new jersey collegiate baseball association
NEW JERSEY COLLEGIATE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION NJCBA Pre s ide nt : Ira Tho r | 9 7 3-420-846 6 | i ra t ho r@ gm a il.c o m FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON ∙ MONMOUTH ∙ NJIT ∙ PRINCETON ∙ RIDER ∙ RUTGERS ∙ SAINT PETER’S ∙ SETON HALL ∙ BLOOMFIELD ∙ CALDWELL ∙ CENTENARY ∙ DREW ∙ FDU-FLORHAM ∙ FELICIAN ∙ KEAN ∙ MONTCLAIR STATE ∙ NEW JERSEY CITY ∙ RAMAPO ∙ RICHARD STOCKTON ∙ ROWAN ∙ RUTGERS-CAMDEN ∙ RUTGERS-NEWARK ∙ STEVENS ∙ TCNJ ∙ WILLIAM PATERSON
ATTENTION COLLEGE SPORTS DESK CONTACT: Ira Thor/New Jersey City University (June 3, 2015)
2015 NEW JERSEY COLLEGIATE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION COLLEGE DIVISION II/III ALL-STATE TEAMS and MAJOR AWARDS ANNOUNCED HOWELL, NJ | After winning the NCAA Division III New England Regional and playing three games in the Division III College World Series, Ramapo College claimed three of the six major New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association awards for the 2015 season. Ramapo junior second baseman Joe Venturino (Barnegat Light, NJ) is the 2014 NJCBA Division II/III Player of the Year while the Roadrunners’ ace, senior right-handed pitcher W alker Larson (Mahwah, NJ) was voted the 2015 NJCBA Division II/III Pitcher of the Year in voting by the organization’s 17 college division member coaches. Meanwhile, Ramapo head coach Rich Martin (Mahwah, NJ) was picked as the NJCBA Division II/III Coach of the Year by his peers. Additionally, Kean University sophomore lefty Richie Ferguson (Flemington, NJ) took home the states’ Division II/III Fireman of the Year. Teammate and Kean freshman third baseman Matt Krupa (Mahwah, NJ) scored Division II/III Rookie Player of the Year. Joe Cirillo (Fairfield, NJ) , a right-hander from The College of New Jersey, is the Division II/III Rookie Pitcher of the Year. Venturino, a D3baseball.com and ABCA 2015 First-Team+ All-American, led the Roadrunners in their first appearance in the DIII World Series since 1984. He was named to the All-Tournament Team in both the College World Series and New England Regional. The All-New Jersey Athletic Conference selection batted .410 in 49 games with 80 hits in 195 at bats. The 6-footer produced 20 doubles, 48 runs, 41 RBIs and belted five home runs with a .474 on-base percentage (22 walks, 7 hit by pitch) and .590 slugging rate for 115 total bases. On the bases he was successful in 15 of 20 steals and owns a .955 fielding percentage in 247 chances. It is the third time in four seasons a Ramapo player has taken home the state’s Player of the Year for the college division, with Dave Jacob garnering the honor in 2012 and 2013. Larson , the back-to-back NJAC Pitcher of the Year and a Third-Team All-American by D3baseball and the ABCA, collected NJCBA State Pitcher of the Year accolades after posting a 10-3 record in 19 appearances (13 starts) and picking up two saves. In 119.2 innings, he struck out 96, walked only 25 and notched a 2.03 ERA and a .233 opposing batting average. He allowed just 27 earned runs and 101 hits all season. Larson , a 6-foot-7, 220-pound righty, is the first Ramapo pitcher on record to win the award. Martin , in his 15th season, guided the Roadrunners to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five seasons as an at-large bid. He was named the NJCBA Coach of the Year for the second time (2011). Ramapo went 33-16 under his watch including an impressive four-game sweep through the regionals and one win in the World Leads the all-time series Ramapo won 30 games for the fourth time in five years. Martin has won more than 600 career games. Ferguson, a 5-foot-7 sophomore lefty, was 7-0 on the season—yet only started once in 11 appearance. C hosen the Division II/III NJCBA Fireman of the Year—given to