Nearly 80 Vermont High School Products on 2021 NCAA Baseball Rosters

Contact: Bruce Bosley, VBCA director

For the second straight season close to 80 former Vermont high school baseball players were members of NCAA baseball programs for the 2021 season. Several others with ties to Green Mountain State high schools and colleges are on collegiate coaching staffs including 11 head coaches, three at the Division I level.

Vermont student-athletes from 35 different high schools from all four of the state's divisions, 12 of the 14 counties, dotted the rosters of 37 different college programs in 2021. A majority of these players attended a VBCA Junior Showcase event that will return to the field in 2022.

Six student-athletes are on Division I programs including one in the ACC,  the 13th straight season a former Vermont high school player is at an Atlantic Coast Conference program, one of the top Division I baseball conferences in the nation.

Many of the student-athletes and coaches received honors this season highlighted by Babson pitcher Jordy Allard from Woodstock and Hartford High who was selected as an ABCA D-III First Team All-American. Junior Sky Rahill of Burlington was one of several to participate in the NCAA tournament and he helped lead Salisbury (Md.) to the 2021 Division III National Championship. Fairfield head coach Bill Currier from Essex Junction was named MAAC Coach of the Year and is a candidate for regional and national honors after leading the Stags to a 39-5 overall record and a trip to the NCAA D-I Regional Final after knocking off perennial power Arizona State.

Two pitchers with Vermont high school or collegiate ties, Theo McDowell of Essex Junction (South Burlington High) and Colby Morris of Middlebury College are with minor league organizations with affiliated major league teams. McDowell is in the Texas Rangers system and Morris is with the New York Mets.

Please note that some players who are at NCAA schools may have opted out of the 2021 school year due to COVID-19, and are not on on 2021 rosters and are not on this list. Also class years on rosters may be reclassified later with an extra year of eligibility. If you know of any others on four-year NCAA collegiate rosters, please e-mail Bruce Bosley, director of the VBCA, at bbosley.vbca@gmail.com with the link to a 2021 roster.  

Division I:
Boston College (ACC): Will Hesslink, Sr., LHP, Rice Memorial (Shelburne);
Holy Cross (Patriot): Jack Ambrosino, Fr., RHP, South Burlington;
Maine (America East): Leif Bigelow, So., RHP, Brattleboro (Guilford);
Merrimack (NEC): Brayden Howrigan, Jr., RHP, Enosburg Falls;
St. Bonaventure (Atlantic-10): Elijah Baez, Jr., RHP, Essex;
Siena (MAAC): Donovan Montgomery, So., IF, Burlington;

Divison II:
Concordia-Calif. (PacWest): Henry Conroy, Jr., RHP, Rice Memorial (Shelburne);
New Haven (NE-10): Tyler Wells, So., IF/OF, St. Johnsbury (Danville);
Saint Michael's (NE-10): Brady Perron, So., C, Lake Region (Barton); Brady Clark, Fr., IF, Springfield; Andrew Lanthier, Fr., OF, Fair Haven (Orwell); Danny Rickert, Fr., RHP, Essex (Williston);
West Virginia Wesleyan (Mtn East): Jake Hakey, Sr., RHP, BFA-Fairfax (Georgia);
 

Division III:
Babson+ (NEWMAC): Jordy Allard, Sr., RHP, Hartford (Woodstock);
Castleton (Little East): Max Olmstead, Sr., LHP, Landmark (East Montpelier); Reece DeCastro, Jr., IF, Rutland; Jake O'Brien, Jr., IF, Harwood (Waterbury Center); Richard Walker, Jr., RHP, Missisquoi Valley (Swanton); Adam Newton, So., RHP, Brattleboro;  Hunter Perkins, So., OF, Hartford (Quechee); Aubrey Ramey, Fr., RHP, Fair Haven (Castleton):
Clark (NEWMAC): Cory Giannelli, Fr., LHP/OF, Essex;
Clarkson (Liberty): Colby Brouillette, So., C; BFA St. Albans (Georgia);
Colby Sawyer (GNAC): Alec Burns, Sr., IF, Enosburg Falls; Jake Choiniere, Jr., C/IF, St. Johnsbury; Cooper  O'Brien, So., IF, Vergennes; Michael Roy, So., IF/RHP, BFA Fairfax;
Dean (GNAC): Samuel Grandfield, Jr., RHP, Harwood (Duxbury); Ben Tate, Jr., RHP/IF, South Burlington;
Endicott (CCC): Ian Parent, So., LHP, Champlain Valley (Williston);
Gordon (CCC): Dalton Cody, Fr., IF, Williamstown (Barre);
Husson (NAC)+: Brandon Brunell, Jr., RHP, Lyndon; Zach Whitmore, Jr., LHP, Randolph; Jared Cushing, So., RHP, Blue Mountain (Ryegate);  Hunter O'Connor, So., LHP, Vergennes (Waltham);
Johnson & Wales (GNAC): Clayton McAllister, Fr., C, BFA St Albans (Swanton);
Keene State (Little East): Josh Beayon, So., LHP, Otter Valley (Pittsford); Lucas McClanahan, So., RHP/UT, Colchester; Patrick McKeighan, So., RHP/UT, Otter Valley (Pittsford); Nathaniel Hudson, Fr.., RHP/UT, Otter Valley (Florence);
NVU Lyndon (NAC): Sam Ongenoff, Sr., IF/RHP, Brattleboro; Tyler Roberge, Sr., OF, Essex; Codi Smith, Sr., OF/RHP, Hartford; Ryder Thornton, Sr., C, Essex; Cameron Flinn, Sr., RHP, Williamstown (Barre); T.J. Santaw., Jr., RHP/IF, North Country (Newport); Matt Brault, So., OF/RHP, Milton; Joe Rafus, So., LHP, Twin Valley (Whitingham); Nolan Barber, Fr., IF, Mt. Mansfield (Jericho); Keith Herman, Fr., RHP, Lake Region (Barton);  Shea McCaffrey, Fr., Ut/RHP, Lyndon; Parker Perron, Fr., IF/OF, Lake Region (Barton);
Maine-Farmington (NAC): Danny Terhune, Jr., C, South Burlington;
Maine-Presque Isle (NAC): Collin Racine, Jr., IF, Rutland; Zach Butterfield, Fr., RHP, Hartford;
Mass Dartmouth (Little East): Chase Carey, Fr., RHP, Colchester;
Middlebury (NESCAC): Baker Angstman, Fr., IF, Champlain Valley (Williston);
New England College (NECC): Wyatt Cameron, So., RHP, Middlebury (Salisbury); Dylan Merrow, Fr., IF, Springfield;
Norwich (GNAC): Hayden Roberge, Jr., OF, Union-32 (Middlesex); Ryland Richardson, Fr., SS, Windsor; Nick Beavin, Fr., IF, Montpelier; Zeb Perreault, Fr., C, White River Valley (Chelsea); Timber Russell, Fr., RHP/IF, White River Valley (Randolph);
Penn State-Harrisburg (NEAC): Nick Fitzgerald, Jr., RHP, Lamoille (Eden);
Plymouth State (Little East): Connor Philbrick, Fr., RHP, Mt. Mansfield (Jericho);
Saint Lawrence (Liberty): Patrick Greenan, Sr., LHP, Saint Johnsbury; Liam Reiner, Jr., RHP, Champlain Valley (Williston);
Salisbury Md.+ (C2CC): Sky Rahill, Jr., OF, Burlington;
SUNY Canton (NAC): Zach Bates, Jr., IF/RHP, Rutland;
SUNY Cobleskill (NAC): Dominic Liscinsky, Fr., OF, BFA St. Albans;
Southern Maine+: Thomas Vesosky, Jr., OF, Colchester;
Union+ (Liberty): Chris O'Brien, Sr., Champlain Valley (Williston) ; Storm Rushford, Fr., RHP, Champlain Valley (Williston);
Wentworth (CCC): Orin Mahikoa, So., RHP, Oxbow (Corinth);
Williams (NESCAC): Ryan Young, Jr., IF, Essex.

