River Hawks Summer Ball Roundup: Part 2

Earlier this summer, we brought you Part 1 of our look at the UMass Lowell River Hawks baseball program playing summer ball across the Northeast. Today, we check in on how the rest of the roster is faring as the summer season winds down.

Tyler McKillop — Glens Falls Dragons (PGCBL)

We begin with infielder Tyler McKillop, who is playing in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League for the Glens Falls Dragons. In 35 games, Tyler is hitting .189 (18-for-95) with two home runs and 19 RBIs. He is slugging .316 with an On-Base Percentage of .359 and an OPS of .675. The Dragons have endured a tough summer, sitting at 13–28 after dropping nine in a row.

Alfred Mucciarone — Sanford Mainers (NECBL)

Alfred Mucciarone has been a steady rotation fixture for the Sanford Mainers in the NECBL. He has made eight appearances—all starts—posting a 2.36 ERA and a 1–3 record over 26.2 innings pitched. Alfred has surrendered 22 hits and 12 total runs (seven earned) while walking just seven batters, resulting in an efficient 1.09 WHIP. He has also hit four batters and thrown nine wild pitches for a Sanford team that stands at an impressive 28–15.

Jake LeFrancois — Valley Blue Sox (NECBL)

Joining Mucciarone in the NECBL is Jake LeFrancois, who is pitching for the Valley Blue Sox. LeFrancois holds a 2–3 record with four saves and a 5.40 ERA. Across 26.2 innings, Jake has allowed 26 hits and 17 runs (16 earned), walking 13 while striking out 29. Opponents are batting .257 against him, and he has allowed five home runs, thrown two wild pitches, and hit four batters. Alfred and Jake could combine to form a potent 1–2 punch in the River Hawks’ starting rotation next spring.

Josh Doney — North Shore Navigators (NECBL)

Josh Doney has been effective out of the bullpen for the North Shore Navigators. In 10 appearances (one start), he has posted a 3–1 record with a 2.66 ERA across 20.1 innings. Doney has given up 19 hits and eight runs (six earned) while striking out 19 and walking 10, holding opposing hitters to a .247 average. North Shore stands at 20–23–1 overall (14–15 in conference play) and is locked in a tie for first place in the second-half standings.

Syracuse Salt Cats Duo (NYCBL)

Two members of the River Hawks spent their summer in the New York Collegiate Summer League with the Syracuse Salt Cats, helping lead the team to a 23–14–1 record and a first-place finish in the East Division:

• Hector Gonzalez (OF): In 34 games, Gonzalez hit .273 with one home run and 17 RBIs while scoring 26 runs and swiping 25 bases. Among his 24 hits were a double and a triple, bringing his total base count to 30 (which led the team). He struck out 29 times and posted a .947 fielding percentage with three errors and three outfield assists in 57 total chances.
• Colin Ducie (RHP): Working out of the Salt Cats’ bullpen, Ducie made eight appearances (13.2 IP), posting a 2.63 ERA and two saves with no decisions. He allowed 11 hits and five runs (four earned), walking six and striking out 15 while holding batters to a .220 average. He threw two wild pitches and hit two batters.

Syracuse captured first place in the East Division before ultimately falling to the Dansville Gliders 2–0 in the NYCBL Championship Series.