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Falmouth Commodores 2005 Season Preview

05/15/2005 10:37 AM

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for immediate release: 15 May, 2005

Falmouth Commodores  2005 Season Preview

Falmouth ready to bounce back after heartbreaking end
RHP pitcher Dallas Buck
returning to the Cape

Falmouth, Mass – It was a season to remember, and a good one at that. If there is one memory that stands out in the mind of Chuck Sturtevant, general manager of the Falmouth Commodores, it’s that his team gave everything they had in the 2004 season.

     Falling to the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in an 11-inning nail biting championship game, Sturtevant is confident that his team will bounce back with another outstanding year. 

     “Other than the ‘96 Commodores, this was perhaps the best team I’ve ever had,” says an honest and reminiscent Sturtevant. “They came together as a team and every player played like the World Series champs Boston Red Sox – it was amazing to be a part of.”

     The Commodores received good news two weeks ago when they were informed by 6,2’ right-hander and 2004 Cape League all-star Dallas Buck (Oregon St.) that he would be returning for another season on the Cape. It had been previously thought that Buck was going to join Team USA. In 15 appearances for the Oregon St. Beavers, Buck is destroying the PAC 10 league with an 11-1 record and a miniscule 1.93 ERA. He is presently tied for second place on OSU's all-time list of single-season wins leaders. And are you ready for this? In 107 innings pitched, Buck has recorded 109 strikeouts, two complete games and opposing hitters are averaging a paltry .187 batting average against. Expect Buck’s presence to be mind shattering as he will undoubtedly provide experience and power at the top of an already exciting pitching staff. Last week, Buck was selected to the USA Today Sports Weekly All-America team as a first-team pick. 

     Other returnees include Peabody, Mass native and fan favorite Matt Antonelli (Wake Forest), who finished last season with a respectable .280 batting average and .413 on-base-percentage, first baseman Mark Hamilton (Tulane) and outfielder Daniel Perales (USC).

     A plethora of right-handed pitching will attempt to get the Commodores back to the league championship. They include one of three Texas Christian players Sam Demel, Stephen Faris (Clemson), Danny Kapala (Notre Dame), David Kopp (Clemson), Steve Macfarland (Lamar), Travis Risser (James Madison), Brett Sinkbeil (SW Missouri) and Mike Wagner (Vanderbilt). Southpaw pitchers ready to deliver from the other side include Kevin Gunderson (Oregon St.), Cole St. Clair (Rice) and Brian Schultz (Florida St.).

     Sharing duties behind the plate are catchers Mike Ambort (Lamar) and Jon Still (Stetson) – both are having exceptional years in their respective college leagues. Rounding out the infield are Texas Christian standouts Shelby Ford and Chad Huffman, who both presently lead the Horned Frogs in all offensive categories, Brian Friday (Rice), Brian Bocock (Stetson) and Sean Morgan (Tulane).

     Hoping to follow in the footsteps of 2004 Cape League all-star Daniel Carte will be outfielders Brandon Bowser (New Orleans), Aaron Garza (Vanderbilt) and Warren McFadden (Tulane).

     2004 Manager of the Year, Jeff Trundy (The Gunnery), will return to the helm for another shot at a league title. At his side will be pitching coach Greg DiCenzo (Northeastern), assistant coaches Yancy Ayres (Emporia St.) and North Colorado’s Chris Forbes.

     In 2004, the Commodores were proud to claim Darin Erstad and Adam Kennedy of the Los Angeles Angels, Tino Martinez of the New York Yankees, Eric Milton of the Philadelphia Phillies, Javier Lopez of the Baltimore Orioles, Jeff Weaver of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kevin Cash of the Toronto Blue Jays as official team alumni.

     The Commodores season opens on June 16 at home against the Wareham Gatemen, and you can catch them live on the Monday Night Game of the Week on PIXY 103 when they play the visiting Hyannis Mets at 6:45pm. Of special note, the Commodores were co-recipients of the 2004 Commissioner’s Cup, which they shared with divisional rivals, the Wareham Gatemen.

     Overall, for a team that finished one game short of winning their first Cape League championship since 1980, the 2005 Commodores should provide fans with a lively punch and an energetic and action-packed season. See you at the ballpark. 

Michael Kydd, CCBL Intern
[email protected]

John Garner, Jr.
CCBL Director of Public Relations &
Broadcasting
(508) 790-0394 [email protected]