Wachusett Heads North to Strengthen Pitching Staff

Published on November 25, 2011 under Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL)
Wachusett Dirt Dawgs News Release


Dirt Dawgs News

Date: Nov 22, 2011

Wachusett Heads North to Strengthen Pitching Staff

The latest batch of signings for the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs' inaugural season features a number of strong, talented pitchers and the team's first catcher, all from New Hampshire and Maine schools. The newest signees are John Lefeber and Erik Jacobsen from Bowdoin College, Matt Verrier from the University of Maine, Dan Sperruzzi and Kris Doyle from Franklin Pierce University, and Mike Spinosa from Bates College.

Wachusett's owner John Morrison summed up the signings: "I am particularly encouraged that the latest signings bring us above the League's New England roster requirement; and with 100 percent of the announced players being from New England schools, the team is well on its way to having the highest roster commitment to New England players of any summer collegiate team. I know how enthusiastic these 'northerners' are at the opportunity to extend their season well beyond the only too familiar spring mud season."

John Lefeber (Bowdoin), a 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore outfielder and pitcher, is from Branford, Conn. As a freshman, he went 3-3 on the mound, earning a 3.27 ERA and striking out 19. He also hit .393 with 25 RBI, a .573 slugging percentage, and six stolen bases, which earned him the honor of First Team All-NESCAC. "John will be one of the best players in the region this year," said Bowdoin head coach Michael Connolly. "He is a tremendous athlete who can impact the game with both power and speed. He played his best baseball in our biggest games and John has the ability to rise to the occasion at the plate and on the mound."

Erik Jacobsen (Bowdoin), a pitcher out of Milton, Mass., played high school ball at Milton Academy. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound righty was a captain during his senior year, and was All-ISL as a junior. Coach Connolly says of the freshman, "Erik has the opportunity to have a outstanding college career. He is an extremely tough competitor and his work ethic and commitment to success make him special. Dirt Dawg fans are going to enjoy watching him compete."

Matt Verrier (Maine) was the 2010 Maine Baseball Gatorade Player of the Year, as well as Maine's Mr. Baseball the same year. At Oxford Hills High, the Norway, Maine native was also the 2010 Sun Journal All-Region Baseball Player of the Year, 2010 KVAC Player of the Year, Portland Press Herald Player of the year, a four-time All-KVAC First Team selection, two-time All-State, and won the Class A State Championship as a senior. The 6-foot, 215-pound sophomore played in 16 games as a freshman at Maine, starting 15 of them.

Dan Sperruzzi (Franklin Pierce), a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher from Wading River, N.Y., was All-League, All-County, and All-State as a junior at Shoreham-Wading River High after posting a 7-1 record with a 1.41 ERA and 53 strikeouts. The freshman is "going to pitch out of the bullpen for us, says Jayson King, head coach at Franklin Pierce. "He has a very strong arm and pitches in the upper 80s from a sidearm delivery. His fastball and slider are his best pitches and should be especially effective against right-handed hitters."

Kris Doyle (Franklin Pierce) of Millbury, Mass. and Millbury High, is also a right-handed pitcher. The 6-foot-4 freshman was First Team All-SWCL last year, leading his team with seven wins. He is "going to get a lot of innnings for us this year as a starter and reliever," says Coach King. "He should make an immediate impact on our program this year with a three pitch aresenal on the mound including a curve, fastball and slider."

Mike Spinosa (Bates) is from Charlottesville, Va. The only junior of the bunch improved significantly between freshman and sophomore year; his ERA dropped from 6.27 to 2.48. The righty, who stands at 6-foot-2 and played high school ball at St. Anne's-Belfield, also doubled his innings pitched and strikeouts. "Mike is one of our hardest working players and is someone who will compete to be the ace of our pitching staff this spring. As a sophomore he pitched as a starter, middle reliever, and as a closer for us so he is extremely versatile," states Bates head coach Mike Leonard. "He is a tough competitor and is someone who never backs down from a challenge."

"I know myself and the entire coaching staff is excited about the talent pool we have on our staff," stated Dirt Dawgs pitching coach Nick Barese. "We have players from the top programs in New England where they will develop strong winning habits, and we will continue to build that over the summer."

For more roster updates, team and league news, and information about the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs' inaugural season, check dirtdawgsball.com and Like us on Facebook!

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