.219)

5. Jake Palomaki (.214)

HOME ERA

1. Richard Lovelady (1.08)

2. Ryan Gray (1.15)

3. Geoff Murphy (1.65)

4. Johnny Amendola (1.93)

4. Andrew Wright (1.93)

AWAY ERA

1. George Capen (0.00)

2. Matt Murphy (0.82)

3. Brad Applin (1.02)

4. David Gerber (1.23)

5. Blaise Whitman (1.33)

POSTSEASON BATTING AVG

1. AJ Ramirez (.364)

1. Jake Palomaki (.364)

3. Buck McCarthy (.333)

4. Chuckie Robinson (.308)

5. Nick Dawson (.300)

POSTSEASON HOME RUNS

1. Tim Lynch (1)

1. AJ Ramirez (1)

1. Dylan Burdeaux/Chuckie Robinson (1)

1. Buck McCarthy/Ryan Blanton (1)

POSTSEASON RBI

1. Buck McCarthy (4)

2. Tim Lynch (3)

3. Jake Palomaki (2)

4. Dylan Burdeaux (1)

4. AJ Ramirez/Chuckie Robinson (1)

POSTSEASON STOLEN BASES

1. Jake Palomaki (2)

POSTSEASON ERA

1. George Capen (0.00)

2. Richard Lovelady (3.60)

3. Ryan Gray (4.15)

4. Tyler Wilson (4.50)

POSTSEASON WINS

1. Richard Lovelady (1)

POSTSEASON STRIKEOUTS

1. Tyler Wilson (9)

2. Ryan Gray (6)

2. Tony Dibrell (6)

4. John Amendola (5)

5. Richard Lovelady (4)

POSTSEASON SAVES

None

 

MILESTONES SET BY THE OCEAN STATE WAVES IN 2015

Third Consecutive Postseason Appearance (2013, 2014, 2015)

Most Fans at Old Mountain Field (Single Game): 1,459 (8/4/2015)

Tim Lynch and Chuckie Robinson: Waves Single Season HR Record (9)

Tim Lynch: Waves Single Season Doubles Record (11)

Chuckie Robinson: Waves Single Season Triple Record (2)

Tony Dibrell: Waves Single Season Starts Record (8)

Ryan Gray: Waves Single Season WHIP Record (0.91)

Single-Season Record for Fans Per Game (691)

 

2015 OCEAN STATE WAVES AWARD WINNERS

Tim Lynch:

2015 NECBL All-Star

2015 NECBL Home Run Derby Champion

Ryan Blanton:

2015 NECBL All-Star

Chuckie Robinson:

2015 NECBL All-Star

NECBL Player of the Week (July 6, 2015)

Dylan Burdeaux:

2015 NECBL All-Star

NECBL Player of the Week (July 13, 2015)

Ryan Gray:

2015 NECBL All-Star

Richard Lovelady:

2015 NECBL All-Star

2015 Ocean State Waves

New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from August 14, 2015

• Back on Top: Vermont Hoists Fay Vincent Sr. Cup After Topping Mystic in Extras, 3-2 - NECBL
• 2015 Ocean State Waves Season in Review - Ocean State Waves

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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