The Empire Baseball League has announced the winners of this years Awards.

The Awards are Batting Champion, Reliever of the Year, Starter of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Matt Joyce Slugger Award, Defensive MVP, Manager of the Year, Organization of the Year and Empire League’s Most Valuable Player Award.

Here are the Award Winners:

• Batting Champion: 1B Jordan Larson (PLA):   .384 Avg in 128 PA
• Reliever of the  Year: LHP Brandon Sattenfield (TL): 26GP 45.2IP, 2.56 ERA, 31SO, (2-1)  2/2 SV
• Starter of the Year: LHP Shawn McFeggan (SL): #1 in ERA and Wins. (7-0) 61.2IP, 2.34ERA
• Rookie of the Year: Brandon Russo(PLA): .371avg in 160PA 21RBI, 16SB,  7(2B) 3(3B)
• Matt Joyce Slugger Award: INF Aj Wright(SL): Led in Slugging .659, Led in Doubles, Triples and total bases.
• Defensive MVP: C Andrew Noviello (NH):  148 PO 13A 2E .988 FLD %
• Manager of the Year: Sam Quinn-Loeb (PLA)
• Organization of the Year: Tupper Lake Riverpigs
• Most Valuable Player: INF Robert Antunez (TL): Led League in PA, Hits, Runs Scored, Runs Batted in.

Article by Empire Media

TUPPER LAKE, NY –  The New Hampshire Wild gave it all until the end winning 3 of last 4 but fell just one game back from making the playoffs in the Empire League Standings.

First year manager Taylor Nichols was extremely proud of how the team played throughout the season and was hopeful that he couldve competed in the Wild Card game.

The Team suffered through many injuries late in the season including Home Run leader Andrew Noviello who dislocated his shoulder diving into home plate.

The Team will get back to the drawing board and start immediate improvements for the 2022 season.

Article by Empire Media

JULY 17, 2021  TUPPER LAKE, NY – The New Hampshire Wild represented the  East in this years Empire Baseball League All Star Game.

The New Hampshire Wild joined the Plattsburgh Thunderbirds to represent the East team. The Wild had  11 players make the All Star team.

Andrew Noviello belted a 3 run homer off starter Joey Lara in the very first inning to take a 3-0 lead over the west.

He would go on to win the Most Valuable Player Award.

Article by Empire Media

JULY 17, 2021 – TUPPER LAKE, NY – New Hampshire Wilds own catcher Andrew Noviello who hit fourth for the All Star East team has won the 2021 Empire League All Star Game Most Valuable Player Award.

Noviello crushed a 3- run homer off west starter Joey Lara in the Top of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead.

Noviello continues to impress in the Empire League as he is tied for the league lead in homers with 6, tied with Tupper Lake Riverpigs outfielder Edward Salcedo.

Play continues on Monday July 19th when the Wild take on the Saranac Lake Surge in a double header makeup rain out.

Article by Empire Media

On Saturday, July 3rd, The New Hampshire Wild traveled to Saranac Lake to take on the Surge in a three-game series.

The Surge were on their A-game, as they took all three games in the series. After winning their last series against the Tupper Lake River Pigs, this moves the Surge into competitive playoff positioning.

Saranac Lake opened their first game with an 11-10 walk-off win. In a game where there were 26 total hits, the Surge got off to a hot start, leading 9-5 after the first four innings of play. The Wild eventually evened things up, scoring 5 runs over the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings.

The Surge looked to end the game as the two teams remained tied 10-10 heading into the bottom of the 9th inning. After the Surge the secured some baserunners, Kenny Hernandez roped a double to end the game in walk-off fashion.

Ryan Dickt was the leader at the plate for the Surge who had three hits and smoked two doubles. Aj Wright, Juan Pena, and TJ Riles also each chipped in two hits each for the Surge. Closer, Corey Steward secured the win on the mound for Saranac Lake.

Javon Martin led the Wild with three hits as he went 3-3 in the loss. Sean Guida, Jacquez Williams, and John Lantigua all chipped in two hits for the Wild in the performance.

