The 2012 Express-Times All-Area Baseball Team

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/06/the_2012_express-times_all-are_5.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES FINAL RANKINGS: 1. Nazareth 21-5 2. Liberty 21-4 3. Hunterdon Central. 23-7 4. Parkland 15-7 5. Salisbury 21-3 6. Central Catholic 13-8 7. Emmaus 12-9 8. Pen Argyl 19-3 9. Whitehall 13-10 10. Pius X 14-9 ALSO SEE: Player of the Year, Anthony Ciavarella Coach of the Year, Jon Lock Anthony CiavarellaExpress-Times Photo | LISA MASSEYAnthony Ciavarella ANTHONY CIAVARELLA Express-Times Player of the Year almost singlehandedly led Phillipsburg to Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex championship. Ciavarella was 3-0 in four H/W/S victories, including 12 strikeout gem against Hunterdon Central in title game. Ciavarella set school single-season record with 100 strikeouts and was Stateliners' second-leading hitter with .361 batting average. He'll continue his career at Monmouth University. Statistics: 4-2, 58-1/3 IP, 41 hits, 20 BBs, 100 Ks, 1.44 ERA. Dan ShepherdExpress-Times File PhotoDan Shepherd DAN SHEPHERD Nazareth three-sport standout turned in tremendous season in leading Blue Eagles to Lehigh Valley Conference and District 11 Class AAAA titles. Shepherd, who also excels in football and basketball, evolved into staff ace when Karl Keglovits went down with a broken finger. Shepherd was also terror at plate, batting .468 with 21 RBIs. He'll attend Virginia Tech and try to walk on to baseball team. Statistics: 6-1, 52 IP, 46 hits, 23 BBs, 45 Ks, 1.21 ERA. Shane SimpkinsCourtesy photoShane Simpkins SHANE SIMPKINS Notre Dame fireballer capped outstanding career by leading Crusaders to Colonial League title game. The all-league first-team all star was at his best in big games, defeating contenders Southern Lehigh and Northwestern during regular season and then topping Pen Argyl in league semifinals. A member of the Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup squad, Simpkins will continue his career at Louisburg Junior College (N.C.). Statistics: 8-2, 65-1/3 IP, 42 hits, 28 BBs, 106 Ks, 1.61 ERA. James BertolottiCourtesy photoJames Bertolotti JAMES BERTOLOTTI Liberty catcher was very adept at handling pitchers in addition to having solid offensive season. Lehigh Valley Conference first-team all star committed just one error this spring. Bertolotti was a team leader and exceptional at blocking pitches in the dirt. James and twin brother Robert were invited to play in Sunshine Northeast Showcase last summer at West Windsor, N.J. He'll continue his career at Alvernia. Statistics: 26-for-67, .388, BA, .478 OBP, 6 2Bs, 1 3B, 27 RBIs. Pat DonnellyExpress-Times File PhotoPat Donnelly PAT DONNELLY Liberty junior took over at shortstop this spring and turned in monster season. In addition to prowess at the plate, Donnelly was charged with just one error in 15 games at shortstop. Donnelly combined power and speed as evidenced by his 31 RBIs and 19 steals in 21 attempts. One of Donnelly's many highlights was a two-home run game against Whitehall on April 10. Statistics: 41-for-84, .488 BA, .547 OBP, 7 2Bs, 3B, 2 HRs, 31 Rs, 30 RBIs, 19 SBs. Mike GarzilloExpress-Times File PhotoMike Garzillo MIKE GARZILLO Nazareth shortstop possesses rare combination of speed and power. Garzillo stole 18 bases without being caught despite missing several games with hand injury. A role model for aspiring