Randy's College List, 2006

Randy's Weekly Honors, '06

Randy Seidman is a constant at Washington games and this year is giving out college honors to Philly Guys playing college baseball. This is very cool! Randy graduated from Washington, which his two sons have also attended. Randy is an award-winning producer of televised sporting events and now works for CN8, in addition to doing free-lance work for major networks and The News Gleaner. His career highlight -- producing games, on back-to-back days, when Julius Erving scored his 30,000th point and Mike Schmidt slammed his 500th homer. He may be reached at rseidman9@aol.com.

Check out Randy's reports from 2002 .. 2003 .. 2004 .. and 2005.

Hometown Philly All-Star & All-Rookie Selections

Former Catholic, Inter-Ac and Public League players populated the rosters of teams from New England (Middlebury, VT, Amherst & Cambridge, MA & Kingston, RI) to the South (Milledgeville, GA & DeLand, FL) to the Midwest (Beloit, WI) to the other coast (Huntington Beach, CA) and back to Philly and the surrounding areas. In all, 159 players were on season opening rosters. Unfortunately, not that many finished on the season ending rosters, due to various reasons. There are probably some players who were inadvertently overlooked. However, most of the college baseball websites, big and small, were eyeballed for Philly guys. Another bummer was some schools, only a very few, didn't provide website stats, so for those players, sorry guys, so go get your sports information directors, or better yet, their computer-savvy younger assistants, to join the 21st century, maybe?

Player and Rookie of the Year, and the First-Team and Second-Team All-Stars appear below. In addition, postseason honors for player, pitcher and rookie of the year for each of the Catholic, Inter-Ac and Public Leagues, are included. This by no means was done in a scientific manner, rather by my unbiased, somewhat warped view of the world. But in reality, it's my way of getting some recognition for these guys they otherwise might not have received. Thanks to Ted for having a sense of humor with this, and if I really don't get a life, maybe season two could happen next year!

First-Team Hometown Philly All-Stars

1B - DAVE LEVINSON, Amherst sr (Haverford School)

.342 BA, .437 OBP Team record: 22-9-1, 8-3-1 conf 4-year starter (career: .342 BA, .430 OBP)

2B - TIM STEPHAN, Eastern U soph (Swenson Skills Center)

.298 BA, .404 OBP Team record: 9-25, 6-18 conf 2nd in PAC with 20 steals (in 25 games)

SS - BRIAN CAMPBELL, Widener jr (Cardinal O'Hara HS) Hometown Philly Player of the Year

.401 BA, .523 OBP Team rec: 25-13-1, 14-6-1 conf 1st Team all-conference at shortstop & pitcher

3B - JAMES JORDAN, Neumann College soph (Monsignor Bonner HS)

.345 BA, .454 OBP Team record: 10-19, 6-15 conf Led team: 22 RBI, 16 BB, .454 OBP, 11 SB

OF - TIM CARROLL, Alvernia soph (Conwell-Egan HS)

.379 BA, .473 OBP Team record: 30-13, 15-6 conf 6th best BA on team (Team BA: .374, led D-III), 1st Team All-PAC

OF - ANTHONY CAPELLA, Gwynedd-Mercy jr (Roman Catholic HS)

.317 BA, .386 OBP Team record: 31-15, 18-3 conf 7 triples (school season record), Honorable Mention All-PAC

OF - FRANK NUNAN, Temple soph (Monsignor Bonner HS)

.305 BA, .394 OBP Team record: 12-41, 6-19 conf 2-year starter (career: .333 BA, .423 OBP)

C - MATT FISCHER , Widener soph (Conwell-Egan HS)

.286 BA, .367 OBP Team rec: 25-13-1, 14-6-1 conf Finished season with 7-game hit streak (.375, 9-24)

DH - MARK SHIMROCK, Middlebury College fr (Germantown Academy)

.342 BA, .407 OBP Team record: 26-11, 9-3 conf 7th best BA on team (Team BA: .361, 2nd in D-III)

SP - MIKE ANTONINI, Georgia College & State jr (Cardinal O'Hara HS) Hometown Philly Pitcher of the Year

11-1, 2.93 ERA Team record: 53-12, 22-5 conf D-II 2nd-Team All-American, Phillies 41st round draft pick

SP - FRANK GAILEY, West Chester jr (Archbishop Carroll HS)