+team reached NCAA tournament

Affiliated Minor League Baseball organizations:
New York Mets- Brooklyn Cyclones (High A): Colby Morris, RHP, Middlebury College
Texas Rangers*: Theo McDowell, RHP, South Burlington (Essex Junction)
*at extended spring training camp

NCAA Collegiate Head Coaches:
Castleton: Ted Shipley (NVU-Lyndon alum);
Colby-Sawyer: Tom White (former NVU Lyndon head coach);
Eastern Connecticut+: Brian Hamm (Middlebury College alum)
Fairfield+: Bill Currier, Essex (UVM alum);
Manhattan College: Mike Cole (UVM alum);  
MIT: Andy Barlow, Burlington (UVM alum);
NVU-Lyndon: Reece Tanguay, Essex (NVU-Lyndon alum);
Norwich: Frank Pecora, former Northfield High coach;
Saint Michael's: Jim Neidlinger, former Middlebury College assistant;
Stetson: Steve Trimper,  former UVM assistant;
Wentworth: Steve Studley, (Castleton alum);

NCAA Collegiate Assistant Coaches:
Castleton: Aaron Smith, Middlebury (Castleton); Coast Guard Academy: Eric Degre, North Country/ former Lake Region coach; Dartmouth: Cam Curler, Vergennes (Castleton); Dean: Billy Manley (Castleton alum); Keene State: Eric Libardoni, Brattleboro (Saint Michael's);  NVU-Lyndon: Sam Matthews, St. Johnsbury (Lyndon), Andre Eason, Jr. (NVU Lyndon), Nate Stewart, North Country (NVU Lyndon), Dylan Newton, BFA St. Albans (NVU Lyndon); Middlebury: Mike Phelps (Castleton);  Norwich: Mike Czok, Marian HS (Barre)/former Randolph coach, Leland Goodenough, Randolph (Norwich); Saint Lawrence: Justin Devoid (Hartford); Saint Michael's: Matt Meunier, BFA St. Albans, Zac Poland, Rice Memorial, Michael Ewan, former South Burlington assistant; Southern New Hampshire+: Zach Labarron, Mt. Anthony.

Several Former Vermont High School Products Earn Collegiate Honors:

Several of the 70-plus former Vermont high school baseball products earned many conference and regional honors in the 2017 collegiate season. The all-conference and academic awards were earned by student-athletes representing seven different conferences.

2017 Conference Awards and Honors (as of May 30, 2017):
Commonwealth Coast Conference- All-CCC Second Team: Nick Berno (BFA St. Albans/Endicott);
Great Northern Athletic Conference- All-GNAC Second Team: Kyle Farquarson (Blue Mountain/Norwich): All-GNAC Third Team: Brandon Pedley (Northfield/Norwich); GNAC Coach of the Year: Frank Pecora, Norwich;
Liberty League-  All-LL Second Team: Will Potter; LL All-Academic Team (Champlain Valley/Skidmore): Patrick McMackin (South Burlington/RPI); Hayden Smith  (Champlain Valley/Skidmore) and Potter (Skidmore);
Little East- All-LEC Second Team: Sean Callahan (Colchester/UMass Dartmouth);
NESCAC All-Academic Team: Jake Stalcup (Burr & Burton/Middlebury);
North Atlantic Conference- : NAC Pitcher of the Year: Michael LaBeau (Bellows Falls/Castleton); NAC Rookie of the Year: Davis Mikell  (Champlain Valley/Castleton): NAC Baseball Scholar Athlete: Steven Jurkiewicz (Essex/Castleton); All-NAC First Team: Doug Avellino (Woodstock/Colby Sawyer), Devon Rollins (Winooski/Lyndon State), Devin Hayes (Vergennes/Castleton), LeBeau (Castleton); All-NAC Second Team: Dylan Bailey (Harwood/Castleton), Mikell, Castleton; NAC All-Championship Team: Zach Bahan (Mount Anthony/Castleton), Hayes (Castleton); NAC All-Sportsmanship Team: Deegan Poland, (Champlain Valley/Castleton); NAC co-Coaches of the Year: Ted Shipley (Castleton) and Tom White (Lyndon);
Northeast-10 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll; Joey Robertson (Essex/Saint Michaels), Cole Reilly (Milton/Saint Michael’s)

