Nick Serino Selected to NECBL All-Star Team
 Lowell All-Americans' pitcher Nick Serino was recently selected to the NECBL All-Star Team that will take on Team USA this Sunday (July 5th, 2009). The game will be played at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium in Manchester, New Hampshire, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:45pm. Tickets are only $12. Congratulations, and best of luck to Nick and the NECBL All-Stars.
All-Americans Shut Out Bay Sox
New Bedford, MA- The Lowell All-Americans proved be no match for the New Bedford Bay Sox as they out hit, out pitched, and completely out played the team by the bay in an 8-0 victory.
The All-Americans brought their hot bats from Danbury into New Bedford and did most of their scoring in the top of the second. Bay Sox starting pitcher Connor Little started the inning by plunking Felix and served up a double to Eric Oxford. That brought up Effrey Valdez with runners on second and third, and he cleared the bases with a double off the base of the wall. KC McCarthy would ground out to short for the first out before Dan Godefroi collected his first hit of the season driving in Valdez in the Process. Tom Elliott followed with a single advancing Godefroi to third. With runners on the corners Matt Miller grounded out to first scoring Godefroi and advancing Elliott to second. Oliver Palmer would then single and officially chase Little from the game. Trey Hernandez would relieve him and was just as shaky. Hernandez would walk Gustafson to load the bases to set things up for yesterday’s hero, Kyle Felix. Felix cranked a grand slam in the tenth inning of Saturday’s 10-7 victory. With the bases loaded he came through again with a two run single giving Lowell the 6-0 edge.
The six run second was more than enough for Lowell starting pitcher Matt Shapiro. Making his first start of the year, Shapiro looked incredibly sharp. The Bay Sox could not figure out Shapiro in his five innings of work. Even though they had a runner on base in every inning Shapiro pitched they were never able to push across a run. Shapiro only gave up two hits while striking out four through his five innings of work.
Joey Lucier came in for relief and was just as impressive. Lucier came in for four innings of relief keeping the Bay Sox scoreless only allowing one hit and striking out four. Shapiro and Lucier combined for the three hit shutout striking out eight and stranding eleven Bay Sox runners.
Lowell would add two more in the ninth off of Alex Valadja. With one out Elliot singled to left for his third hit of the game. Elliot would advance to second on a wild pitch, go to third on a Matt Miller single and scored on a pass ball. Then with two outs Gustafson smoked his team leading fifth double to right center to drive in Miller to give Lowell the 8-0 lead.
The All-Americans improved to 3-4 with Matt Shapiro getting the win. Connor Little gets charged with the loss as the Bay Sox fall to 3-9 on the year. The All-Americans head back home Monday to take on the Pittsfield American Defenders for a 6:30pm matchup.
- Sal Accardi
Lowell Stun Danbury in Extras
Danbury, CT-On a dreary and rainy day, the Lowell All-Americans catcher Kyle Felix provided the knock-out punch against the Danbury Westerners in the tenth inning in a 10-7 victory. He cracked a grand slam over the right field wall with the game tied 6-6.
The All-Americans were in a 5-0 hole after the first. Starting pitcher Greg Nappo faced some early troubles when the first three batters reached base without the ball leaving the infield. That is when former All-American standout Kevin James came to the plate and quickly cleared them when he parked one over the right field wall. Brayan Valencia added a solo shot in the inning as well.
Lowell would quickly get it back in the top of the 2nd off Danbury’s Charlie Benson. Tim Quinn would reach with one out on an error by catcher Mike Amendalo. After two consecutive hits by Tom Elliot and Matt Miller, Oliver Palmer singled home Quinn. After a strikeout by Gustafson, Felix came up with a two out two run single to score Elliot and Miller. Oxford would single after that to score Palmer. That made the game 5-4 and would chase Benson from the game.
Nappo would settle down only allowing one more run in the next four on one hit. He finished his day with five innings pitched while giving up five runs on five hits and striking out one. The Lowell bullpen would hold the Danbury offense scoreless as the All-Americans made their comeback.
Down 6-4 in the top of the fifth, Lowell got one back. Brad Monroe walked Eric Oxford with one out and Effrey Valdez singled him over to third on a perfectly executed hit and run. KC McCarthy would then collect his first hit and RBI of the year on a single through right side to cut the lead to 6-5.
Matt Miller then set things up perfectly in the next inning against JT Ross. He led off with a single up the middle, advanced on a pass ball, and then stole third. After Palmer struck out, David Gustafson hit his team leading fourth double to drive in Miller with the game tying run.
Bryan Leigh pitched a strong eighth and ninth to send the game to extra innings. Drew Zizinia did the same for the Westerners but faced some trouble in the tenth. Dan Godefroi led off the tenth and reached on an error by second baseman Mike Fabiaschi. Elliot bunted Godefroi over to second and miller followed with a walk. Miller was forced out at second on a Palmer fielder’s choice. Gustafson was then hit by a pitch that loaded the bases. That brought up Kyle Felix and with no where to put him Zizinia was forced to pitch to him. Felix got the fastball he was looking for and launched it over the right field wall giving Lowell a 10-6 lead.
Rob Nicholas closed out the tenth giving up a run on two hits. Bryan Leigh recorded the win while Drew Zizinia got knocked with the loss.
Lowell improves to 2-4 while Danbury falls to 5-7. The All-Americans face off against New Bedford Sunday at 1:30pm to makeup a rainout from June 12th.
- Sal Accardi
Night at the Park for the Immaculate Conception School
This year the Immaculate Conception School took part in the All-Americans Students on the Diamond Program, which features a night at the park for the school. The Immaculate selected the teams home opener on Sunday, June 14th as their night at the park. Members of the school receive a complimentary ticket and will partake in a meet and greet with players prior to game time. The All-Americans will also honor the winners of the poster contest on the field, as well as recognize a teacher for their outstanding efforts. For those families who are part of the Immacualte Conception and would like more informaiton please contact Karen at 978-454-5058. If you would like more information on our Students on the Diamond program please email Karen@lowellallamericans.com.
All-Americans Talk to Immaculate Conception Students
 Three Lowell All-American players, Bobby Lucas, Tom Elliott, and Joey Lucier, made a stop at the Immaculate Conception School on Wednesday, June 3rd to talk to the students about the importance of education, teamwork, and what a typical day is like for an All-American player.
All-Americans Add to Roster
The Lowell All-Americans have added several new players to the 2009 roster. To see the complete roster click here.
NECBL Realigns
The 2009 season will bring a new look to the New England Collegiate Baseball League as not only has a team moved but the league has realigned all twelve teams. The NECBL will now feature East/West divisions. The East will consist of Sanford, Lowell, North Shore, New Bedford, Manchester, and Newport, leaving in the west Vermont, Keene, Holyoke, Pittsfield, North Adams, and Danbury. The realignment will help to generate better rivalries between teams that are geographically close.
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