9-4, 3.50 ERA Team record: 39-20, 16-4 conf 1st Team All-PSAC 2nd straight year, 85 Ks, 3rd in PSAC
RP - PETE VERNON, William & Mary soph (Germantown Academy)

4-1, 3.96 ERA Team record: 23-29, 11-19 conf 32 appearances, 2nd in CAA

Second-Team Hometown Philly All-Stars

1B - KEVIN WARD, Bloomsburg fr (Bonner) .342 BA, 6 HR, 32 RBI Last 15 Games: .480 BA, 4 HR, 19 RBI

2B - DUANE WYSE, Lincoln U soph (West Catholic) .254 BA, .478 OBP, 25 SB (5th in Division III)

SS - GARY STRICKER, Kutztown sr (Conwell-Egan) .281 BA, 6 HR, 34 RBI .459 avg on season-ending 12-game hit streak

3B - MIKE PENNINGTON, DeSales fr (La Salle HS) Hometown Philly Rookie of the Year

.350 BA, .435 OBP Team record: 23-19, 10-8 conf Season ending 15-game hit streak, raised BA from .296 to .350

OF - CHRIS CORKERY, Gwynedd-Mercy soph (Roman) .304 BA, .405 OBP, 35 RBI (2nd on team), Honorable Mention All-PAC

OF - STAN ORZECHOWSKI, Gloucester County Coll. soph (North Catholic) .346 BA, .429 OBP, 51 R (led Hometown Philly players)

OF - CHRIS McINERNEY, Dickinson soph (Chestnut Hill Academy) .327 BA, .397 OBP, 5 triples (T-2nd Centennial Conf)

C - AARON GREENFIELD, Penn State sr (Penn Charter) .287 BA, 4 HR, 20 RBI, .475 Slug Pct (2nd on team)

DH - DAVID OMLOR, Albright sr (Carroll) .256 BA, .341 OBP, Hit 2 of team's 5 home runs this season

SP - JOE MATTEO, Lehigh soph (Germantown Academy) 8-3, 3.80 ERA, Patriot League tourney Co-MVP, 2nd-Team All-Patriot

SP - MATT DALEY, Gwynedd-Mercy jr (Roman) 6-2, 2.29 ERA, 1st No-Hitter in GM history (3/25 vs Eastern), 1st-Team All-PAC

RP - KYLE REYNOLDS, Gwynedd-Mercy soph (O'Hara) 2.35 ERA, 8 Saves (Broke his own school season record set in 2005)

Honorable Mention Hometown Philly All-Stars

1B - RYAN McMAHON, Gwynedd-Mercy sr (Bonner) .323 BA, .416 OBP, season ending 6-game hit streak (.409)

2B - PAT RILEY, Temple fr (La Salle HS) 49 Games, 47 Starts, (Both T-1st on team among freshmen-Jamie Abercrombie)

SS - MATT CATANIA, Dickinson fr (O'Hara) .252 BA, .366 OBP, led team with 20 BB, 8 HBP, 5 SF

3B - DAN WILLIAMS, Pittsburgh soph (Episcopal) .273 BA, .401 OBP, 49 games (all stsrts), 28 BB, team-high 10 HBP

OF - VINCE CURTIS, Lincoln U jr (Overbrook) .348 BA, .434 OBP, D-III Independents Honorable Mention selection

OF - BRIAN MORGAN, Penn State Abington soph (Washington) .368 BA, .417 OBP, HR (inside-the-park)

OF - BRANDON WATSON, Elizabethtown soph (Central) .338 BA, .389 OBP, 49 Games, .986 Fielding Pct (1 error)

C - DALE CURRY, Gloucester County College soph (Judge) 3 HR, 9 RBI - JR College D-III Tournament (lost title game)

DH - JOSE MEDINA, Elizabethtown jr (Dougherty) .265 BA, .390 OBP, Last 8 plate app: 4 hits, 1 walk

SP - DAN WATERS, La Salle jr (La Salle HS) 4-6, 2.79 ERA, 90 Ks this season, 2nd highest in a single year at LaSalle.

