By Matt Arietta

Glens Falls Golden Eagles

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GLENS FALLS¨ John Mayotte leads his squad onto East Field today, signaling the start to his 9^th season as head coach of the Golden Eagles for the first day of practice. Alongside Coach Mayotte are new additions to the coaching staff, which include pitching coach, Sean Cashman, who spent the spring season as a member of the coaching staff at Temple University and Jon Ubbenga, from Missouri State University. Strength and Conditioning coach Will Groff returns to the staff for his second season, hailing from Queensbury, New York.

As for Mayotte’s squad, the team is full of newcomers who show great promise as well as carry high expectations into the 2011 campaign. The season opens up on Thursday June 9^th, on the road in Mohawk Valley against the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs. Among the players to watch for the 2011 season are:

  Returning Golden Eagles

·         Dave Olsen- A sophomore pitcher at Tacoma Community College, from Auburn, Washington. Last season he helped the Golden Eagles as a pitcher and position player. He compiled a .314 (38-121) average with six doubles, three homers, and 20 RBI at the dish. While on the bump he went 19 innings collecting one save in the process. Dave also had two starts ending the season with an ERA of 2.89.

·         Peter Noordsy- A Junior left handed pitcher at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Noordsy saw little action last year with the Golden Eagles after his collegiate season was cut short due to elbow surgery.

Top Newcomers to the Golden Eagles

·         Roger Bernal- A Junior right-handed bat from San Antonio, Texas will play his college ball at Texas Pan American in Edinburg, Texas next season. As a sophomore at Grayson County College in Denison, Texas, Roger batted .380 (70-for-184) with nine doubles, two triples, 41 runs and 55 RBI.

·         Ricky Claudio- Ricky will be a tremendous asset for the Golden Eagles this season as a pitcher and hitter. Claudio, a two-way player at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, ended his season with a .366 average, 7 doubles, 4 triples, and 5 homeruns, compiling 27 RBI in the process. Ricky earned himself, All Mid-Florida Conference First Team honors at the conclusion of the season.

·         Nick Gonzalez- Nick, just coming off of his freshman season as a member of the University of South Florida Bulls, will aid the Golden Eagles with his arm this season. The 6’4” lefty throws with great velocity (88-91) consistently, while also being able to change speeds effectively throughout his appearances. On his expectations for his first season with the Golden Eagles: “Win the playoffs from a team standpoint, and individually work hard. Do what I can to help the team win day in and day out.”

The Golden Eagles will host their home opener at East Field Stadium, on Friday June 10^th, at 7 pm versus the Amsterdam Mohawks.

  June 6^th, 2011

©2012 Glens Falls Golden Eagles
info@glensfallsgoldeneagles.com
Phone: 518.223-0820

Staff Report – June 9, 2011 (Continued)

To kick off the summer season, the team hosted a Home Run Derby Challenge featuring prominent members of the local community. With the team ballplayers fielding the hit balls, the participants competed in an elimination style three round tournament with portable fences placed 250 ft from home plate.

Participants in the inaugural tournament included Will Springstead of the Post Star, Josh Milton of the Glens Falls Recreation Department, Chris Scarincio of Chase Sports, Steve Singley and Matt Benedetti of the Queensbury Olive Garden, Phil Kahn of the Glens Falls Hospital, Will Groff of the Glens Falls YMCA,
Patty Bethel of Cooper’s Cave Ale Company, and Sheri Williams and Gina Nassivera of the Golden Eagles. Also in attendance was Shay Mason, a Congressional Aide and Caseworker representing Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-20).

Winning the tournament after an impressive display of power with 11 total homeruns was Groff who won a final face off vs. Benedetti, six home runs, to claim victory. Also advancing out of the first round were Scarincio and Milton who both had successful first rounds with seven and one home runs overall respectively. In the women’s division, Nassivera earned the victory with nine home runs overcoming
Williams who totaled seven home runs.

Following the derby, Coach John Mayotte introduced his players and coaches one by one reciting the players’ names, college teams, positions, statistics, and other unique facts without fail. Returning for his eighth season as the only coach the Golden Eagles have ever known, Coach Mayotte was passionate and visibly excited as he introduced his new players for the upcoming 2011 season. The team opens
the season and begins its quest for the inaugural PGCBL championship at home Friday evening, June 10th, at 7pm with a tailgate party beginning at 4pm.  For ticket information, call (518) 223-0820 or email info@glensfallsgoldeneagles.com.