the top relief pitcher—to match the award he received from the NJAC, he is a perfect 9-0 in 20 appearances in his career. In 2015 he also secured two saves. In 49.2 innings he struck out 50, walked just 15 and had a 3.99 ERA. It is the fourth time since 2008 that a Cougars pitcher has taken home the award. Krupa , previously named the NJAC Rookie of the Year, is the state’s Division II/III Rookie Player of the Year. The Mahwah High School product and 6-foot-1 third baseman, batted .358 in 43 games (40 starts) for the Cougars. He had 59 hits in 165 at bats and collected 80 total bases (14 doubles, 2 triples, 1 homer) with 33 RBIs and 29 runs scored. He finished with a .393 on-base and .485 slugging rate. Splitting time between second and third much of the year, he was named First-Team All-Region as a utility (non-pitcher) player. He is the fourth Kean player to win the award and the first since 2009. Cirillo , a 6-foot-1 graduate of DePaul Catholic, made the most of his first year on the mound for the Lions, going 6-1 in seven appearances (all starts). In 47.1 innings he struck out 30, walked 11 and had a 3.42 ERA and 2.57 opposing batting average. He had one combined shutout while allowing just 18 earned runs overall. He is the first TCNJ player to be voted Division II/III Rookie Pitcher of the Year since 2003. NJAC champion Kean was the most-honored program with 11 players receiving All-State First, Second or Third-Team honors, including four players on the First Team. Ramapo was the next most honored program with seven selections. New Jersey City, which had the best offensive season overall of any team in the state had five selections while Rowan and William Paterson also produced five selections. Rutgers-Camden, TCNJ had four recipients while Montclair State rounded out the multiple selections with three.
2015 NJCBA DIVISION II/III ALL-STATE TEAM MAJOR AWARDS
DIVISION II/III PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Joe Venturino, Ramapo (JR, 2B, Barnegat Light, NJ) DIVISION II/III PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Walker Larson, Ramapo (SR, RHP, Mahwah, NJ) FIREMAN OF THE YEAR: Richie Ferguson, Kean (SO, LHP, Flemington, NJ) ROOKIE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Matt Krupa, Kean (FR, 3B, Mahwah, NJ ROOKIE PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Joe Cirillo, TCNJ (FR, RHP, Fairfield, NJ) COACH OF THE YEAR: Rich Martin, Ramapo FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE NAME
SCHOOL
YEAR
POSITION
HOMETOWN
Billy Jackson
Rutgers-Camden
JR
SP (RHP)
Estell Manor, NJ
Walker Larson 1
Ramapo
SR
SP (RHP)
Mahwah, NJ
Tom Portesy
Ramapo
SR
SP (RHP)
Flanders, NJ
Charles Thielmann 4#
Kean
SR
SP (RHP)
Piscataway, NJ
Richie Ferguson
Kean
SO
RP (LHP)
Flemington, NJ
Vinny Zanfordino 1 *
Kean
JR
RP (RHP)
Edison, NJ
Jon Theckston
Rutgers-Camden
SO
C
Gloucester City, NJ
Alex Weinstein 8#
New Jersey City
SR
1B
Colonia, NJ
Joe Venturino 26*
Ramapo
JR
2B
Barnegat Light, NJ
Anthony Cocuzza #
TCNJ
SR
SS
Absecon, NJ
KC Abel
William Paterson
JR
3B
Wayne, NJ
Chris Werr 26#
Ramapo College
SR
DH
Pequannock, NJ
Joe Brooks 1^
Rutgers-Camden
SO
OF
Blackwood, NJ
Ryan Kelley *
Kean
JR
OF
Marlton, NJ
Patrick Roberts
TCNJ
JR
OF
Hillsborough, NJ
Jayson Yano 1*
Stevens
JR
UT
Foothill Ranch, CA
SECOND TEAM ALL-STATE NAME
SCHOOL
YEAR
POSITION
HOMETOWN
* Robert Robbins
Stevens
JR
SP (RHP)
Tallahassee, FL
Ryan Sharkey 6
Rowan
SR
SP (LHP)
Rutherford, NJ
Jeff Singer
Rutgers-Camden
SR
SP (LHP)
Cinnaminson, NJ
Bryan Kopko
William Paterson
FR
RP (RHP)
Colonia, NJ
Andrew Niech 16*
New Jersey City
JR
C
Avenel, NJ
Sal Taormina 1*
Kean
JR
1B
Brooklyn, NY
Tom McGuckin
Kean
SR
2B
Bayonne, NJ
Ryan Reitmeyer *
Kean
JR
SS
Lacey Township, NJ
Kevin McMenamin 1
Rowan
SR
3B
Maple Shade, NJ
Anthony Fischetti
Kean
SR
DH
Clark, NJ
^ Mike Abate
William Paterson
