July 10, 2006

SCHOOL OF DOLPHINS THRIVING IN MANCHESTER
by Don Leypoldt
Manchester (Conn.) Silkworms Sports Information
New England Collegiate Baseball League

Note: Sixteen of Le Moyne's returning baseball players were selected for spots on collegiate summer league teams. Stephen Crawford, Andy Parrino and Brian Pullyblank are teammates with the Manchester Silkworms of the wood bat New England Collegiate Baseball League. The following is a feature on the trio written by Don Leypoldt of the Silkworms. For more on the Silkworms, click to http://www.manchestersilkworms.org/ .

Nothing is certain in life except death, taxes and Le Moyne Dolphins succeeding in Manchester.

In 2004, the battery of Alan Dreschler and catcher Brian Hansen helped to propel the NECBL's Manchester Silkworms to their first playoff appearance. In 2005, shortstop Andy Parrino and pitcher Bobby Blevins made the NECBL all-star team while Hansen and first baseman Keith Connors made valuable contributions to another playoff-bound Silkworm club.

The 2006 version of the Le Moyne to Manchester pipeline also flows with talent. Parrino, a sophomore shortstop for the Silkworms, is again having an all- star caliber season. On July 7th, Parrino bashed two RBI triples in Manchester's 8-4 win over Pittsfield. His .304 average, .417 on base percentage and six extra base hits are all second best on the Silkworms. As he explains, "I've been working with the coaches a lot on cutting down my swing, cutting down the strikeouts and putting the ball in play more."

Parrino's classmate Stephen Crawford has split time between third base and left field. After a slow start, Crawford has been one of the Silkies' hottest hitters. Since June 15th, Crawford has hit .304. His 10 RBIs are second best on the team. Crawford says, "I'm seeing the ball better and just trying to be a more patient hitter. I'm trying to get my mechanics right, get into a good rhythm and get my hands through the ball."

Freshman pitcher Brian Pullyblank has quickly evolved into one of the most consistent hurlers on the Silkworms. The hard-luck owner of an 0-2 record, Pullyblank is sporting an impressive 2.42 ERA. Opposing hitters are batting just .188 off of him. He has also slashed the bases on balls that plagued him in the past. "I've been using my legs a lot more and I've gotten better." he comments on his improving summer. "I'd rather have people hit the ball then walk them. Walks always seem to come around and hurt you. At least if they've hit the ball, they've earned it. It's hard for hitters without the metal bats so pitchers should have the advantage."

Their success shouldn't surprise Le Moyne fans. This past spring, Parrino hit .382 and led the Dolphins with his .454 on base percentage. Crawford batted .314 and stole eight bases, as he started all but four games. Pullyblank, one of the best prep pitchers in New York State, made more starts than any other freshman pitcher on Le Moyne.

For the returning veteran Parrino, this summer is similar to 2005. "It's still the same goals as last year. Do whatever I can to help the team and get us back into the playoffs. I think the league this year is more of a pitching league than an offensive league, so that is the biggest change," he noted.

Nor have Pullyblank or Crawford experienced any problems adjusting to one of the best wooden bat leagues in the country. "Coming in, I knew the NECBL was a great league. I'd check on players and see where they'd come from, so I knew it was competitive," said Pullyblank. Echoes Crawford, "The competition here is what I figured. The pitching is a little better than I thought it would be, but that is about it."

Nor has either one struggled with the sometimes difficult transition from playing away from home. "In terms of being away from home, I've been in college for a year so this wasn't a real big adjustment for me," said the pitcher. As Crawford aptly put it: "Baseball is baseball."

Baseball is baseball and as long as Parrino, Crawford and Pullyblank are playing, successful baseball is sure to follow.

The Manchester Silkworms are a proud member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a summer, wooden-bat collegiate baseball league that showcases some of the best talent in the country. For more information on Parrino, Crawford and Pullyblank, log on to http://www.manchestersilkworms.org/ .