Herkimer Baseball Ranked 4th Nationally in Pre-Season Poll
Herkimer, NY—Herkimer County Community College baseball will start the 2011 season ranked #4 by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper after finishing 3rd at the 2010 NJCAA DIII World Series last year. This will be the fourth time in the last five years that Herkimer has been ranked in the newspaper’s preseason poll.
Captains Mike Scotellaro and Vinny Gaetano will lead a young group of talented recruits into the 2011 season. The Generals have added four Division I transfers in OF/RHP Willie Gabay (Austin Peay University), OF/RHP Hassan Evans (Binghamton University), C/RHP Matt Gaine (Jacksonville University), and OF Lewis Sebrell (University of Oregon).
Head Coach Jason Rathbun likes what he has seen leading up to the spring season. “We have had some players step up and help take on a leadership role on the field this fall, and in the weight room and classroom this winter. I like the work ethic they have displayed and look forward to our future,” Rathbun said.
Other key recruits for the season include Martin County, Florida standout 3B/RHP Brandon Overstreet. Overstreet comes from the same high school as two former All-Americans, Keith Hendricks (2007) and Brandon Jones (2010), and looks to be the third baseman and #3 hitter in the lineup. SS Tyler Hall and 2B Tyler Barhydt won the starting middle infield spots this fall with 2B Vinny Barbato and SS Kyle Parmenter adding some depth to the infield rotation.
Mike Scotellaro will hold down first base duties while Eric Verbickas and Ryan Corey will add depth at 1B and DH. Gaine will hold the starting catching duties with returning sophomore Luke Branch, while catcher Tim Whalen will add depth behind the plate. Evans will roam centerfield with Sebrell flanking him in right field and captain Vinny Gaetano in left field. “Justin Weakly and Gabay add depth to the outfield,” Rathbun said.
Complete rankings for the NJCAA Division III can be accessed at: http://www.baseballnews.com/polls/njcaa/currentpolldivIII.htm
