2011 Blazers News

TitleNewsDatelocationStory
North Atlantic League
December 14, 2011
Three former North Atlantic League players, Lee Saverio, Art Bustard and John Rothenhausler, throw out opening pitches as Blazers celebrate the 65th anniversary of the NALThe War was over, the servicemen were home and the boom years were sweeping the country. The number of minor leagues increased from 12 in 1945 to 50 in 1946. The Class D North Atantic League was one of the new leagues and was formed in Allentown under Ernest "Duke" Landgraft on January 16, 1946. The veteran Allentown baseball man was elected President, Secretary and Treasurer for the first season. The league planned for a 126 game season with opening day of May 8, 1946. The season would end on Labor Day with a four team playoff. Teams for the initial season included the Bloomingdale Troopers, Carbondale Pioneers, Mahanoy City Bluebirds, Nazareth Cement Dusters, Newburgh/Walden Hummingbirds, Nyack Rocklands, Peekskill Highlanders and Stroudsburg Poconos. Peekskill won the initial season with a 82-32 record and defeated Carbondale in the playoffs. TONY NAPLES posted an 18-0 record for Peekskill, a New York Giants affiliate. STAN BENJAMIN hit .312 for Nazareth as a player/manager and the team finished second with a 78-40 log. Benjamin played outfield in part of five big league seaons and served as one of the Phillies' regular outfielders in 1941 when he hit .235 with three home runs. He joined the Astros as a scout in 1965 and remained with the organization for nearly 40 years. JOE ANTOLICK (Stroudsburg), BILL KALFASS (Nyack) and ALEX GARBOWSKI (Nyack) were other former major league players in the NAL. Bloomingdale had an outstanding group of rookies. DANNY O'CONNELL, a 19 year old from St. Bonaventure High School in Paterson, signed a free agent contract with the Dodgers' affiliate and hit .327. O' Connell made his major league debut in 1950 with Pittsburgh and played ten seasons in the big leagues as an infielder with the Pirates, Braves, Giants and Senators. " SOUR MASH JACK" DANIELS hit .313 and was an outfielder for the Boston Braves in 1952. CARL "SWISH" SAWATSKI, an 18 year old catcher from Shickshinny hit .279 with seven home runs. He returned to the Troopers in 1949 and established a league record with 34 home runs. Sawatski played eleven big league seasons and hit .293 for the Phillies with nine home runs in 1959. Shillington native, HARRY SCHAEFFER posted a 12-6 record for Stroudsburg and pitched in five games for the Yankees in 1952. In 1947 the Kingston Dodgers replaced Walden and won the regular season with an 81-28 record. Carbondale won the playoffs over Peekskill and drew 85,500 fans to Russell Park during the season. Player/manager PAT COLGAN led the Pioneers and was promoted to manager of Terre Haute and Utica in the Phillies system. He served as a scout for many years and last managed at Burlington in 1963 where he developed a young Cuban refugee pitcher by the name of LUIS TIANT. Tiant made his debut with the Indians the following year and went on to win 229 games in nineteen MLB seasons. In 1948 AL GARDELLA, player/manager for Peekskill, posted a 12-1 record as the Highlanders won the regular season with an 84-29 record. Gardella and his brother DANNY played for the New York Giants in 1945. Al only had 26 at bats while Danny had a big year with a .272 average and 18 home runs. Al played every position for Peekskill from 1946 to 1949 and in 1950 he was reunited with his brother on the Bangor team. Carbondale swept the Highlanders in the playoffs under player/manager DAN CARNEVALE who hit 20 home runs. Carnevale played for for Scranton in the Eastern League from 1941 to 1947 with the war interuption in 44 and 45. He had 5492 at bats in fifteen minor league seasons and was the first base coach for the A's in 1970. He ended his pro career as manager of Portland in the Pacific Coast League in 1972. The Lansdale Dukes replaced Kingston in 1948 and were noted for their lack of success both on and off the field. The Dukes had the usual blend of local rookies, out-of-town signees and seasoned veterans; however there was excess turnover of players and managers as the team floundered to a 28-101 record, 54 games out of first place. Of the 25 Class D leagues, only Dover of the Eastern Shore League posted a worse record, 26-100. DICKIE BATTAVIO was a local product who made it to Schenectady, an A level affiliate of the Phillies. Veteran TONY PARISSE also caught for the A's on 1943 and 1944. The Dukes drew a league low 14,100 fans and only 23 showed up on the tainy night of August 20 to see a doubleheader with Peekskill. BILL BURICH was the player/manager for Nazareth and in 1944 hit .284 for the Phillies in 1946. JIM LEMON, a 20 year old outfielder from Covington, Virginia, was the top rookie as he hit .292 with eleven home runs for Bloomingdale, a