Mount Ephraim Hawks

Hawks lose in extra innings to Fairview 5-4. The Hawks got great pitching from starter Matt Dockery throwing 7 innings with 7 K's and giving up only 2 earn runs and 3 hits. Defense was a lot better even though we did give up 2 unearn runs. On the hitting front Adam Gottsch had 2 hits and played well at 2B and CF. Allie Easie had a double and scored 2 runs, also Ted Pracht got his first hit of the season a double in the Hawks big 6th inning. Andrew Fehr and Zac Both callups had singles and played very well in the field. Bobby Scepacarter started the Hawks big 6th inning with a single also Haku Misawac had a rbi single in the 6th inning to. Steve Gravenor had a great game at 2nd base as well as Anthony Stagliano was on base twice and had a sac fly. All in all a pretty good game but we are having problems holding unto the leade late in games now.

Hawks take two games over the weekend the first was a 7-1 win over Audubon. Zac Chiardia pitched a complete game striking out 9 with a walk and only giving up 4 hits and one run. Pat Brunett had 2 hits and 2 runs scored and a rbi, Allie Eaise was on base all 3 times with 2 hits and had 2 rbi's and 2 runs scored, Matt Dockery had a 2 rbi double and 2 stolen bases annd Steve Gravenor had an rbi sing...le and a stolen base. And the whole team did a great job fielding having no errors. In the second win a thrilling come from behind win over my favorite town team[cough cough] Erial with a walk off single by Pat Brunett scoring ted Pracht with the winning run. Besides Pat Brunett hitting stars were Mike Tole going 2-2 with a double and a rbi, Zac Chiardia had a rbi double, Dom Saccomanno had a double and scored on a single by Anthony Stagliano. Even tho we gave up 4 unearn runs we did have some awesome Fielding plays by Pat Brunett, Mike Tole and Bobby Schepacarter. Pitching was once again a strong point except had a few to many walks. Matt Dockery started but had to come out in the 3rd with a hamstring problem. Steve Gravenor came in the third and pitched out of a jam getting 2 k's. Allie Eaise pitched the final 3 innings getting the win and having 5 k's. That's three wins in a row, Go Hawks.

Hawks beat Gloucester 8-4, Mike Tole pick up the win going 5 innings with 7 k's and Zac Chiardia got the save going 2 innings no runs and 4 k's. Zac Holmes had a huge day going 3-3 with 2 doubles and 3 rbi's. Also having big days with the bat were Adam Gottsch, Mike Tole and Pat Brunett each with 2 hits. Matt Dockery had a rbi double, Matt Hoopes had a 2 run single, Anthony Stagliano was on base both at bats with a single and hbp and Zac Chiardia had a single that started a 4 run 5th inning. Fielding wise Bobby Schepacarter made a couple nice plays at third as well as Haku Misawic, Stagliano threw out a baserunner stealing 2nd in the first inning and Ted Pracht made a nice catch in left that saved 2 runs from scoring in the seventh. First game that we had all 15 players and it was a good game for us everyone playing well!!/Font>

After falling behind 5-0 and then 12-5, Hawks tie the game in the fifth
12-12 off Pat Brunett 3 run Homer the team first of the year, in the sixth the Hawks score 4 runs to take a 16-12 lead. But Gloucester comes back with a 8 runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 20-16 lead but once again the Hawks come back with another big inning scoring 7 to take a 23-20 lead. But once again Gloucester had their own comeback scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the seventh and win the game and move on to face Erial in the loser bracket finals. Stats for the game Jason Weaver was on base all 6 times with 3 hits , 3 walks, 3 rbi's and 4 runs scored. Zac Chiardia was 3-4 with 3 rbi's and caught the whole game. Zac Holmes had 4 rbi's and 2 sac flys, Pat Brunett was 4-6 with a homer, double, 7 rbi's, 3 runs scored and 2 stolen bases. Matt Hoopes scored 3 times and made his pitching debut. Haku Misawic had 2 hits and scored 3 times. Anthony Stagliano was 2-3 with 3 runs scored, 2 walks and 2 rbi's. Bobby Schepacarter was 2-4 with 4 runs scored and 2 rbi's. The team as a whole had 16 hits, 23 rbi's and run scored, walk 13 times made 8 errors. Gloucester had 24 runs of which 13 were earned, only 9 hits but walked 15 times and 4 hit batters and made 4 errors.

