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Falmouth Tries Again to Attain Championship Trophy

06/09/2012 12:24 AM

Article By: CCBL Public Relations Office

FALMOUTH, Mass. – The Commodores return for the 2012 season reloaded and ready to charge after the elusive Championship Trophy. It has been just over three decades since Falmouth’s last Cape Cod League championship and the team came close last summer, falling eventually to the Harwich Mariners in the final round. This year, the Commodores are refreshed and excited to try again mixing in a cast of returnees to go with new faces from across college baseball.

General Manager Bob Clark, along with fourteen-year veteran Field Manager Jeff Trundy, put together a diverse team with an emphasis on dominant pitching and live bats. The team will be led by returning infielder Jake Rodriguez (Oregon State), 2012 Big Twelve Batting Champion Jared King (Kansas State) and right-hander Nathan Thornhill. Thornhill had an ERA of 1.11 for the 2011 Commodores including his great post-season leading up to the 2011 Finals. These players look to repeat as West Champions for the 2012 season.

Shortstop Coty Blanchard (Jacksonville State) continues his college’s representation with the Falmouth Commodores. He is another player in a long line of outstanding ballplayers from Jacksonville State who have played for Falmouth. The lineup will also be strengthened by incoming first baseman Jonathan McGibbon (Clemson), outfielder Michael O’Neill (Michigan), infielder Casey Turgeon (Florida), infielder Austin Anderson (Ole Miss) and catcher/infielder Ka’iana Eldredge (Kansas). The Commodores will bring a powerful, yet balanced lineup card to the Cape this summer.

Marco Gonzales (Gonzaga) is another interesting player on the roster, and is another example of Coach Trundy’s penchant for two-way players. Hitting just over .300 going into the middle of May, Gonzales also is pitching excellent ball with an ERA under 1.80. Under Coach Trundy, the results should continue to be very good for both player and team. 

This year, the mound at Arnie Allen Diamond at Guv Fuller Field should continue to show dominant pitching. John Curtiss (Texas) will be another pitcher, along with Thornhill, looking to represent the great state of Texas. Trey Masek (Texas Tech), already a Cape League veteran, will also be joining the staff. Rounding out the depth of the pitching staff will be Cale Elam (Wichita State), Kevin Pohle (Clemson) and East Milton, Mass. native Johnny Magliozzi (Florida).

Other aspects of this year’s roster include a heightened sense of defense led by Mike Gerber (Creighton), who committed no errors in 112 chances back in 2011 at college. Brad Fieger (Miami) brings a great glove and his hot bat to Falmouth. Other players including Aaron Jones (Oregon), Kavin Keyes (Oregon State) and Turgeon (Florida) look to add even more depth for the team at all positions.

With summer right around the corner, the team’s management believe this year’s roster has the talent to succeed and repeat as Cape League West Division Champions. It is the goal of this year’s squad to end the long drought the town has endured and to bring back the Championship trophy for the seventh time to the shores of Falmouth. The Commodores look to be in strong shape for the 2012 season.