Cleveland affiliate. He made his debut with the Indians in 1950 and hit 164 home runs with 529 RBI in twelve major league seasons. In 1960 he slugged 38 home runs for the Washington Senators and made the AL All-Star Team. 1949 was a big year for the Stroudsburg Poconos. The Cleveland affiliate posted a 101-36 record and finished 20.5 games ahead of the Lebanon Chix. ED VARHELY (20-2) and player/manager FRANK RADLER (12-2) topped the staff. Easton's JOHN ROTHENHAUSLER hit .377 which was second in the league to J.C. DUNN of Lebanon at .384. Rothenhausler had 800 hits and a .318 career average in eight years of pro ball which ended at Corpus Christi in 1955. STAN PAWLOSKI, a 17 year old Wanamie native, hit .329 and played briefly for Cleveland in 1955. HARRY WARNER, a 20 year old from Reeders, posted a .347 average and went on to play and manage in pro ball through 1983. His carreer record was 1,381-1,226 and he managed Toronto in Roy Hartsfield's absence in 1978. He scouted from 1984 to 1990. Palmerton native CLARENCE HEFFELFINGER returned to pro ball at age 31 and pitched 263 innings with 28 complete games for the Bangor Pickers. KENTON LLOYD BOYER was the big time rookie for the Lebanon Chix in 1949. The 18 year old from Missouri signed as a pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals and posted a 5-1 record. His .455 batting average and .818 slugging average indicated that his future would be as a position player. Boyer went on to become one of the best third basemen to ever play the game. Ken Boyer won gold gloves from 1958 to 1961 and was MajorLeague Player of the Year in 1964. He was a NL All-Star in 1956 and from 1959 through 1964. He played in the Majors until 1969 and hit 282 career home runs with 1141 RBI and a .287 career average. Several local players also performed well on their way to the big leagues in 1949. NORM LARKER, a 18 year old from Beaver Meadows, hit .299 for Hazleton. The left-handed first baseman progressed through the Brooklyn Dodgers' system and made his debut with the LA Dodgers at age 27. Larker played six seasons in the Majors and finished second in the National League with a .323 average while making the 1960 NL All-Star team. RON MROZINSKI, an 18 year old LHP from White Haven, posted a 10-12 record for Carbondale with a 4.34 ERA in 172 innings. He madehis debut with the Phillies in 1954 after a midseason callup. He spent the entire 1955 season with the Phillies as a reliever and appeared in 22 games, closing out eleven of them. The NAL perserverance award went to PRENTICE ALMONT BROWN. "Pidge" hit .303 for Peekskill at age 20 and arrived in the big leagues with Houston at age 33 in 1962. He hit .210 in 65 games for the Colt. 45s as a left handed hitting first baseman. In 1950 Lebanon won the regular season with a 87-46 record and edged Stroudsburg, three games to two, as the playoffs were stopped by bad weather. Hazleton player/manager GEORGE PFISTER topped the league with a .334 average while FRANK RADLER won 21 games for Stroudsburg. Pfister caught a game for the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 22 in 1941. He was a farm director for the Yankees and a long time executive in MLB operations. The league continued to serve as a first step for local players on their way to the big leagues. Blakely native STAN PALYS hit .318 for Carbondale and made his debut with the Phillies in 1953. He split the 1955 season with the Philies and the Cincinnati Redlegs while hitting .241 with eight home runs and 38 RBI. HAL WOODESHICK, a 17 year old LHP from the Wilkes-Barre area, pitched briefly for Carbondale. Woodeshick would pitch for eleven seasons in the big leagues and made the 1963 All-Star team with Houston. In 1964 he was the NL save leader with 24 saves. In January 1951 Duke Landgraf called for a meeting to prepare for the 1951 season. Suprisingly officials of the league voted to disband the the league at a follow up meeting in Stroudsburg in February. The vote was controversial and fans expressed their disappointment especially in Carbondale. The Korean war took its toll on the players and television began to compete for night entertainment. The history of the NAL is much more than the forementioned players. Many other local baseball legends such as Braves scout JOE CAPUTO (Stroudsburg,1946), Lansdale's LEE SAVERIO (Mahanoy City 48, MC/Bangor 49) and Skippack's ART BUSTARD (Lansdale 1948) played in the league and developed players for many years. The current success of Major League Baseball derives from the many players who toiled in the minors after World War II. All of us owe a big thanks to these players for their contributions to the national pasttime. A special thanks to Mark Coons for his info and to www.baseball-reference.com for the stats. Any additions or other info about the NAL may be sent to Tom Bonekemper 1760 Joanne Drive Quakertown,PA 18951.

