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The Mountaineers Report

January 6, 2020 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Vermont Mountaineers News Release


2020 Roster Update

We are gearing up for the 2020 season, which is quickly approaching as we enter the new year. In preparation, our roster is shaping up with brand new faces and a few welcome returners from the 2019 squad. SUNY Maritime head coach Charlie Barbieri is back at the helm as manager, leading a roster composed of student-athletes ranging from mid-major Div. I institutions such as Western Michigan University and Hofstra University, to high-major schools like the University of Connecticut and Michigan State University. Joining Barbieri as returners from last year are pitchers Mitchell Sorensen (Lake Erie College) and Enzo Stefanoni (Harvard University), infielder Evan Giordano (Stony Brook University) and outfielder Curtis Robison (Penn State University). We are thrilled to welcome back our old friends, and to bring in an exciting new group of extraordinary student-athletes and baseball players to Montpelier this summer! As the start of the season inches closer, we will continue to unveil our 2020 roster, so stay tuned.

2019 in Recap: A Historically Successful Year

As we enter a new decade, we would like to take a moment and look back at the successes and thrills that our organization experienced throughout the summer, all the while celebrating the coaches, student-athletes, sponsors, families, fans, and volunteers who made such a successful year possible!

The 2019 season saw the Mountaineers claim one of the most successful seasons in franchise history. Capturing a 25-20 overall record, the team achieved its highest win total since the 2015 season. Three-straight wins in three-straight days over Winnipesaukee, Sanford and Keene to end the regular season sent Vermont to its first NECBL playoff appearance since 2015 as well, where the Mountaineers ultimately fell to Valley, 7-4, in the opening round.

The NECBL recognized Vermont for its outstanding summer, awarding four Mountaineers with post-season accolades. Ryan Murphy was named the Robin Roberts Best Starting Pitcher, and claimed a spot on the All-NECBL First Team. Joining him on the team was All-Star starter and shortstop Austin Gauthier. Pitchers Alec Huertas and Nick DeGennaro, meanwhile, both earned Second Team honors after stellar seasons on the mound. The four All-League honorees were the most Vermont had recorded since the 2012 season.

The summer saw the Mountaineers host the 2019 NECBL All-Star Game on July 28 at historic Montpelier Recreation Field. Despite the game itself being rained out, the pregame festivities were successful. Countless NECBL players, including a handful representing the Mountaineers, showcased their skills in front of numerous MLB scouts in the morning. The afternoon saw numerous dingers being drilled across the sky, as the Home Run Derby took place in front of a packed crowd. Cam Climo, Vermont's representative, finished second in a highly competitive field after recording 24 homers across two rounds.

The Mountaineers also saw success in the major leagues, where four former Vermonters found themselves called up between August and September to make their MLB debut. 2013 Mountaineer Danny Mendick collected his first-career hit before scoring in a 7-1 win for the Chicago White Sox. 2012 pitcher Tyler Rogers made his debut for the San Francisco Giants, while Nick Solak '14 became a consistent part of the Texas Rangers line-up. Brian O'Grady, who played for Vermont in 2011 and 2012, kicked off the barrage of former Mountaineers in the big leagues, having debuted with the Cincinnati Reds on August 9th.

What's Next for the Mountaineers...

The NECBL will participate in the 2020 Mohegan Sun World Baseball Coaches' Convention at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The New England League will join a blockbuster lineup of presenters during the three-day event and will add its presence to the exhibit hall with a special league-specific booth for all in attendance.

The 2020 Mohegan Sun World Baseball Coaches' Convention will take place January 9 - 11. The convention will take place in the Mohegan Sun's new Expo Center, which provides more meeting, exhibitor and demonstration space.

Donate to Our Field Improvement Fund

The Montpelier Recreation Field continues to be in need of many capital improvements. Because of many generous donations in the past, we've already been able to extend and improve our safety netting, update the sound system and make numerous other improvements to enhance your experience at the ballpark. Future needed improvements include updating the bathrooms, new pavement and new field lights. PLEASE NOTE: All donations are tax-deductible, as the Vermont Mountaineers are a 501 C(3) Non-Profit Organization.

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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from January 6, 2020


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