SP - BRIAN CAMPBELL, Widener jr (O'Hara) 5-1, 3.28 ERA Regular season: 5-0, 1.88 ERA HP Player of the Year

RP - MICHAEL GIBBS, Virginia Commonwealth sr (Roxborough) 33 K, 30 IP, Colorado's 17th round pick, 2006 MLB draft

All-Rookie Hometown Philly All-Stars

1B - KEVIN WARD, Bloomsburg (Bonner) 6 HR (T-1st on team), 2-Time Hometown Philly Rookie of the Week

1B - COLIN McHALE, Widener (Carroll) 33 Games, 23 Starts, 10 HBP (T-1st on Team)

2B - PAT RILEY, Temple (La Salle HS) Hometown Philly Honorable Mention All Star

2B - DOUG EIZEN, Geo. Washington (Haverford School) .232 BA, .344 OBP, 31 Games

SS - MATT CATANIA, Dickinson (O'Hara) Hometown Philly Honorable Mention All Star

SS - BRANDON CUFF, Lincoln U (Germantown) .329 BA, .382 OBP, 6 Multi-Hit games

3B - MIKE PENNINGTON, DeSales (La Salle HS) Hometown Philly Rookie of the Year & Second-Team All Star

3B - ANDREW REYNOLDS, Eastern (Central) .397 BA, .493 OBP, 19 games

3B - TYLER STAMONE, Holy Cross (Germantown Academy) .285 BA, .348 OBP, Patriot League Rookie of the Year

OF - SEAN BARKSDALE, Gloucester County College (O'Hara) .298 BA, .384 OBP, 45 RBI in 42 Games

OF - JOE ROSATI, Villanova (Episcopal) .259 BA, .377 OBP, 40 Games (Most by a Nova freshman)

OF - TIM HOBAN, Gwynedd-Mercy (Roman) 41 Games, 29 Starts, 9-9 in Stolen Bases

OF - MATT BURNS, La Salle (Conwell-Egan) 23 Games, 3 OF Assists, 1 error in 25 chances

OF - RYAN NANNI, Rhode Island (Penn Charter) .267 BA, .313 OBP

C - NICK DiENNO, Gwynedd-Mercy (Ryan) .308 BA, .407 OBP, 2 HR (vs. Misericordia & Arcadia)

C - BRANDON O'MALLEY, Philadelphia U (Northeast) 31 Games, 2 HR (1 Grand Slam), 8 RBI

DH - MARK SHIMROCK, Middlebury (Germantown Acad) .342 BA, .407 OBP, Hometown Philly 1st-Team All Star

DH - LENNY DEL GRIPPO, Temple (Kennedy-Kenrick) .248 BA, 3 HR, 25 RBI (2 HR, 6 RBI - 5/7 at Xavier)

SP - JOSH RICKARDS, Marist (O'Hara) 3-1, 4.11 ERA (10 starts: 3.45 ERA, 1 CG) Hometown Philly Rookie Pitcher of the Year

SP - JOSH EIDELL, Villanova (Kennedy-Kenrick) Conference wins at home vs Pittsburgh & Cincinnati

RP - CHRISTOPHER DAVID, Kutztown (Conwell-Egan) 2-0, 3.54 ERA, 11 Games, 1 Start

RP - PAT RIDER, Gwynedd-Mercy (La Salle HS) 1-0, 4.42 ERA, 20 Games

Hometown Philly Alumni Awards

CATHOLIC LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: BRIAN CAMPBELL, Widener jr (O'Hara)

CATHOLIC LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE YEAR: MIKE ANTONINI, Georgia College & State jr (O'Hara HS)

CATHOLIC LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: MIKE PENNINGTON, DeSales (La Salle HS)
INTER/AC LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: DAVE LEVINSON, Amherst sr (Haverford School)

INTER/AC LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE YEAR: JOE MATTEO, Lehigh soph (Germantown Academy)

INTER/AC LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: MARK SHIMROCK, Middlebury (Germantown Acad)
PUBLIC LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: BRANDON WATSON, Elizabethtown soph (Central)

PUBLIC LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE YEAR: MICHAEL GIBBS, Virginia Commonwealth sr (Roxborough)

PUBLIC LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: ANDREW REYNOLDS, Eastern (Central)

Hometown Philly Update (June 8, 2006)

Two players from the Hometown Philly roster were selected in the 2006 Major League First-Year Player Draft, one from the Public League and one from the Catholic League. (Also drafted was ex-Carroll RHP Brandon Gribbin, who has been inactive since Jan. '05 after blowing out his elbow and undergoing Tommy John surgery. He attends Golden West (Calif.) CC.

