Editor’s Saturday night update: The Eagles were indeed locked and loaded. They have won four consecutive games in the winner’s bracket and remain unbeaten, headed into Saturday night’s Winner’s Bracket final.
Information courtesy of Kary Moore
After losing in the ASA National Championship game last year, the Roseville Eagles are locked and loaded in on returning to the Championship game this year. The Eagles have arrived in Quad Cities with the addition of more players and better pitching. They enter the 2014 North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) World Series with a completely different pitching staff rom last year. They are now led by their big game hurler, Ed Gaspar, up and coming flame thrower, Nate Dondero and veteran Brandon Shearer. The A-Major division begins play Thursday morning, August 7, 2014. The Eagles play Thursday at 3:00PM vs the winner of Wabash Elite of Indiana and Sibley Fastpitch Club of Illinois.
Different from last years ASA National Championship Runner Up finish in Salem, Oregon, the Eagles will have a couple of their mainstays back and available for their NAFA World Series Championship run. Rusty Newnan makes the trip and will contribute at DH and 1B. Right fielder, Mark Summers brings his 9 “rings” to the lineup and will contribute his left handed bat just like Rusty.
New addition, Aaron Gluam is fresh from professional baseball in Canada. He brings his youth, speed, glove and bat speed to the mix and will play shortstop for Roseville.
Patrolling centerfield will be Jabari Wimbs. Jabari’s defense and quickness allows him to take away many would be hits and his throwing speed and accuracy is a bummer for many offenses. He will also lead off and offers another left handed bat with pop, slapping or bunting abilities.
Veteran cleanup batter and dominate catcher, Joel Manfredi will anchor the defense. His pitch calling and handling of all of the pitchers is very valuable to the Eagles. Last year in their run to the ‘Ship in Salem, Oregon, Joel suffered a terrible hamstring injury and was not able to play the rest of the tournament.
Infield:
Player/manager Mario Pereira will shore up the defense at 1B. His powerful bat will be on display as well. Last years ASA All-American, Adam Traugh will handle the 2nd base duties again and will present many challenges for defenses when he bats left handed and hits the ball wherever he wants to. Aaron “A Ron” Gluam plays SS. Tyler Phillips returns to the hot corner at 3rd base and is in charge of hitting lazer shots.
Outfield:
With Jabari in CF and Summers in RF, left field will platoon with ASA All-American, Kary Moore, Nick “Freight train” Freitas and Kevin Fontana. Left handed hitter, Fontana is also available to play DH and 1B. Slap hitter, Kary will put pressure on defenses. Freitas brings his glove and bat ready to contribute to the winning ways of the Roseville Eagles at all times.