Regional Honors:
Doug Avellino (Colby Sawyer): All-ECAC NE D-III;
Devin Hayes (Castleton): All-New England (NEIBA D-III) first team, ABCA/Rawlings All-Region, first team; All-ECAC NE D-III;
Davis Mikell (Castleton): ECAC NE D-III Rookie of the Year, All-New England (NEIBA D-III), second team, ABCA/Rawlings All-Region, second team;
Michael LaBeau (Castleton): ECAC NE D-III Pitcher of the Year, All-ECAC New England;
Mike Phelps (Middlebury): NEIBA Kevin Burr Assistant Coach Award;
Ted Shipley, ECAC NE D-III Coach of the Year;

Many Vermonters on Collegiate Baseball Rosters During 2017 Season

Contact: Bruce Bosley (VBCA) 

Sixty-plus former Vermont high school baseball players were student-athletes and coaches on NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III, and USCAA (four-year) collegiate baseball rosters during the 2017 season. 

The list includes four Vermonters on NCAA Division I programs (two in the D-I NCAA tournament) and five former Vermont high school or collegiate products as NCAA head coaches. In all divisions, several student-athletes played on teams that earned spots in the NCAA Baseball Championship tournaments including Vermont’s Castleton University, champions of the D-III North Atlantic Conference. Also the College of Saint Joseph of Rutland won its second straight USCAA Small College World Series title and five Vermonters represented the Fighting Saints roster and coaching staff.

Several Vermonters were team captains or earned all-conference or academic honors. The list of those Vermonters honored (as of May 30, 2017) follows the list of players and coaches.

The list was compiled by the Vermont Baseball Coaches Association. The student-athletes and coaches come from 42 different Vermont high school programs representing all four VPA divisions, and come from all areas of the Green Mountain State.

If you know of any others on four-year collegiate rosters, please e-mail Bruce Bosley, executive director of the VBCA, at bosleyb@comcast.net or bbosley.vbca@gmail.com.  

NCAA Division I:

Iona: Henry Conroy, Fr., RHP, Rice Memorial (Shelburne);

Siena: Ryan Bellomo, Jr., RHP, Rutland; 

*St. John's: Matthew Messier, So., RHP, Lake Region (North Troy);

*Wake Forest: Rayne Supple, So, RHP, Champlain Valley (Shelburne);

*program reached 2017 NCAAs

NCAA Division II:

Saint Michael's: Zach Lanzillo, Jr., LHP, Mt. St. Joseph (Rutland); Joey Robertson, So., IF/OF, Essex; Cole Reilly, So., Milton

NCAA Division III/USCAA: 

Bowdoin: Kyle Stanley, Jr., RHP, Champlain Valley (Shelburne);

*Castleton: Zach Bahan, Sr., IF, Mt. Anthony (Shaftsbury); Michael LeBeau, Sr., RHP, Bellows Falls; Luke Salerno, Sr., RHP, Essex; Steve Jurkiewicz, Sr., LHP, Essex; Devin Hayes, Sr., RHP, Vergennes; Aaron Smith, Jr., LHP, Middlebury; Josh Rylant, Jr., IF, Colchester; Dylan Bailey, So., IF, Harwood (Duxbury); Skylar LaFerriere, So., C, Rutland, Pat Mumford, So., OF, Mill River (Chippenhook); Deegan Poland, So. OF, Champlain Valley (Williston); Charlie Stapleford, So., RHP, Vergennes; Henry Cunningham, Fr., C, South Burlington; Davis Mikell, Fr., RHP/1B, Champlain Valley (Williston); Andrew Graciano, Fr., OF, St. Johnsbury;

Clarkson: Mark Connor, Fr., RHP; BFA St. Albans;

Colby-Sawyer: Justin Devoid, Sr., 1B, Hartford (Quechee); Doug Avellino, Jr., IF, Woodstock;

Endicott: Nick Berno, Jr., OF, BFA St. Albans; 

FDU Florham: Jake Alercio, So., IF, Rutland; 
Hood (Md.): Riley Fitzgerald, So., RHP, Lamoille (Eden);

Husson: Alex Chapman, So., OF/LHP, BFA Fairfax (Westford); Dylan Covey, So., OF, Milton; Matt Graziano, Fr., OF, St. Johnsbury

Keene State: Noah Rizio, Jr., RHP, Burr and Burton (Manchester Center); Evan McGregor, Fr., OF/LHP, BFA Fairfax; 

Lasell: Brandon Arel, So., OF, Colchester;

*Lesley: Aaron Rhodes, Jr., OF, Rutland; 