Hawks give up 5 unearn runs in the first inning committing 4 of their 6 errors, Erial had no hits and 1 walk in that inning. Bobby Schepacarter and Brett Duffy combine to give up 1 earn run and 2 hits. Adam Gottsch was on base all three times with a hit and two walks and scored the Hawks first run on a pass ball. Andrew Fehr had 2 of the Hawks 5 hits and drove in 2 runs with a single in the third inning. Jason Weaver had the teams only extra base hit a double and was hbp. Also Anthony Stagliano was on base both times with a walk and hbp. Zac Holmes was an base both times with a hit and a error of which he scored on.
Notes from the game: Erial had 2 hits walked 4 times, had one batter hbp and 6 batters reach by error they scored 6 runs but only 1 run was earned. We had 5 hits, 5 walks, 2 hbp and 1 batter reach on error but scored only 3 runs. We struck out 14 times 7 of which we were caught looking. 9 of the K's were by players playing on school teams. My personal note on this. You can't except to have a Mount Ephraim Inning and win games. In the two games we lost 9-8 to Cherry Hill and 6-3 to Erial we gave up 9 runs in the first inning and committed 8 errors and a total of 13 for both games. The strike outs are something new and hopefully not a sign of the future.

The Hawks Zac Holmes threw 6 innings giving up 1 earn run and 3 hits while striking out 8 Erial batters to lead the Hawks 10-2 over Erial. Bobby Schepacater came into the 7th and closed it out. The game was tied 1-1 going into the top of the 4th with 2 outs and bases loaded Holmes came up and had a 2 rbi double as the Hawks scored 6 runs in the inning and never looked back. Andrew Fehr was 3-3, Anthony Stagliano had 2 hits including a double, Kevin Hoopes was on base all three times with a hit and 2 walks. Also getting hits were Adam Gottsch, Bobby Schepacarter, Lucas Press and Billy Versilli. Gottsch and Fehr also had 2 stolen bases. 

The Hawk was watching over the team as the Hawk's avenge a earlier lost to beat Cherry Hill 9-1. Damon Meraz pitched a complete game five hitter striking out 4. Damon also had a hit and a rbi to complete his awesome day. Highlights for the game included 2 hits, 2 rbi's and a double by Adam Gottsch and Anthony Stagliano. Zac Holmes had 2 hits and a rbi and a great defensive play in the 7th. Also Getting hits were Billy Versilli, Harry Harris, Kevin Hoopes, Andrew Fehr and Brett Duffy. Brett and Andrew also had great games in the field at second and catcher. Adam Gottsch had 2 stolen bases and last but not lease Jason Weaver stoled home on a straight steal. 

Hawks pitchers Zac Holmes and Andrew Fehr gave up only 1 earn run in seven innings as Hawks beat Audubon 7-6, Fehr pick up the win as the Hawks down 6-3 going into the top of the 6th inning scored two runs in the 6th and 2 in the 7th in their Mother's Day win. Damon Meraz trew out two runners. The Hawks hit 4 doubles one each by Jason Weaver, Ted Pracht, Bobby Schepacarter and a 2 run double by Lukas Press. Adam Gottsch had 2 hits and 2 stolen bases. Also getting hits were Zac Holmes, Brett Duffy, Billy Versilli, and the winning run was knock in by AJ Gilmore by HBP. 

Hawks pitchers benifited from a strong defense led by Ted Pracht, AJ Gilmore and Billy Versilli in the infield and the entire outfield. First run was scored by Adam Gottsch on a double steal with Andrew Fehr purposely getting caught in a run down between 1st and 2nd. Anthony Stagliano had 2 doubles and a rbi, Lukas Press was a perfect 2-2 and a run scored, others with hits were Jason Weaver, Kevin Hoopes, Adam Gottsch, Andrew Fehr and Zac Holmes. Brett Duffy got the win coming into a tough baseloaded no out situation in the 1st. Lukas press then pitched the next 1 2/3 giving up 1 run before Adam Gottsch came in to relieve him with 2 outs and bases loaded in the 4th and struck out the batter. In the 6th Zac Holmes came in and got the save facing 3 batters and striking out 2.

