Nine Waves Returning to South County in 2015

by Tim Scott

After a successful campaign in which the Waves won their first playoff game in franchise history, nine players from the 2014 Waves have decided to return to South County for a second (or for one Wave, a third) season in NECBL competition. Playing under head coach Eric Cirella for the second straight season, all nine players were integral role players for the Waves in 2014.

The nine players that will return to Old Mountain Field in 2015 include RHP Brad Applin (Rhode Island), OF Ryan Blanton (Georgia State), RHP David Gerber (Creighton), INF Tim Lynch (Southern Mississippi), C Buck McCarthy (Bryant), RHP/INF Matt Murphy (Assumption), RHP Oliver Powers (Bryant), OF AJ Ramirez (Southern California), and INF Robby Rinn (Bryant).

Applin served as an effective shutdown reliever for the Waves in 2014. In 16 appearances (two starts), Applin went 1-0 with a 1.51 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 35.2 innings of work. Opponents hit just .235 in 2014 against Applin, who also appeared in two of the three postseason games for the Waves.

In 2015, Applin has pitched effectively in his junior season at the University of Rhode Island. In six appearances, Applin posted a 2.84 ERA and eight strikeouts in six innings of work. With his success in the past two seasons, Applin should continue to be a major factor in the Waves bullpen during the 2015 NECBL Season.

An NECBL All-Star in his first season, Blanton was one of the key components of the Waves outfield in 2014. Playing in 41 games last summer, Blanton hit .269 with 12 RBI and six stolen bases. Blanton also collected a double and an RBI during the NECBL All-Star Game, while driving in two runs in Game Two of the NECBL Southern Division Semifinals.

Blanton has scorched the competition during his sophomore season at Georgia State. In 23 games, Blanton has posted a .378 average with four homers and 13 RBI. He was named both the Slugger Nation Player of the Week and the Sun Belt Player of the Week in early March. Notably, Blanton hit two home runs (including a grand slam) in the same inning against Kennesaw State on March 10. With his wave of momentum in 2014 and 2015, Blanton should be a major impact player again for the Waves this summer.

With his brother Mike setting several team records with the Waves in 2013, David Gerber continued his family’s dominance of the NECBL during the 2014 season. In 21 appearances, Gerber went 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 30 innings. Gerber also picked up the victory on August 4 as the Waves won their first postseason game in franchise history (a 4-2 victory over the Newport Gulls).

As a sophomore at Creighton, Gerber continues to pitch well out of the bullpen. In eight appearances, Gerber is 0-1 with a 1.42 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 12 innings of work. Gerber currently leads the Bluejays with an opponent’s average of .159 and a WHIP of 0.55. With three saves on the season, Gerber could be an efficient late-inning reliever for the Waves for the second straight season.

Even though he joined the Waves in late June, Lynch conveyed a domineering presence at the plate during his tenure in South County. In 25 games last season, Lynch posted a .333 average with three homers and 20 RBI. Lynch also drove in three runs during the 2014 postseason.

In his junior season at Southern Mississippi, Lynch has hit .281 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 20 games. Lynch is among the team leaders in OPS (.951), demonstrating his ability to hit for power and reach base consistently. After he cemented his status as a versatile third baseman in 2014, Lynch could continue to make an impact in his first full season with the Waves in 2015.

McCarthy was a versatile player for the Waves in 2014 due to his ability to play several different positions in addition to his natural spot as catcher. In 35 games, McCarthy hit .248 with three homers and 29 RBI. However, McCarthy was a prominent hitter in the postseason, as he posted a .429 average in three games.

Serving as a prominent backstop for Bryant in his junior season, McCarthy has performed well in nine games this season. With a .222 average, McCarthy has a homer, three doubles, and five RBI. With his defensive versatility, McCarthy serve in many different roles for the Waves in his second season in South County in 2015.

A key two-way player who grew up in Wakefield, Murphy made his mark midway through the season with his hometown Waves. Murphy served as an infielder in seven games, while making three appearances out of the bullpen towards the end of the season.

Murphy has continued his two-way talents in his sophomore season at Assumption College. At the plate, Murphy has hit .268 with 11 RBI in 16 games. On the mound, Murphy has made three appearances, recording a save and striking out seven batters. With his experience in the backend of the bullpen, Murphy could be a key reliever for the Waves, as well as a nifty infielder, in his second season at Old Mountain Field.

Powers becomes the first three-time Wave in franchise history since he has been on the roster in 2013, 2014, and 2015. In his second season with the Waves in 2014, Powers made 16 appearances, posting a 4.18 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 24 innings of work. In 2013, Powers was a major closer for the Waves, saving six games while posting a 1.11 ERA and three wins.

Since he transferred to Bryant from Radford in 2014, Powers is ineligible to pitch for the Bulldogs in the spring of 2015. However, Powers will once again be a major relief pitcher for the Waves in his third season with the squad.

Following his true freshman season at Southern California, Ramirez’s shined like the California sun during his first year with the Waves in 2014. In 40 games, Ramirez hit .263 with four homers and 25 RBI. Ramirez also drove home two runs in three postseason games with the Waves in August.

Now a full-fledged starter with the eighth-ranked USC Trojans, Ramirez has played well in his sophomore season. In 22 games, Ramirez has hit .271 with a team-high four homers and 20 RBI. Ramirez, who is flexible as an outfielder and an infielder, should make an immediate impact in his second summer with the Waves.

Rounding out the returners from 2014 is Rinn, who was an offensive stalwart in his first season with the Waves. An NECBL All-Star, Rinn hit .313 with two homers and 20 RBI in 33 games. Rinn even pitched for the Waves in one game, striking out one batter in an 11-4 victory over the Mystic Schooners on July 12. In the playoffs, Rinn hit .364 with two RBI against the Gulls in the NECBL Southern Division Semifinals.

As a junior at Bryant, Rinn has continued his consistency at the plate. In 12 games, Rinn has hit .273 with one homer and nine RBI. Rinn also has three doubles and six walks, showing his ability to reach base consistently. As a first baseman and designated hitter, Rinn will be a big part of the Waves lineup for the second straight season.

Throughout the offseason, the Waves have caught up with several of these returning players to talk about their highlights of the 2014 season, as well as what they are excited about for the 2015 season. Check out these videos on the Waves YouTube channel to see the excitement of several returning Waves.

With 72 days remaining until Opening Day 2015, it won’t be long until these nine Waves return to South County and continue their summer baseball careers at Old Mountain Field. As the spring weather starts to seep over the Northeast, the excitement will build until fans can catch their favorite Waves in South County again once the Waves battle the New Bedford Bay Sox on June 4 at Old Mountain Field.

Tim Scott is the Broadcaster and Director of Media Relations for the Ocean State Waves. He can be contacted at timscott2796@gmail.com.