Published: July 24, 2008 11:08 pm      

Delweld players shine

Delweld’s versatile Most Valuable Player Matt Staub led a group of four players from his team who earned top awards in the AAABA League on Thursday night.

“Those four kids worked hard all year and bought into the system and showed up to the park with a plan,” Delweld manager Rick Roberts said.

Staub, who played in the outfield, first base and pitched, batted .350 (36-for-103) with seven doubles, 26 runs scored and 26 RBIs, 27 walks and a .541 on-base percentage.

The MVP stole nine bases in 10 attempts. He also went 3-2 with a 1.26 ERA and 39 strikeouts.

“Staub not only pitched great, but he was one of our big hitters in big situations,” Roberts said.

Principle Development right-hander Paul Bugajski and GMI Renegades righty Eric Bruno shared the Pete Vuckovich Award as the top pitchers after two tie votes among the league’s six managers.

“Paul lost one game in the league last year and he was picked up by Delweld when they went into the tournament,” Principle manager Tony Joseph said. “He is one of the best pitchers in the AAABA League.”

Bugajski finished the regular season 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 44 innings.

Bruno was 4-1 with a save and a 0.40 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 451⁄3 innings. He allowed only 21 hits and 20 walks.

“Bruno was outstanding,” Renegades manager Roland Black said. “He came out and gave it 100 percent each time.”

Delweld shortstop George Roberts (.389 average, 29 runs, 17 RBIs) won the Ken Horoho Award as the top rookie position player. Delweld right-handed reliever Mike McDermott (3-1, one save, 0.79 ERA) took the Bill Jenkins Award as top rookie pitcher.

“George led the team in hits (42),” manager Roberts said of his younger brother. “He was put in a role he probably wasn’t supposed to be in. My lead-off guy injured his shoulder and didn’t get to come over this year. George was thrown into the lead-off role and did awesome.

“Mike McDermott had nine appearances, and it seemed like every time we needed somebody to come in and shut the door and be a stopper, he was solid.”

Delweld’s Drew Westover had a league-best .423 average (33-for-78), including a league-high three homers.

“Drew is a very strong kid and he’s got a lot of power,” manager Roberts said. “He injured his shoulder. In that time we lost seven or eight games by one run when he was out of the lineup. I didn’t realize how important he was until he came back. A lot of those one-run games that we were losing, we started to win.”

The All-AAABA League team:

Pitchers – Chris Sobota (Martella’s); Zach Satira (NORAC Lab); Andrew DiNardo (Martella’s); Gregg Bandzuh (Principle Development); Kris Park (Martella’s); Cole Taylor (Renegades); Jake Rougeaux (Delweld); Matt Whiteman (MCS Bulldogs); and Greg Stewart (Renegades).

Outfielders – Zack Martin (Renegades); Tom Burkett (Renegades); Drew Westover (Delweld); and Jake Oswalt (Martella’s).

Catcher – Chad McCoy (Renegades); First base – Ronnie Stenger (Martella’s); Second base – Sam Watkins (Martella’s); Shortstop – Dan Mangini (Principle) and Anthony Mattei (Renegades); Third base – Josh Campanella (Martella’s); Utility – Brandon Varmecky (Delweld); and DH – Cory Manarelli (Renegades).