Zac Holmes tosses a one hitter in 5-1 win over Blackwood Red, Zac had 9 K's, 1 walk and had 66 strikes out of the 93 he threw. Zac Also had a rbi single in the first inning driving in Bobby Schepacarter who doubled. Adam Gottsch was 3-4 with 3 stolen bases and 2 rbi's. Adam has now moved into 2nd place in Hawks career and season stolen bases. Andrew Fehr was 2-4 and also getting hits were Damon Meraz, Billy Versilli and Lukas Press . Ted Pracht was on base all 3 times with 3 walks. Fielding wise Billy Versilli, Kevin Hoopes and Lukas Press were standouts as the Hawks committed only one error. 

Zac Holmes with the bases loaded and 2 outs and the Hawks down 3-2, singles down the leftfield foul line bringing home both Dave Foukes and Andrew Fehr with tying and winning runs to lead Mt Ephraim over Audubon 4-3. Andrew Fehr pick up the win in relief of Damon Meraz going 1 1/3 innings. Both Damon and Andrew got out of bases loaded and no outs two times without giving up a run. Ted Pracht was 2-2 at the bat, Also getting hits were Andrew Fehr with a single and Lukas Press had a double. Outfield played very well with Bobby Schepacater and Adam Gottsch leading the way. Last game of the regular season is Saturday at Rancocas Red at 6.

Hawks win 10-7 over Rancocas as Ted Pracht had 3 of the teams 10 hits, Andrew Fehr pick up his 4th win of the season in relief and Zac Holmes pick up the save. Others getting hits were Adam Gottsch with 2, Andrew Fehr, Kevin Hoopes, Bob Schepacarter all with 1 hit and Lukas Press and Anthony Stagliano each getting a double.

Hawks lose final game 15-6 but not before they mount a huge comeback in the 5th inning. Down 15-0 in the bottom of the 5th inning Brett Duffy led off with a infield single, Bobby Schepacarter singled, Kevin Hoopes grounded out to first scoring Duffy, Damon Meraz walked, Andrew Fehr singled knocking in Bobby, Zac Holmes hit a single that scored Meraz, Lukas Press walked, Anthony Stagliano hit a drive in the gap in right center that scored Fehr and Holmes, Jason Weaver grounded out into a fielders choice that plated Lukas then Brett batted for the second time in the inning again singled to centerfield but Jason Weaver was trown out at third to end the game. Great job guys and good luck in the future. Players playing in their final Little League game were; Adam Gottsch, Ted Pracht, Bobby Schepacarter, Anthony Stagliano and Jason Weaver good luck to you.

Hawks beat Audubon 10-3, Zac Holmes got the win going 5 strong innings giving up only 1 hit while striking out 4 batters, Andrew Fehr pick up the save in relief of Zac going the final two innings striking out 4, Zac and Andrew combine on a 2 hitter. Lukas Press was 4-4 with 2 rbi's and 2 stolen bases. Zac Holmes had 2 hits including a 2 run homer and 3 runs scored. Anthony Stagliano had a 2 run single in the 6th inning. Kevin Hoopes had a rbi single and Billy Versilli had a pinch hit single. Hawks move on to face Glendora.

Top Players that have Played for the Hawks, Excluding players still playing.

Wade Gies

Tom O'Donnell

Keith Michalski

Kyle Gaff

Artie Flemming

Pat Tassi

Mike Colgan

Zac Pallotta

Matt Roldan

Chris Fehr

Andrew Fehr

Zach Holmes

Top Players by Position

1B-Tom O'Donnell

2B-Matt Roldan 

3B-Kyle Gaff

SS-Mike Colgan

LF-Pat Tassi

CF-Josh McShane

RF-Joe Ertl

C-Keith Michalski

Utility-Artie Flemming, Zach Holmes

DH-Zac Pallotta

Pinch runner-Adam Gottsch

Righthanded Pitcher- Wade Gies

Lefthanded Pitcher-Chris Fehr, Andrew Fehr

Relief Pitcher-Aaron Holmes

Andrew Fehr, Matt Pallotta and Zac Holmes combine to throw a no-hitter with 9 K's. Andrew Fehr was 2-2 with a double and 3 runs scored, Lucas Press had 2 hits, Mark Kearney was 2-2 with 2 rbi's. Also getting hits were Brandon Jenkins, Austin Rampolla, Nick Salamone, AJ Gilmore and Dave Foulkes. Damon Meraz had 2 runs scored and 2 rbi's.