Vogelsong caps storybook season with win
September 27, 2011
Comeback Kid (Ryan Vogelsong) gives San Fran one last treatRyan Vogelsong (Quakertown Blazers, 96-97) threw seven shutout innings as the Giants defeated the Rockies 3-1 on Monday night. Vogelsong allowed only four hits with no walks and four strikeouts with 88 pitches. This was his last outing in a remarkable comeback season which saw him selected for the National League All-Star team. The former Kutztown University standout finished the year with a 13-7 record and his 2.71 ERA ranks him with the NL leaders.

Click here to read the full article on MLB.com written by Adam Berry


Andrelczyk in World Cup
September 21, 2011
Andrelczyk to play in World CupPete Andrelczyk (Quakertown Blazers) was selected to play for Team USA in the upcoming World Cup in Panama scheduled for October 1 thru 15. Andrelczyk was a fifth round selection of the Marlins out of Coastal Carolina. He is one of their top prospects and posted a 9-3 record with a 2.26 ERA this summer while pitching for Jacksonville (AA) and New Orleans (AAA). The 6-2 RHP went 3-1 in 22 innings for the Blazers in 2006.

Click here to read a related article From Coastal Carolina Baseball

A.J. Battisto who also pitched on the 2006 Blazers has returned from rehab and pitched well at Jupiter(High A) in the Marlins system.

Mets honor Gorski
September 16, 2011
The New York Mets announced that Darin Gorski (Quakertown, Kutztown) earned the Sterling Organizational Pitcher of the Year award. Gorski, the Top ACBL Prospect in 2008, went 11-3 at St. Lucie (High A) with a Florida State League-best ERA of 2.08. The 6-4 LHP was also Pitcher of the Year in the FSL after striking out 140 while walking only 29 in 138.2 innings. Gorski started the Florida State All-Star game for the South. Several other former ACBL top prospects completed successful seasons in the minors this year. Nick Tropeano (Riverhead), Top Prospect in 2009, was selected by the Astros in the 5th round this year and posted a 3-2 log with a 2.36 ERA at Tri-Valley in the NYP League. Tropeano struck out 63 with 21 walks in 53 innings. Ryan Buch (Quakertown), Top Prospect in 2007, went 8-7 in the White Sox system. He finished at Winston-Salem (High A) in the Carolina League and struck out 106 in 109 innings while allowing 42 base-on-balls at three different levels. Vin DiFazio (Quakertown), Top ACBL Prospect in 2005, caught for the Rangers at Myrtle Beach ( High A) and put up a .417 slugging average with eight home runs and 31 RBI. Chris Reed (Torrington), Top Prospect in 2010 and a first round pick of the Dodgers in the recent draft, signed late and pitched seven innings for Rancho Cucamonga (High A) in the California League.

Blazers 2011 Season Wrap-up
August 14, 2011
The 2011 Blazers finished in third place in the Wolff Division with an 18-20 record and lost 5-2 to the Lehigh Valley Catz in the playoffs. A no-hitter by Lou Trivino was the highlight of the season. Trivino also posted a 4-2 record with 50 strikeouts in 45 innings. Dave Putman recorded a 3-0 log with two saves while Tim Mayza added two saves. Bobby Applegate and Casey Cooperman combined for six wins and 103 innings. Offensively Jeff Wiand topped the team with a .298 average and thirteen stolen bases. Dan Johnson hit .292 with four triples while Brandon Sady batted .280. Chris Ray was a steady performer at third base while batting .273 with eleven stolen bases. Chad Warga was outstanding behind the plate with 25 assists. The Blazers look forward to 2012 with a good nucleus of players returning for next season.

Gorski wins again
August 13, 2011
Darin Gorski has given up one run or fewer in 11 of his 18 starts. (Mark LoMoglio/MiLB.com)Darin Gorski (Quakertown Blazers, Kutztown Rockies) allowed only one hit in six innings on Friday night as the St. Lucie Mets defeated the Charlotte Stone Crabs 3-0. The former ACBL Top Prospect tops the Florida State League with a 2.27 ERA and is now 11-1 on the season.

Click here to read the complete article on MILB.COM


Blazer season ends with loss to Catz
August 3, 2011
The Lehigh Valley Catz defeated the Quakertown Blazers 5-3 in the third place at second place playoff game on Tuesday evening. Dennis Hocker, Dan Johnson and Tim Mayza each had two hits for the Blazers. The Blazers finish the 2011 season with an 18-21 record.

Blazers Split with Staten Island
July 30, 2011
Chris Ray put down a perfect squeeze punt in the bottom of the eighth to score Casey Cooperman and give the Blazers a 2-1 win in the second game of a doubleheader with Staten Island on Sunday. A single by Lou Trivino scored Dan Johnson to tie the game in the seventh inning. Cooperman pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the win. The Blazers lost the first game 4-3 and finished the regular season with an 18-20 record in third place in the Wolff Division. The Blazers travel to Easton for a 7pm playoff opener with the Lehigh Valley Catz on Tuesday evening.

Blazer no-hitter history
July 26, 2011
On Sunday Lou Trivino was the first Blazer to pitch a solo no-hitter in the 28 years of Blazer baseball. In 1986 Mo Sanford and Bobby Gantz combined for a seven inning no hitter against Long Island. Sanford went on to pitch in the big leagues for the Reds (1991), Rockies (1993) and Twins (1995). In 2001 Jared Trout, Bob Truskey and Jim Gendaszek combined for a nine inning no-hitter against Scranton. The Blazers are now 17-17 and return home on Tuesday evening to face the New York Atlantics in a 5pm twi-night doubleheader.

