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By Ron P. Coderre
The TriTown American Legion Baseball Program officially closed out its 2013 season with its Post-Season Banquet that featured first-year Assumption College baseball coach Mike Rocco as the guest speaker. More than 100 players, coaches, parents, friends and American Legion veterans were on hand at Post #67 in Thompson for the evening’s festivities.
Rocco opened by speaking of his involvement with baseball as both a player and coach. He emphasized two points, bringing energy to every practice and game and being a team player, while demonstrating responsibility and leadership in every aspect of baseball and life.
“When I played at Bryant University as a freshman I won the starting first base job from a senior. That player turned out to be one of my best friends. He helped me not only on the field but in understanding that my academics were as important as baseball. He was a true team player,” said Rocco.
Rocco who played four years at Bryant University left the school as the career leader in games played and holds the NCAA Division II career and single-season records for putouts. He’s also third in hits on the career list at the Rhode Island school with 221. He comes to Assumption following a three-year stint as the head coach at Lesley University.
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the post-season award winners for both the Jr. and Sr. teams. On the Jr. level Kyle Tyler was the recipient of the Louis Francis Bates Memorial Award, which was presented by Bates’ son Shawn Bates and Nicholas Foucault was recognized with the Joe Lindley Most Improved Player Award, presented by Lindley.
Sr. Team relief pitcher and outfielder Tim Cutler received the Rene “Doc” Desaulnier Award, while the Coach Tom Auclair Outstanding Player Award went to shortstop/pitcher Mike Thienel. This was the second year in a row that Thienel earned the award.
The TriTown Executive Committee presented two awards, to pitcher/first baseman Garrett Ponte and Josh Malboeuf. And for the first time the program unveiled the Stan Lesniewski 10th Player Award, which went to catcher J.P. Bergeron.
Sr. head coach Paul Faucher and Jr. head coach Dan Durand, recapped the seasons of both squads. Both coaches were complimentary of their players who played hard from the first to last pitch of each game. The Sr. Team finished with an 8-19 record good for 7th place in Zone VI, while the Jr. squad posted a 6-10 record.
The program opened with the presentation of the colors by the American Legion Post #13 Color Guard and the singing of the National Anthem by Melissa Dakai of Putnam. The evening features a roast beef dinner presented by the kitchen crew of Post #67.
The TriTown team is expected to return all of its players next season.
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