BB: LL: Liberty League

[VictoryLane]

   1st Team                 2nd Team                   A ll-Rookie Team (Half games)
1B   Obrien Roc         McKelligan Union            Mike Plude (Vas)
DH   Ken Carroll RPI          Pat Reardon            AreanA (Skid)
2B   Jake Mendell Skid   Scott Carroll Union    Larioni (roch)
3B   Kahovec * Roc           Jim Divine                    Zach Brown (Skid)
SS   Duff St l                   Muscatiello Ren            Dan Stroud (RPI)
OF   Sean Wilks RPI           Cannon ROCK             Lounsbury (Union)
OF   Carlow Skidmore   Carlow Skid             Ludwieg STL
OF   Mike Bressett Clark   Valentine RPI             Dan Cody RPI
C   Sullivan Roc            Zach Tillo Union     Steven Just (Roc)
Util   JJ Vanderstyle             Shane Griffin RPI    Rubenstein (Skid)
Pitcher   Dreimiller RPI)   Chris Kerr STl             Trevor Brucato (Skid)
Pitcher   Joe Zongol RIP   Fishback Roch            Matt Rogers (Union)
Pitcher   Veenema Roc   Zack Slater (STL)    Chanatry (roch)

* I know he plays short, team maybe better with him at third, and yes he made it last year at ss too.

[Bluesman]

I was at the Stevens-Skidmore game the other day. It was Skidmore's first two games of the season and it was freezing! As far as Skidmore freshmen go, Arena was the first to enter a game, coming in as a defensive replacement at catcher in the 9th inning of game 1. He looked much more comfortable behind the plate than the lefty catcher that played in game 2. In game 2, Rubenstein started in LF and went 1 for 2 with a walk, Arena started at DH and went 2 for 3 with a run scored. Pitchers Brucato (1 inning) and Laracuenta (2/3 of an inning) had some control problems (probably nerves) but survived their outings ok.   

[darkhorse]

Even tho you are correct that Hamilton does not play in the liberty league and is in fact in the NESCAC, the information you have posted is incorrect.  The names you have on the list are all returning sophmores and other than Tomaszewski none of them saw much time last season, altho big things are to be expected of both Vigneau and Mancini as left handed bats.  The freshman class for this year is a deep one led by outfielders Matt, Flint and Taylor along with Pitchers Rafalsk and Atwood.  Atwood will be the closer and will see sometime at first and DH.  Mohney is an extreemly quick kid that can play second or in the outfield and will be a nightmare on the base paths for opposing catchers.  Things are hopefully turning around a bit up on the hill, only time will tell tho.

[WrongArm]

BoomerIL asked (on 2/20)...
This may be a question that has been presented before somewhere on this web site, so please excuse me asking......How were the New York conferences originally set-up, SUNYAC, Empire 8, Liberty League, etc.?  Who determined which schools feel into which conference?

Boomer...

I surely don't have much of the story, but I share your interest. Here's a small part at this url:

http://www.empire8.com/About-History.shtml

Though it's the Empire 8 site, the history may be of some interest in the LL thread as RPI, Clarkson, St. Lawrence, and Union formed the ICAC in 1964. Ithaca and RPI joined the conference when Union left. There's more to the account but I'll let you check it out rather than summarize.

I didn't see a response to your question and I thought of you when I tripped over this history page today.

[WrongArm]

edit:

Ithaca and RIT (not RPI) joined when Union left.

[VictoryLane]

Victory lane, I understand you love your Victor players, but lets get a few things straight for your all-league selections:

1. Jake Mendell was moved to third base (sorry Zach Brown, not going to overtake Jake), so Jake won't be all league at 2b, but Anthony Ferri (who was third team all region at short stop) has a great chance of being all league at 2b, while a healthy adam brown should return to form that made him first team as a sophomore (injured last year)

2.  You have carlow as 1st team and 2nd team

3.  Brucato has great stuff, but might not find his way into the starting rotation for skidmore.

4.  How can teh 2nd team SS and the rookie SS play on the same team?  doesn't that mean one of them won't play if the other is so good?

5.  Hard to believe you can keep Reilly off this list as a pitcher, check his stats from last year and this year against Stevens Tech.  If he wasn't injured for most of last year, would have done some serious damage.

6.  Once again, I know you love Victor players, and zach brown has talent, but he's fourth string at 2b and 4th string at 3b (behind Mendell, Cornachione, and Goldman).  It was unfortunate he didn't get any at bats against Steven's Tech, but Skidmore has a deep infield that will be tough for him to break.  Definitely talented though.