Game two of the series was nothing like the explosive hitting performance of game one. In a game where there were only seven total hits, this was a day where the pitchers on both teams got to shine.

The score remained tied at zero going into the bottom of the seventh inning until Brandon Gutzler scored the only run of the game. That would be all the run support the Surge needed as they took the second game of the series in a 1-0 victory.

Matt Valin put together a strong start for the Surge striking out ten batters over six innings pitched. Reliever, Kyung Min Han received the win on the mound, while throwing two hitless innings. Corey Steward collected the save and secured the shutout.

Wild starting pitcher, Sungmin Choi threw a complete game while only allowing three hits in the loss. His one run given up was unearned. New Hampshire third basemen, Jon Lantigua led all hitters with two hits.

Going into game three of the series the Surge looked to sweep the second-place Wild, and they did just that.

The Surge got out to a hot start in the first two innings, scoring three runs over that span. That turned out to be all they needed, as they collected a 6-1 win.

Corey Alexander II was hot at the plate, smacking a game high three hits. Alexander scored each time he reached base. The Surge used the momentum from their strong pitching performance of game two, as Shawn McFeggan tossed a complete game win on the mound.

John Lantigua led the Wild in hits with two as he continued his dominant series at the plate.

The Surge look to remain hot in their next series against the Plattsburgh Thunderbirds after winning 5 out of their 6 last games. The Wild look to bounce back as they travel to Tupper Lake to take on the first place Riverpigs.

Article written by Ben Norcross.

Tupper Lake, NY – After a season where coronavirus eliminated play in 2020, residents of Tupper Lake and its
neighboring cities were excited for the Empire Baseball League to continue play for this summer
season.

Opening weekend began Saturday, and the showout of fans at Tupper Lake’s Municipal Park to
watch the opening series between the New Hampshire Wild and the home team Riverpigs did
not disappoint as the stadium would sell out quickly.

Following a long week of camps and roster completion, the players for both the Wild and
Riverpigs were fired up and ready to kick off the season with a bang.

New Hampshire Wild starting pitcher Sora Sakashita put on a showing of grit and determination
as he would throw a staggering total of 112 pitches across seven innings summed up by 12
strikeout and 4 earned runs. Reliever and knuckleball phenom Sungmin Choi entered the game
and shut the door, finishing the last two innings without allowing a hit and, ultimately, boosting
his team to a 9-6 victory.

Tupper Lake’s offense would not make the victory an easy feat for the Wild, though, as a
running total of 9 hits were tallied on the board. Riverpigs designated hitter Eduard Salcedo and
shortstop Walner Espinal each had a homerun, giving their team the energy they needed to
fight.

The New Hampshire Wild would prove too powerful, though, securing their first win of the
season.

The second game of the four game series occurred on Sunday, 7 p.m. at Municipal Park. Angry
and disappointed after a game one loss, the Tupper Lake Riverpigs were riled up and ready to
hit the field in hopes of evening the series.

New Hampshire third baseman John Lantigua came into the game firing, blasting a deep
homerun to center field in his first at bat of the showing.

Going into the third inning with a 2-0 lead, the Wild were confident and energetic, but the
Riverpigs spoiled all of the fun after putting up seven unanswered runs throughout the entirety
of the rest of the game to win 7-2. The Riverpig offense was powered by Walner Espinal who
blasted two homeruns, boosting his HR total to three throughout two games.

Game three of the four game set is scheduled to take place Monday night, 7 p.m. at Municipal
Park in Tupper Lake. Both teams will look to enter the win column

SARANAC LAKE, NY –  League officials made a decision on the Pro Baseball showcase  and league training camp.  With the unfortunate situation that surrounds the Country due to Covid-19 pandemic, the league is making an adjustment to make a 2020 season possible.   The annual league tryout camp will be pushed back to a  later date in the same original month of June.  Instead of event taking place in the first week of June as it has every single year,  it will likely be moved to the last week of June.

The League will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and will comply with State regulations  to make sure that  all necessary steps are taken to be able to get back on the field.  League official have confirmed that there will be a showcase camp to help many players as all the Pro Leagues that are operating will need players ready to be signed.