youngsters to look up to, Garzillo has distinguished himself as a class act on and off the field. The two-time Express-Times All-Area first teamer and Lehigh Valley Conference all star will continue his career at Lehigh. Statistics: 30-for-67, .448 BA, .557 OBP, 4 2Bs, 3 3Bs, 2 HRs, 31 Rs, 23 RBIs, 18 SBs. Jay MaletzExpress-Times File PhotoJay Maletz JAY MALETZ Slugging first baseman was major force on Pius X team that captured District 11 Class A championship. The 6-foot-6 Maletz, also a standout basketball player, was legitimate home run threat every time he stepped to plate. Maletz's power was on display when he homered over left field wall in district title win over Tri-Valley at Coca-Cola Park. He'll continue his career at Coppin State. Statistics: 23-for-71, .324 BA, .415 OBP, 4 2Bs, 6 HRs, 18 Rs, 26 RBIs. Jay YoungExpress-Times File PhotoJay Young JAY YOUNG Senior shortstop was mainstay on stellar Pen Argyl squad that won Colonial League North Division. Young was constant threat on base paths as evidenced by his 30 runs. But his value to Green Knights went beyond stat sheet. Coach Jake DeBoer called Young "mechanically our best player." A member of Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup squad, Young will continue his career at East Stroudsburg. Statistics: 28-for-68, .412 BA, .494 OBP, 2 2Bs, 4 3Bs, 30 Rs, 12 RBIs, 11 SBs. Dylan EvansExpress-Times File PhotoDylan Evans DYLAN EVANS Senior star will go down as one of top athletes to come out of Pen Argyl. Also a standout in wrestling and football, the pitcher/outfielder was one of anchors of an outstanding senior class. A repeat Express-Times All-Area first team selection, Evans was 6-2 pitching, including six-hit shutout against Colonial League champion Salisbury on April 16. Evans intends to play football at Akron. Statistics: 18-for-58, .310 BA, .459 OBP, 2 2Bs, 3B, 22 Rs, 16 RBIs, 13 SBs. Conor GumExpress-Times File PhotoConor Gum CONOR GUM Pen Argyl senior turned in torrid season at the plate. Colonial League first-team all star was constant threat in middle of Green Knights' potent lineup. He drove in three runs in 6-3 victory over rival Bangor on May 11. Gum was also mainstay in Pen Argyl's outfield. A standout quarterback on Pen Argyl's highly successful football team, Gum intends to play football at Lehigh. Statistics: 32-for-64, .500 BA, .562 OBP, 2 2Bs, 3B, 8 Rs, 25 RBIs, 11 SBs. Jimmy McCarthyExpress-Times File PhotoJimmy McCarthy JIM MCCARTHY Speedy Liberty senior made successful transition from shortstop to center field. McCarthy showed great range tracking down fly balls in the gaps. Always a threat at the plate, Mccarthy also excelled on the mound where he posted 7-2 record, 1.99 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 63 innings. A member of Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup squad, McCarthy intends to play football and baseball at Moravian. Statistics: 33-for-85, .388 BA, .478 OBP, 9 2Bs, 3 3Bs, HR, 25 Rs, 23 RBIs, 17 SBs. Pete DalandExpress-Times File PhotoPete Daland PETE DALAND Blue-collar worker turned in stellar season at third base and on mound for Liberty. Though not overpowering, the Lehigh Valley Conference first-team all star developed penchant for compiling strikeouts in big games. Daland fanned 13 in Hurricanes' LVC semifinal playoff win over Central Catholic. He also batted .300, including impressive .400 in LVC play. He'll continue his career at