Trivino Tosses No-No
Quakertown Takes Two from North Jersey
July 25, 2011
Lou Trivino posted a seven inning no-hitter as the Quakertown Blazers defeated the North Jersey Eagles 11-0 in the first game of a doubleheader at Ramapo on Sunday. The 6-5 RHP struck out eight and walked three while improving to 5-1 on the season. He has a 1.47 ERA in 43 innings with 45 strikeouts and 26 walks. Trivino was selected to the All-PSAC-West second team as a freshman at Slippery Rock this spring and was a member of the East team in the 2011 ACBL All-Star game. The Blazers won the second game 4-3 behind the pitching of Casey Cooperman (Bloomsburg) and Tim Mayza (Millersville) who received the save.

Blazers and Eagles Split a Pair
July 24, 2011
The Blazers gathered twelve hits to defeat the North Jersey Eagles 7-5 in the opener. Jeff Wiand had three hits while Sean Saverio and Chad Warga each added two. Dave Putman pitched the last two innings to get the win. Jose Diaz hit a three run homer as the Eagles scored eight times in the sixth inning to gain a 9-8 win. The Blazers travel to North Jersey tomorrow for a doubleheader and return home on Tuesday evening for a 5pm twinight DH with the New York Atlantics. The Blazers are now 15-17 and are trying to hold on to the third place playoff slot.

Vogelsong's comeback reminiscent of Moyer
Living the Dream article available on MLB.COM
July 23, 2011
The success stories of Jamie Moyer (Allentown Wings) and Ryan Vogelsong (Quakertown Blazers) give hope to every pitcher released from AAA over the age of thirty. Moyer spent 1992 with the AAA Toledo Mud Hens before being released again. He hooked up with Rochester in 1993 and then moved up to the Orioles. At age 33 he posted a 13-3 record for the best win-loss percentage in the American League. He was 7-1 with the Red Sox and 6-2 at Seattle. His 17-5 record the following year with the Mariners established him as one of the top LHPs in the game. Vogelsong spent 2010 in AAA with Lehigh Valley and Salt Lake City before being released. At age 33 he has made a remarkable comeback with the Giants. Today he turns 34 with a very bright future in the big leagues. Both pitchers have displayed an excellent work ethic throughout their careers and their determination to succeed would not allow them to step away from the game. MLB.COM has posted a great article on Ryan Vogelsong. Click the link below to read the article.

Click Here to Read the Article at MLB.COM


Blazers Double up Lehigh Valley 8-4
July 22, 2011
The Blazers unleashed a 16 hit attack and defeated the Lehigh Valley Catz 8-4 on Thursday evening in Easton. Jeff Wiand had three hits including a two run home run and a RBI single. Chris Ray, Andrew Farris, Brandon Sady, Dan Johnson, Dan Sieracki and Chad Warga each added two hits. Tim Mayza pitched five innings for the win and allowed two runs. Mike Weinhold pitched the sixth and seventh inning and also gave up two runs while Lou Trivino held the Catz scoreless for the last two innings. The Blazers return home on Saturday for an important 1pm doubleheader with North Jersey.

Sieracki, Barr Pace Blazers past Catz
July 21, 2011
Dan Sieracki hit a two run double off the left centerfield wall to break a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Blazers a 3-1 win over the Lehigh Valley Catz. John Barr allowed only one run over seven innings and Dave Putman pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth inning for the win. Putman struck out the last five batters that he faced. The Blazers' win coupled with North Jersey's loss to the Jersey Pilots gives the Blazers a one game lead in the race for third place and the final playoff slot in the Wolff Division.

Blazers lose to North Jersey
July 20, 2011
The Blazers fell to a 12-16 record after losing to the North Jersey Eagles 11-5 on Tuesday evening. The Alvernia duo of Chris Ray and Mike Weinhold each contributed three hits in a losing cause. The Blazers host the Lehigh Valley Catz at 7pm on Wednesday evening in an attempt to regain third place for the final playoff slot.

Vogelsong and Gorski continue to shine
July 19, 2011
Ryan Vogelsong (Quakertown Blazers) followed up on his National League All-Star selection by tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings as the Giants defeated the Dodgers 5-0 on Monday evening. The 6-4 RHP lowered his National League best ERA to 2.02 and improved his record to 7-1. Fellow Kutztown University product Darin Gorski (Quakertown Blazers, Kutztown Rockies), also an All-Star selection in the Florida State League, boosted his record to 10-0 as the St. Lucie Mets clobbered Clearwater 19-4. The 6-4 LHP tops the FSL with a 2.03 ERA.

Blazers sweep Collegians
July 17, 2011
The Blazers defeated the Long Island Collegians 5-2 and 8-5 this afternoon at New York Tech. Dan Sieracki belted a three run home run in the opener to power the Blazers as Lou Trevino picked up the win. Dan Johnson hit a three run homer in the second game while Tim Mayza was the winning pitcher. The Blazers return home on Tuesday evening to host the North Jersey Eagles in a battle for the final playoff slot.

