The 2011 Vermont Mountaineers represented a return to normalcy in Central Vermont. John Russo returned to Montpelier for his seventh season with the team after a two year hiatus and brought with him one of the most exciting teams ever seen.
As had been the tradition with Manager Russo’s squads, the Mountaineers started the 2011 summer a little slow, finishing the first half of the season with a record of 11-11. In the month of July however, they stormed back and became one of the hottest teams in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The addition of first baseman/designated hitter Rob Kelly (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA/Saint Anslem) provided a much needed spark to team that struggled at the plate early on. In just 23 games with the team, Kelly led Vermont in batting average (.294), homeruns (4) and runs batted in (17).
Other superstars on the team including second baseman Brett Johnson (Little Elm, TX/TCU), who was named to the All-NECBL team that took on Team USA at Fenway Park, as well as third baseman Greg Bachman, starting pitcher Matt Whitehouse and closer Kyle Grana who were all named NECBL Western Division All-Stars. Grana, who led the league in saves with 11 was also named First Team All-NECBL for his efforts.
Arguably the most exciting aspect of the season was on the base paths where the Mountaineers ran right in to the record books stealing a total of 118 bases this season setting a new league single season record originally held by the 1997 Central Mass Collegians. Leading the way in the thievery was outfielder Brian O’Grady (Westminster, PA/Rutgers) who set a Mountaineers single season record with 25 swipes surpassing Beau McMillan’s 2003 mark.
Vermont’s pitching was some of the best in the league with the second best earned run average, fourth highest strikeout total and most saves in the NECBL. They were also the best home team in the league finishing with an astounding 17-4 record at Montpelier Recreation Field. Three of those contests came with game winning hits, two in extra innings against Mystic, and a ninth inning come from behind victory over North Shore.
Despite starting off slow, Vermont responded well in July winning seven of their final ten games for a record of 26-16, an 11 win improvement from 2010, and finished third in the Western Division standings cementing their seventh playoff appearance in team history. Unfortunately, they were swept in the first round by the Holyoke Blue Sox.
The 2012 summer promises to be another exciting year for Central Vermont as the Mountaineers will host the NECBL All-Star Game after hosting the showcase back in 2004. It will also be the tenth year of existence and an opportunity for fans to remember and celebrate the success of one of the league’s premiere franchises. |