Lyndon State: Nate Stewart, Sr., C, North Country (Newport); Devon Rollins, Sr., IF, Winooski; Ian Machia, Jr., IF, Enosburg (Montgomery); Davis Guyer, Jr., RHP, Lyndon Institute; David Laroche, Jr., C, Missisquoi Valley (Franklin); Zachary Hale, Jr., IF/RHP, St. Johnsbury; Tyler Davis, So., RHP, Blue Mountain (Groton); Logan Bean, Fr., OF, Milton; Sam Ongenoff, Fr., IF/RHP, Brattleboro; Matt Page, Fr., RHP, Blue Mountain (Groton); Jake Perkins, Fr., RHP/OF, Hartford; Codi Smith, Fr., OF/RHP, Hartford; 

Mass. Coll. Of Liberal Arts (MCLA): Brody Farnum, Fr., RHP, Mount Anthony (Bennington)

UMass Dartmouth: Sean Callahan, Sr., RHP, Colchester; 

Maine-Farmington: Brett Elliott, Jr., RHP, Danville; 

Middlebury: Jake Stalcup, Sr., RHP, Burr & Burton (Manchester);

New England College; Colby Howe, So., LHP, Bellows Falls;

Norwich: Billy Whaley, Sr., RHP/1B, Northfield; Brandon Pedley, Sr., C, Northfield; Kyle Farquharson, Sr., RHP, Blue Mountain (South Ryegate); Leland Goodenough, Jr, 1B, Randolph; Chris Leach, So., C, Vergennes; Connor Baker, C, Fr., Randolph; Eric Gerdes, Fr., RHP, Northfield;

Plattsburgh State: Jordan Godfrey, So., IF, Rutland; Kyle Combs, So., IF, BFA Fairfax; 

Rensselaer (RPI): Patrick McMackin, So., RHP, South Burlington; Noah Normyle, Fr., IF, Mount Anthony (Bennington);

U. Rochester: Will Conroy, Sr., OF., Rice Memorial (Shelburne); 

+College of St. Joseph (USCAA): Tyler Kunzmann, Sr., RHP/1B, Mt. Anthony (Bennington); Russ Krebs, Sr., RHP, Mt. Anthony (Bennington);  Derek Sanderson, Fr., RHP, Colchester; 

Skidmore: Hayden Smith, Jr., C, Champlain Valley (Williston); Will Potter, So., RHP/OF, Champlain Valley (Charlotte);

Union: Sam Mikell, Fr., RHP, Champlain Valley (Williston);

Utica: Jacob Gaboriault, So., C/OF, Essex;

Worcester Poly (WPI): Rob Chase, So., RHP, Colchester (Grand Isle);

*program reached 2017 NCAAs  +program won 2017 USCAA national title

Head Coaches: 

Amherst: Brian Hamm, head coach, (Middlebury College)

Fairfield: Bill Currier, head coach, Essex (UVM);  

MIT: Andy Barlow, head coach, Burlington (UVM); 

Norwich: Frank Pecora, head coach, former Northfield High coach; 

Wentworth: Steve Studley, head coach (Castleton);

Assistant Coaches: 

Castleton: George Buteau, Burlington (Saint Michael’s); Matt Ravey, Colchester (Castleton); Colby Sawyer: Mat Pause, Hartford (Castleton); Fairfield: Mike Cole, (UVM); Dan Gasparino, (UVM);  Johnson & Wales (R.I.): Eric Degre, North Country/ former Lake Region coach; Keene State: Cagney Brigham, Enosburg (Castleton);

Lyndon State: Greg Mehuron, Harwood (Colby Sawyer); Sam Matthews, St. Johnsbury (Lyndon St.); Middlebury: Mike Phelps (Castleton); Norwich: John Rhoades, Woodstock (UNH); College of St. Joseph: Cam Curler, Vergennes (Castleton); Aaron Bloomer, Rutland (Castleton); Saint Michael's, Aaron Plunkett, Essex (UMass); Southern New Hampshire: Zach Labarron, Mt. Anthony (SNHU)

Sixth Annual Junior Showcase On Tap For Thursday June 22, 2017 in Castleton

2017 VBCA Junior Showcase To Be Held Thursday June 22 at Castleton U.  

The sixth annual Vermont Baseball Coaches Association Junior Showcase will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Castleton University's Spartan Field in Castleton, Vermont. Vermont high school baseball student-athletes who are in the 11th grade in 2016-17 will have the opportunity to display their skills and participate in a controlled game for New England and Northeast region collegiate baseball coaches. The first five showcases have widened exposure for many Vermont high school underclass student-athletes.

 Juniors will have first priority for the 50 spots available in the showcase. If spots open up for sophomores (grade 10 in 2016-17), it will be by invitation only.

The showcase will be administered by VBCA member coaches.

On-field registration for the student-athletes begins at 11:30 a.m. with the first showcase workouts beginning at noon. Rain date for the event is the following week. The cost per student-athlete is $25, payable to the VBCA.  Student-athletes can contact their coach for more information and for registration forms. Have players dressed and ready to play. T-shirts and batting helmets will be provided. Also have catchers bring their gear and all student-athletes should bring a water bottle.

Other questions- and requests for registration forms- can be sent to Bruce Bosley, VBCA executive director, at bbosley.vbca@gmail.com or bosleyb@comcast.net. The deadline for registration is June 20, 2017. Sorry, no walk-ins, pre-registration is required to print a roster.

The fifth annual VBCA Showcase was held in June 2016 with 50 underclass student-athletes displaying their skills in front of coaches from 24 collegiate baseball programs at all levels from throughout the Northeast.

Over 70 former Vermont high school players were represented on 2017 NCAA Division I, II and III, and USCAA four-year baseball rosters. Several earned all-conference honors and participated or will participate with schools advancing to the NCAA Baseball Championship.

