Jul 6, 2005
WATERTOWN, NY - Joe Malzone (Leominster, MA), a relief
pitcher on the Watertown Wizards this summer, was named to the New York
Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL) All-Star Game, the league announced
Monday.
A junior-to-be at UMass Lowell, Malzone is enjoying a stellar season
with the Wizards, who are currently 14-8 in the NYCBL East Division, a
game behind the league-leading Amsterdam Mohawks.
In 13 appearances (14.2 innings) as a closer, Malzone has earned the
nickname "Super Saver" from the Wizards' faithful. To date, he has
posted a 3-0 record with seven saves and has yet to allow an earned run.
He has also struck out 17 batters while surrendering eight hits, four
walks and three unearned runs.
"We knew had some innings at UMass Lowell, but he needed some work when
he first got here," said Wizards' pitching coach Ryan Fecteau, a former
hurler at Saint Anselm. "All he has been throwing is strikes. He has
been forcing hitters into ground balls. He has been getting us out of
jams. He's just been really efficient. And he's also been a real good
guy to have on this team."
Wizards' head coach Todd Kirkey concurred.
"Joe is playing a different role from what he's been doing at Lowell,"
Kirkey said. "He is very poised. He has been lights out for us. I don't
know if this will be his role at UMass Lowell, but he's become our
closer here. The hitters don't seem to pick him. Up. He's got a breaking
ball that even the right-handed hitters can't seem to get at."
Malzone was named to NYCBL Co-Pitcher of the Week on June 20 when he
threw seven scoreless innings in six appearances with nine strikeouts.
The NYCBL All-Star Game is slated for Sunday, July 10, in Newark, NY, at
the home of the Wayne County Raptors. Malzone is one of three Wizards to
be selected for the game.
In seven appearances (24.2 innings) for UML last season, Malzone posted
a 1-1 clip with 22 strikeouts while limiting opposing hitters to a .200
average.
Malzone is the son of Rosemary Tedd of Leominster, MA, and Paul Malzone
of Lancaster, MA.
