By Paul Gotham
The Webster Yankees have been in existence just three years, but the New York Collegiate Baseball League team has seen plenty of talent.
Add University of Massachusetts-Lowell’s Dustin Ramey and Luke Wallace to the list of Yankee alums finding success after playing for Webster in the NYCBL.
Ramey and Wallace both earned Northeast-10 All-Conference honors. This came despite a disappointing season for the Riverhawks.
Ramey led the Riverhawk pitching staff in wins (7), starts (10) and innings pitched (69.2). The right-hander tossed two complete games, including a three-hit shutout at New Haven University. Ramey finished the season 7-4 with an ERA of 2.07 and nearly a four to one strikeout to walk ratio.
“You don’t want to nibble around the plate in a wood bat league,” said Ramey. “Coach (Ken Harring) encourages us to throw strikes.”
UMass-Lowell finished 27-19 with seven of the losses coming by two runs or less.
“We tied for the last playoff spot in the conference and lost on a tiebreaker,” added Ramey. “We were 9-1 on our trip to Florida. Next year is going to be pretty good.”
Wallace started 45 games in the outfield. The Yorktown Heights, New York native hit .281 with 20 extra-base hits including five home runs and 20 RBI.
The duo played with Webster in 2008. In 31.2 stanzas of work Ramey fanned 29 and walked 9. Less than a year and half removed from “Tommy John” surgery to replace the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, Ramey went on to lead the club with four victories. Webster fans watched as Ramey pitched in a game for the first time since the procedure. Wallace led the ’08 club with three home runs.
Bryant Guilmette leads a quartet from UMass-Lowell coming to Webster this summer. Guilmette came out of the bullpen for the Yankees last season. He struck out 26 and walked six in 25 innings of work. He will be joined by teammates Monte Morrocco, Nick Bonofiglio and Taylor Robinson.
Riverhawk coach, Ken Harring, and Webster head coach, Dave Brust, played together professionally in the Atlanta Braves’ system. The two coaches played under Grady Little on the Durham Bulls.
Former Webster Yankees, Pat Urckfitz, Bryan Gardner, Adam Perlo, Steve Muoio, Gary Helmick and Jason Stifler have all gone on to success after the NYCBL. Urckfitz pitches in the Houston Astros’ system with the Lancaster Jethawks of the Class A-advanced California League. Gardner was taken by the Cincinnati Reds in the MLB draft. Perlo plays with Ponte Di Piave of the Serie A-2 league in Italy. Muoio’s Georgia College Bobcats qualified for the D2 college World Series. Helmick and Stifler play for the Delmarva Shorebirds of the Class A South Atlantic League.
Webster’s 2010 home opener is set for Sunday, June sixth when the Alfred Thunder comes to town. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Basket Road Field. Webster Athletic Association Baseball will partake in Opening Day ceremonies with the Yankees.
I really hope to follow through this year and get to see a Webster game. Collegiate baseball, especially the summer league, seems like a throwback I would truly enjoy. I loved “The Last Best League”. Made me want to see Cape Cod League ball, but another not-followed-through dream.
Pete,
We look forward to having you out to a game. YOu can find the schedule here: https://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=WEBSTERYANKEES&t=c&s=baseball&p=schedule
Make sure to stop by the “press box.”