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Opposite Coasts Merge in North AdamsBy Rick Zmudzien
08:39AM / Thursday, May 07, 2009
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – From the West Coast to the East Coast, the North Adams SteepleCats have signed three players from the U. of Miami and U. of San Francisco. David Villasuso, a catcher from the U. of Miami, Ted Blackman, a  switch-hitting outfielder from the U. of Miami, and Sean Burns, a right-handed pitcher from the U. of San Francisco will merge their talents in the northeast this summer competing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
( Photo is of Blackman and Villasuso following a U. of Miami baseball game on April 1 earlier this year.)
Villasuso, originally from Miami, Florida, is currently a freshman at the # 19 ranked University of Miami. So far this season, Villasuso has seen limited action on a very deep Hurricanes team that began the season ranked in the top ten in the country by Baseball America. He’s appeared in 13 total games, including two starts. He’s currently hitting .190, with a home run and four runs batted in. His lone home run came in an Atlantic Coast Conference game versus Virginia Tech. On the weekend against the Hokies, Villasuso went 2-5 with three runs batted in.
“David’s limited playing time is not indicative of his talent, but because the starting catcher was the 2nd round draft pick of the Red Sox in 2007 and is expected to a first round pick next year,” said McGrath. “David’s strength is his hitting where he has tremendous power. Miami expects him to be a major contributor to their program the next few years and we expect that he’ll flourish playing regularly this summer.”
Prior to attending Miami, Villasuso played summer baseball for the prestigious Florida Legends team that competed in the Connie Mack World Series in New Mexico and the World Wood Bat Baseball Championships in Florida. On the season, Villasuso hit .347, with nine doubles, five home runs, and 24 RBI with the Legends. Most of his playing time came at first base as he was still recovering from an arm injury that limited his time catching.
Villasuso played his high school baseball at Florida Christian School. As a senior, Villasuso hit .365 with seven home runs and 30 RBI. As a junior, he hit .375 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI.
Blackman, from Altamonte Springs, Florida, is a 6’ freshman outfielder and teammate of Villasuso’s at the University of Miami. Blackman is a switch hitter who can play all three outfield positions. At Miami this season, Blackman has seen action in 31 games, including 23 starts. Often batting second in the line-up, Blackman is hitting .262 with six runs batted in and has walked 18 times, which has pushed his on-base percentage increase to .398.
“It says a lot about Teddy’s talent to break into the starting line-up as a true freshman on a nationally ranked team. He is a very patient hitter and finds a way to get on base, which has kept him in the line-up throughout the season,” said McGrath. “Obviously we are very excited for Teddy’s arrival and am very confident that his experience playing in the ACC has prepared him well for the NECBL competition.”
Before playing for the Hurricanes, Blackman played summer ball for the elite Orlando Scorpions, who compete in the World Wood Bat Association. Blackman played his high school baseball at Lake Brantley High School. In his senior year he hit .380 with a home run and 12 stolen bases, leading his team to the Florida State Championship. Blackman was selected to the Florida State Game as a senior and a junior, and earned the game’s MVP honors each year.
Burns, originally from Concord, California, is a 6’ sophomore at the University of San Francisco. So far this season, Burns is 0-2 in nine appearances and one start. He has struck out eight batters in 10 innings of work. As a freshman in 2008, Burns saw action in 16 games, all but one out of the bullpen. He had a record of 1-1 that year, a 7.36 ERA and 15 strike outs in 18.1 innings pitched.
“Burns has gained good experience pitching in the West Coast Conference the past two seasons. He was highly recruited out of high school and has an upper 80’s fastball and good composure on the mound,” said McGrath. “We anticipate Sean will be contributor to the pitching staff out of the bullpen”
Before USF, Burns played at Clayton Valley High School. He was named to the league’s First Team as a junior, and was named league MVP as a senior. His senior year, he was also named the Contra Costa Times Baseball Player of the Year after posting a 1.865 ERA.
Opening Day is right around the corner. The SteepleCats will open up their season on Friday, June 5, in New Hampshire to take on the Keene Swamp Bats. The SteepleCats play their home opener on Saturday, June 6 against the Danbury Westerners. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Joe Wolfe Field, and the gates will open at 6:00 p.m. For more information on the roster, schedule and other news, please visit www.steeplecats.com.
In case you haven't purchased your season ticket for the upcoming season, please visit one of these local businesses listed here to purchase your full season's ticket or 10-pack ticket. The Full Season Family Plan is $100; Full Season Individual Plan is $70; Ten-Pack Family Plan is $60; and the Ten-Pack Individual Plan is $45. Tickets are sold at all of the following locations: Adams: Val's Variety; North Adams: Man's World and Moulton's General Store; Stamford, VT: Billmont's Country Store, and in Williamstown at Angelina's Submarine Shop and St. Pierre's Barber Shop. |
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