70-plus Vermonters on Four-Year Collegiate Rosters During 2016 Season

Contact: Bruce Bosley, VBCA 

Seventy-plus former Vermont high school baseball players were student-athletes and coaches on NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III, and USCAA (four-year) collegiate baseball rosters for the 2016 season. 

The list includes six Vermonters on NCAA Division I programs (two in the ACC) and six former Vermont high school or collegiate products as NCAA head coaches. In all divisions, several student-athletes played on teams that earned spots in the NCAA Baseball Championship tournaments including Castleton (Vt.) University, champions of the D-III North Atlantic Conference (the 2016 D-I field will be announced in late May). Earlier this month the College of Saint Joseph in Rutland won the 2016 USCAA national title winning the College World Series in Glens Falls, N.Y.

Several Vermonters were team captains or earned all-conference honors. A complete honor roll will be posted on www.vermontbaseball.org later this spring.

The list was compiled by the Vermont Baseball Coaches Association. The student-athletes and coaches come from 42 different Vermont high school programs representing all four VPA divisions, and come from all areas of the Green Mountain State.

If you know of any others on four-year collegiate rosters, please e-mail Bruce Bosley, executive director of the VBCA, at bosleyb@comcast.net or bbosley.vbca@gmail.com.  

NCAA Division I:

Clemson: Mike Triller, Sr, OF, Rutland;  

Fairfield: George Molner, Sr., RHP, Twin Valley (Wilmington);  

Siena: Ryan Bellomo, So., RHP, Rutland; 

St. John's: Matthew Messier, Fr., RHP, Lake Region (North Troy);

South Dakota St.: Cody Sharrow, Sr., IF, Mt. Mansfield (Jericho).

Wake Forest: Rayne Supple, Fr, RHP, Champlain Valley (Shelburne)

NCAA Division II:

Saint Michael's: Curt Echo, Sr., RHP, Champlain Valley (Shelburne);  Zach Lanzillo, So., LHP, Mt. St. Joseph (Rutland); Joey Robertson, IF/OF, Essex

NCAA Division III/USCAA: 

Bowdoin: Kyle Stanley, So., RHP, Champlain Valley (Shelburne);

Castleton: Ethan Hanson, Sr, RHP, South Burlington; Conner Johnson, Sr., RHP, Fair Haven (Castleton); Sam Spencer, Sr., RHP, Mt. Mansfield (West Bolton); Nick Swim, Jr, IF, BFA St. Albans;  Zach Bahan, Jr., 3B, Mt. Anthony (Shaftsbury); Dylan Watts, Jr., IF, Spaulding;  Michael LaBeau, Jr., RHP, Bellows Falls; Luke Salerno, Jr., RHP, Essex; Steve Jurkiewicz, Jr., LHP, Essex; Devin Hayes, Jr., RHP, Vergennes; Zach Dichard, So., IF, South Burlington; Aaron Smith, So., LHP,  Middlebury; Dylan Bailey, Fr., IF, Harwood (Duxbury); Tyler Davis, Fr., RHP, Blue Mountain (Groton); Brandon Davenport, Fr., C, Poultney; Skylar LaFerriere, Fr., C, Rutland, Pat Mumford, Fr., OF, Mill River (Chippenhook); Deegan Poland, Fr. OF, Champlain Valley (Williston); Charlie Stapleford, Fr., RHP, Vergennes;

Colby-Sawyer: Justin Devoid, Jr., 1B, Hartford (Quechee); Doug Avellino, So., IF, Woodstock;

Endicott: Nick Berno, So., IF, BFA St. Albans; 

FDU Florham: Jake Alercio, Fr., IF, Rutland;

Fisher: Scott Bigelow, Sr., RHP, Spaulding (Montpelier)

Hamilton: David Rose, Sr., IF, Burlington;

Husson: Darik Messier, Sr., 1B, Lake Region (North Troy); Alex Chapman, Fr., OF/LHP, BFA Fairfax (Westford); Dylan Covey, Fr., OF, Milton, Sean Remillard, Fr., C, Rice Memorial (Fairfax);

Keene State: Kevin Guild, Sr., RHP, Essex; Noah Rizio, So., RHP, Burr and Burton (Manchester Center); 

Lasell: Brandon Arel, Fr., OF, Colchester;

Lesley: Aaron Rhodes, Jr., OF, Rutland; 

Lewis and Clark (Oregon): Holden Jones, Fr., RHP, Burlington; 

Lyndon State: Reese Tanguay, Jr., IF, Essex (Essex Junction);  Shane LaCroix, Jr., RHP, St. Johnsbury; Nate Stewart, Jr., C, North Country (Newport); Devon Rollins, Jr., IF, Winooski; Ian Machia, So., IF, Enosburg (Montgomery); Ben Brooks, So., OF/P, Lyndon Institute; Colin Clark, So., OF, Rutland; Davis Guyer, So., RHP, Lyndon Institute; David Laroche, So., C, Missisquoi Valley (Franklin); Josh Laroche, So., OF, Missisquoi Valley (Franklin); Zach Hale, So., IF/RHP, St. Johnsbury; Josh Kennison, Fr., RHP, Spaulding (Barre); Wyatt Prue, Fr., 1B, North Country (Westfield)

UMass Dartmouth: Sean Callahan, Jr., RHP, Colchester; 

Maine-Farmington: Brett Elliott, So., RHP, Danville; 

Middlebury: Mark Dickerson, Sr., RHP, Mt. Abraham (Bristol); Jake Stalcup, Jr., RHP, Burr and Burton (Manchester);

New England College; Brighton Bischofberger, So., RHP, Green Mountain (Londonderry); Colby Howe, Fr., LHP, Bellows Falls;

Nichols: Ross Caswell, So., C, Randolph; 

