Golden Eagles Host HR Derby to Kick Off Season  

Andrew Nadler

Glens Falls Golden Eagles

June 9, 2011

Glens Falls, NY – Fittingly, with the weather truly beginning to feel like summer, the Glens Falls Golden Eagles of the newly formed Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League held the team’s annual Meet & Greet event as well as a new Home Run Derby Challenge event this past Tuesday evening, June 7^th.

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 faceoff 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 run(s) 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 10^th, at 7pm with a tailgate party beginning at 4pm. For ticket information, call (518) 223-0820 or email info@glensfallsgoldeneagles.com.