Pilots take twinbill from Blazers
July 16, 2011
The Blazers lost both ends of a twinbill to the Jersey Pilots on Saturday by the scores of 9-1 and 8-3. Chris Ray had two hits in the first game while Jeff Wiand collected two in the nightcap. Dan Johnson had a double and triple for the day. The Blazers travel to Long Island tomorrow and return home on Tuesday night to host North Jersey.

Blazers Drop a Pair to Jersey
July 14, 2011
The Blazers were edged 1-0 in the opener of a doubleheader against the Jersey Pilots this evening. Casey Cooperman was a tough luck loser as he scattered five hits and one run. The Blazers had men on base in every inning, but failed to get a clutch hit when needed. Rob Corsi gained the win for the Pilots. The Pilots had four runs in the second and fifth inning to win the nightcap 8-1 as John Barr took the loss. The Blazers hope to improve on their 10-13 record on Saturday when they host the Pilots on Blazers Alumni Day at 1pm in Memorial Park.

Blazers Split with Catz
July 13, 2011
The Blazers lost the first game 6-2 and rallied in the nightcap for a 4-2 victory over Lehigh Valley. Jeff Wiand doubled with two out in the top of the seventh inning. Dan Johnson scored Wiand with a single to break the 2-2 tie. Dennis Hocker followed with a double scoring Johnson to give the Blazers a 4-2 margin. Lou Trevino pitched the first five innings while Dave Putman gained the win with two scoreless innings. Hocker, Johnson and Chris Ray each had two hits in the win. The Blazers are now 10-11 and travel to Jersey for a 5pm doubleheader tomorrow. The Blazers return to Memorial Park on Saturday for another DH with the Pilots.

East Tops West in 45th ACBL All-Star Game
July 12, 2011
The East met the West at Monday night’s Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game, held at MCU Park in Brooklyn. After falling short in last year’s contest, the East, consisting of the five Hamptons teams and the Long Island Collegians, turned the tides on the West, scoring a 5-4 victory. North Fork first baseman Matt Carroll (San Jose State) had two hits and drove in three runs to lead the East attack. He shared MVP honors with the West’s Robert Bernardo, who went 2 for 3 with three stolen bases in a losing cause. The East fell behind 2-0 and 3-2 until Carroll delivered a two-run single as part of a three-run seventh inning to put his side ahead. Kevin Heller (Amherst), the Hampton Division’s leader in average, homers and RBI, blooped a single into left; it plated what amounted to be the game-winning run. The West, which consisted of teams from the Wolff Division as well as Staten Island and New York of the Kaiser Division, struck back for a run in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly by North Jersey’s Ryan Quinn (Cincinnati), but Riverhead’s Brett Schreiber (Hofstra) prevented further damage in the seventh. Southampton righty Jared Wagner (Pacific) pitched a scoreless eighth, with help from his Breaker battery mate Stuart Turner (LSU-Eunice), who picked off a runner who led too far off first base. In the ninth, East manager Brian Hansen turned to Westhampton flamethrower Brandon Kuter (George Mason) to shut the door. The ACBL leader in saves hit a batter to put the tying run on base, but with Anthony D’Alessandro at the plate, the runner took off and Turner fired a bullet to second to catch him stealing, ending the game. The West scored a run in each of the first three innings. It built a 2-0 lead when the Atlantics’ Robert Fargnoli (Lafayette) delivered an RBI double to open the scoring, and then Lehigh Valley outfielder Dan Klem (La Salle) rapped a single up the middle to pad the West’s lead. That lead evaporated in the third when Westhampton’s Ray Ortega (Manhattan) lined a double to left center, scoring Riverhead infielder Eric Schlitter (Bridgeport) with the East’s first run. Then Carroll singled to right to score Ortega, tying the game. The West touched up Long Island righty Bo Budkevics (C.W. Post) for a run in the third, and it could have had more if not for Southampton shortstop Robb Scott (Bucknell), who cut down a runner at the plate by throwing a strike to Ortega. The East was also able to quell West rallies with a pair of double plays. Sag Harbor righty Kevin McCarthy (Marist) was credited with the victory after tossing a scoreless sixth inning. From the West, the likes of New York’s Matt Soren (Delaware) and Lehigh Valley’s Lee Sosa (Binghamton) impressed not only in pitching 1-2-3 innings but in eclipsing 90 miles per hour on the radar gun.

Blazers fall 3-2 in 14 innings
July 8, 2011
The Blazers lost 3-2 in 14 innings to the North Jersey Eagles on Thursday evening. The Blazer pitchers, Lou Trivino, Casey Cooperman, Dave Putman and Bobby Applegate did not allow an earned run and struck out twenty batters. Dennis Hocker hit a home run and Brandon Sady contributed three hits to the Blazers' offense. The Blazers travel to Staten Island for a doubleheader on Sunday. Dan Johnson, Jeff Wiand and Trivino will participate in the ACBL All-Star game on Monday evening at MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Vogelsong named to All-Star team
July 3, 2011
Ryan Vogelsong (Quakertown Blazers, 1996-1997) was named to the National League All-Star Team on Sunday. The 82nd All-Star game will be held July 12 at Phoenix's Chase Field. Vogelsong is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in 84 innings for the Giants. Opponents are hitting .222 against him and he has 68 strikeouts.