Cecil Community College (Md.). Statistics: 6-1, 52-2/3 IP, 45 hits, 33 BBs, 70 Ks, 2.53 ERA. Kirby MuttonExpress-Times File PhotoKirby Mutton KIRBY MUTTON Burly pitcher/first baseman is one of many multiple sport athletes in Pen Argyl's senior class. Also a football and wrestling standout, Mutton capped scholastic career this spring by being named Colonial League MVP. In addition to hitting prowess, the left-handed Mutton was 6-0 on mound with two saves and 2.16 ERA. He struck out 55 in 32-2/3 innings. He'll attend Muhlenberg and intends to play football and baseball. Statistics: 22-for-58, .379 BA, .448 OBP, 2 2Bs, HR, 11 Rs, 29 RBIs. Brett WagnerExpress-Times File PhotoBrett Wagner BRETT WAGNER Senior standout was main cog on Bangor squad that qualified for Colonial League playoffs. All-league first team pick played a slick first base when he wasn't pitching and was one of league's best all-around performers. Wagner was 3-3 with 35 strikeouts in 31-2/3 innings pitched and batted .500 in league contests. He'll attend Moravian where he hopes to play baseball. Statistics: 28-for-67, .418 BA, .480 OBP, 3 2Bs, 3 3Bs, 16 Rs, 12 RBIs. SECOND TEAM: Sr. Joe Frankosky, North Warren Jr. Dan Horvath, Nazareth Sr. Karl Keglovits, Nazareth Jr. Cody Kramer, Northampton Jr. Tyler Buskirk, Pen Argyl Sr. Tyler Duplaga, Voorhees Jr. Tyler Grogan, Belvidere Jr. Mark Szoke, Northampton Sr. Evan Allman, Liberty Sr. Erich Doerr, Notre Dame Sr. Kevin Rold, Freedom Sr. Garret Becker, North Warren Sr. Ryan Curto, Warren Hills Sr. Eddie Milisits, Freedom THIRD TEAM: Sr. Kyle Allen, Warren Hills Sr. Ben Stine, North Hunterdon Sr. Matt Yanek, Northampton Sr. Tommy Young Pen Argyl Sr. Connor Breslin, Pius X Jr. Kevin Cooley, Easton Jr. Nick Marini, Voorhees Jr. Dan McDonald, Notre Dame Sr. Ryan Brong, Liberty Sr. Matt Camilletti, Pius X Sr. Billy Deutsch, Nazareth Sr. Joe Dalessandro, Pius X Sr. Nate Fritzinger, Northampton Sr. Tim Howard, North Hunterdon HONORABLE MENTION Pitcher -- Nick Beinlich, Easton, Jr.; Connor Casey, Bethlehem Catholic, Sr.; Trey Conroy, Voorhees, Sr.; Connor Cruts, Warren Hills, Sr.; Tommy DiGuiseppi, Bangor, Sr.; Anthony Martino, Pius X, Sr.; Dakota Murray, Wilson, Sr.; Tyler Smith, North Hunterdon, Sr.; Ryan Tatarka, Hackettstown, Sr.; Jordan Vitkauskas, Northampton, Sr. Catcher -- Bryan Cleary, Notre Dame, Jr.; Ryan Hydock, Bangor, Jr.; Cory Snyder, Palisades, Jr.; Chris Pilone, Delaware Valley, Jr. Infield -- Ian Hayden, Easton, Sr.; Alex Hladik, North Warren, So; Josh Hough, Saucon Valley, Sr; Bryan Konsig, Voorhees, Sr.; Mike Martinsky, Notre Dame, Sr.; Alex Noboa, North Hunterdon, Sr.; Phil Ruggiero, Pen Argyl, Jr.; Conor Ryan, Bethlehem Catholic, Jr.; Brian Uliana, Freedom, Jr.; Tyler Widitz, Phillipsburg, Jr.; Reed Williams, Delaware Valley, Jr. Outfield -- Matt Bonavita, Voorhees, Sr.; Jake Criscuolo, Bethlehem Catholic, Sr.; Josh Donofry, Notre Dame, Sr.; Anthony Gaetaniello, Nazareth, Jr.; Matt Laub, Saucon Valley, Sr.; Trey Lingle, Palisades, Jr.; Jeff Sell, Northampton, Sr.; Hunter Stevens, North Warren, Jr.; Craig Tomkins, Belvidere, Sr.; Chris Trent, Phillipsburg, So.; Sean Wrobel, Freedom, Jr. Utility -- Mark Apgar, Warren Hills, Sr; Tom Chiswick, Delaware Valley, Sr.; Ronnie Honickle, Voorhees, Sr.; Zach Olah, Easton, Sr.; Phil Pierfy, Wilson, Fr.; Ryan Pysher, Bangor, Sr.; Scott Skripko, Delaware Valley, Jr.; Tanner Smith, Palisades, Jr.; Justin Welch, Saucon Valley, Sr.