Norwich: Billy Whaley, Sr-inj., RHP/1B, Northfield; Brandon Pedley, Jr., C, Northfield; Kyle Lamorey, Jr., SS, Northfield; Kyle Farquharson, Jr., RHP, Blue Mountain (So. Ryegate);  Leland Goodenough, Fr.-inj, C, Randolph; Chris Leach, Fr., C, Vergennes;

Plattsburgh State: Kyle Combs, Fr., IF,/RHP, BFA Fairfax; Jordan Godfrey, Fr., IF, Rutland; 

Rensselaer (RPI); Patrick McMackin, Fr., RHP, South Burlington;

Rivier: Eddie Soucie, Sr., RHP, Blue Mountain (South Ryegate);

U. Rochester: Will Conroy, Jr.-inj, OF., Rice Memorial (Shelburne); 

St. Lawrence:  Frank Grady, Sr., RHP, Burlington;

College of St. Joseph: Derek Osborne, Sr., RHP, Springfield; Tyler Kunzmann, Jr., RHP/1B, Mt. Anthony (Bennington); Russ Krebs, Jr., RHP, Mt. Anthony (Bennington); Brett Patterson, So., RHP, Otter Valley (Brandon);  Lincoln Pritchard, Fr., OF/RHP; Mill River (Clarendon);  

Skidmore: Hayden Smith, So., C, Champlain Valley (Williston); Will Potter, Fr., RHP/IF, Champlain Valley (Charlotte);

Thomas (Me.): Casey Covey, Sr., C, Middlebury;  Ezra Caron, Fr., OF, Mt. Anthony (Pownal);

Worcester Poly (WPI): Rob Chase, Fr., RHP, Colchester (Grand Isle); Shea Mooney, Fr., IF, Mt. Anthony (Bennington)

Head Coaches: 

Amherst:  Brian Hamm, head coach, Middlebury College

Fairfield: Bill Currier, head coach, Essex (UVM);  

MIT: Andy Barlow, head coach, Burlington (UVM); 

Norwich: Frank Pecora, head coach, Northfield; 

Saint Michael's, Greg Wells, int head coach, Essex (American);

Wentworth: Steve Studley, head coach, Castleton; 

Assistant Coaches: 

Endicott: Taylor English, Spaulding (Endicott);

Fairfield: Mike Cole, (UVM); Dan Gasparino,  (UVM);
Keene State: Cagney Brigham, Enosburg (Castleton); 

Lyndon State: Greg Mehuron,  Harwood (Colby Sawyer); Sam Matthews, St. Johnsbury (Lyndon St.)

Middlebury: Mike Phelps, Middlebury (Castleton); 

Norwich: Paul Morgan, Essex (Williams); John Rhoades, Woodstock

College of St. Joseph's: Cam Curler, Vergennes (Castleton); Patrick Riley, Hartford (Castleton)

Plattsburgh St.: Matt Meunier, Colchester; 

Saint Michael's, George Buteau, Burlington (SMC); Len Whitehouse,  Burlington;

Southern New Hampshire:  Zach Labarron,  Mt. Anthony (SNHU);

Thomas (Me.): Matt Eisenhuth, Leland and Gray;

Former Vermont Catamounts Infielder Matt Duffy Called Up By Houston Astros

(photo credit: Brian Jenkins/Houston Astros/MLB)

Becomes 11th Former UVM Player to Reach The Big Leagues

Contact: Bruce Bosley

bbosley.vbca@gmail.com

Former University of Vermont baseball standout Matt Duffy (Milton, Mass.) had his contract purchased by the Houston Astros on Sunday, September 13, 2015 and will join the American League West-leading club when it takes on the Texas Rangers the next day. Duffy made his debut versus the Rangers on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 to become the 11th former UVM player to reach the big leagues and the first since pitcher Kirk McCaskill, who wrapped up his 11-year career with the Chicago White Sox in 1995.

Duffy recorded his first big league hit, a two-out RBI double against Oakland on September 19 keying an Astros come-from-behind victory over the A's. CLICK HERE for video of his double courtesy of MLB.com.

2015 POSTSEASON UPDATE: Duffy was added to Houston's Wild Card roster for its win over New York at Yankee Stadium on October 6, 2015. He was featured in the Houston Chronicle on his impact on the Astros in their stretch drive to the 2015 Postseason. CLICK HERE for Evan Drellich's story on October 6, 2015.

The 26-year old corner infielder had an outstanding season with the Triple A Fresno Grizzlies earning Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player honors and a spot on the PCL All-Star Team. Duffy was the first minor leaguer in 2015 to reach 100 runs batted in and finished with a PCL-leading 104 RBI. He also led the loop with 94 runs scored while hitting .294 with 20 homers, 29 doubles and a .486 slugging percentage. Drafted in the 20th round of the 2011 June Draft, Duffy has been an all-star at each stop in the minor leagues starting with Tri-City of the New York Penn League.

A graduate of St. Sebastian's School in suburban Boston, Duffy had two outstanding seasons at UVM before the program was discontinued in 2009, spending his final two collegiate seasons at Tennessee of the powerful SEC. His freshman season (2008) he was named to the America East All-Rookie Team, the America East All-Championship Team and the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American Team. As a sophomore he led the America East in hitting  (.388), RBI (57), runs scored (57), on base percentage (.495) and slugging percentage (.713) while hitting a Vermont single-season record 13 home runs. He was named the 2009 America East Player of the Year and was a first team All-New England and ABCA All-Northeast Region All-Star. He also was named to the PING Baseball.com All-American Team. 

Both of his collegiate coaches were Vermonters: Bill Currier of Essex Junction at UVM and Todd Raleigh of Swanton at Tennessee.

