Cinnaminson Semi-Pro Baseball Team Earns No. 2 Seed In Playoffs

The Rancocas Valley Semi-pro Baseball League commences its postseason this weekend, with Cinnaminson garnering the No. 2 seed in what could be a repeat of its 2009 championship run.

Cinnaminson, an annual league favorite that plays its home games at , has put together another solid season, compiling a 25-10 record behind fourth-year manager Brett Miller.

“This is the reason we play,” Miller said of the playoffs. “The regular season is important, but everyone plays for the tournament.”

Playoffs start Saturday, with Cinnaminson taking on No. 7 Mt. Laurel in first-round, best-of-three action. Cinnaminson has an impressive mark against Mt. Laurel this season, boasting a 5-0 record while outscoring them 47-8 in the process.

“Really, every year we’ve had success,” Miller said. “It usually comes down to the same four teams every year. It just depends who is playing better when the playoffs start.”

Pitcher Ryan Varga will most likely take the hill for Cinnaminson in Game 1. Varga has been the team’s most dominating force on the mound this year, appearing 13 times with eight starts. He’s gone the distance on six different occasions and has recorded an 8-1 record in the process. Varga also has two saves to his credit and a team-low era of 0.72.

“He throws more than anyone else on the team,” Miller said. “And he can come in as a relief pitcher when we need him.”

Nick Melchoirre has also contributed on the mound, as well as Bobby Diepold. Melchoirre has made seven appearances and owns a 3-2 record with a 1.56 era. Diepold has a 3-2 record with a 2.15 era in six starts.

Leading the attack at the plate for Cinnaminson has been a regiment of different players. Diepold has contributed offensively with a .346 batting average with two home runs and 18 RBI. Geoff Gilbert has the team’s best average with a .437 mark with 10 runs scored and eight RBIs in just 11 games played.

Mike Osborne is hitting at a .395 clip in 26 games this season and leads the team with 22 RBIs. Mike Wasco is near the top in three offensive categories, batting .346 with 20 runs and 21 RBIs.

“Offensively, it’s Mike Osborne, the Gilbert brothers (Geoff and Greg) playing well,” Miller said. “It’s the same core guys that help carry us every year. This really isn’t your typical Sunday beer league. These guys can play. There are some guys in this league who have played Triple-A or Independent League ball. “We like our chances this year. We’re looking forward to the second-round and seeing who is playing better. I don’t think we have the best hitter or the best pitcher, but I think we have one of the deeper rotations and one of the better lineups.”

Cinnaminson plays Saturday at Southampton Memorial Park on Red Lion Road. The time is to be determined. 

For more information, including complete teams, standings and leaders, and Saturday's game time, visit www.rvlbaseball.com.