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August 10, 2008

Mike Mastovich | Still fanning batters

By MIKE MASTOVICH The Tribune-Democrat Sun Aug 10, 2008, 01:00 AM EDT

Can a AAABA League manager lead by example? Certainly.

Just look to Delweld’s first-year manager Rick Roberts.

Roberts has done a commendable job molding a group that includes many young players and a handful of experienced vets. Delweld finished the regular season strong and ran through the playoffs with six wins in seven outings.

All of that has been well-documented.

If Delweld’s players need further inspiration from their manager, they might want to glance at the recap of Game 7 of the open Indiana County League championship series.

Roberts, 29, pitched the clincher of the best-of-7 championship series on only two days rest.

A former minor leaguer who advanced to Class AAA before arm injuries cut short his career, Roberts tossed a complete game, striking out 10 in Creekside’s 7-3 victory over Bovard.

Roberts hasn’t lost a game as a starting pitcher in three years in the Indiana County League, which has no age limit and includes former college and pro players, some in their 40’s.

Creekside won its third straight title.

q q q

Local ties: The ICL Creekside roster is a haven for former AAABA League stars.

Ex-Delweld slugger Casey Long led the ICL in homers, earning the Rinaldo Lovisa Award for the third straight year.

Brock Stevens doubled and scored on Matt Hanley’s single early in the game. Both played for Principle Development.

Long singled and scored on a hit by Paul Pentz, who played on Galliker’s. Hanley later doubled on the way to a 4-for-4 day, and Pentz and Long each scored twice.

Joel Martin (Delweld), Brian Neal (Wise Trailer Sales), Dave Huey (Galliker’s), Durrel Hutzel-Ellis (Delweld) and Adam Fairman (Galliker’s) also played on Creekside.

q q q

Still strong: Youse’s Maryland Orioles of Baltimore has lost two top-notch players to injuries and three other prospects who signed six-figure professional contracts.

But don’t feel too bad for the five-time defending champions. Baltimore still will be strong.

The Orioles still will be the team to beat. Youse’s Maryland Orioles have won 38 of their past 39 games.

“It’s a good team,” Baltimore manager Dean Albany said on Saturday afternoon.

Who’s out? Baltimore lost speedy outfielder Steven Bumbry, the son of former major leaguer Al Bumbry. The younger Bumbry had an emergency appendectomy, a la Ben Roethlisberger, in the past two weeks, Albany said.

Last year’s AAABA Tournament MVP catcher Joe Velleggia is out with a hamstring injury. The Boston Red Sox signed second-round draft pick Derrik Gibson for $600,000, the Orioles inked L.J. Hoes for $500,000, and the Rockies signed Tyler Massey for $520,000, Albany said.

But Baltimore returns top pitcher Scott Swinson (University of Maryland). Left-hander Max Russell pitches at Florida Southern. Clemson University righty Kevin Brady tossed a nine-inning shutout for Maryland State in last year’s AAABA Tournament. This summer he had approximately 70 strikeouts and four walks, Albany said.

Albany also is high on LSU outfielder Leon Landry.

Mike Mastovich is a sports writer for The Tribune-Democrat.

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