2006 MAJOR LEAGUE DRAFTEE

MICHAEL GIBBS

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY (ROXBOROUGH)

6'6" 230 lbs SENIOR RHP PHILADELPHIA, PA

The Colorado Rockies selected Michael Gibbs in the 17th round. Gibbs, a 6'6" righthanded relief pitcher, recently completed his collegiate career at Virginia Commonwealth University. Michael graduated from Roxborough High School, and was a 3-time All-City selection from 2000-2002. As a senior at VCU, Gibbs had a 2.70 ERA, with 2 saves. In 30 innings, he struck out 33, while allowing 23 hits and 17 walks. Michael did not allow an earned run in 12 of his 19 games. He made only one start, and what a spot it was. Needing a win to advance to the CAA championship game against UNC-Wilmington, Michael got the starting nod, after 18 appearances out of the bullpen. What made the start even that more unusual, was the fact that Gibbs was used in relief just hours earlier. He pitched the final two scoreless innings of a 6-1 win, eliminating top-seeded James Madison. That game was suspended by stormy weather in the first inning at 11 pm the previous night. With the Rams playing their fifth game in four days, coach Paul Keyes asked Michael to start and give him a couple of innings. He allowed one run in two innings, and exited the game with a 3-1 lead. VCU went on to win 14-7, and advanced, and lost, to UNCW the following day for the CAA title and automatic NCAA berth. In VCU's first 44 games, Michael pitched in just 10 games. However, over the last 14 contests, he pitched 9 times.

(Gibbs' coach at Roxborough was Cliff Hubbard, who is retiring from the School District of Philadelphia after 46 years.)

2006 MAJOR LEAGUE DRAFTEE

MICHAEL ANTONINI

GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE UNIV. (CARDINAL O' HARA)

6'0" 200 lbs JUNIOR LHP ASTON, PA

Hometown product Michael Antonini has a chance to play for his hometown team. The Phillies selected him in the 41st round of the 50-round draft. The junior lefty had a successful season. He finished with an 11-1 record and a 2.93 ERA in 16 games. He was the team co-leader in wins, and led the staff in starts (15), innings (101.1), and strikeouts (63). He showed great control, walking just 20 (1.8 per 9 innings). Coached by a Philly product, Chris Calciano (Eastern U, Lamberton HS), Michael was selected as a D-2 Second Team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association. Antonini will have a familiar face with him in the Phillies system, as they selected his teammate Michael Deveaux, eight rounds earlier. Deveaux was a Second Team All-American selection for the second consecutive year. He is a 6'3" shortstop from Statesboro, GA, and hit .347 this season, with 10 HR and 78 RBI in 65 games. The pair helped the Bobcats win their first ever Peach Belt Conference Championship and reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002 while posting a 53-12 overall record and 22-5 league mark. GCSU finished tied for 7th in the final polls with West Chester. As a high school senior in 2003, Antonini was an All-Catholic and All-City honoree at O'Hara.

Coming Next Week

Now that the final three Hometown Philly member schools have been eliminated from the postseason, Player and Rookie of the Year selections, along with First and Second Team All-Stars will be announced next week. Two weeks from now, the final stats will be posted from the 158 participants in the inaugural season of the Hometown Philly players. By the way, the three teams eliminated were West Chester, Stetson and Lehigh. West Chester (Frank Gailey, Archbishop Carroll) reached the Division 2 World Series for the first time ever. The Golden Rams finished with a 39-20 record, setting the school record for the most wins in a single season. Stetson (Will Romanowicz, Malvern Prep) went 0-2 in the NCAA Atlanta Regional, losing to Georgia Tech and Michigan. Lehigh (Joe Matteo and Kevin Gordon, both from Germantown Academy) played in the Charlottesville, VA regional, and lost to Virginia and Evansville. The Mountain Hawks won the Patriot League regular season and tournament championships, and made their first ever NCAA regional appearance.

