05/15/2007 1:36 PM Article By:
for immediate release: 15 May, 2007
Falmouth Commodores 2007 Season Preview
Falmouth Looks For Another Successful Season
FALMOUTH, Mass. - After finishing 2006 with a third place finish in the Cape Cod Baseball League’s Western Division and a league high .249 team batting average, the Falmouth Commodores are back and ready for another successful summer on the Cape.
Led by veteran field manager Jeff Trundy, the 2007 squad is anchored by returning CCBL All-Star DH/first baseman Brett Wallace (Arizona State) and standout pitcher Shooter Hunt (Tulane).
Hunt, a sophomore transfer from Virginia to Tulane, went 3-0 on the mound for the Commodores and led the Cape League in strikeouts with 54 in 2006. Wallace was a key contributor to the
Commodores’ successful 2006 season and is currently hitting.451, placing him fifth in the nation.
The Commodores are focused on developing a strong bullpen. While Hunt will likely be the go-to starter, he will be accompanied by teammate and fellow pitcher Preston Claiborne (Tulane) along with hurlers Luke Burnett (Louisiana Tech), Kyle Gibson (Missouri), Brett Graffy (Notre Dame), Alex Wilson (Winthrop), and Aaron Shafer (Wichita State).
In his freshman year Shafer went 11-3 in 16 starts with a 2.63 ERA, which earned him First Team All-America honors by Collegiate Baseball and also Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2006. Shafer has been invited to the USA Team Trials this year where pre-tour training takes place June 19-28.
With the loss of big hitters Brad Chalk (Clemson), Warren McFadden (Tulane), and Mitch Canham (Oregon State), the Commodores look to their mix of veteran and rookie players to pick up the slack.
In 2006 Chalk posted the third highest batting average in the league at .305, with 46 hits while McFadden was second in the league with eight home runs. Canham held an impressive .300 batting average with a slugging percentage of .473.
In addition to Wallace, returning hitters include Aja Barto (Tulane), and Jeremy Farrell (Virginia). Wallace is dominating the offensive categories in his second season at Arizona State. Barto is hitting .292 for the Green Wave, while Farrell, a 2006 Louisville Slugger All-American, is collecting a notable .442 batting average for the Cavaliers.
The Commodores’ roster is studded with players from Top 25 teams in Div. 1 baseball, including Virginia (#3), Oregon State (#8), and Arizona State (#11).
Virginia will be adding two infielders to the Commodores’ family with David Adams and Jeremy Farrell. Adams is no stranger to the Cape League, playing his 2006 season with Brewster and batting .214 for the Whitecaps. Adams is currently hitting .366 at Virginia, while teammate Farrell is looking to have a great first season with the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Outfielder John Wallace (’09) will be making the trip from Oregon State to the Cape this season. Wallace held an impressive .326 batting average for the Beavers during his 2006 rookie year and will be adding his bat to the Commodores’ lineup.
Arizona State is sending two players from the desert including Brett Wallace and lefty pitcher Joey Parigi, a sophomore transfer from Texas where he threw 35 innings and struck out 25, earning a 3.86 ERA in 2006.
Coming off last season with a winning record, the Commodores look to 2007 with high hopes and a competitive squad. The team will open its season at home on June 15th against the Wareham Gatemen.
Erica Bailey, CCBL Intern ([email protected])
