Baseball Insider Andy Carbone – with Bill Newell – Day off today for Red Sox, update on current team news and issues.
Richard Fecteau (Newbury, Mass.), a four-time Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) first-team pick, was selected in the 39th round by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this weekend in the 2016 Major League Baseball amateur draft.
Fecteau, a two-time d3baseball.com preseason All-American, was just one of three Division III players from New England to be drafted. He is the first Salem State player to be selected since Scott Kimball (10th round – Milwaukee Brewers) in 1987.
“Today marks an important milestone in the history of our baseball program”, said Salem State director of athletics Peggy Carl. For the first time in almost 30 years, one of our own has been selected in the Major League Baseball draft. Congratulations go to Richard, his family, and the Vikings’ baseball coaching staff for their great work in developing Richard into a first-class player. Salem State, the department of athletics and recreation, and I are so proud of this great accomplishment. We know he will make the university proud.”
Fecteau enjoyed an outstanding career at Salem State, helping the Vikings to their most successful four-year period in school history, culminating in three MASCAC championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances. A three-time All-New England selection, the second baseman finished with a .369 career batting average, and tied the school mark this year for most hits in a season with 66, while setting new Salem State career records for most hits (227) and doubles (64).
North Shore Navigators Get First Win Of The Season, 8-4 Over The Pittsfield Suns
After a rough start to the season, the Navigators have finally gotten rid of the goose egg in their wins column. The Navs had a great performance against the Pittsfield Suns and really got their offense going in the 8-4 road victory.
The real story of the game was the performance of the Navigators’ Alex Brickman (Siena College). Brickman was the team’s best player on the day and put in a complete performance all around. At the plate, he went 2-5 on the day tallying two RBIs on the day and also scoring two runs. His two-run single in the eighth inning gave the Navigators a cushion heading to the last two innings.
Brickman also came in to relieve starter Brett Morrison (Lock Haven) midway through the fifth inning and put together a stellar performance. He ended up pitching 4 and 2/3 innings on the day and totaled four strikeouts. He only allowed two hits and gave up zero runs and was really the catalyst for the team.
Another one of the best performers during the game was starting shortstop Nick DiBenedetto (Trinity College). In five plate appearances, he reached base four times, with two hits and two walks. He managed to drive in a couple of runs as well and scored one of his own. His most crucial RBI game during the fifth inning, where he singled and helped to give the Navs their first lead of the game.
MacDaniel Singleton of Salem State University had a solid day at the plate as well. After pinch hitting midway through the game, he reached base in all three of his at bats. He was 2-2 with a walk and a run during the game. He managed to raise his batting average to .320 thanks to his hits.
The Navigators managed to get 15 base runners during the game, totaling eight hits and seven walks. It was easily their best offensive performance of the season, as their eight runs were the highest total of 2016.
The Navigators will return to action on Tuesday, June 14 at 7:05 p.m. when they take on the Nashua Silver Knights in Nashua. It will be the first game of a home and home series. On Wednesday, June 15 they will take on the Silver Knights at Fraser Field. First pitch is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
