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RIGGS HELPS AVIATORS WIN ACBL TITLE

8-31-09
CALDWELL, N.J. - Caldwell College baseball player Buddy Riggs (Coral Springs, FL/Taravella) had a successful summer pitching for the Westhampton Aviators of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, a wood-bat league for college players. Riggs, who is a senior at Caldwell, contributed to the Aviators' run to the ACBL championship earlier this month, as Westhampton topped the Jersey Pilots for the league title.

"It was great winning the championship and celebrating with the team on the field," Riggs said. "The competition in the league was really tough, with a lot of Division I players. I learned some stuff on my pitching mechanics from our coaches, and I even had an opportunity to play a little second base. Overall it was the best summer baseball experience I've ever had."

Riggs, an all-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference and all-East Region selection for Caldwell as a junior, was 3-2 with an earned run average of 3.62 in 10 appearances and one start for the Aviators. He also struck out 31 while walking just nine in 32 1/3 innings of work. In the Kaiser Division semifinals against Southampton, Riggs pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts in the Aviators' 16-0 win. He then tossed 3 2/3 innings against North Fork in Game 1 of the division finals, a 7-6 loss. Westhampton came back to defeat North Fork twice, then beat the Jersey Pilots 7-5 in the ACBL title game.

The 2009 season was a breakout year for Riggs, who was 6-2 with an ERA of 3.58 en route to being named to the all-CACC first team and the Daktronics and NCBWA all-Region second teams. The Cougars' all-time leader in saves with 10, Riggs became a starter last season and dominated opposing batters, ranking 11th in the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (10.75). He fanned a total of 72 batters in 60 1/3 innings while walking just 14.

The ACBL is a NCAA-sanctioned summer league partially funded by Major League Baseball for college players with remaining eligibility. Players must be recommended by scouts or their college coach to participate in the league, which includes players from Division I, II and III colleges and universities as well as junior colleges. Several former Cougars have played in the ACBL in recent years, including current New Jersey Jackals catcher Chris Chiarappa, Tommy Murphy and Michael Kolesar, who helped the Jersey Pilots capture the ACBL championship in 2004.

KEELAN, RIGGS EARN ALL-EAST REGION HONORS FROM NCBWA

5-29-09

Keelan

Riggs

CALDWELL, N.J. - Caldwell College junior outfielder Ray Keelan (Barnegat, NJ/Southern Regional) was named to the All-East Region first team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, the organization announced today. Additionally, junior pitcher Buddy Riggs (Coral Springs, FL/Taravella) was included on the second team. The All-East Region teams were voted on by a six-member panel of sports information directors from East Region institutions.

This is the third all-Region honor for Keelan, who made the American Baseball Coaches Association all-Region first team and the Daktronics all-Region second team. Earlier this week, the first team all-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference first team choice was named an ECAC Division II Baseball All-Star. This past season, Keelan led the Cougars in seven offensive categories, including batting average (.387), hits (58), home runs (eight) and runs batted in (48), and was the only player in the CACC to rank among the top three in homers (second), RBI (second) and batting average (third). A two-time all-CACC second team honoree, Keelan ranks second all-time at Caldwell with 176 hits in his career.

Like Keelan, Riggs made the Daktronics all-Region second team and was on the all-CACC first team. The right-hander was Caldwell's top starting pitcher this season after anchoring the bullpen during his first two seasons. An all-CACC second team selection in 2008, Riggs was 6-2 with an earned run average of 3.58 in 12 appearances this season, including nine starts. In 60 1/3 innings, he struck out 72 batters while surrendering only 14 walks, and ranked 11th nationally in strikeouts per nine innings (10.75). Riggs set a career high with 15 strikeouts in a complete-game victory over Wilmington on Mar. 30. Riggs, who also had one save in relief this year, holds the school record with 10 saves in his career.

Caldwell, coached by Jay Messina, finished the 2009 season 18-23, including a CACC record of 12-15.

