Afthim Brothers, McDaniel Highlight Mainers in All-Star Game
July 17, 2022 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
SANFORD, Me. - Six Mainers are heading to the Vineyard after being named All-Stars, three being starters. Bryce Afthim (Southern Maine) is the starting pitcher, Brady Afthim (UConn) is the closer, and Quinn McDaniel (Maine) will be the starting second baseman.
Catcher Adam Dapkewicz (Georgetown), third baseman David Bermudez (Manhattan) and pitcher Sonny Fauci (St. John's) were all nominated as reserves in their respective positions.
Bryce's 1.29 ERA is the lowest in the North and sits third in the league overall. He has thrown 19 consecutive scoreless innings over his last three starts. He is 2-1 on the year with 24 strikeouts to only three walks.
Brady has been unflappable out of the bullpen this season. In eight appearances so far he is 5-0 with 39 punchouts, both of which lead the Mainers staff. His win total is tied for the most in the league and is second in strikeouts. Through 20 innings of work, he is not allowed a single run.
The Afthim brother's highlights include a pair of combined shutouts against Ocean State, 10-0, and Danbury, 1-0. Brady also struck out 12 batters in five innings of relief against Winnipesaukee.
Bryce has been named to the NECBL Honor Roll once, while Brady has been on twice.
McDaniel is the Mainers' best hitter and currently leads the team in both home runs, five, and RBIs, 26. He has hit a pair of big-time homers, a grand slam in Newport, and a three-run shot to kickstart a 9-6 comeback win against Keene.
The Black Bear enjoyed a stellar week at the end of June to be named NECBL Player of the Week, where he went 12-23 with a homer and 9 RBIs.
Dapkewicz has been one of the better catches in the North, posting a .246 batting average with eight RBIs, while displaying great patience working 15 walks. Dapkewicz is coming off his best hitting performance against Ocean State, 2-4 with 3 RBI.
He has found a groove as of late with 5 RBIs in the last three games and has multiple hits in all three.
Bermudez carried over from his outstanding spring with the Jaspers and continues to produce for the Moose. He is on the team in RBIs, 15, and is only behind McDaniel with his .275 batting average.
His father, Nelson, threw out the first pitch against Danbury, and David followed that up with a 3-for-4 day, including the game-winning RBI to cap off Family Weekend.
Finally, Fauci is among the top strikeout getters in the NECBL with 37, his 1.73 ERA is second among Sanford starters. In his last three starts, he has 30 strikeouts to six walks.
The right-hander's seven scoreless frames and 14 strikeouts against North Shore made him NECBL Pitcher of the Week on June 27.
The All-Star Game will take place on Martha's Vineyard on Sunday, July 24, with the first pitch coming around 4:30 p.m.
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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 17, 2022
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- Three Players to Represent Navs in 2022 NECBL All-Star Festivities - North Shore Navigators
- Afthim Brothers, McDaniel Highlight Mainers in All-Star Game - Sanford Mainers
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