University of Miami Baseball Summer Update
July 28, 2006
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The returning members of Miami’s 2006 College World Series team picked up right where they left off in Omaha, Neb., putting up big numbers and have provided all-star performances for their respective summer teams. Hurricanes like Jemile Weeks, Scott Maine, Blake Tekotte and Gus Menendez have provided glimpses of what’s in store for the 2007 season.
Weeks, the starting second baseman for the U.S.A National Team, has made the most profound impact. The rising sophomore has parlayed his late-season dominance in the NCAA Super Regional and College World Series into a spot on the 17-2 National Team. Weeks is one of only three players to start all 19 games and leads the team in average (.347) and is tied for the team lead with 25 hits and four home runs.
“Before I even made the team, it was an honor to get invited (to try out),” Weeks said. “I was happy to make the team and since the beginning of the summer it’s been unbelievable. Wearing the `Team USA’ on my chest is a great honor and it’s a great privilege to represent my country.”
The U.S. Team is in the middle of a five-game series with Japan and will begin play in the FISU Baseball World Championships in Havana, Cuba on August 6.
While Weeks is fine-tuning his game against international competition, some of his Miami teammates are honing their skills in some of the best college summer leagues.
Cape Cod LeagueJunior lefty Scott Maine (William T. Dwyer HS) has been chosen to represent the East Division in the 2006 Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star game. Maine has compiled a 3-1 record with a 1.80 ERA in four starts for Brewster this season. Junior Manny Miguelez (Coral Reef HS) is also pitching in the Cape and is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA for Orleans.
Virginia Valley LeagueSophomore first baseman Yonder Alonso (Coral Gables HS) leads the Luray Wranglers with eight home runs despite having only 86 at bats. Alonso is hitting .279 with 18 RBI and has posted a perfect fielding percentage. Fellow sophomore and Coral Gables alum Jason Santana has been performing well on the mound for Luray, going 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA in four starts. Santana has posted 18 strikeouts against seven walks in 26.1 innings for the Wranglers, who have advanced to the Valley League Playoffs.
Freshman David Gutierrez (Christopher Columbus HS) is 1-2 with a 4.33 ERA in nine appearances, and has gone 2-for-6 at the plate for Haymarket. Sophomore Blake Tekotte (Hickman HS/Columbia, Mo.) is leading Woodstock with a .354 average in 22 games. Tekotte is also tied for the team lead in doubles (8) and RBI (16) despite playing in a little more than half of the team’s games.
New England Collegiate LeagueSenior Gus Menendez (St. Brendan HS) made it to the New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Star game for the North Adams Steeple Cats by hitting .267 with four doubles and nine RBI. Freshman pitcher Teddy Kaufman (Killian HS) is 2-2 with a 3.26 ERA for North Adams.
