The Futures League All-Star break has concluded, and the home stretch of the regular season is here!
Here is a look around the league featuring player and team highlights from the past week of action as we push towards the start of the postseason on August 5.
Plakata Player of the Week: Shane McNamara, Nashua Silver Knights (Southern New Hampshire)
In five games this week, the Silver Knight veteran scored double-digit runs in three of them. A lot of that was a credit to Shane McNamara, who drove in 11 to earn the weekly honor. Hailing Southern New Hampshire University, the senior also knocked eight hits, including a triple and a home run.
78 Sports Pitcher of the Week: Hector Alejandro, Norwich Sea Unicorns (UConn)
On July 20, Hector Alejandro threw the game of his life. For just the second time in league history, the UConn senior spun an individual, nine-inning no-hitter against the Bravehearts. He also struck out a season-high five batters in the effort.
TEAM-BY-TEAM NOTES
Brockton Rox:
For Brockton, four straight losses have sunk the Rox into a major skid. However, there are some shining moments, as Sebastian Mexico (Louisiana Tech) recorded three extra-base hits and five RBIs ahead of his showing in Monday’s Home Run Derby in Norwich, Conn.
Futures League Road Warriors:
The Road Warriors dropped all four games they suited up for this week. Joe Muzio (UMass Dartmouth) smacked four hits, as well as nabbing two bases, to lead the offense. Pitching-wise, the Road Warriors got a strong outing from Chris Lowe (Emerson) on July 18.
Nashua Silver Knights:
After dropping a game at Brockton on July 17, the Silver Knights turned around and rattled off four-straight wins heading into the All-Star break. Shane McNamara (Southern New Hampshire) powered the offense, while Andrew Chenevert (Saint Anselm) was a force on the mound, grabbing Sunday’s win.
New Britain Bees:
New Britain won two games this past week, but was competitive in all five that the Bees played in. AJ Evasco (Kansas State) recorded a hit in every game (12 in total), Esteban RIvera III (Franklin Pierce) continued his strong season from the mound and New Britain remains in the thick of the playoff picture as the calendar nears August.
Norwich Sea Unicorns:
The headliner was Hector Alejandro’s (UConn) history-making no-hitter on July 20, but the league leaders continued to dominate day in and day out. The Sea Unicorns went 5-1 this past week, including a 16-0 drubbing that saw Alex Irizarry (Quinnipiac) drive in five runs.
Vermont Lake Monsters:
The Lake Monsters played through a rain-suspended game and a weekend doubleheader, yet those roadblocks didn’t stop them from winning four of their last six games. Currently sitting in the middle of the standings, big pitching performances from Robbie Lee (Denison) and Luke Parise (Saint Joseph’s) have given Vermont a boost as the postseason looms.
Westfield Starfires:
Westfield dropped a spot from last week’s standings, but still came out victorious in three games after dropping a doubleheader on July 16. The second-closest team to 30 wins, the Starfires struck for 24 runs in a two-game stretch, thanks to a five-RBI showing on July 18 from Luke Yuhasz (Louisiana).
Worcester Bravehearts:
Only playing five games this week, the Bravehearts dropped the first four before Max LeFrancois (Assumption) walked the Starfires off on July 21. Also a strong bat in the lineup this week was Jackson Marshall (Southern New Hampshire), who went 3/3 with a double and home run to earn that night’s Plakata Player of the Night honor.
League Standings:
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Norwich Sea Unicorns: 29-16
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Westfield Starfires: 27-19
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New Britain Bees: 26-18
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Vermont Lake Monsters: 26-19
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Worcester Bravehearts: 23-23
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Nashua Silver Knights: 22-26
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Brockton Rox: 14-32
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Futures League Road Warriors: 6-20
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