Hometown Philly's Baseball Players of the Week
for week ending May 28, 2006

WILL ROMANOWICZ

STETSON UNIVERSITY (DeLAND, FL) 6'1" 185 lbs
MALVERN PREP

SOPHOMORE RHP - WEST CHESTER, PA

Will Romanowicz waited for just the right time to catch people's attention. Appearing in only 12 of Stetson's first 52 games, who could have thought he would be the starting pitcher with a chance to win his conference tournament, and automatic NCAA bid? Two weeks ago, Will recorded his first career win (vs South Florida). Then, with Stetson steamrolling through the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships, he tossed a complete-game 6-2 victory over East Tennessee State in the clincher. He was in control throughout (95 pitches: 20 balls, 75 strikes, 0 BB). Will's complete-game performance was just the second for Stetson this season, and he was named to the all-tournament team. The Hatters (38-22) won the A-Sun title for the second straight year and for the sixth time overall....Fun Fact "The Glad Hatter" teammate Chris Johnson (Ft. Myers, FL) has reached base safely for 45 straight games by hit or walk.

Will's sophomore season breakdowns:

First 12 Games 0-3, 5.72 ERA, 28.1 IP, 34 H, 18 ER, 9 BB, 17 K
Last 2 Games 2-0, 2.30 ERA, 15.2 IP, 13 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Season-14 GP: 2-3, 4.50 ERA, 44.0 IP, 47 H, 22 ER, 10 BB, 22 K

Honorable Mention:

Dale Curry, Gloucester County College soph (Judge) helped lead defending national champion GCC to the Junior College title game. The lost 4-2, to Eastfield (Mesquite, TX), for the championship of the Junior College Division III Baseball Tournament in Glens Falls, NY. In 5 games, Dale collected one double and 3 HR (including a slam), and knocked in 9 runs. His slugging pct was .681. GCC had won five national championships in the last 15 years.

Stan Orzechowski, Gloucester County College soph (North Catholic) went 3-5, run, RBI, as GCC opened defense of their championship, with an 11-8 win against Ridgewater (MN). Four games later, in the title game, Stan went 1-4, run, RBI, double, walk in a 4-2 losing effort to the champion Eastfield Harvesters (TX).
Joe Matteo, Lehigh soph (Germantown Academy) continued his torrid stretch of pitching. He earned the win in a NCAA tune-up game against Princeton (6 IP, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K). His season record improves to 8-3. (Last 7 games: 6-0, 2.66 ERA)
Frank Gailey, West Chester jr (Carroll) opening round of D-II World Series, he had a 2-0 lead with 2 outs and nobody on in the 8th, before giving up 2 runs (one earned). Golden Rams lost in 12 innings to Montevallo, 3-2.

Frank�s line:7.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER,1 BB, 6 K
Michael Gibbs, VCU sr (Roxborough) no decision in 1st start of season as VCU�s win puts them in CAA title game. They lost in championship game as UNC Wilmington had a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth to win, 7-6.

Hometown Philly's Baseball Rookie of the Week
for week ending May 28, 2006
DOUG EIZEN

GEORGE WASHINGTON U (HAVERFORD SCHOOL) 6'2" 175 lbs
FRESHMAN IF - PHILADELPHIA, PA

Doug Eizen, George Washington U (Haverford School) played a key role in a 6-5 win in 17 innings, against top-seeded Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10 Baseball Championships. It was the longest game in the 27-year history of the A-10 tourney, and also is the longest game in GW history. Eizen entered the game with the Colonials trailing 5-1, in the 7th inning. He drew a walk in a pinch hit appearance, that helped lead to a run, cutting the lead to 5-2. The Colonials scored in the 8th, and trailed 5-3. With one out in the top of the 9th, Eizen, a right-handed batter, singled down the right-field line. His day was over, as a pinch-runner entered, and eventually scored, as GW tied the game at 5. They played until the 17th, when sophomore leftfielder Charlie Kruer (Old Bridge, NJ) homered to win the game. GW had knocked out the Nos. 4, 3 and 1 seeds in consecutive contests at the tournament. Seeking to eliminate its fourth team for the fourth straight game, GWU saw its record-setting run come to an end with a 9-2 loss to second-seeded St. Bonaventure.