Quakertown Tops Lehigh Valley 5-4
Winning streak at 4
July 2, 2011
The Quakertown Blazers won their fourth in a row as they hung on to defeat the Lehigh Valley Catz 5-4 on Saturday afternoon. Lou Trivino only allowed one run over the first six innings while John Barr pitched the seventh and eighth inning for the win. Dave Putman got the save as the Catz loaded the bases with two out in the bottom of the ninth after scoring two runs. Sean Saverio had two hits while Chris Ray posted two RBI. A double by Saverio and triple by Tyler Freeman sparked a three run rally in the ninth inning. The Blazers return home tomorrow for a 1pm doubleheader with the Jersey Pilots. This will be North Atlantic League Day and several former players will throw out the first pitch.

Blazers Winning Streak at 3
June 29, 2011
The Blazers outscored the Lehigh Valley Catz 6-4 on Wednesday evening. Dan Johnson had three hits while Dave Sieracki and Chris Ray each added two hits. Casey Cooperman and Bobby Applegate shared the pitching duties. The Blazers are now 7-5 and travel to Easton on Saturday for a 1pm start against the Lehigh Valley Catz.

Blazers Top North Jersey 8-7
June 28, 2011
The Blazers defeated the North Jersey Eagles 8-7 on Tuesday night. Tyler Freeman topped the Blazer offense with three hits including a double and triple and three RBI. Andrew Farris added two singles and two RBI while Jeff Wiand's home run proved to be the margin of victory. Dave Putman closed out for the save. The Blazers are now 6-5 and travel to Easton to play the Catz at 5pm tomorrow.

North Atlantic League Day
June 27, 2011
On Sunday July 3 the Quakertown Blazers will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the North Atlantic League, a Class D Minor League from 1946 to 1950. Former players are invited as special guests of the Blazers to attend the 1pm doubleheader with the Jersey Pilots in Memorial Park. Two members of the 1949 championship Stroudsburg team, Don Sweda and Jack Rothenhausler are expected to attend along with Lee Saverio (Mahanoy City/Bangor) and Art Bustard (Lansdale).

Blazers split with Atlantics
June 26, 2011
The New York Atlantics won the opener 8-0 behind the pitching of Jason Lembo. Andrew Farris notched two hits for the Blazers. The Blazers unleashed an 18 hit attack to win the nightcap at St. John's University. Dan Johnson, Eric Barbieri and Sean Saverio each contributed three hits while Dennis Hocker, Chris Ray and Mike Weinhold added two hits a piece. Lou Trivino allowed only one run in three and a third innings of relief. The Blazers are now 5-5 and return home on Tuesday June 28 to face the North Jersey Eagles who swept the Long Island Collegians on Saturday.

Another superb start for Vogelsong
June 23, 2011
Ryan Vogelsong stops Twins streakRyan Vogelsong (Quakertown Blazers 1996,1997) gave up only one run, four hits and a walk in seven innings as the Giants ended the Twins eight game winning streak on Wednesday with a 5-1 win. The 6-4 right-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in nine consecutive starts and is 5-1 with a 1.86 ERA which essentially ties Josh Beckett for the Major League lead. Last year he was playing in AAA with Lehigh Valley and Salt Lake City; this year he is a serious contender for the National League All-Star team.

Blazers Edge Eagles
June 15, 2011
The Quakertown Blazers nipped the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth to preserve a 6-5 victory over the North Jersey Eagles. Brian McKenna (Seton Hall) doubled down the right field line and Ryan Quinn (Cincinnati) was thrown out at the plate on a Sean Saverio (Widener) to Eric Hink (Niagara) to Chad Warga (Lehigh) play. Hink and Chris Ray (Alvernia) each had two hits to top the Blazers' offense. Chad Cooperman (Bloomsburg) picked up the win. The Blazers host the Lehigh Valley Catz on Thursday night at 7pm on Upper Bucks YMCA night.

Weekend Slate Completely Postponed
Todays Double Header cancelled
June 12, 2011
The Staten Island Tide (2-1) at Quakertown Blazers (2-2) double header scheduled for today has been postponed due to field conditions.

Todays Double Header is Postponed
June 11, 2011
The New York Atlantics (0-2) at Quakertown Blazers (2-2) double header scheduled for today has been postponed due to heavy thunderstorms and wet field this morning.

Padres Draft 2 Blazers
June 9, 2011
The San Diego Padres drafted two former Blazer pitchers in the recent MLB draft. Jeremy Gigliotti (East Stroudsburg) was selected in the 19th round while Vince Voiro (Penn) was taken in the 47th round. Gigliotti leaves tomorrow for Arizona while Voiro must decide if he wishes to remain at Penn for his senior year or go to the minor leagues.

Blazers win 10-4
June 9, 2011
The Quakertown Blazers defeated the Lehigh Valley Catz 10-4 on Thursday evening behind a 13 hit attack sparked by Jeff Wiand with four hits. Lou Trivino was the winning pitcher in the rain delayed game. Brian Black pitched three innings in relief and Keith Moyer pitched the ninth inning.

