GENEVA, NY – Roberto’s Kids sent eight to the plate a in five-run first and held on to defeat The Second Impact, 8-7 in the 2013 New York Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game at McDonough Park.
Hornell’s Sean McCracken (Southern Nevada) capped the opening-inning outburst with a two-run blast to center. Oneonta’s Brian Kraft (Grand Canyon) started the scoring with an RBI hit to drive in Alex Caruso (Syracuse Jr. Chiefs/St. John’s). Wellsville’s Aaron Brill (Felician) brought home teammate, Scott DeJong (Felician) with a sacrifice fly, and Kraft eventually scored on an error.
Roberto’s Kids looked to run away with the game in the second when DeJong doubled to right center in plating Caruso and Nick Sinay (University of Buffalo).
But the team from Second Impact refused to wilt.
Mike DeCarr (Syracuse Salt Cats/SUNY Cortland) reached on an infield single, and Niagara’s Ben Pickard (Delta St.) delivered with an RBI double to center for a 7-1 score in the third.
Roberto’s Kids avoided any further damage when Stanley Susana (Syracuse Jr. Chiefs/St. Thomas Aquinas) made a spectacular catch in shallow left field. The third baseman tracked down a flare off the bat of Carlos Guzman (Syracuse Salt Cats/Molloy) just inside foul line and with his back to the plate took away a sure run-scoring hit.
The Second Impact cut the lead to two in the fifth.
Guzman doubled down the right field line off Michael Bittel (Syracuse Jr. Chiefs/Seton Hill) to start the inning. Daniel Iturrey (Emory) walked and both advanced on an errant pick-off attempt. Wellsville’s Dave DeWolfe (Francis Marion) doubled home a run. Kirby Campbell (Geneva Twins/Arkansas Pine Bluff) brought home a run with ground ball to the right side of the infield, and Niagara’s Perry Rigby (Covenant) singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch, and The Second Impact trailed 8-6.
The Second Impact pushed one more across in the ninth on Rigby RBI single, but Olean’s Derek Vail (Sante Fe CC) came on and shut the door for the save.
Ryan Clark (Syracuse Jr. Chiefs/UNC-Greensboro) started and picked up the win.
Rigby went 4-5 with an RBI and two runs scored to claim the Most Valuable Player award.
Kraft earned the Bob Bellizzi Big Stick award. The Oneonta outfielder went 2-4 with a double, an RBI, two runs scored and a walk.
Susana earned the Tom Kenney Gold Glove honor.
The gratitude of all in attendance went out to the Geneva staff who made it possible to play the All Star game. After hometown favorite Andrew Gronski (Case Western Reserve) led off the Home Run Derby, the skies opened and unleashed a deluge on the Big Mac.
By the time the rains subsided, puddles covered more than half the infield. Playing the game looked to next impossible. The grounds crew headed by the combined Geneva coaching staffs, Ross Trachtenberg, Nick Callahan, Andy Weeks, Joe Kruemmer, Rob Passalacqua, Beau Smith and Chris Baker along with Kyle Conklin, Jimmy Robbins and Paul Failing worked feverishly to prepare the field for play.
After an hour of work, first pitch went on as scheduled.
Gronski, the only Home Run Derby participant to swing a bat, connected three times in the first round to claim the 2013 title.
More than 25 scouts from Major League Baseball were in attendance Tuesday including MLB’s Scouting Bureau Director, Don Kohler. Players participated in the 60 yard dash, catcher throw downs, outfield throws, infield throws from the left and right side, pitching and batting practice.
Founded by Oneonta Outlaws president and general manager, Steve Pindar, Roberto’s Kids strives to develop social responsibility through baseball. Named after MLB Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente, Roberto’s Kids works to provide equipment to needy children throughout North and Central America. With the endorsement of the Clemente family, Roberto’s Kids has overseen numerous drives and collections since 1999.
The Second Impact is dedicated to increasing awareness of the risks involving double impact brain injuries. Geneva Red Wings and Twins strength and conditioning coach, RayCiancaglini, a former prize fighter, founded The Second Impact after he was diagnosed with Dementia Pugilistica – a neurological disorder common among career boxers and others who receive numerous blows to the head. Good Morning America did a feature on Ciancaglini.
Naming the teams after these two organizations was the brainchild of league secretary and Hornell Dodgers general manager, Paul Welker.
Geneva’s Bill McIntyre provided the Public Address throughout the entire day.
Dual broadcast teams covered the day’s events. Geneva’s Rob Greissinger, Andrew Grella and Andrew Rosenberg provided play-by-play, commentary, in box interviews and on the field coverage.
The Syracuse Salt Cats’ team of Tom Goslowski and Justin Lada also provided play-by-play along with detailed coverage of the MLB Skills work.
NYCBL media members Alicia Daddario and Sonny Goldbaum filmed the day’s events for a forthcoming video.
Dan and Margaret Hickling photographed the events.
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