OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME – The Explorers get their first win of the second half against first place Surge in an excellent outing by Explorers starter Billy Felo.

 

Felo started for the Explorers and went 6 innings of work allowing just 5 hits and no runs while striking out 1 batter. Joe Macks came in relief and pitched  3 innings  finishing the game with 2 runs allowed on 2 hits.

 

Casey Cannon started for the Surge and was not himself as he allowed  only 1 earned run out of 7 that scored. That’s right, 7 total runs given up for Cannon but only 1 was earned as defense made several mistakes  scoring several runs per mistake.

 

Luc Pomales led  the game offensively with  2 hits including a big blast to left center field. Luc added a double and 3 RBIs.  Brian Wirth also a main  part of the offense as he had 4 RBIs and 2 hits.

 

Gevon Jackson had 2 of the 5 total hits the Surge had in the game. He belted a solo homer  over the left field wall as well as a double.

 

Old Orchard Beach Surge moves to (3-1) while the Sullivan Explorers improve to (1-3) for the second half.

 

Next Game is to be played tomorrow night at 6:30pm at  The Ballpark in OOB.

 

Article by Empire Media

PLATTSBURGH, NY – Coaches picks for final roster spots in this years All Star Game have been filled. Christian Nazario-Cruz and Will Ramos to enter All Star Game.

Every year, the Empire League chooses 21 out of 22 of the best players of each division (East and West) to form an All Star team to compete in the leagues All Star Game.

Players are selected by the league except the final spot for each division. That final spot belongs to a player that deserves to be in the All Star Game but didn’t quite beat out the starter of his position.

This year, fan favorite Christian Nazario-Cruz of the Plattsburgh RedBirds was chosen for the West Side and Will Ramos of the Puerto Rico Islanders was chosen for the East Side. Both men will finalize the All Star Game rosters as the last series before the break ends.

All Star festivities begin Sunday, June 30th at 1:00pm as the 12 HR Derby participants take the field followed by the All Star Game at 3:30pm. Gates open at 11:00pm.

Tickets can be purchased at empireproleague.com > All Star Game link or at the gate on Sunday.

Article by Empire Media

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME –  Surge have come together to win their third straight game and stay undefeated in the second half.

Surge starter Eric Mozeika was very dominant topping out at 91 mph.  Mozeika tossed 6 innings of work giving up 2 earned runs on 4 hits while striking out 7 Islanders.

The Surge had a great offensive night with 5 of their hitters having multiple hits. Putkonen, Franklin, Jackson, Simpson, and Diaz all had 2 hits. Edgar Lebron only had one hit but it was a big monster 2-run Home Run over the left center wall.

Mark Lesinski started for the Islanders and pitched 6.2 innings of work giving up 6 runs on 10 hits  and 2 strikeouts.

The Islanders were lead offensively by shortstop Jacob Cordero and Mitchell Lake in which both had a pair of hits.

The Surge outscored the Islanders 9-5 and also out hit the Islanders 13-8.  Kevin Phelps and Nathaniel Leon were solid out of the bullpen in their combined 3 innings of work.

Islanders are now (1-1) in the second half and Surge extend their winning streak to 3 and are (2-0) to start off in the second half.

Next Game is tomorrow at 6:30pm at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach where the Surge will introduce their newest member of the team in Surgio the Mascot. For tickets and more click on the tickets link.

Article by Empire Media

PLATTSBURGH, NY –  The Empire league announces  the 2017 All Star Game participants.

The teams will be divided into two divisions, east and west. Sullivan Explorers and Plattsburgh RedBirds will represent the West side and Puerto Rico Islanders and Old Orchard Beach Surge will represent the East.

The West will  be managed by first half champions manager Joe Winkelsas of the  Plattsburgh RedBirds and assisted by Sullivan Explorers manager John Kazarian.

The East will be managed by Old Orchard Beach manager Pascual Santiago and assisted by Puerto Rico Islanders manager Dalphie Correa.

Representing the West team is:

1. C Luis Touron
2. C Brian Brademan
3. 1B Johnny Cole
4. 2B Raul Shah
5. 3B Luc Pomales
6. SS Brandon Young
7. OF Samuel Carter
8. OF Cole Easley
9. OF Kenneth Collins
10. UT Tarik El-Abour
11. UT  Joe Fiorino
12. UT  Josh Martinez

Pitchers:  Dimitri Nunez, Drue Bravo, Scott Hall, Phillip Richmond, Wendell Floranus, Matthew Doxter,  William Felo,  Damian Boyum, Harry Ferguson

Manager: Joe Winkelsas  Assistant: John Kazarian

Representing the East team is:

1.   C Jake Simpson
2.   C Dioni Rodriguez
3. 1B Kevin Putkonen
4. 2B Jake Walters
5. 3B Andres Arroyo
6. SS Jacob Cordero
7. OF Mike Davis
8. OF Gevon Jackson
9. OF Matt Martinez
10. UT Michael Heller
11. UT Kyle Schade
12. UT Edgar Lebron Jr

Pitchers:  Fabian Feliciano, Darren Lauer, Casey Cannon, Eric Mozeika, Mark Lesinski, Matt Picucci, Kevin Phelps, Kurtis Hultz, Brendan Henriquez

Manager: Pascual Santiago  Assistant: Dalphie Correa

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME –  The Old Orchard Beach Surge swept the double header today against the first place RedBirds who have already clinched the first half.

In Game one, last game of the first half, the Surge defeated the RedBirds by a score of 3-0. Matt Picucci has proven to be a top Pitcher in the league and for the Surge as he tossed a complete game shutout against top prospect Matti Doexter and the RedBirds. That’s Picucci 3rd victory of the season.  He struck out 11 batters while only allowing 3 hits and one walk.

Matti Doxter went 5 innings and allowed 3 earned on 7 hits while walking 6 batters and pegging one.

Parker Frankling had a day joining teammate Sebastian Diaz who has been on fire for the Surge with two hits each.

Game two would be the Surge first game of the second half while it was the last of the first half for the RedBirds. Wendell Floranus tossed a 5 great innings allowing just  one earned run. 3 hits and striking out 4 batters.

Casey Cannon started for the Surge and nearly pitched a complete game coming out of the game in the top of the 7th after giving up what would be the game tying run with two outs.  Cannon pitched 6.2 innings giving up 2 earned runs on 5 hits and striking out 7 batters.

The Surge were led offensively by Kevin Putkonen who went 2 for 2 with an RBI double  and intentionally walked twice. However, Parker Frankling had his day with a walk-off single to left in the bottom of the 7th off RedBirds pitcher Harry Ferguson to score Edgar Lebron and take the first game of the second half for the Surge.

Both teams square off again tomorrow night at the Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach for a double header at 3:30pm and 6:30pm.

Article by Empire Media