SO
OF
Wayne, NJ
Josh Cote
Rutgers-Newark
SO
OF
Wayne, NJ
George Eisenhart 5
Stockton
SR
OF
Harrison Township, NJ
3 Matt Meleo
Kean
JR
OF
Jackson, NJ
Casey Grimes 14
Rowan
SR
UT
Gibbstown, NJ
THIRD TEAM ALL-STATE NAME
SCHOOL
YEAR
POSITION
HOMETOWN
Joe Cirillo
TCNJ
FR
SP (RHP)
Fairfield, NJ
Ryan Easterday 5
Rowan
SR
SP (RHP)
Westmont, NJ
Robert Humes
Caldwell
SR
SP (RHP)
Berlin, NJ
Jonathan Torregroza
Montclair State
SR
SP (LHP)
Bound Brook, NJ
Austin Minton
Montclair State
FR
RP (RHP)
Roebling, NJ
Mike Knauf
William Paterson
SO
C
Manalapan, NJ
Mike Miraglia
Drew
SO
C
Toms River, NJ
Ryan Caparoni
Centenary
SR
1B
Kenvil, NJ
Chris Reynolds
Montclair State
SR
1B
Randolph, NJ
Nick Ruscingno 3^
New Jersey City
SO
2B
Teaneck, NJ
Steve Kowalski
Drew
SR
SS
Robbinsville, NJ
Branden Shaw
Felician
SR
SS
Cooper City, FL
Matt Krupa
Kean
FR
3B
Mahwah, NJ
Rob DeAngelis
Ramapo
SO
OF
Staten Island, NY
3^ Eric Giordano
New Jersey City
SO
OF
Metuchen, NJ
Jimmy Kenny
William Paterson
JR
OF
Fairfield, NJ
Ryan Pavlik 1
Rowan
SR
OF
Blackwood, NJ
Michael Martucci #
New Jersey City
SR
UT
Bayonne, NJ
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM NAME
SCHOOL
POSITION
HOMETOWN
Tommy Baronner
Stevens
2B
Solana Beach, CA
Joe Cirillo
TCNJ
SP (RHP)
Fairfield, NJ
Brian Cottrell
Ramapo
SP (RHP)
Brick, NJ
Joe Dahut
Drew
RP (RHP)
Kensington, MD
Mario Danza
William Paterson
SP (RHP)
Monroe Township, NJ
Alex Detweiler
Stevens
SP (RHP)
Sarasota, FL
Rob Eggert
William Paterson
2B
South Plainfield, NJ
Carter Fichter
Rutgers-Camden
RP (RHP)
Haddonfield, NJ
Hector Gonzalez
Montclair State
SS
Meriden, CT
JR Hilcher
Rutgers-Newark
RP (LHP)
Bloomfield, NJ
Bryan Kopko
William Paterson
RP (RHP)
Colonia, NJ
Matt Krupa
Kean
3B
Mahwah, NJ
Justin Marks
Rutgers-Newark
C
South Plainfield, NJ
Austin Minton
Montclair State
RP (RHP)
Roebling, NJ
Harry Montero
Bloomfield
1B
Millville, NJ
Danny Naif
Felician
RP (RHP)
Jackson, NJ
Mike Ramirez
New Jersey City
SP (LHP)
Old Bridge, NJ
Juan Reina
Bloomfield
SS
Paterson, NJ
Dmitri Rueger
New Jersey City
OF
Teaneck, NJ
Bruce Strickland
Felician
UT
Hazlet, NJ
John Tierney
Centenary
SS
West Milford, NJ
Connor Walsh
Ramapo
1B
Waldwick, NJ
LEGEND 1
= First-Team All-State, 2014 = Second-Team All-State, 2014 3 = Third-Team All-State, 2014 4 = First-Team All-State, 2013 5 = Second-Team All-State, 2013 6 = Third-Team All-State, 2013 2
7
= First-Team All-State, 2012 = Second-Team All-State, 2012 9 = Third-Team All-State, 2012
8
^ All-Rookie Team, 2014 * All-Rookie Team, 2013 # All-Rookie Team, 2012 & All-Rookie Team, 2011
ATTENTION COLLEGE SPORTS DESK CONTACT: Ira Thor/New Jersey City University (June 3, 2015)
2015 NEW JERSEY COLLEGIATE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION COLLEGE DIVISION II/III ALL-STATE TEAMS and MAJOR AWARDS ANNOUNCED HOWELL, NJ | After winning the NCAA Division III New England Regional and playing three games in the Division III College World Series, Ramapo College claimed three of the six major New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association awards for the 2015 season. Ramapo junior second baseman Joe Venturino (Barnegat Light, NJ) is the 2014 NJCBA Division II/III Player of the Year while the Roadrunners’ ace, senior right-handed pitcher W alker Larson (Mahwah, NJ) was voted the 2015 NJCBA Division II/III Pitcher of the Year in voting by the organization’s 17 college division member coaches. Meanwhile, Ramapo head coach Rich Martin (Mahwah, NJ) was picked as the NJCBA Division II/III Coach of the Year by his peers. Additionally, Kean University sophomore lefty Richie Ferguson (Flemington, NJ) took home the states’ Division II/III Fireman of the Year. Teammate and Kean freshman third baseman Matt Krupa (Mahwah, NJ) scored Division II/III Rookie Player of the Year. Joe Cirillo (Fairfield, NJ) , a right-hander from The College