NEWS

Three University of North Georgia players had such a good time with the Aldie Senators last summer that they’re coming back for more—and they’ve brought a friend. Add to the mix three players from Seton Hill and you’ve got a recipe for camaraderie—even between Nighthawks and Griffins.

Starting pitcher Humberto Delatorre (University of South Carolina Beaufort/Port Royal, S.C.) leads a quartet of returners. During his most recent collegiate season, he anchored the Sand Sharks’ bullpen, leading the team in starts, wins and strikeouts. Opposing batters batted .215 versus Delatorre and he held a 3.16 ERA.

Delatorre will have familiar catchers behind the plate this summer with rising seniors Michael Miranda (Manhattan College/Miami, Fl.) and Eason Spivey (University of North Georgia/Montrose, Ga.). Miranda posted a team-high .456 slugging percentage for the Jaspers this season. Spivey led the Nighthawks in several batting statistics including runs (40), homeruns (6), and batting average (.328). He was also an American Baseball Coaches Association Gold Glove recipient this spring. Both have established a good chemistry with Delatorre and Spivey with North Georgia teammates and pitchers Chip Fleming (Dagula, Ga.) and Joshua Wolfe (Warthen, Ga.) as well.

The last returning player for Aldie is outfielder Matt Malacane (Seton Hill University/South Riding, Va.). He batted .328 for the Griffins and posted a .989 fielding percentage while leading the team in putouts. Malacane, along with new Aldie teammates Jordan Fuller (Cresson, Pa.) and Garret Vrbanc (Glenshaw, Pa.), helped Seton Hill to win the 2014 NCAA Atlantic Regional one week ago.

Other notable players for the Senators include Reece Karalus (Santa Clara University/North Bend, Wa.). Karalus led the Broncos with six wins, 11 saves, and a 2.3 ERA. Patrick Wright (Le Moyne College/Liverpool, Ny.) led the Dolphins with 30 RBIs and tied the team lead for homeruns with five. Joe Giacchino (University of Delaware/West Chester, Pa.) has the most runs for the Blue Hens with 38 and was second on the team in at-bats and hits. Tremayne Toorie (Snellville, Ga.) is the fourth North Georgia player on the roster. He led the team in at-bats, hits, and doubles.

The Senators are led by Eric Lemley who returns to coach this season. Lemley spent this spring in his sixth season at University of Virginia-Wise, as both a recruiting coordinator and hitting coach. Lemley, a UVA-Wise alum, played on the baseball team from 2003 to 2006. Prior to his current position, he led at Notre Dame Academy to a VISBA State Championship.

The Aldie Senators open the season away on May 30 against the Front Royal Cardinals. Their first home game is May 31 against the Woodstock River Bandits at John Champe High School. Local band Time Warp will kick off the season with a pre-game concert.

—Michael Lynch

Photo by HaymarketJoePhotography.com