As part of my training for the "real world," I've taken up an internship with the Florida Collegiate Summer League. This is a wood bat league in central Florida. While it's not as famous as the Cape Cod League, it's growing in popularity. College players from the local area come to play and show how well they can handle the change from an aluminum bat to a wooden one.
There are six teams in the league, and I am responsible for the press releases of one of them: the Sanford River Rats. I haven't been able to contribute too much to At Home Plate or my blog since starting, so I hope that you will enjoy the only thing I have time to write: a weekly summary of just how my team is doing. Without any further ado, here it is.
The beginning of last week was not too good for the Sanford nine. Consecutive losses to the very hot Orlando Shockers dipped the team to new lows. However, the Rats finished on a high note to end the week. With victories over the Winter Pines Warthogs on Wednesday, Orlando Hammers on Friday, and Winter Park Diamond Dawgs on Saturday, momentum might be on their side and carry into next week.
“We’re right where we want to be, minus the injuries. Everyone is getting their innings and getting a chance to develop,” Head Coach Kenne Brown said after Thursday’s game against the Warthogs.
Those injuries have certainly been bothersome. Center fielder Chadd Hartman (University of Central Florida) has been out for over a week and a half with an unknown injury. His future will be determined on Tuesday, which is when he’s scheduled to have an MRI. The best case scenario is a pulled muscle in his abdomen, but sports hernia and hip flexor tendon troubles have been mentioned as well.
Another troublesome injury has been the one to starting pitcher Chris Smith (Ohio Dominican). After pitching ten innings in his first two starts, the American Mideast Conference Pitcher of the Year went down with tenderness in his arm. The right hander has been working hard to get back, throwing a medicine ball and running after every game. The coaching staff believes Smith will be ready for his next start.
Steve Miller (Princeton University) might have been one of those guys Coach Brown meant when he said players are getting a chance to develop. Smith’s injury allowed Miller to step into the rotation on Friday. Against the Hammers, the right hander threw six innings, allowing only one unearned run, while facing only two over the minimum.
The best development, however, might have come from true utility man Justin Young (Jacksonville University). The right hander began his pitching career last December and did a fine job in relief for the Dolphins this spring. However, JU coach Terry Alexander wants Young to start next year, so he has been thrown into the rotation for the River Rats this year. Making the second start of his baseball career, Young pitched seven innings against the Orlando Shockers, allowing only one earned run and striking out six.
Benji Waite (Samford University) recorded his fourth save of the year on Saturday night, which extended his lead for the River Rats single-season save record. Ryan Vaughn (Ohio Dominican) saved his second on Friday, which tied him for second place in the record book. Bill Bradley (Rollins College) was a valuable arm in the week that was, allowing only one earned run in five appearances.
In addition to some very strong pitching performances, the Rats received good production at the plate. Michael Marseco (Samford University) led the offense, batting .300 over six games, driving in six runs and scoring twice. Third baseman Vinny Cucci (University of Central Florida) came through several times when necessary, sparking rallies when the Rats needed some runs. He currently leads the team in hit by pitches with four. Daniel “DK” Kelley (Eckerd) was the difference maker on Friday night, scoring two runs in a 4-1 game.
Next week figures to be a tough one for the River Rats. On Tuesday, the Orlando Shockers come into town for Seminole County Sheriff’s Night. A trip to Winter Park on Wednesday against the Diamond Dawgs will be the only road game for the Rats this week. The Altamonte Springs Snappers, Orlando Hammers, and Orlando Shockers will come to town on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, respectively.
Daniel is an AtHomePlate blogger; to see his article archive, click here. If you have any non-fantasy baseball questions, please send an email to Daniel's mailbag at Daniel@athomeplate.com