I overlooked Reilly, but he needs to do it for a whole season.  Who would you have left off my list?

The rookies were a total wag, other than my victor guys, i'm speculating. Only time will tell on all the players.  Every year is a new year.

[VictoryLane]

I was at the Stevens-Skidmore game the other day. It was Skidmore's first two games of the season and it was freezing! As far as Skidmore freshmen go, Arena was the first to enter a game, coming in as a defensive replacement at catcher in the 9th inning of game 1. He looked much more comfortable behind the plate than the lefty catcher that played in game 2. In game 2, Rubenstein started in LF and went 1 for 2 with a walk, Arena started at DH and went 2 for 3 with a run scored. Pitchers Brucato (1 inning) and Laracuenta (2/3 of an inning) had some control problems (probably nerves) but survived their outings ok.   

A little nerves are common. Skidmore will need a few freshmen to make an impact.  But lets face it if they do they maybe VERY VERY Dangers.

[anonymous234]

I would pick Reilly over any of the second team guys, and maybe of Driemiller too.  Reilly also plays firstbase and can absolutely crush the ball, but that was what led to his hand injury last year.  Fact is, he shut down RPI in the tournament last year and then did very well against St John Fisher in the NCAA tourney (and wasn't fully healed).  For a duel position guy, I'd say he deserves at least second team, but yeah, we'll see how he does for a full year.  Can't wait for Skid/Rochester in florida.

[VictoryLane]

I would pick Reilly over any of the second team guys, and maybe of Driemiller too.  Reilly also plays firstbase and can absolutely crush the ball, but that was what led to his hand injury last year.  Fact is, he shut down RPI in the tournament last year and then did very well against St John Fisher in the NCAA tourney (and wasn't fully healed).  For a duel position guy, I'd say he deserves at least second team, but yeah, we'll see how he does for a full year.  Can't wait for Skid/Rochester in florida.

While Skidmore won 2 of last 3 liberty league championships, they have a long way to go to overtake RPI for season championships.  Rochester has EVEN farther to go to beat either of these teams.   I found it wierd that they were playing league games this early in the season.

Expect RPI to be tough.

Driemiller is very tough you have to give him credit.  Cmon.

[VictoryLane]

Reilly picked up the first win for Skidmore i see.  Why didn't he bat when he pitched?  Does he always not bat when he pitches?

[VictoryLane]

Reilly picked up the first win for Skidmore i see.  Why didn't he bat when he pitched?  Does he always not bat when he pitches?

reilly was 4-4 as a fresh with ERA north of 3.0 and last year he was 2-1 with roughly a 3.0 ERA.  So while he may be skidmores ace, i still think he has something to proof.

And yes he does do it on both sides of the plate, but again as a fresh he batted like .255.

The injury obvioiusly depleted his proudction.

[anonymous234]

haha, I never said driemiller wasnt tough.  I guess you're partial to your victor boys while I'm partial to skidmore guys.  and yes, reilly never hits when he pitches. 

[VictoryLane]

Anony:

Good luck to  you all and good luck in florida.  I wish you and rochester well. 

Warm up for when you face RPI.

later,
the fast lane

[BaseB13]

Bluesman, interesting observations at the game.  I take it you are either a parent or a player if  you were there.. Pretty objective synopsis of the Skidmore freshmen.. except for the catchers.. You don't happen to have a vested interest in that do you?  Thought the post was a little funny but thanks for the info on the new players at Skid.

The LL doesn't have an All-Rookie team just so you guys know.  Victory, what's it really matter who wins the regular season title in the LL, no one remembers the team that one the regular season title but couldn't seal the deal when it really counted.  Although Skid. did do both in 2005.  They're the only team that has accomplished that in the last 3 or 4 years.  Now that I think about it, over the last 3 or 4 years they have the most combined regular season and conference tournament titles of any team in the conference.  Obviously over the last 10 years or so RPI has more regular season titles.. But it does come down to, what have  you done for me lately? 

As for the All-Conference selections, when in doubt, pick players from RPI.  They always have a bunch of players on the teams regardless of the standings or statistics. 

Looks like we'll learn a bit about the conference this weekend.  Exciting to have LL play start so early.

 

[MMTPdthree]

Do you think there should be an All-Rookie team?

Personally I don't see this necessary. 
Is there talk about doing so?