Hometown Philly Win Leaders (thru May 28)

11 - Michael Antonini, GA College & State jr (O'Hara)

9 - Frank Gailey, West Chester jr (Carroll)

8 - Joe Matteo, Lehigh soph (Germantown Academy)

6 - Matt Daley, Gwynedd-Mercy jr (Roman)

Hometown Philly Strikeout Leaders (thru May 28)

90 - Dan Waters, LaSalle jr (LaSalle HS)

84 - Frank Gailey, West Chester jr (Carroll)

74 - Scott Beard, Elizabethtown sr (LaSalle HS)

67 - Bill Loskiewictz, Kutztown sr (Neumann-Goretti)

Previous Winners:
Co-Player (May 21) FRANK GAILEY, West Chester (Carroll)

Co-Player (May 21) GARY STRICKER, Kutztown (Conwell-Egan)
Player (May 14) JOE MATTEO - Lehigh (Germantown Academy)
Player (May 7) ANTHONY CAPELLA - Gwynedd-Mercy (Roman)
Player (April 30) JOE MATTEO - Lehigh (Germantown Academy)
Player (April 23) AARON GREENFIELD - Penn State (Penn Charter)
Player (April 16) PETE VERNON - William & Mary (Germantown Academy)
Player (April 9) FRANK GAILEY - West Chester (Carroll)
Player (April 2) GARY STRICKER - Kutztown (Conwell-Egan)
Player (March 26) MATT DALEY - Gwynedd-Mercy (Roman)
Player (March 19) ANTHONY CAPELLA - Gwynedd-Mercy (Roman)
Player (March 12) BRIAN CAMPBELL - Widener (O'Hara)
Player (March 5) FRANK NUNAN - Temple (Bonner)

Rookie (May 21) MARK SHIMROCK - Middlebury College (Germantown Academy)
Rookie (May 14) CARMEN DEL MASTRO - Temple (Roman)
Rookie (May 7) JOSH RICKARDS- Marist (O'Hara)
Rookie (April 30) KEVIN WARD - Bloomsburg (Bonner)
Rookie (April 23) KEVIN WARD - Bloomsburg (Bonner)
Rookie (April 16) JOE ROSATI - Villanova (Episcopal)
Rookie (April 9) MIKE PENNINGTON - DeSales (La Salle HS)
Rookie (April 2) BRANDON CUFF - Lincoln U (Germantown)
Rookie (March 26) MATT CATANIA - Dickinson (O'Hara)
Rookie (March 19) BRANDON O'MALLEY - Philadelphia U (Northeast)
Rookie (March 12) TYLER STAMPONE - Holy Cross (Germantown Academy)
Rookie (March 5) ANDREW REYNOLDS - Eastern U (Central)

Hometown Philly's Baseball Players of the Week
for week ending May 21, 2006
FRANK GAILEY, West Chester and GARY STRICKER. Kutztown
For the first time season, there are co-players of the week. Frank Gailey was chosen for his two wins in three days, sending West Chester to their first-ever College World Series. Kutztown lost to West Chester in the regional final, despite a heroic effort from Gary Stricker during the tournament.

FRANK GAILEY

WEST CHESTER (CARROLL) 5'11" 185 lbs
JUNIOR LEFT-HANDED PITCHER - PHILADELPHIA, PA

Frank turned in a complete-game effort in a 9-5 win against Shepherd University in the opening round of the NCAA Division II North Atlantic Regional in Institute, WV. Gailey went the distance for the 7th time this season, and for the 13th time in his career.

In the clincher on Sunday, Frank earned another win, throwing 8 innings, allowing 3 earned runs, and striking out 11 in West Chester�s 14-3 romp over Kutztown. On the season, Gailey is 9-3 with a 3.23 ERA. With one more win, he can equal the school�s single-season record with 10 victories.

The Golden Rams captured their first North Atlantic Region Championship, and advanced to the NCAA D-2 College World Series for the first time in school history. West Chester will be one of eight teams vying for the National title in Montgomery, Alabama. Their first game will be Saturday against Montevallo (Alaska). Game time: 6:33pm.

GARY STRICKER

KUTZTOWN (CONWELL-EGAN) 5'11" 185 lbs
SENIOR SHORTSTOP - CROYDON, PA

Named player of the week for the second time this season, Gary Stricker stepped up big-time in the NCAA Division II North Atlantic Regional at West Virginia State. Although West Chester eliminated Kutztown, Stricker had quite a tournament. He hit safely in all 6 games with a .450 average (9-20). He clubbed 3 homers, giving him 6 for the season. Stricker had 10 RBI, scored 7 runs, and had an other-worldly 1.000 slugging pct. He played well in the field, taking part in 5 of the Golden Bears' 6 double plays turned against Ohio Valley in a 7-0 opening round win. Gary finished the season with a 12-game hit streak. Below are some breakdowns:

12-Game Hit Streak  .459, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 17 H
Season (56 games)    .281, 6 HR, 34 RBI, 43 H
First 39 Games         .210, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 22 H
Last 17 Games         .438, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 21 H

Honorable Mention:

Will Romanowicz, Stetson soph (Malvern) first career victory, 9-2, against South Florida: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. Hatters season record: 34-22, 16-14 Atlantic Sun Conference. Next up: A-Sun Tourney (Stetson won it in 2005).