of New Jersey, is the Division II/III Rookie Pitcher of the Year. Venturino, a D3baseball.com and ABCA 2015 First-Team+ All-American, led the Roadrunners in their first appearance in the DIII World Series since 1984. He was named to the All-Tournament Team in both the College World Series and New England Regional. The All-New Jersey Athletic Conference selection batted .410 in 49 games with 80 hits in 195 at bats. The 6-footer produced 20 doubles, 48 runs, 41 RBIs and belted five home runs with a .474 on-base percentage (22 walks, 7 hit by pitch) and .590 slugging rate for 115 total bases. On the bases he was successful in 15 of 20 steals and owns a .955 fielding percentage in 247 chances. It is the third time in four seasons a Ramapo player has taken home the state’s Player of the Year for the college division, with Dave Jacob garnering the honor in 2012 and 2013. Larson , the back-to-back NJAC Pitcher of the Year and a Third-Team All-American by D3baseball and the ABCA, collected NJCBA State Pitcher of the Year accolades after posting a 10-3 record in 19 appearances (13 starts) and picking up two saves. In 119.2 innings, he struck out 96, walked only 25 and notched a 2.03 ERA and a .233 opposing batting average. He allowed just 27 earned runs and 101 hits all season. Larson , a 6-foot-7, 220-pound righty, is the first Ramapo pitcher on record to win the award. Martin , in his 15th season, guided the Roadrunners to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five seasons as an at-large bid. He was named the NJCBA Coach of the Year for the second time (2011). Ramapo went 33-16 under his watch including an impressive four-game sweep through the regionals and one win in the World Leads the all-time series Ramapo won 30 games for the fourth time in five years. Martin has won more than 600 career games. Ferguson, a 5-foot-7 sophomore lefty, was 7-0 on the season—yet only started once in 11 appearance. C hosen the Division II/III NJCBA Fireman of the Year—given to the top relief pitcher—to match the award he received from the NJAC, he is a perfect 9-0 in 20 appearances in his career. In 2015 he also secured two saves. In 49.2 innings he struck out 50, walked just 15 and had a 3.99 ERA. It is the fourth time since 2008 that a Cougars pitcher has taken home the award. Krupa , previously named the NJAC Rookie of the Year, is the state’s Division II/III Rookie Player of the Year. The Mahwah High School product and 6-foot-1 third baseman, batted .358 in 43 games (40 starts) for the Cougars. He had 59 hits in 165 at bats and collected 80 total bases (14 doubles, 2 triples, 1 homer) with 33 RBIs and 29 runs scored. He finished with a .393 on-base and .485 slugging rate. Splitting time between second and third much of the year, he was named First-Team All-Region as a utility (non-pitcher) player. He is the fourth Kean player to win the award and the first since 2009. Cirillo , a 6-foot-1 graduate of DePaul Catholic, made the most of his first year on the mound for the Lions, going 6-1 in seven appearances (all starts). In 47.1 innings he struck out 30, walked 11 and had a 3.42 ERA and 2.57 opposing batting average. He had one combined shutout while allowing just 18 earned runs overall. He is the first TCNJ player to be voted Division II/III Rookie Pitcher of the Year since 2003. NJAC champion Kean was the most-honored program with 11 players receiving All-State First, Second or Third-Team honors, including four players on the First Team. Ramapo was the next most honored program with seven selections. New Jersey City, which had the best offensive season overall of any team in the state had five selections while Rowan and William Paterson also produced five selections. Rutgers-Camden, TCNJ had four recipients while Montclair State rounded out the multiple selections with three.
