Most Players Have Reported; Rider in NCAA Regionals

Well, after a hectic few days almost all the players have reported. We are missing a few from the original roster, but have added another. Unfortunately, Doug Dekoning of UW-Milwaukee and Chris Lalonde of Centenary will not be joining us this summer.

New Arrivals
Arriving yesterday was recent signee, Mario Sencion. Mario, from Burlington County College was a pre-season NJCAA All-American pitcher. We also had Marcos Torres, a C/1B from Felician College give an verbal commitment. Torres was first team all CACC and named to the third team of the NJCBA. He should be driving up from his home in Miami this weekend.

NCAA Tournament Action
Also in Red Rooster news is that our Rider players won the MAAC Conference Tournament as the #4 seed and are going to be playing in the Cal-State Fullerton Regional this weekend. They face top seeded CS-Fullerton at 11 p.m. EST.

Week 1
Practices have been going well. We have gotten a lot done in the past few days, and the players are working hard. I have been really impressed with how quickly they have picked up our communication and the defense they have played. Defense will be key for us to win this season.

I really like the team we have. They have molded well so far. I can't say enough about the kids themselves. What fantastic young men we have! I can write with the utmost sincerity when I say that they have all impressed me immensely with how they have handled themselves on and off of the baseball field. All of their parents should be proud.

Our first game is tomorrow against the Monroe Channelcats at 5 p.m. EST. It is opening night for the THSBL. Our game will be followed with the Anson Rough Riders and Charlotte Crowns. Jeff Bayse of St. Peter's will start for us tomorrow. On Saturday, Mike Pagano will start Game 1 against the Charlotte Crowns and Dan Gross Game 2.

Players
I have debated whether or not to put particulars about guys who have been impressing me so far. I do not want to offend others on the team or "play favorites." However, this league is for these ball players to get looks and interest from teams at the next level, and any extra "face time" I can give may help them achieve that goal. With that in mind, I will list Players of the Day on gamedays and also Players of the Week. I will also try to do bios on the boys throughout the summer.

Players of the Week for the first week of practice.
Conor Mullee- I really haven't seen him swing as much as I probably should, but he has amazed me with his glove. He has already made three plays that I've never seen before. He is so much fun to watch take groundballs. I am beginning to challenge him more with the fungo just so I can see some of the spectacular plays he can make.

Mike Pagano- I have not seen the guys pitch yet (I'm leaving that part up to Pitching Coach Jeff Hanson), but I was very impressed with the way he holds runners. Probably the best I have seen this year at the college level. I don't imagine many people will be stealing bases while Mike is pitching.

Tyler Howard- Tyler really hit the ball hard yesterday. He hit one out of the park off of me (which isn't saying much), and then three more hard off of Coach Hanson. He seems to be making the adjustment to wood without much difficulty.