America's League

Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight!

League News

NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament to be played in Harwich

01/27/2011 11:31 AM

Article By:

 


NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament
to be played in Harwich

HARWICH, Mass. – For the sixth time in the past 10 years, the NCAA Division III New England Baseball Regional Tournament will be played at Whitehouse Field in Harwich – home of the Cape League’s own Harwich Mariners.

    The New England regional will be held Wednesday, May 18 through Sunday, May 22 and will be either a seven or eight-team, double elimination format. Teams will be selected from among the region’s playing conference champions and/or at-large. During the past two seasons, the NCAA regional has been hosted by Eastern Connecticut, but returns to the Cape after a two-year hiatus.

Whitehouse Field
NCAA Division III New England Regional Tournament
Photos by Swilson
 
    The ECAC will again be the host conference and be ably assisted by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and its sports advisory council, Cape Cod Baseball League and Harwich Mariners, Town of Harwich and it recreation department, Harwich High School and Cape Tech, among others. 


Charlie Furbush, Hyannis Mets
Photo by SportsPix

    “We are very excited to be working with the ECAC and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce to host this event again, “said CCBL President Judy Walden Scarafile. “Cape Cod is a hotbed for baseball and having this tournament gives our fans the opportunity to see top quality college baseball in May. It is a good warm-up for the Cape League season.”

    Volunteers for the tournament include Mary Henderson, president and Peg Rose, secretary of the Harwich Mariners, who operate the concession stand at Whitehouse Field and Barbara Ellsworth of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, who runs the apparel booth. Barry Souder of the Brewster Whitecaps assists with pre-game batting practice at Cape Tech. CCBL Commissioner Paul Galop and Jim McGonigleof the Mariners have served as PA announcers, along with the late John Wylde of the Wareham Gatemen and countless other Cape League personnel have served as volunteers.

    Several participating players from the regional have performed in the Cape League, including current Barnstable coach Joe DiMartino, who played for Wheaton, southpaw hurler Charlie Furbush who pitched for St. Joseph’s and Hyannis for two seasons and Nauset standout infielder Jake Yagjian (Brewster), who played for Wheaton and the Brewster Whitecaps. 


 Charlie Furbush, Hyannis Mets
Photo by Mike Raciti

    Furbush, a South Portland, Maine native, was a Cape League All-Star, compiled a 3-2 record with a 1.83 ERA and hurled a no-hitter for the Hyannis Mets in ‘06.

    During 2008, Trinity finished the regular season with a perfect 37-0 record, swept through the NCAA New England regional and captured the Division III College World Series, the second team along with Eastern Conn. in ’02 to come out of the regional in Harwich to win the national championship.

    Winners from each of the eight regional tournaments advance to the 35th annual NCAA Division III College World Series, May 27-31 at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute/Appleton, Wis., where it has been held since 2000.

    “The ECAC is honored and pleased to host the regional,” said ECAC Commissioner Rudy Keeling. “Cape Cod is a beautiful and exciting area to bring collegiate athletic events. We receive tremendous support through local businesses thanks to the assistance of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. The residents of Cape Cod also serve as gracious hosts to team personnel, student-athletes, and spectators.”