By Paul Gotham
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — As a freshman Nick Sinay logged 24 games for Ron Torgalski’s UB Bulls. The 5-10 outfielder collected 14 singles in 50 at bats scoring six runs and driving in one.
Not bad numbers for a first-year player.
Through 28 games as a sophomore this season, the Marcellus, New York native has made 27 starts banging out 22 hits including three doubles and a home run while scoring 23 and driving in 13.
In between the two school years Sinay earned All-League honors with the Syracuse Jr. Chiefs of the New York Collegiate Baseball League.
“The NYCBL really helped me out,” Sinay commented Sunday after the Bulls completed a series sweep of the Western Michigan Broncos. “I got a lot of reps this past summer. I was playing every single day.”
Sinay hit .342 in 33 games for the Jr.Chiefs. The outfielder collected 10 extra-base hits, with 14 RBI and 29 runs scored.
“He got limited time with us last year,” Torgalski stated. “He took a huge step in the summer playing 30-some games and getting 100 at bats. It really helped him step his game up.”
Sinay strung together a ten-game hitting streak early in the NYCBL season and hit safely in seven straight later in the season helping the Jr. Chiefs to a 22-18 finish and their second consecutive appearance in the playoffs.
“I saw multiple pitchers,” Sinay noted. “Guys throwing in the 90s to guys mid 80s. It really helped me out. It got me ready for MAC play.”
Sinay knocked three hits in nine at bats over the weekend as UB swept Western Michigan. He worked four walks, stole two bases and scored five runs.
“He’s taken some big steps forward,” Torgalski said. “When Nick got here, he wasn’t as quick as he is. He wasn’t as strong as he is, but he made commitment to that, and he is one of the strongest guys on the team. It’s really helped his quickness It’s helped his whole game.”
“If he puts a ball in play, you’re not going to get him unless it’s hard hit right at you. He just makes things happen. The progress he’s made…he made himself better, made himself more physical, quicker playing all summer.”
Torgalski pointed to the situation the NYCBL creates allowing for a player’s development.
“You’re on a team with 25 guys they’re all there for the same reason. You’re there to work on your game. You’re there to lift weights. You’re there to run. You’re there to improve. When you’re in that type of environment, it can only help.”
Sinay is one of three current UB players to have spent a summer in the NYCBL. Thomas Richards and Mike Scarcello both helped the 2012 Olean Oilers reach the playoffs in the Oilers’ first year in existence.
“Summer leagues are huge for us to get the guys who don’t get a whole lot of time during the year and to get other guys in a spot where they’re going to get a couple hundred at bats against good competition and be with guys who are there for the same reason.”
Torgalski and the Bulls will send four players to the NYCBL this summer: Chris Kwitzer and Tom Taplin will suit up for the Cortland Crush in their inaugural season. Brian Dudek has signed with the Jr. Chiefs while Ben Haefner will play with Wellsville’s Nitros.
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