Duffy's contract was purchased by the Astros Sunday and he will be added to Houston's 40-man roster on Monday. The move was first reported by Drellich of the Houston Chronicle Sunday in the paper's Ultimate Astros Blog. 

"We feel like he can help us," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said to Drellich in the Chronicle's blog. "And he certainly brings an added benefit to our team, otherwise we wouldn't do it. Especially with him still playing (with Fresno). So, we obviously see that he can do some things for us that warrant a call-up. So we'll see how it plays out.

"We have those positions covered. He might just be a bat off the bench initially. But who knows? Never say never. Sometimes you get sparks when guys get up here and get their first taste of the big leagues."

Duffy joined baseball's elite winning the PCL Most Valuable Player Award, historically one of the most prestigious in the minor leagues. Established in 1927, previous winners include Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio and Tony Perez, former greats like Dom DiMaggio, Lefty O'Doul, Tim Salmon and Paul Konerko, and current big league stars such as Nelson Cruz and Joc Peterson, the 2014 winner.

CLICK HERE for Duffy's major league statistics courtesy of www.baseball-reference.com

Exposure Widens for Vermonters At Successful Fourth Annual VBCA Junior Showcase

July 1, 2015

CASTLETON, Vt. -- For the fourth straight year the annual Vermont Baseball Coaches Association Junior Showcase was a success as the underclass athletes worked out in front of coaches from 21 collegiate programs. This year's showcase was held Thursday, June 18, 2015 at Castleton State College's Spartan Field.

Fifty Vermont high school baseball student-athletes displayed their skills and participated in a simulated and controlled game for over 20 New England and Northeast region college baseball coaches from 21 different programs from all three NCAA divisions and a junior college. 

Coaches from the following collegiate programs were on hand to evaluate the prospects: Castleton State, Lyndon State, Norwich, Saint Michael's, Siena, Fairfield, Plattsburgh State, Wheaton, Endicott, Nichols, St. Lawrence, Clarkson, Franklin Pierce, Assumption, St. Joseph's (Maine), Keene State, Union, Skidmore, RPI, Union and Western Oklahoma State.

Among the highlights of the prospects skills were:  fastest 60-yard time: Curtis Gauthier (Williamstown, OF/LHP);  top catcher POP time: Ethan McCollister (Union 32, C) and Andrew Gonyaw (North Country, C); top pitcher-velocity, Henry Conroy (Rice Memorial, RHP); and top pitcher-accuracy, Joe Brown (Poultney, RHP). Three junior hurlers at the showcase averaged 84 mph or better in their outings: Conroy, Derek Sanderson (Colchester, RHP/SS) and Sam Mikell (Champlain Valley, RHP/3B).

Special thanks for their efforts for the fourth annual showcase go out to: Ted Shipley of host Castleton State College for the use of his program's facility; veteran Vermont umpires Larry Riegert and Denny Barnard for donating their time; Tim Mitchell of Mitchell Tees in Brandon; and the many head coaches and assistants from VBCA member schools for volunteering at the showcase.

For the third straight season nearly 90 former Vermont high school players from all four divisions statewide were represented on 2015 NCAA Division I, II and III baseball rosters. Many of the freshmen and sophomores on the 2015 rosters participated in the first two VBCA Junior Showcases.

For more information, please contact Bruce Bosley, VBCA Executive Director at:  bbosley.vbca@gmail.com

Over 80 Vermonters On Four-Year Collegiate Rosters For 2015 Campaign

For the fourth-plus straight season, over 80 former Vermont high school baseball players were student-athletes and coaches on NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III, and USCAA (four-year) collegiate baseball rosters for the 2015 season. 

The list includes six Vermonters with NCAA Division I programs and three former Vermont high school products as NCAA head coaches, two in D-I.  In all divisions, several student-athletes played on teams that earned spots in the NCAA Baseball Championship tournaments (the 2015 D-I field will be announced later in May) and several others earned all-conference honors. A complete honor roll will be posted on www.vermontbaseball.org later this spring.

The list was compiled by the Vermont Baseball Coaches Association. The student-athletes and coaches come from close to 40 different Vermont high school programs representing all four VPA divisions, and come from all areas of the Green Mountain State. This year's list features four Vermonters on the roster of the College of St. Joseph's of Rutland, Vt., whose varsity baseball team returned to the diamond after close to a decade's absence.

If you know of any others on four-year collegiate rosters, please e-mail Bruce Bosley, executive director of the VBCA, at bosleyb@comcast.net or bbosley.vbca@gmail.com.  

NCAA Division I:

Clemson: Mike Triller, Jr.-rs, OF, Rutland;  

Fairfield: George Molner, Jr., RHP, Twin Valley (Wilmington);  

UMass:  Adam Picard, Sr.-rs, OF, Essex; 

Siena: Ed Lewicki, Sr., RHP, Burr and Burton (Arlington); Ryan Bellomo, Fr., RHP, Rutland; 

South Dakota St.: Cody Sharrow, Jr., IF, Mt. Mansfield (Jericho).

NCAA Division II:

Notre Dame College (Ohio): Devon Rollins, Jr., IF, Winooski
Saint Michael's: Nicky Elderton, Sr., OF, Rice Memorial (Shelburne); George Buteau, Sr., 1B, Burlington (South Burlington); Curt Echo, Jr., RHP, Champlain Valley (Shelburne);  Zach Lanzillo, Fr., LHP, Mt. St. Joseph (Rutland)

Southern New Hampshire: Sam Fuller, Sr., RHP, Spaulding (Barre).

