Astro Falcons, Rizer Insurance Group to compete in NABF Sophomore World Series

July 23, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

STRUTHERS

With NABF Senior Division World Series action set to begin today at Bob Cene Park, its sophomore division counterpart will also take center stage in Knoxville, Tenn., with local qualifiers Astro Falcons and Rizer Insurance Group among this year’s 12-team field.

“The two teams representing our league, Astro Falcons and Rizer Insurance Group are teams that deserve to be there because they were the two best squads in our league all season,” said Scott Ruark, Class B president and NABF Senior Division World Series tournament director. “While the other teams in the field deserve to be there as well, if everything falls into place then one of our two entries could very easily be that team standing at home plate hoisting the championship trophy.”

The Astro Falcons (41-11) won both the regular-season and tournament championships, earning the league’s automatic bid while Rizer Insurance Group (37-12) won the regional tournament to join the Falcons.

In addition to Ohio qualifiers, teams from New York, Tennessee and Mississippi will round out the field.

Last year, Creekside Fitness — under manager Dave Stauffer — won the sophomore division title and first-year Astro Falcons manager Steve Leslie is confident that a Youngstown team can repeat as champion.

“Any time you get to the World Series and have the opportunity to represent Youngstown, it’s very, very special. It’s especially exciting for me because this is a great age group to coach,” Leslie said.

“Taking it one game at a time and not looking ahead is the key for every team if they expect to keep advancing. Our league has prepared us to now compete at this level.”

Pitching remains a strength for Leslie’s unit as they are well-rested and at 11-deep, enter with as much depth as any tournament team.

The Game 1 starter is expected to be Alex Cardona (0.85 earned-run average), who tossed two no-hitters this year, including a 7-0 whitewashing in the playoff-clinching game.

Other pitchers include Marco DeFalco, Travis Harvey, Johnnie Mikos, Corbin Foy, Ricky Havrilla, Carter Chinn, A.J. Pepperney, Dylan Gurski, Brayden Beck and tournament addition, Nick Degregory of Rudzik Excavating.

Nick Guarnieri (.360) and Connor Miller (.310) are the catchers, Mikos (.360), Vince Armeni (.465) and Foy (.260) comprise the middle of the infield while Harvey (.350) and Cardona (.330) are the third basemen.

DeFalco (.485) is the team’s batting leader in center field with Mike O’Horo (.300) roaming left field and Chinn (.310) stationed in right.

Rizer Insurance Group, sponsored by Terry Dobson and managed by G.J. Senchak, heads back to the World Series having had to replace several starters. But despite a more youthful squad, the team still managed to win 37 of 49 games.

“We began the season by winning two of our three early bird tournaments and the winning just continued,” Senchak said. “We had a nice regular season, earned a playoff spot and then qualified for regional play. To be going to the World Series is an absolute thrill for everyone.”

In regional action, Mark Torsello pitched a two-hit shutout and batted .563, Braedon O’Shaughnessy hit at a .420 clip and provided stellar defense and catcher Jaxon Anderson limited base-running thefts with his arm and also was a solid hitter.

Malik Cage, a tournament addition adds mound depth while another addition, Bob Cavalier, is another offensive weapon who carried a .543 regional batting average.

Centerfielder Matt “Beans” Senchak hit .580 during the regular season while pitcher Will Shaffer (8-2) is both a starter a closer.

Action begins at 10 a.m.