PLATTSBURGH, NY –  Two of the top pitchers in the league faced off today in Plattsburgh during the home opener and debut of the newest franchise of the Empire League and the defending Champions spoiled the RedBirds debut.

Drue Bravo, one of the top pitchers in the league and ace of the Explorers , pitched a complete game shutout to spoil the RedBirds opener allowing just 5 hits. Dimitri Nunez was not far behind as he went 7 innings and continues his streak of 1 run loss games. Nunez set an Empire League record as he was unlucky to lose 7 one run  games and that continued today as the Redbirds lost 1-0.

An amazing opener for the newest franchise of the Empire League  although the RedBirds came short. It was also a historical day as first year manager Jim Hayes has earned his first victory in his professional career.

This historical night will go down as one of the most historical opening days in Empire League history.

The RedBirds take the field tomorrow for game 2 of the season and will also play the postponed game following game 2. Tomorrows start time is 1pm and game two will begin at 330pm as this will be two 7 inning games.

For Tickets visit redbirdsprobaseball.com

Article By Empire Media

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME –  Puerto  Rico made history today by defeating the Old Orchard Beach Surge by the score of  12-3. It was the Islanders first win as a franchise.

The Puerto Rico Islanders started the game with  1 run in the top of the 1st inning  by a double from Matthew Martinez that drove in Kyle Schade. But that lead did not last long as Mike Davis belted another Home Run in the bottom of the 1st  but this time a 3-Run shot over the left center wall.

Dominic Severino (0-1) pitched 4 excellent innings before giving up 5 runs in the top of the 5th with a couple of errors added to it.  Wendell Flonarus (1-0) pitched 5 fantastic innings  before reaching a 97 pitch count which left it up to the Islanders bullpen and the bullpen shut down Surge hitters for the remaining of the game.

Wendell becomes the first Pitcher in the Puerto Rico Islanders history with a win. He had 6 strike outs and the difference was the 7 walks he issued to Surge Batters. He was still able to get out of innings and keep a close game before the Islanders exploded in the  top of the 5th.

Darren Lauer pitched 3 shutout inning in relief to before handing the ball over to Nick Kevlin who finished the Game. Surge Relief struggled to find the zone breaking the game open.

Puerto Rico finished with 10 total hits  while the Surge had 5 with Gevon Jackson having 2 of those as well as the big fly from Mike Davis, his second of the season, in the second game and second consecutive game with a Homer. He now leads the Empire League with 2.

The Islanders added 6 runs to the struggling Surge Bullpen in route to a 12-3 final.

Article By Empire Media

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME –  Late inning rally lifts Old Orchard Beach Surge over  the Puerto Rico Islanders on the Islanders first game as a franchise.

Puerto Rico took an early 1-0 lead when Surge Pitcher Erik Mozeika pegged  Michael Heller to score  Taran Tani.  Surge came back to tie it  in the bottom of the fourth inning when  Mike Davis blasted a 425ft solo Home Run  over the left field wall.

The game stayed tied until the 6th inning when the islanders got two runners on base with 2 outs and Shortstop Taran Tani singled up the middle to give the Islanders the lead.

Islanders Starting Pitcher Fabian Feliciano was pulled   in the 7th inning after a lead off walk to Kevin Putkonen which started a rally for the Surge. Mike Davis stayed hot with his 3rd hit of the game  and it was it for the Islanders as the Surge scored 5 runs in the 7th to take a 6-2 lead.

The Surge brought in Axel Cruz in the 7th and 8th inning who shut the islanders down and then Cosme Zapata closed it out for the first victory of the season.

Mike Davis was the player of the games as he goes 3 for 3 with a HR , BB, 2 Runs and 1 RBI. Axel Cruz gets the victory for the Surge while Cosme Zapata gets the save. A No decision for Erik Mozeika.

“We made some mistakes early in the game but made up for it in the later part of the game. Our pitching from Erik to Axel to closer Cosme was just fantastic tonight. We came together at the end and earned a victory” – Pascual Santiago

Next game is Saturday  night as the  Surge take on the Islanders for the 2nd of 5 game series. Tickets are on sale at oobsurgebaseball.com

Article By Empire Media

GEORGETOWN, DE – Empire League players will now have their stats posted through the official source of major league baseball statistics system which is Baseball-reference.

Congratulations to all players in Empire League history who will Now have their personal statistical data profiles published online by Baseball Reference. The official Professional Baseball creditor by certified statistics for MLB, and MiLB is now the official statistics publisher of the Empire League. We are proud to join the elite group of Professional Baseball Leagues Worldwide!

It is a great achievement for players to be legitimately considered  professional baseball players by the most important source of recognition and it is also great for the league to join all the other major elite professional leagues in the world whose information is published via baseball-reference.

“I think this is one of the most important assets to a professional baseball league that is about helping players.  Scouts research baseball-reference before looking at players and to have our players on baseball-reference is a huge  help to the players in the Empire League” – Jerry Gonzalez

Article by Empire Media

TAMPA, FL –  Angel Flores  has been named  a scouting executive for the Empire League.

Angel Flores was a right handed catcher and outfield with over 11 years of professional baseball experience including 6 years in Independent professional baseball.  He was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 46th round of the 2003 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Petra Corretser High School.

He comes to the Empire League with a  great independent professional baseball  network capability. He is a great addition to the Empire league Staff.