NCAA Division III/USCAA: 

Bowdoin: Kyle Stanley, Fr., RHP/OF, Champlain Valley (Shelburne);

Castleton State: Matt Ravey, Sr., RHP, Colchester; Nate Swahn, Sr., C, Rutland; Tyler Hoare, Sr., SS, Harwood (Waterbury); Tyler Lord, Sr., OF, South Burlington; Ethan Hanson, Jr, RHP, South Burlington; Conner Johnson, Jr., RHP, Fair Haven (Castleton); Chris Jurnak, Jr., C/OF, Essex; Sam Spencer, Jr., RHP, Mt. Mansfield (West Bolton); Nick Swim, So.-rs, IF, BFA St. Albans;  Zach Bahan, So., 3B, Mt. Anthony (Shaftsbury); Dylan Watts, So., IF , Spaulding; Collin Curler , So., IF, Vergennes; Michael LaBeau, So., RHP, Bellows Falls; Luke Salerno, So., RHP, Essex; Steve Jurkiewicz, So., LHP, Essex; Devin Hayes, So., RHP, Vergennes; Soren Pelz-Walsh, So., IF, Brattleboro (Dummerston); Zach Dichard, Fr., IF, South Burlington; Wyatt Prue, Fr., 1B, North Country (Westfield); Aaron Smith, Fr., LHP/OF, Middlebury;

Clark: Luke Crocker, So., RHP, Hartford (Strafford);

Colby-Sawyer: Justin Devoid, So., 1B, Hartford (Quechee);

Elmira: Sean Shephardson, Fr., 1B, Poultney;

Endicott: Zac Poland, Sr., LHP, Rice Memorial (Essex); Nick Berno, Fr., IF, BFA St. Albans; Brett McAllister, Fr., RHP, Richford; 

Fisher: Scott Bigelow, Sr., RHP, Spaulding (Randolph)

Hamilton: David Rose, Jr., IF, Burlington;

Husson: Darik Messier, Jr., 1B, Lake Region (North Troy);

Keene State: Kevin Guild, Jr., RHP, Essex; Noah Rizio, Fr., RHP, Burr and Burton (Manchester Center); 

Lyndon State: Mike Cartularo, Sr ., IF/OF, Lyndon Institute (Lyndonville); Brandon Flood, Sr., RHP, Blue Mountain (Ryegate); Ian Murdock, Sr., 1B, Twin Valley (Wilmington); Ian Sackett, Sr., OF, Danville (Lyndon); Dylan Newton, Jr., 1B/OF, BFA-St. Albans (St. Albans); Reese Tanguay, Jr., IF, Essex (Essex Junction); Zach Hale, So., IF, St. Johnsbury; Shane LaCroix, So P, St. Johnsbury; Nate Stewart, So., C, North Country (Newport); Ben Brooks, Fr., OF/P, Lyndon Institute; Colin Clark, Fr., OF, Rutland; Davis Guyer, Fr., RHP, Lyndon Institute; David Laroche, Fr., C, Missisquoi Valley (Franklin); Josh Laroche, Fr., OF, Missisquoi Valley (Franklin); 

UMass Dartmouth: Sean Callahan, So., RHP, Colchester; 

Maine-Farmington: Brett Elliott, Fr., RHP, Danville; 

Maine-Presque Isle: Mitch Thayer, So., C/IF, Colchester; 

McDaniel (Md.): Calvin Benevento, Sr., LHP, Champlain Valley (Williston); 

Middlebury: Mark Dickerson, Sr., RHP, Mt. Abraham (Bristol); Sawyer Olson, Jr., P, Brattleboro (Guilford); Jake Stalcup, So., RHP, Burr & Burton (Manchester);

New England College; Brighton Bischofberger, Fr., RHP, Green Mountain (Londonderry);

Nichols: Ross Caswell, Fr., C, Randolph; 

Norwich: Billy Whaley, Jr., RHP/1B, Northfield; Brandon Pedley, So., C, Northfield; Kyle Lamorey, So., SS, Northfield; Kyle Farquharson, So., RHP, Blue Mountain (So. Ryegate); 

Plattsburgh State: Matt Meunier, Sr., OF, BFA-St. Albans (Swanton);

Rivier: Eddie Soucie, So., RHP, Blue Mountain (So. Ryegate);

U. Rochester: Will Conroy, So., OF., Rice Memorial (Burlington); 

St. Lawrence: Ben Jenkins, Gr., RHP, South Burlington; Frank Grady, Jr., RHP, Burlington;

College of St. Joseph: Derek Osborne, Jr., RHP, Springfield; Tyler Kunzmann, So., RHP/1B, Mt. Anthony (Bennington); Russ Krebs, So., RHP, Mt. Anthony (Bennington); Brett Patterson, So., RHP, Otter Valley (Brandon);

Skidmore: Hayden Smith, Fr., C, Champlain Valley (Williston)

Thomas (Me.): Tom Blake, Sr., RHP, North Country (Coventry); Casey Covey, Jr., C, Middlebury;

Utica: Ian Machia, Fr., IF, Enosburg Falls (Montgomery)

Western New England: Nick Salerno, Sr., RHP, Essex (Essex Junction)

NCAA Coaches: 

Clemson: Jack Leggett, head coach, South Burlington; 

Fairfield: Bill Currier, head coach, Essex;  

MIT: Andy Barlow, head coach, Burlington;
Norwich: John Rhoades, head coach, Woodstock;
Keene State: Cagney Brigham, asst. coach, Enosburg Falls;

Lyndon State: Greg Mehuron, asst. coach, Harwood Union;

Middlebury: Mike Phelps, asst. coach, Middlebury Union; 

Plattsburgh St.: Kris Cauchon, asst. coach, Colchester; 

Saint Michael's: A.J. Dusablon, asst. coach, Burlington; 

Thomas (Me.): Matt Eisenhuth, asst. coach, Leland and Gray;

Southern New Hampshire:  Zach Labarron, asst. coach; Mt. Anthony