Dan Waters, LaSalle jr (LaSalle HS) Earned 4th win of season, beating Temple, 12-2...7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K.

Dan has 90 strikeouts this season, the second highest in a single year at LaSalle.

Bill Loskiewictz, Kutztown sr (Neumann-Goretti) Pitched in 3 games of NCAA regional, earning the win against then 5th-ranked West Virginia State. In that game, Bill went 4.2 IP in relief. Season: 5-3, 4.18 ERA, 64.2 IP, 67 K

Sean Grieve, William & Mary soph (Germantown Academy)

Started season finale against Georgia State: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, Win

Hometown Philly's Baseball Rookie of the Week
for week ending May 21, 2006
MARK SHIMROCK

MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE (GERMANTOWN ACADEMY) 6'4" 210 lbs
FRESHMAN 1B/DH - LANSDALE, PA

The preceding week, this Vermont-based school won their first-ever New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championship, and earned the automatic NCAA Tournament bid. The Panthers were eliminated after four games in the NCAAs. Mark hit safely in those games, batting .353 (6-17), with a double and 3 RBI. For the season, he hit .342, but that was only 7th best on a team that had a collective .361 average, which ranked 5th in the nation in the latest stats. Middlebury won a team record 26 games, including its first two wins in NCAA Tournament history.

Honorable Mention:

Christopher David, Kutztown (Conwell-Egan) pitched twice against West Chester in the NCAA Division II North Atlantic Regionals. On Thursday, he struck out the only batter he faced. In the deciding game on Sunday, Chris relieved in the 3rd inning, trailing 3-0. He was able to get out of a two-on, two-out situation, and kept the game close for the next three innings. Kutztown could not take advantage offensively, and West Chester exploded for 10 runs in the last 4 innings, to win going away, 14-3, and advance to the D-2 World Series.

Carmen Del Mastro, Temple (Roman) went 3-for-10, with a run and a pair of sac bunts in Temple's series against LaSalle. Hit .368 over last two weeks, to finish season with a .238 average.

John Coyle, Temple (O'Hara) came in as a pinch hitter in season finale against LaSalle and hit a 3-run double to right-center. It was part of a 6-run 8th inning.

Home Runs Last Week:
Gary Stricker (4, 5, 6), Kutztown (Conwell-Egan)
Hometown Philly Special of the Week: FINAL WORD ON ADOPTED OUT-OF-REGION TEAM

West Chester advanced to the final eight teams in the D-2 World Series. They were almost joined by Georgia College & State University. Chris Calciano's Bobcats reached the South Atlantic Regional Tournament championship game, before bowing to Francis Marion University (SC). GCSU finished with a 53-12 record, and were ranked 7th in the latest polls (dropped from #2). Michael Antonini, a junior LHP from Cardinal O'Hara, finished with an 11-1 record and a 2.93 ERA in 16 appearances. Michael may be on some team's wish list in the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft in June. We'll keep you posted.

Hometown Philly Home Run Leaders (thru May 21)

6 - Kevin Ward, Bloomsburg fr (Bonner)

6 - Gary Stricker, Kutztown sr (Conwell-Egan)

4 - Jim Gillin, Villanova jr (Carroll)

Hometown Philly Current Hit Streak Leaders (thru May 21)

15 - Mike Pennington, DeSales fr (LaSalle HS)

12 - Gary Stricker, Kutztown sr (Conwell-Egan)

8 - Frank Nunan, Temple soph (Bonner)

Hometown Philly On-Base Pct Leaders (thru May 21)

.523 - Brian Campbell, Widener jr (O'Hara)

.492 - Andrew Reynolds, Eastern fr (Central)

.478 - Duane Wyse, Lincoln U soph (West Catholic)