2009 NCBWA All-East Region Teams

First Team
Catcher: Mike Dowd, Fr., Franklin Pierce
1st Base: Ryan Geffert, So. Conn. St.
2nd Base: Mike Baillargeon, Sr., Assumption
3rd Base: Mike DiReda, Sr., Assumption
Shortstop: Tyler Mentzer, So., Philadelphia
Outfield: Jeff Bercume, Sr., Merrimack
Outfield: T.J. Greig, Jr., Molloy
Outfield: Cody Holliday, Sr., Wilmington
Outfield: Ray Keelan, Jr., Caldwell
DH: Derek Ingui, So., Franklin Pierce
Utility: Phil Messerian, Jr., Nyack
Starting Pitcher: Tom Cote, Sr., Franklin Pierce
Starting Pitcher: Gabriel Duran, So., Dowling
Starting Pitcher: Tom Kahl, So., Dominican
Starting Pitcher: Kyle Vazquez, Jr., Franklin Pierce
Relief Pitcher: Justin Moore, Fr., Dominican
Relief Pitcher: Rob Nicholas, So., Franklin Pierce

Second Team
Catcher: Ryan Boelson, Sr., Adelphi
1st Base: Cody Levins, Sr., Nyack
2nd Base: Mickey Zudonyi, So., Felician
3rd Base: Corey Huffine, Sr., Post
Shortstop: Patrick Walsh, Sr., Molloy
Outfield: Karl Derbacher, Sr., So. Conn. St.
Outfield: Derek Migrants, Jr., Assumption
Outfield: James Roche, So., Bentley
Outfield: Matt Walsh, So., Mercy
DH: Michael Munoz, So., Dominican
Utility: Ted Lerud, Sr.,  Franklin Pierce
Starting Pitcher: Keith Couch, So., Adelphi
Starting Pitcher: Brian Craig, Sr., Dominican
Starting Pitcher: Matt Giusti, Sr., Stonehill
Starting Pitcher: Buddy Riggs, Jr., Caldwell
Relief Pitcher: Tim Dupuis, Jr., Assumption
Relief Pitcher: John Walsh, Jr., Bloomfield

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player of the Year: Mike Baillargeon
Pitcher of the Year: Gabriel Duran
Coach of the Year: Rick Giannetti, Dominican

 

CHIARAPPA MAKES PRO DEBUT WITH JACKALS

June 1, 2009 - Former Caldwell College standout Chris Chiarappa is continuing his baseball career at the professional level and has signed with the New Jersey Jackals for the 2009 season. Chiarappa, who graduated from Caldwell College in 2008 after a stellar career as the Cougars' catcher, made his debut with the Jackals on Saturday, May 30 against the American Defenders of New Hampshire. He collected his first professional hit in the game as the Jackals defeated the Americans, 10-6 in Nashua, N.H. (more)

 

 

 

 

 


2009 Archived stories
8-31-09: RIGGS HELPS AVIATORS WIN ACBL TITLE
6-1-09: CHIARAPPA MAKES PRO DEBUT WITH JACKALS
5-29-09: KEELAN, RIGGS EARN ALL-REGION HONORS FROM NCBWA
5-27-09: KEELAN NAMED ECAC BASEBALL ALL-STAR
5-22-09: KEELAN NAMED TO ABCA ALL-EAST REGION FIRST TEAM
5-13-09: KEELAN, RIGGS SELECTED TO DAKTRONICS ALL-EAST REGION SECOND TEAM
5-5-09: THREE CALDWELL BASEBALL PLAYERS EARN ALL-CACC HONORS
4-28-09: KEELAN CHOSEN CACC PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR BASEBALL
4-14-09: SAXON SELECTED CACC BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
3-23-09: BASEBALL RANKED SEVENTH IN NCBWA EAST REGION POLL
3-17-09: COOK SELECTED CACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
3-11-09: BASEBALL INCLUDED IN NATIONAL, REGIONAL RANKINGS
2-23-09: CALDWELL BASEBALL RANKED 24TH IN LATEST PING! DIVISION II RANKINGS
2-10-09: COUGARS CHOSEN FIRST IN CACC PRESEASON POLL
1-16-09: CALDWELL BASEBALL RANKED 28TH IN PING! DIVISION II PRESEASON RANKINGS
 


For 2009 game stories and box scores, go to the baseball schedule page.
For more archived stories, click here.

 

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Executive Director of Athletics: Mark A. Corino X3260
Associate Director of Athletics: Dean Johnson X3321
Assistant Director of Athletics: Linda Cimino X3361
Assistant Director of Athletics: Katie Kennedy X3591
Head Coach:

Jay Messina (2nd season)

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Assistant Coaches: John Waddilove, Gary Pannuzzo X3462
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Matt McLagan

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