2015 NJCBA DIVISION II/III ALL-STATE TEAM MAJOR AWARDS
DIVISION II/III PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Joe Venturino, Ramapo (JR, 2B, Barnegat Light, NJ) DIVISION II/III PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Walker Larson, Ramapo (SR, RHP, Mahwah, NJ) FIREMAN OF THE YEAR: Richie Ferguson, Kean (SO, LHP, Flemington, NJ) ROOKIE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Matt Krupa, Kean (FR, 3B, Mahwah, NJ ROOKIE PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Joe Cirillo, TCNJ (FR, RHP, Fairfield, NJ) COACH OF THE YEAR: Rich Martin, Ramapo FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE NAME
SCHOOL
YEAR
POSITION
HOMETOWN
Billy Jackson
Rutgers-Camden
JR
SP (RHP)
Estell Manor, NJ
Walker Larson 1
Ramapo
SR
SP (RHP)
Mahwah, NJ
Tom Portesy
Ramapo
SR
SP (RHP)
Flanders, NJ
Charles Thielmann 4#
Kean
SR
SP (RHP)
Piscataway, NJ
Richie Ferguson
Kean
SO
RP (LHP)
Flemington, NJ
Vinny Zanfordino 1 *
Kean
JR
RP (RHP)
Edison, NJ
Jon Theckston
Rutgers-Camden
SO
C
Gloucester City, NJ
Alex Weinstein 8#
New Jersey City
SR
1B
Colonia, NJ
Joe Venturino 26*
Ramapo
JR
2B
Barnegat Light, NJ
Anthony Cocuzza #
TCNJ
SR
SS
Absecon, NJ
KC Abel
William Paterson
JR
3B
Wayne, NJ
Chris Werr 26#
Ramapo College
SR
DH
Pequannock, NJ
Joe Brooks 1^
Rutgers-Camden
SO
OF
Blackwood, NJ
Ryan Kelley *
Kean
JR
OF
Marlton, NJ
Patrick Roberts
TCNJ
JR
OF
Hillsborough, NJ
Jayson Yano 1*
Stevens
JR
UT
Foothill Ranch, CA
SECOND TEAM ALL-STATE NAME
SCHOOL
YEAR
POSITION
HOMETOWN
* Robert Robbins
Stevens
JR
SP (RHP)
Tallahassee, FL
Ryan Sharkey 6
Rowan
SR
SP (LHP)
Rutherford, NJ
Jeff Singer
Rutgers-Camden
SR
SP (LHP)
Cinnaminson, NJ
Bryan Kopko
William Paterson
FR
RP (RHP)
Colonia, NJ
Andrew Niech 16*
New Jersey City
JR
C
Avenel, NJ
Sal Taormina 1*
Kean
JR
1B
Brooklyn, NY
Tom McGuckin
Kean
SR
2B
Bayonne, NJ
Ryan Reitmeyer *
Kean
JR
SS
Lacey Township, NJ
Kevin McMenamin 1
Rowan
SR
3B
Maple Shade, NJ
Anthony Fischetti
Kean
SR
DH
Clark, NJ
^ Mike Abate
William Paterson
SO
OF
Wayne, NJ
Josh Cote
Rutgers-Newark
SO
OF
Wayne, NJ
George Eisenhart 5
Stockton
SR
OF
Harrison Township, NJ
3 Matt Meleo
Kean
JR
OF
Jackson, NJ
Casey Grimes 14
Rowan
SR
UT
Gibbstown, NJ
THIRD TEAM ALL-STATE NAME
SCHOOL
YEAR
POSITION
HOMETOWN
Joe Cirillo
TCNJ
FR
SP (RHP)