Vogelsong continues to impress
June 6, 2011
Ryan Vogelsong (Quakertown Blazers, 96-97) added another chapter to his stunning comeback on Sunday when he pitched the Giants back into first place in the National League West. Vogelsong allowed only one run in eight innings as the Giants defeated the Rockies 2-1. The 6-4 right-hander scattered four hits while striking out seven and walking one. He is now 4-1 and lowered his ERA to 1.68, the second lowest in the Major Leagues. In 53.2 innings he has 42 strikeouts with 14 base-on-balls.

Blazers Split a pair with Long Island
June 5, 2011
On Sunday afternoon the Quakertown Blazers won the second game 6-1 behind the strong pitching performance of Bobby Applegate who scattered three hits in a complete seven inning game. David Sieracki provided the big blow with a two run home run. The Long Island Collegians won the opener 8-2. The Blazers host the Catz on Thursday night followed by a weekend doubleheaders at home. On Sunday June 12 the Blazers will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the North Atlantic League. All former players are invited to attend as guests of the Blazers.

Blazers lose opener
June 3, 2011
The Lehigh Valley Catz defeated the Blazers 21-5 on Thursday evening. Dan Klem (LaSalle) and Steve Rogers (Trinity) each contributed four hits while Luke Bainer (Morehead State) and Christian Joist (Montclair St.) added three hits a piece. Dalton Herrington (LSU-Eunice) added a three run home run. Tyler Freeman (Burlington CC) posted two hits for the Blazers. The Blazers look to get back on track Sunday when they host the Long Island Collegians in a 1pm doubleheader.

Buch and Gorski excel in High A
May 31, 2011
Two ACBL top prospects, Ryan Buch (Blazers) and Darin Gorski (Rockies, Blazers) have been outstanding so far this spring. Buch, the top prospect in 2007, took a no-hitter into the seventh inning as Winston Salem (White Sox) defeated Potomac (Nationals) 7-1 on Monday. The 6-foot-3 right-hander got two outs in the seventh when he was pulled after 103 pitches in 94 degree weather. This was the fifth win of the year for Buch who was recently promoted from Kannapolis of the South Atlantic League. Gorski, the top prospect in 2008, is second in the Florida State League with a 2.16 ERA in 41.2 innings. The 6-foot-4 left-hander has 63 strikeouts and 13 walks with a 2-0 record and one save for the St. Lucie Mets. Nick Tropeano (Stony Brook, Tomcats) and Chris Reed (Stanford, Titans), top prospects in 2009 and 2010 respectively, have also had excellent springs and expect to be high draft selections next week in the MLB draft.

Vogelsong still outstanding
May 22, 2011
Ryan Vogelsong continued his remarkable comeback on Friday night when he allowed only an unearned run in six innings as the Giants defeated Oakland 2-1. The A's tainted fifth inning run ended Vogelsong's 17 1/3 inning scoreless streak. Vogelsong played for the Blazers in 1996 and 1997 prior to being drafted in 1998 by the Giants in the fifth round. Vogelsong is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 32.2 innings with 29 strikeouts and ten base on balls.

Vogelsong hurls shutout
May 15, 2011
Ryan Vogelsong (Quakertown Blazers, 96-97) tossed six scoreless innings to earn a shutout in a rain-shortened 3-0 win over the Cubs. Temperature was 43 degrees at game time with 20 MPH winds and light showers. Vogelsong struck out seven and walked one while improving to 3-0 with a 2.36 ERA. The Giants moved back into first place in the National League West with their seventh victory in last eight games. The former Kutztown University star has 24 strikeouts with eight walks in 26.2 innings pitched.

Blazers dominate All-PSAC teams
May 10, 2011
Jeremy Gigliotti (East Stroudsburg) was named PSAC East Pitcher of the Year. The red-shirt senior LHP tossed a no-hitter against Mansfield on Monday to put the Warriors into the playoffs. His 0.45 ERA is the lowest in the country and hitters are only hitting .131 against him. He has 73 strikeouts with 11 walks in 60 innings. Third baseman James Quigley (Kutztown) and catcher Matt Albaugh (Kutztown) join Gigliotti on the All-PSAC East First Team. Shortstop Evan Gallagher (East Stroudsburg) was named to the PSAC East second team. Two 2011 Blazers, outfielder Chris Edgar (Millersville) and starting pitcher Lou Trivino (Slippery Rock), were named to second teams in the East and West conferences respectively.

Vogelsong perfect through five
May 8, 2011
Ryan Vogelsong (Quakertown Blazers) set down the first 15 Rockies he faced as the Giants defeated the Rockies 3-0 on Sunday. Vogelsong was solid through six and one-third innings allowing only a lead-off single in the sixth inning. He fanned four with one walk and is now 2-0 with a 3.05 ERA. In 20.2 innings the former Kutztown RHP has allowed only 13 hits with 17 strikeouts and seven walks.

