By Paul Gotham
Webster Yankee Coach Dave Brust knew he had assembled a talented baseball team. The New York Collegiate Baseball League agreed naming four of the home nine to all-league honors.
Michael Craig (St. John Fisher) earned first team recognition while Shawn Bailey (SUNY Cortland), Ollie Bertrand (Flager), and Steve Muoio (Georgia C&S) each grabbed a spot on the second team.
Bailey proved the third time is a charm leading the team in average (.325), hits (52), and stolen bases (14). “It has been great to watch Shawn develop over the past three years,” said Brust. “He really blossomed this year into one of the best players in the league. He made so many big plays for us.”
Having earned first-team honors last season, Muoio faced lofty expectations. “Steve did what he was supposed, and that wasn’t easy considering last season,” noted Brust. “He took a lot of walks because people were throwing around him. Despite that he developed his power and made several spectacular plays with his glove.”
Muoio led the way with 14 doubles and tied for the team lead with 15 extra base hits. The Webster native hit .324 with a .445 slugging percentage.
No one worked harder than Bertrand. With the pinstripes beset by injuries Bertrand caught the final six games of the season – including two double headers. The work load did not negatively affect Bertrand’s performance.
“Hands down, Ollie was the best catcher in the league,” commented Brust. “He has a professional understanding of the strike zone and how to call a game. Ollie was a great leader.”
Bertrand’s 28 walks topped all Yankee batters. The native of Quebec hit .305 and had an on-base percentage of .424.
Craig opened the season holding opponents without a run for 28 innings. “It was great to see Michael do so well,” said Brust. “He is credit to St. John Fisher and to D3 baseball. He handled some big time hitters this summer.”
Craig finished the season 5-1. His ERA 1.50 was good for fifth in the league. The right hander surrendered seven earned runs in 42 innings of work.
Only divisional winners Hornell and Amsterdam placed more players on the all-league teams.
You mean to tell me that Bailey hit .325, Is he better or is the league worse?
Ouch!
The league has steadily improved in the two years since you played. Not that this is a true gauge, but the number of players drafted from the league increases every year. If you get a chance, check out Saratoga’s lineup: https://www.nycbl.com/rosters/SaratogaPhillies_NumberRoster2009.pdf
And Hornell was just as good as them in the championship.
Shawn had a great season. Unofficially, he had 15 bunt singles. He’s done a good job of learning how to use the whole field. Add in his ability to bunt and you get .325.