Hawks down 4-0 in the third inning scored 5 runs to take the lead on Nick Salamone grand slam. The team had a total of 15 hits led by Andrew Fehr going 4-4 and Mark Kearney 3-4 with a double and 3 rbi's. AJ Gilmore had 3 stolen bases, Dimitri Galiano a call up out of the juniors had a great fielding game robbing at least 2 hits and saying 2 runs, Andrew Fehr who also got the win had a great grab that saved 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th, Matt Pallotta had 2 hits and pick up the save. 

Kevin Hoopes and Brandon Jenkins combine to pitch a complete game shutout allowing 2 hits no walks and striking out 12 batters, Kevin picked up the win. Matt pallotta and Hoopes also did a great job behind the plate. Nick Salamone hit a 3 run homer in the 3rd inning that started with a double by Jeff Henkel another double in that same inning that plated 2 runs by Andrew Fehr. Andrew had 3 hits and 5 rbi's on the day and his homer in the 6th gave the Hawk's a walk off 10 run rule victory. Others having a fine day at the plate were Kevin Hoopes with 3 hits, 2 hits each by Brandon Jenkins, Mark Kearney and Dimitri Galiano. Also a Bald headed Eagle was spotted during the game, I'm taking that a good omen for the season.

Hawk's explode for a 12 spot in the top of the first enroute to a 17-4 win over Cherry Hill American. First 11 batters got on base before an out was recorded. Big blows in that inning were leading hitter Andrew Fehr's 2 run home run and followed up by a 3 run shot by Nick Salmone his 3rd of the season and team leader in home runs and rbi's. Zach Holmes was 3-3 with 3 rbi's, winning pitcher Lukas Press scored 3 runs and had 2 hits batting lead off. Also getting hits were 2 each by Damon Meraz and Matt Pallotta and singles by Jesse Efymow, Kevin Hoopes, Mark Kearney and Dimitri Galiano who also had 3 rbi's and combine with Zach Holmes on the teams first double play. Great win for the boys and a great weekend. During the game I had to slow the boys down and start them up again. Some people may misunderstand what was going on but it's only a game and I don't want to embrassed the other team so I have to put the brakes on at times. The hard part is getting them going again but they did fine.

Brett Duffy first game back off the IR proved to be a winner for the Hawks as he brings home Lukas Press with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Mark Kearney batting cleanup did just that going 3-3 with a double and 5 rbi's. Andrew Fehr scored 3 runs and also started going 3 three innings with 7 k's. Matt Pallotta went 3 1/3 innings in relief striking out 5. Nick Salamone making his pitching debut got the win pitching the last 2/3 of the seventh inning. Also getting hits were Jeff Henkel and Zac Holmes who on base all 3 times he was up. Great comeback for the boys down 6-3 going into the bottom of the seventh with 1 out and score 4 runs to get a much deserved win.

The Hawks handed Gloucester their first lost of the season 7-3 scoring 4 runs in the fifth inning with the big blow a 3 run double by Andrew Fehr. Zac Holmes got the win going 5 strong innings while Kevin Hoopes pitched the final 2 innings to get the save. Combine they threw 119 pitches of which 80 were strikes. Zac Holmes and Brett Duffy each had 2 hits and a rbi with Zac also getting 2 stolen bases. Also getting hits were Damon Meraz and Jesse Efymow. the Bottom of the order Jeff Henkel, Kevin Hoopes, AJ Gilmore and David Foukes combine to score 5 of the 7 runs the Hawks scored. The drawing for the All Star Tournament was held Sunday night with Hawks getting a bye and will face the winner of Blackwood vs Gloucester.

Zac Holmes got the win pitching 5 strong innings giving up 1 hit and striking out 7 batters, Andrew Fehr started gave up 1 run striking out 2 batters. Mark Kearney, Zac Holmes and Jeffrey Henkel each had a hit. Matt Pallotta had 2 rbi's, Nick Salamone was on base both times with a rbi and a stolen base, Damon Meraz caught all 7 innings thorwing out a runner at second base and also scoring a run and a rbi. Other defensive plays was a great diving catch by Mark Kearney and a 6-3 double play that ended the game by Austin Rampolla. All in all the players are getting to jell and are looking good for their District 14 run. Go Hawks!!

Dr. James Andrews was on Sirius/XM radio’s “Power Alley” with Mike Ferrin and Jim Duquette yesterday, talking about Tommy John surgery. He was asked why there seem to be so many guys needing TJ surgery these days.