“We are willing to move the camp to anywhere in the country that can accommodate us if necessary and at a date that is convenient for the showcase capability of our players. We will have this camp for the simple reason that if the high level Professional leagues are going to be having their season, then we need to be able to provide them with players as needed and that’s the key of our existence .   Our mission is to showcase the talent of the players so that they can be signed to professional contracts.   We will gladly move date and location to the safest possible place where players can show their talent and we will help many players get the opportunity they deserve.   We are going to wait until possibly May 15th when government  authorities will update us and announce if sports can happen and at that point we will determine the final camp date and location in May. But we are confident that we  will have a camp and we will have Empire Baseball this year.  It could be in New York , or Florida but it will be somewhere where baseball can be played.”

With the pro showcase camp being pushed back means  the start of the Empire Baseball League season will be pushed back to follow the camp.  Players need to be prepared to make the necessary adjustments for camp changes. Any questions  feel free to email baseball@empireproleague.com

Camp registration deadlines are still in place . Those looking to take one of the remaining spots available,   click here and register today.

Article by Empire Media

NEW YORK, NY –   Every year during the winter, the Empire League provides a week long opportunity for returning and out of college prospects  to register for the independent pro baseball showcase camp early. This opportunity allows for players to sign up for the exciting event during a time when the league secures sponsors and supporting partners.

For this reason, the ELB provides a discounted rate where players can save  from the regular camp cost.   Players have the opportunity to lock in their camp cost for housing and meals at a more economical price  during the early registration period.

 The 2020 Independent Pro Baseball Showcase and ELB  Spring Training camp will give you the opportunity to be scouted by confirmed MLB scouts as well as higher level independent baseball leagues. If a player is not selected by MLB or higher level independent leagues, then the player will have an opportunity to make 1 of the 6 teams in the ELB.

All ELB rosters are made strictly from those players that attend camp.  No players will be signed to the ELB directly from outside winter leagues or other programs.

The Empire League will have 6 teams for the 2020 season of play.  The camp will be held in the week of June 1st to June 5th.

For those players that would like to take advantage of the discounted early bird pricing, deadline to register is January 20th. If you do not register during the  early registration period, you will have an opportunity to register during the regular registration period which goes from March 1st through April 1st. Due to the number of players requesting to participate, no player will be accepted after April 1st.

Register today during the early registration period by clicking here. If you have any questions feel free to contact the ELB at baseball@empireproleague.com

Article by Empire Media

PLATTSBURGH, NY –  The New Hampshire Wild closed out the season defeating the Top seeded Plattsburgh Thunderbirds by a score of 5 to 3 at Chip Cummings Field in Plattsburgh, New York.

With the win, the Wild clinched the South Caribe Division crown and will head into the playoffs as the 2nd overall place in the standings. The playoffs will consist of one elimination game followed by a best of 3 series to determine the Empire League Champion.

The Wild will face the number 3 seed Puerto Rico Islanders who have the head to head over the Wild in the Regular Season and will battle it out once again during the Wild card spot.

Playoffs begin tomorrow August 5th with the New Hampshire Wild playing the Islanders at 11:30am followed by the Road City Explorers against the Plattsburgh Thunderbirds at 4:00pm at Chip Cummings Field.

Tickets for playoffs can be purchased only at the gate of the stadium an hour prior to game time.

Article by Empire Media

CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire Wild defeated the Puerto Rico Islanders by a score of 3-0 to even up the record for 2nd place in the overall standings and tied for 1st in the South Caribe Division.

The South Caribe has gotten really interesting in the Empire League  as all 3 teams are just 1 to 1.5 games behind with about 8-10 games left in the regular season.

The Islanders and Wild are now tied at 15-10 with the Islanders  owning the Head to Head at the moment. That could change with a Wild series win. However the Road City Explorers are facing the struggling  Bucks who if they sweep the Bucks, the Islanders could find themselves battling for the final playoff spot.

However it can always be turned around and Wild lose out on the opportunity to make playoffs which makes this final 8-10 games so crucial for all playoff contending teams.

It will be an interesting week for all teams to see who will continue on to the playoffs.

Article by Empire Media