Gorski Fans 10
April 28, 2011
Darin Gorski (Kutztown Rockies / Quakertown Blazers), the top ACBL prospect in 2008, struck out a career high 10 batters over four innings in his first start as the St. Lucie Mets defeated Bradenton 9-4 on Wednesday in the Advanced A Florida State League. Gorski, a seventh round pick of the Mets, finished at 80 pitches with only four balls leaving the infield. Previously the 6-4 LHP had whiffed 14 and walked two in five games out of the bullpen. He now has a 24-3 SO:BB ratio in 15 innings with a 3.60 ERA. LHP Frank Gailey (Quakertown Blazers) is also pitching in the Florida State League and has posted a 1.64 ERA in seven relief appearances for the Dunedin Blue Jays. Click here to view the complete article

Vogelsong returns to Majors
April 20, 2011
Former Quakertown Blazer Ryan Vogelsong pitched one and a third innings of scoreless relief as the Giants defeated the Rockies 8-1 behind another superb performance from Tim Lincecum on Monday evening. Vogelsong had a good spring training with the Giants and was 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA at Fresno prior to his promotion. The Kutztown University product last pitched in the Major Leagues with the Pirates in 2006 and spent 2007 to 2009 in Japan. Last year he pitched in AAA ball with the Phillies and Angels affiliates.

Blazers Minor League Update
April 13, 2011
Former Blazer Ryan Vogelsong allowed only one earned run in five and two-thirds innings as Fresno (AAA, Giants) defeated Tacoma 9-2 on Tuesday. The former Kutztown University star is now 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in 11.1 innings. He has 17 strikeouts with five walks. Pete Andrelzyck is pitching at Jacksonville ( AA, Marlins) while Ryan Buch ( Lo A, White Sox) allowed only one hit in six innings as Kannapolis lost their opener. LHPs Frank Gailey (Dunedin, Hi A, Blue Jays) and Darin Gorski ( St. Lucie, Hi A, Mets) are in the Florida State League. Another LHP J.D. Reichenbach is pitching for Lake County (Lo A, Indians) in the Midwest League. Two position players on the 2009 ACBL champion Blazers, Outfielder Greg Folgia and catcher Vin DiFazio, are playing in the Carolina League with Kinston ( Hi A, Indians) and Myrtle Beach (Hi A, Rangers) respectively.

Vogelsong returns to Giants
February 28, 2011
Former Blazer RHP Ryan Vogelsong is a non-roster invitee to the San Francisco Giants spring training camp and pitched two scoreless innings on Sunday as the Giants lost 4-3 to the Diamondbacks. Vogelsong was a 5th round selection of the Giants in 1998 and made his MLB debut with the Giants in 2000. In 2001 he was traded to the Pirates and pitched for Pittsburgh until 2006. Since then he has played in Japan and AAA minor leagues. The 33 year old former Kutztown University star split his time in 2010 between the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and Salt Lake City Bees while posting a 3-8 log with 110 strike outs in 96 innings.


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2024 ECCBL Standings
 WLTPCTGB
Scranton221200.6470.0
Southside211200.6360.5
Trenton Capitals171610.5154.5
Quakertown151620.4845.5
Mercer161800.4716.0
Pocono151810.4556.5
Trenton Generals141910.4247.5
South Jersey122110.3649.5
2024 Blazers Schedule
   
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06/01@South Jersey L 3-111:00 AM
06/01@South Jersey W 7-42:00 PM
06/04@Southside W 12-05:00 PM
06/08Mercer L 6-112:00 PM
06/08Mercer L 12-12:30 PM
06/11@Scranton W 3-15:00 PM
06/12@Southside L 3-15:00 PM
06/13Scranton L 11-37:00 PM
06/15Trenton Capitals W 2-112:00 PM
06/15Trenton Capitals L 5-42:30 PM
06/18Pocono L 12-27:00 PM
06/19Scranton L 1-07:00 PM
06/20@Pocono L 9-25:00 PM
06/22@Trenton Generals W 5-412:00 PM
06/22@Trenton Generals W 10-02:30 PM
06/25Southside L 13-17:00 PM
06/27Southside L 7-07:00 PM
06/29South Jersey W 3-212:00 PM
06/29South Jersey W 5-12:30 PM
07/02@Scranton L 5-25:00 PM
07/03Scranton L 3-17:00 PM
07/07@Mercer W 7-64:30 PM
07/07@Mercer L 4-07:00 PM
07/10Soundside L 10-27:00 PM
07/11Pocono T 2-23:30 PM
07/11@Pocono W 6-35:00 PM
07/14@Trenton Capitals W 2-111:00 AM
07/14@Trenton Capitals T 3-31:30 PM
07/19Scranton W 2-17:00 PM
07/20Trenton Generals W 2-112:00 PM
07/20Trenton Generals W 3-12:30 PM
07/21Pocono L 6-44:30 PM
07/21@Pocono W 9-06:30 PM
07/26@Southside W 3-26:30 PM
07/27@Trenton Capitals W 11-75:00 PM
07/28@Scranton W 7-51:00 PM