Fairfield, NJ
Ryan Easterday 5
Rowan
SR
SP (RHP)
Westmont, NJ
Robert Humes
Caldwell
SR
SP (RHP)
Berlin, NJ
Jonathan Torregroza
Montclair State
SR
SP (LHP)
Bound Brook, NJ
Austin Minton
Montclair State
FR
RP (RHP)
Roebling, NJ
Mike Knauf
William Paterson
SO
C
Manalapan, NJ
Mike Miraglia
Drew
SO
C
Toms River, NJ
Ryan Caparoni
Centenary
SR
1B
Kenvil, NJ
Chris Reynolds
Montclair State
SR
1B
Randolph, NJ
Nick Ruscingno 3^
New Jersey City
SO
2B
Teaneck, NJ
Steve Kowalski
Drew
SR
SS
Robbinsville, NJ
Branden Shaw
Felician
SR
SS
Cooper City, FL
Matt Krupa
Kean
FR
3B
Mahwah, NJ
Rob DeAngelis
Ramapo
SO
OF
Staten Island, NY
3^ Eric Giordano
New Jersey City
SO
OF
Metuchen, NJ
Jimmy Kenny
William Paterson
JR
OF
Fairfield, NJ
Ryan Pavlik 1
Rowan
SR
OF
Blackwood, NJ
Michael Martucci #
New Jersey City
SR
UT
Bayonne, NJ
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM NAME
SCHOOL
POSITION
HOMETOWN
Tommy Baronner
Stevens
2B
Solana Beach, CA
Joe Cirillo
TCNJ
SP (RHP)
Fairfield, NJ
Brian Cottrell
Ramapo
SP (RHP)
Brick, NJ
Joe Dahut
Drew
RP (RHP)
Kensington, MD
Mario Danza
William Paterson
SP (RHP)
Monroe Township, NJ
Alex Detweiler
Stevens
SP (RHP)
Sarasota, FL
Rob Eggert
William Paterson
2B
South Plainfield, NJ
Carter Fichter
Rutgers-Camden
RP (RHP)
Haddonfield, NJ
Hector Gonzalez
Montclair State
SS
Meriden, CT
JR Hilcher
Rutgers-Newark
RP (LHP)
Bloomfield, NJ
Bryan Kopko
William Paterson
RP (RHP)
Colonia, NJ
Matt Krupa
Kean
3B
Mahwah, NJ
Justin Marks
Rutgers-Newark
C
South Plainfield, NJ
Austin Minton
Montclair State
RP (RHP)
Roebling, NJ
Harry Montero
Bloomfield
1B
Millville, NJ
Danny Naif
Felician
RP (RHP)
Jackson, NJ
Mike Ramirez
New Jersey City
SP (LHP)
Old Bridge, NJ
Juan Reina
Bloomfield
SS
Paterson, NJ
Dmitri Rueger
New Jersey City
OF
Teaneck, NJ
Bruce Strickland
Felician
UT
Hazlet, NJ
John Tierney
Centenary
SS
West Milford, NJ
Connor Walsh
Ramapo
1B
Waldwick, NJ
LEGEND 1
= First-Team All-State, 2014 = Second-Team All-State, 2014 3 = Third-Team All-State, 2014 4 = First-Team All-State, 2013 5 = Second-Team All-State, 2013 6 = Third-Team All-State, 2013 2
7
= First-Team All-State, 2012 = Second-Team All-State, 2012 9 = Third-Team All-State, 2012
8
^ All-Rookie Team, 2014 * All-Rookie Team, 2013 # All-Rookie Team, 2012 & All-Rookie Team, 2011