His answer: it’s not an anomaly, it’s a trend. And an alarming one, he says, in that so many more of the surgeries he’s performing are for high school pitchers as opposed to professionals with a few years under their belt. Kids are bigger and stronger these days, and their ability to throw harder is outpacing the development of their ulnar collateral ligaments.

But the biggest risk factor he and his researchers are seeing: year-round baseball. The fact that not only do pitchers throw year-round, but that they are pitching in competition year-round, and don’t have time to recover. Also: young players are playing in more than one league, where pitch count and innings rules aren’t coordinated. Another factor: the radar gun. Young pitchers who throw over 85 or so are at risk, and all of them who are on a major league track are throwing that fast or faster, and are going up in effort when scouts with guns are around.

Ultimately, you can’t prevent these injuries. Even for the major leaguers, most of whom were damaged in high school only to have the UCL injuries happen once they’ve hit the pros.

Give a listen to the TJ expert.

Hawks open 2015 season with a shutout vs Cherry Hill 10-0. Dimitri Galiano got the win going 3 innings with 9 k's, Nik Chiardia threw 1 inning striking out 2 batters and Chris Hauske pitched the 5th inning striking out 2 to get the save. Chris also was 2-3 with 2 runs scored and 3 rbi's. Other players with hits were Anthony Sulpizi with a double and scored twice, Jeff Henkel, Nick Salamone, Nik Chiardia, Lukas Press and Andrew Fehr who doubled and walked twice. Damon Meraz was hit by a pitch twice and scored a run. In the field only had 1 error and a outfield assist by Lukas Press. Also got a great game behind the plate from Austin Rampolla.

Andrew Fehr, Austin Rampolla and Dimitri Galiano each had 2 hits in Hawks win Rampolla also had 3 rbi's. Extra base hits Andrew Fehr had 2 doubles Galiano 1. Other Hawks getting hits were Nik Chiardia, Lukas Press, Chris Hauske, Damon Meraz and Jeff Henkel had a 2 run single in the second inning. Damon Meraz started the game and got the win going 3 innings. Lukas Press pick up the save going 4 innings while striking out 6 batters. Hawks had several web gems all 3 ended a inning they were by Austin Rampolla, Andrew Fehr and Chris Hauske. Next game is Tuesday night in Cherry Hill at 7.

The Hawks Beat Fairview 7-0. Dimitri Galiano Got the win going 5 innings, no runs and 10 K's. Lukas Press got the save pitching the final two innings, six up and six down including 4 K's. Anthony Sulpizi did a great job behind the plate, throwing out one runner at third and should have had another one at second. AJ Gilmore, Nick Salamone and Lukas Press led the offense with AJ getting a Home run that brought in 2 runs in the fifth inning. Nick Salamone broke out of his slump going 3-3 including a double. Lukas Press went 2-3 with a double and a stolen base. Other players getting hits were Austin Rampolla a rbi single in the first, Chris Hauske, Anthony Sulpizi and Nik Chiardia a rbi single in the fourth. Mike Archevala and Andrew Fehr each walked twice and Dimitri Galiano stole two bases. Web Gems Dimitri Galiano had two on the mound,  Logan Stemetski at first, Dan Walsh at second and Austin Rampolla one that ended the game. The Players dedicated the game in honor of Mother's day. And Kim Fehr won the prize in behalf of all the Mom's.

On Saturday the Hawks Behind Lukas Press 1 hitter and Austin Rampolla, Nick Salamone and Andrew Fehr combine for 9 hits and 10 rbi's beat Runnemede 11-1. The team had a total of 15 hits. Other players getting hits were Lukas Press, Chris Hauske, Dimitri Galiano, Nik Chiardia, Jeffrey Henkel and Dan Wilson and one webgem by Dimitri Galiano.  On Sunday Dimitri Galiano pitched a complete game shutout striking out 7 batters to lead the Hawks over Cherry Hill #2 10-0. Dimitri also had 2 hits and 2 rbi's, players getting hits were Nik Chiardia, Austin Rampolla and Brett Duffy. Big hit in the game was by Damon Meraz 2 rbi single in the bottom of the 6th that also put the Dan Wilson on third and scored on a wild pitch. Fielding hero was Austin Rampolla who caught both games over the weekend and threw a runner out and also pick off a runner off second base. Next game is Thursday in Haddon Hts under the lights.