Previous Winners:
Player (May 14) JOE MATTEO - Lehigh (Germantown Academy)
Player (May 7) ANTHONY CAPELLA - Gwynedd-Mercy (Roman)
Player (April 30) JOE MATTEO - Lehigh (Germantown Academy)
Player (April 23) AARON GREENFIELD - Penn State (Penn Charter)
Player (April 16) PETE VERNON - William & Mary (Germantown Academy)
Player (April 9) FRANK GAILEY - West Chester (Carroll)
Player (April 2) GARY STRICKER - Kutztown (Conwell-Egan)
Player (March 26) MATT DALEY - Gwynedd-Mercy (Roman)
Player (March 19) ANTHONY CAPELLA - Gwynedd-Mercy (Roman)
Player (March 12) BRIAN CAMPBELL - Widener (O'Hara)
Player (March 5) FRANK NUNAN - Temple (Bonner)

Rookie (May 14) CARMEN DEL MASTRO - Temple (Roman)
Rookie (May 7) JOSH RICKARDS- Marist (O'Hara)
Rookie (April 30) KEVIN WARD - Bloomsburg (Bonner)
Rookie (April 23) KEVIN WARD - Bloomsburg (Bonner)
Rookie (April 16) JOE ROSATI - Villanova (Episcopal)
Rookie (April 9) MIKE PENNINGTON - DeSales (La Salle HS)
Rookie (April 2) BRANDON CUFF - Lincoln U (Germantown)
Rookie (March 26) MATT CATANIA - Dickinson (O'Hara)
Rookie (March 19) BRANDON O'MALLEY - Philadelphia U (Northeast)
Rookie (March 12) TYLER STAMPONE - Holy Cross (Germantown Academy)
Rookie (March 5) ANDREW REYNOLDS - Eastern U (Central)

Hometown Philly's Baseball Player of the Week
for week ending May 14, 2006
JOE MATTEO
LEHIGH (GERMANTOWN ACADEMY) 6'1" 185 lbs
SOPHOMORE PITCHER - FORT WASHINGTON, PA
For the second time in three weeks, Lehigh's Joe Matteo was named Hometown Philly's Baseball Player of the Week. The soph righthander pitched a complete game five-hit shutout against Bucknell, as Lehigh won their first-ever Patriot League championship. Head coach Sean Leary, in his 11th season, will guide the Mountain Hawks in their first NCAA tournament appearance in school history.

In the championship clincher, Joe recorded 7 strikeouts and didn't walk a batter, en route to his 7th win, which is second best in the league. Navy's Mitch Harris, a super soph from Mt. Holly, NC, led the Patriot League with 10 wins and 113 strikeouts. Matteo has been riding a hot streak, and is receiving notice for his accomplishments. Among his recent awards are All-Patriot League Second Team, College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll, and Patriot League Tournament co-MVP (along with teammate/senior pitcher Kyle Collina).

The Germantown Academy graduate has been aided by splendid defense in this championship season, and has come to rely on his middle infielders. Lehigh has been among league leaders in double plays turned. Joe's turnaround this season - First 7 games: 2-3, 5.34 ERA...Last 6 games: 5-0, 2.83 ERA...Last 3 games: 3-0, 0.78 ERA...Season: 7-3, 3.93 ERA.

Lehigh will play Ivy League champion Princeton in a home-and-home two-game series on May 27-28, in preparation for the NCAA Tournament. Specifics will be announced shortly concerning the NCAA Regionals which get underway on June 2.

Honorable Mention:

Aaron Greenfield, Penn State sr (Penn Charter) went on an offensive tear, hitting in all 5 games last week: .647 avg (11-17), double, HR (4th of season), 3 runs, 3 walks, 2 RBI. Greenfield's first 15 games: .118, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 hits...last 19 games: .434, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 23 hits.
Tom Dolan, Temple soph (Ryan) As left fielder: hit safely in 3 games, as starting pitcher: allowed just 3 hits 7 innings and left with 5-3 lead (Owls lost to St. Bona 6-5)
John Reifsnyder, LaSalle sr (LaSalle HS) 2 scoreless relief appearances: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K (24 app. this season)

Pete Vernon, William & Mary soph (Germantown Academy) pitched 2.1 shutout innings in middle relief as the Tribe beat Sacred Heart. Pete picked up the win, improving his record to 4-1. His 29 appearances leads the CAA.

Hometown Philly's Baseball Rookie of the Week
for week ending May 14, 2006
CARMEN DEL MASTRO