Baseball Fall Review
HERKIMER, NY - Herkimer is finishing up their fall season where they have competed against some of the top four year programs in the state hitting at a clip of .336 with 13 homeruns for the team this fall. Herkimer baseball had a record breaking year in 2014 winning their 4th Region III Championship, capturing its 8th conference championship and finishing 3rd at the NJCAA World Series shattering the wins record with 41 wins. Over 20 transfers and recruits join the Generals for the upcoming 2015 season.
Leading that group is eight sophomore transfers led by freshman All-American LHP Pat Merryweather (Baldwinsville, NY). Merryweather went 9-0 last season with a 1.25 ERA and is joined by his former teammates Jacob Shortslef (Hannibal, NY), Brandon Nylin (Pleasant Valley, NY), and Chris Rave (Middletown, NY). RHP Shortslef, a DII Lynn University recruit, was first-team All Region last season when he went 7-0 with a 1.80 ERA. RHP Nylin went 5-3 with a 1.27 ERA and catcher Chris Rave was a 2nd team All Region selection when he hit .380 with 9 doubles, 2 homeruns, and 42 RBI's. St. John's University recruit LHP Joe Nellis (Johnstown, NY) was a redshirt last season but is a highly touted division one recruit with his 90-93 MPH fastball. LHP Marcus Failing (Fort Plain, NY) is another power arm with an upper 80's fastball who is coming off a strong summer for the South Troy Dodgers. RHP Chad Sinko (Cohoes, NY) went 2-2 with 14 strikeouts in 19 innings on the mound last year.
Infielder Christian Malave (Milford, CT) is a Division I redshirt transfer who is from Milford, Connecticut and was a highly recruited player by Herkimer during his Junior and Senior year. Jake Rouse (Milford, CT) who is also from Milford is a switch hitting outfielder who has a bright future in the program. Infielder Mike Bastis (South Windsor, CT) is the third player from Connecticut to join the Generals program this year.
Atlanta Braves made shortstop Pat Dorrian (Kingston, NY) the 12th player taken by the team in this year's major league draft. Dorrian joins the Generals baseball program to start his career as a college student-athlete. Dorian's athleticism has him as a two sport athlete here competing in basketball as well.
Former Averill Park standout Greg Hotaling (Averill Park, NY) adds some quality depth to the team with his ability to play every position on the field at a high level. 1B Peter Rumora (Palisades Park, NJ) is a big strong hitter and will provide depth at the corner. 2013 Class B 1st team All State outfielder Chris Pindar (Oneonta, NY) joins the Generals team with his big bat to add depth to a strong core of returning players in the outfield. Brandon Roberts (Newport, NY) and Brendan Koutnik (Montrose, NY) have added depth in the infield this fall. Adam Nell (Verona, NY) is a big power hitting prospect working a new spot in the outfield this fall.
Nick Whalen (New Hartford, NY), Stephen Cardiello (Northport, NY), Joseph Gagliano (West Milford, NJ), Joey Butler (Ballston Lake, NY) and TJ Carola (Hicksville, NY) are all freshman pitchers looking to make their impact in the program.
Herkimer returns a few key pieces of last year's team. Leading that group is All American shortstop Tyler Phillips (Hancock, NY). 1st team All Region catcher John Boland (Rinebeck, NY) returns and with the addition of Rave gives the Generals the best 2 catchers in the region from last year on the same team this year. Boland is hitting .490 this fall with 9 doubles and Rave is .532 with 7 doubles, 3 triples, and 2 homeruns. Phillips double play partner and leadoff hitter from last year Matt Lichtman (Smithtown, NY) returns.
Eric Downey (Albany, NY) will move from his DH spot to RF and share time with Tom Carrigan (Niskayuna, NY). Tashi Terashima (Tokyo, Japan) who is hitting .463 this fall, will take on a fulltime role this year in centerfield.
Mike Harrington (Glens Falls, NY) and Will Apps (Syracuse, NY) return to the mound after posting quality innings as freshman last year.