Wave Watch
April 30, 2015 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Ocean State Waves News Release
One day away from the beginning of May, several former and current Waves are heating up at the plate and on the mound as the summer inches closer. Some Waves players are in position to make a splash in the conference tournaments, with the ultimate goal of making the NCAA Tournament (and the ensuing College World Series) looming in the distance.
In order to capture the true essence of successes accrued by these Wave alumni, OceanStateWaves.com has put the spotlight on some of the 73 Waves in the NCAA who have made an impact with their teams this spring through "Wave Watch". In last week's edition of "Wave Watch", LHP Jesse Adams (2014, Boston College), RHP Mitchell Jordan (2014, Stetson), INF Tim Lynch (2014-2015, Southern Miss), C/OF Buck McCarthy (2014-2015, Bryant), and INF Jake Palomaki (2015, Boston College) were profiled for their achievements on the diamond.
This week, "Wave Watch" profiles the success of five players who have shined across Divisions I, II, and III. The players that will be profiled this week include RHP Brad Applin, RHP Nick Cooney, RHP Kyle DeMeo, OF Jordan Mountford, and OF Evan Ocello.
RHP Brad Applin (Rhode Island)
After shining as a lockdown reliever with the Waves last summer, Applin returns to Old Mountain Field in 2015 following a solid junior season with the University of Rhode Island Rams. In 17 appearances, Applin has posted a 2.75 ERA while striking out 25 batters in nearly 20 innings of work. Opponents have only hit .200 against Applin, who leads the Rams in appearances and bullpen ERA.
Applin dazzled in his most recent appearance against the UMASS-Lowell River Hawks on April 29. The junior from Malden, MA hurled a scoreless inning, inducing the game's final three outs as the Rams rolled to a 14-2 victory. Applin should continue his dependability out of the bullpen with the Rams to close out the 2015 Atlantic-10 season, leading up to his second stint with the Waves in June.
RHP Nick Cooney (Wesleyan)
A powerful reliever for the Waves in 2013, Cooney has pitched well at top of the rotation for the Wesleyan Cardinals in 2015. The junior from Rehoboth, MA has gone 6-1 with a 3.00 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts), striking out 52 batters in 45 innings of work. Cooney has won his last four decisions, a streak that dates back to the middle of March.
Cooney rose to the occasion in his last start on April 24, when he stymied NESCAC (Division III) rival Amherst in Middletown, CT. Cooney hurled seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits to the Lord Jeffs while striking out eight batters as the Cardinals rolled to a 9-5 victory. The win also helped Wesleyan win its third Little Three title, as well as a number one seed in the 2015 NESCAC Tournament. As a major starter for the Cardinals, Cooney looks to continue his dominance as the Cardinals seek its second straight NESCAC championship.
RHP Kyle DeMeo (Dowling College)
Serving as the spark for the Waves rotation midway through the 2014 season, DeMeo continues his electric pitching performance as a senior with the Dowling College Lions. In eight appearances (seven starts), DeMeo has posted a 3-1 record with a 2.80 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 35 innings of work. He also leads the Lions pitching staff with an opponent's batting average of .217.
In his last start on April 26, DeMeo shined on the hill against the St. Thomas Aquinas Spartans. The righty from Franklin Square, NY hurled six shutout innings, striking out five batters as the Lions edged out the Spartans with a 1-0 victory. DeMeo has the potential to help the Lions as they try to finish as a top contender in the East Coast Conference (Division II).
OF Jordan Mountford (Bryant)
As one of the starters during the 2014 NECBL All-Star Game last summer, Mountford continues his scorching plate presence during his senior season with the Bryant Bulldogs. The outfielder from Guelph, Ontario has hit .271 in 36 games, contributing six home runs, 30 RBI, and 12 stolen bases to the Bulldogs offensive attack. Mountford leads Bryant in stolen bases and RBI, while sharing the team lead in home runs and triples.
Mountford's bat maintained a special sizzle on April 25 against the LIU-Brooklyn Blackbirds. The senior went 2-4 at the plate, chipping in a triple, home run, and four RBI as the Bulldogs rolled past the Blackbirds, 9-1. Serving as a cornerstone in the Bulldog outfield, Mountford is in prime position to help the Bulldogs make the NCAA Tournament for the third time in as many years.
OF Evan Ocello (Holy Cross)
Gracing the Waves outfield with his presence in 2013 and 2014, Ocello provides a game that encompasses solid contact and blistering speed. As a senior with the Holy Cross Crusaders, Ocello has hit .283 with three homers and 27 RBI in 45 games. The senior from Camarillo, California also leads the Crusaders with 17 stolen bases.
Ocello proved his worth at the plate on April 26 as the Crusaders battled the Bucknell Bison in Worcester. Facing fellow 2014 Wave Mike Castellani, Ocello went 2-3 with a stolen base and an RBI despite a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Bison. With his veteran presence and expertise on the basepaths, Ocello looks to guide the Crusaders to a solid performance in the Patriot League tournament.
PLAYERS PREVIOUSLY FEATURED ON "WAVE WATCH"
April 30: RHP Brad Applin (2014-2015, Rhode Island), RHP Nick Cooney (2013, Wesleyan), RHP Kyle DeMeo (2014, Dowling College), OF Jordan Mountford (2014, Bryant), OF Evan Ocello (2013-2014, Holy Cross)
April 23: LHP Jesse Adams (2014, Boston College), RHP Mitchell Jordan (2014, Stetson), INF Tim Lynch (2014-2015, Southern Miss), C/OF Buck McCarthy
(2014-2015, Bryant), INF Jake Palomaki (2015, Boston College)
April 16: INF Mike Corin (2015, Rhode Island), RHP David Gerber (2014-2015, Creighton), LHP Ryan Gray (2015, Trinity TX), INF/RHP Matt Murphy (2014-2015, Assumption), 1B Robby Rinn (2014-2015, Bryant)
April 9: OF Ryan Blanton (2014-2015, Georgia State), OF Drew Ferguson (2014, Belmont), C Ethan Ferreira (2014, Harvard), LHP Daniel Ludwig (2013, Belmont), LHP Tyler Wilson (2015, Rhode Island)
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from April 30, 2015
- Wave Watch - Ocean State Waves
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