February 21, 2006
SPORTSQuest for fourth straight conference title to drive Thunderbird baseball
Pride and tradition run through the veins of the MCC baseball program, from the fans to the coaches and players.
The 2005 team made the NJCAA Division II World Series, won both the region and district titles, and finished No. 6 in the NJCAA Division II polls. All these accolades show the T-Birds are major players in junior college baseball.
The leader of the team, head coach Tony Cirelli knows what success is all about. The 2006 season marks the 13th for Cirelli as the T-Bird’s skipper. Being part of MCC baseball for over 20 years, Cirelli began with the program in 1985. He started as an assistant coach and eventually became head coach, leading numerous teams to great honors.
The team hopes this season will be no different than previous seasons, as they reach for only the very best.
The team is fresh off claiming the 2005 ACCAC Division II championship for the third consecutive year and will look to make it four straight since MCC moved from Division I to Division II.
Showing a lot of promise, the team has quite a few players coming back from last season. This balanced squad will feature 12 freshmen and 18 sophomores. More importantly, the entire starting outfield will be back and are lead by 2005 Second Team All-American Bryan Miller. Also returning is first baseman Michael Levi, shortstop Charlie Calamia, and second baseman Steve Mays, who according to Cirelli had more than 200 at bats last season. “We are having six guys back out of eight position players, that’s really exciting,” Cirelli commented.
While there is not a clear-cut ace on the Thunderbirds pitching staff, a few familiar faces in addition to some new ones will fill out the rotation.
Brian Broderick, Dan Kazell, and Garrett Kohler are veteran hurlers that gained experience by participating in games last season. Bevan Anderson, on the other hand, did not play a lot in the 2005 campaign, but was praised by Cirelli for having a good offseason, when the team played in 11 games. Sophomore transfers AJ Montano and Kenny Hobby are also expected to contribute.
To begin the season, the Thunderbirds won five straight games.
During a weekend tournament hosted by MCC during the first weekend of February, the Thunderbirds out scored opponents 33 runs to 12. That was followed up with a 9-2 victory over Grand Canyon State’s junior varsity team.
Surveying the 2006 season, Cirelli said, “Our league is going to be a tough race to get to the playoffs, (only) the top two go, so we’ll worry about (the regular season) first. But I’m excited to get started.”
Volume 43, Issue 10. Today is
Weber State catcher Wyatt Bubak looks on in disgust as
Todd Schultz of MCC slides into home base for an easy run.
Infielder Steve Mays of MCC prepares to snag a low flying
ball as T. Ray Garn from Weber State makes his way to second base.