Three Golden Eagles head to Cape Cod League

Eric Phillips and Rickey Ott commit to Valley League, Zavala signs with New England League.

By Eric Rushia, SID
Published: Nov. 16, 2009

GLENS FALLS—Six former 2009 Golden Eagles, three pitchers, two outfielders, and one infielder, will not be returning for another summer in Glens Falls.

From 2009 New York Collegiate Baseball League All-Star or Futures Star selections to roster spots in a collegiate wood-bat summer league similiar to the NYCBL, the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Freshman outfielder Rodarrick Jones (New Orleans), who led the 2009 Glens Falls' offensive in several statistically categories during the regular season, including games played (41), runs batted in (25), total bases (59), on-base percentage (.389), and stolen bases (13) intends to play for the Cotuit Kettleers in 2010.

Though Jones number dipped slightly during the 2009 postseason for the Golden Eagles, the Kettleers will need his offensive production and defensive prowess if they plan to win the Arnold Mycock trophy sometime this decade.

Staying in the Cape, the 2009 Bourne Braves secured their first Cape Cod League Championship in  44 years, sweeping the  Kettleers and celebrating at Cotuit's home field.

Playing for those Braves in 2010—former Golden Eagles pitcher Andrew Brown (University of Akron).

Brown wowed NYCBL teams this past summer with a perfect 4-0 win-loss record in four starts, adding one save in five other appearances. His 2.19 ERA ranked fourth among all Glens Falls starters, while his .176 opponents batting average topped all Golden Eagle. Both helped the Glens Falls rotation and bullpen lead the league with a 2.32 ERA.

However, during the postseason, Brown saw limited action. 

Fellow Future's star, Daniel Watts (Jacksonville State), who appeared in six games during the regular season, lead all Glens Falls pitchers with a 0.42 ERA in more than 21 innings pitched, combined for two shutouts, and finished 5:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, expects time with one of the Cape's eight other teams though hasn’t hinted at what team.

Former Golden Eagles Slated for Valley League

One of the 2009 Glens Falls Golden Eagles most versatile players, freshman infielder Eric Philips (Georgia Southern) plans to play for the Luray Wranglers out of the Valley League.

In 2009, the Wranglers won the VBL Central with a 27-20 overall win-loss record, before losing the New Market Rebels in the playoffs.

Last summer, Phillips finished second among all Golden Eagles hitters in batting average (.313) and hits (42) in the regular season, while leading the team in average (.308) during Glens Falls' postseason run.

After dropping the teams 2009 home opener against the Saratoga Phillies, southpaw Rickey Ott (New Orleans) found his place as one of three closers out of the Golden Eagles bullpen. His three saves in three appearances led all Glens Falls relief pitchers.

Ott pitched more than 24 innings and struck out 20 hitters, yet by the time the 2009 playoffs rolled around in early August, the freshman reliever never heard his number called and never appeared in a single postseason game.

Come the 2010 summer, Ott expects to be pitching well into the Valley League playoffs, though he hasn't chosen a specific team.

Zavala now a North Adams Steeple Cat

Freshman outfielder Steve Zavala (Rutgers), former 2009 Golden Eagle who led the team in walks (22) during the regular season, and hits (5), runs scored (5) during the postseason, plans on starting and leading off for the North Adams Steeple Cats of the New England League.

Players Still Uncommitted

After two straight seasons toeing the rubber for the Glens Falls Golden Eagles, junior pitcher Jamie Storey (Midland College) plans to take the summer off to his rest his left arm.

Storey ended the 2009 regular season with 30 strikeouts in less than 30 innings, a .500 record, and one save. His lone playoff loss came in the deciding game against the eventual 2009 NYCBL Champions, the Amsterdam Mohawks.

Though he entered the game in the sixth inning with the game tied 4-4., Storey struck out four hitters in four innings, walked only one, and allowed zero earned runs.

Fellow southpaw, Chase Richard (Southern), who started game two against Amsterdam, claimed four wins in six starts, logged the most innings pitched (47) than any other on the staff, and finished with a 2.30 ERA during the regular season.

Now entering his senior season, Richard awaits a future of more baseball via the MLB draft or a coaching position.