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August 20, 2001
The 2001 season will be remembered as the year the Johnstown Grays established themselves as one of the elite teams in the Johnstown AAABA League.
The season began with high expectations as the Grays returned 11 players from their 2000 squad that only missed the playoffs by one game.
The Grays began the season with a dramatic 5-4 win over Assure, scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh. They split the final two games to start the season at 2-1.
The Grays moved to 4-1 with two wins over Harbrack, but lost catcher Pete Vuckovich for the season with a torn MCL in a collision at home plate. The Grays went on a four game losing streak to stand at 4-5.
The Grays regrouped to win five of their next six games to move to 9-6. They dropped two to Assure and beat Harbrack twice to move to 11-8.
The Grays went on a five game losing streak to fall to 11-13. They only managed four runs in the five games.
According to Grays' manager Chris Pfeil, "At that point, a lot of people were writing us off. I give the players all the credit in the world because they battled out of the slump and were able to turn the whole season around."
The Grays did just that, reeling off six straight wins to move into third place with a 17-13 record. In the six games, the Grays offense came alive to score 56 runs. Pfeil commented, "Once we started getting a few hits to fall, our guys started swinging with confidence again. The whole lineup came alive."
The Grays dropped two one-run games to fall to 17-15. They split a pair of games with Delweld and beat the Galleria to finish the regular season in third place with a 19-16 record.
The Grays were set to began a much anticipated playoff series with second place Delweld. The two teams provided one of the most exciting playoff series in recent history.
The Grays took the first game 10-2. Delweld scored a run in the top of the ninth to force extra innings and beat the Grays 5-3 in the second game. The Grays moved one game away from the championship series with another 10-2 win in Game 3. However, Delweld won the last two games of the series to end the Grays season.
Pfeil said, "It was an unbelievable series. Both teams played great baseball, and unfortunately we came up short. The key to the series was our inability to hold the lead in Game 2."
The Grays will lose six players from their 2001 team. Brian Cence, Matt Kozusko, Jason Merriman, Matt Perry, Kerry Pfeil, and Pete Vuckovich were all 20 years old. Pfeil commented, "They were all tremendous assets to this team. They provided the leadership and were the reason we were so successful. Brian and Matt joined the team this year and provided us a big lift. Jason played for us the last two years and was one of the top pitchers in the league. Pete was with us for three years and anchored our defense. His injury this year was a big blow to us. I coached Kerry and Matt for six years, since the Colt League. Seeing them leave us is real hard and it will be strange not having them next year. Both of them gave us 100 percent every time they crossed the line."
The Grays now look ahead to the 2002 season, expected to be one of the favorites to represent Johnstown in the National AAABA Tournament. "We feel we have a great nucleus back. If we can sign a few key players we think we have a chance to take the next step."
GRAYS NOTES: The Johnstown Grays had five players selected to the All AAABA League Team: Matt Perry (2B), Ryan Miscik (SS), Ryan Unger (OF), Steve Siembak (DH), and Kip Watkins (P). Mike Cardamone was selected the AAABA League Rookie Pitcher of the Year.
2001 JOHNSTOWN AAABA LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Posted by Chris Pfeil at Jul 16, 2001 5:00PM PDT
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SEMIFINAL SERIES
Thursday, July 19
Johnstown Grays 10 Delweld 2
Galliker's 3 Assure Home Equity 1
Friday, July 20
Delweld 4 Johnstown Grays 2 (10)
Galliker's 4 Assure Home Equity 1
Saturday, July 21
Johnstown Grays 10 Delweld 2
Assure Home Equity 6 Galliker's 3
Sunday, July 22
Delweld 7 Johnstown Grays 3
Galliker's 4 Assure Home Equity 3
(Galliker's wins series 3-1)
Monday, July 23
Delweld 6 Johnstown Grays 2
(Delweld wins series 3-2)
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Tuesday, July 24
Galliker's 12 Delweld 3
Wednesday, July 25
Galliker's 10 Delweld 1
Thursday, July 26
Delweld 8 Galliker's 3
Friday, July 27
Delweld 2 Galliker's 1
Saturday, July 28
Galliker's 5 Delweld 1
(Galliker's wins series 3-2 and advances to represent Johnstown in the National AAABA Tournament)
CLICK ON WWW.AAABA.NET for tournament results
JOHSTOWN GRAYS READY FOR 2001 SEASON
Posted by Chris Pfeil at May 23, 2001 5:00PM PDT
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May 24, 2001
The Johnstown Grays will return 11 players as they enter their third season in the Johnstown AAABA League. The Grays were 20-15 last year under manager Chris Pfeil. According to Pfeil, "The last two years were great learning experiences. This year we hope that experience pays off with a playoff berth."
The Grays will open the 2001 campaign with a three game series against Assure Home Equity. The first game is set for Tuesday May 29 at 8:00 p.m. at the Point Stadium.
Jason Wos, 19, will return at first base for the Grays. Wos was named AAABA League Rookie of the Year last season. Wos provides an offensive punch and is solid defensively.
Matt Perry, 20, is a three year starter at second base. Perry is solid defensively and has a .313 career batting average.
Ryan Miscik, 19, will move in to play shortstop for the Grays. Ryan is a sound defensive player and has tremendous game presence. He played last summer for Mount Pleasant American Legion.
Adam Miscik, 17, will handle third base for the Grays. Adam will provide an offensive spark to the lineup and is sound defensively at the hot corner. He also played for Mount Pleasant American Legion last summer.
Pete Vuckovich, 20, is back for his third season with the Grays. Vuckovich has emerged as one of the top defensive catchers in the league and will be called on to drive in runs at the plate. Vuckovich will be joined behind the plate by Chad Kamler. Kamler, 18, comes to the Grays from the Conemaugh Valley American Legion. He is a deep threat at the plate and is becoming a solid defensive player.
Ryan Unger returns for his third season as the Grays' center fielder. Unger, 19, has great speed and has a career batting average of .306.
Ryan Kabana, 18, will begin his first season with the Grays in left field. Kabana played for Galliker's last season and finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting. Kabana, a left-hander, will also see time out of the bullpen this season.
Jeremy Shaffer, 18, will begin his first season in the AAABA League in right field for the Grays. Shaffer brings speed and a strong arm to the outfield. He played last year for Kiski Valley American Legion.
Matt Eppley, 19, will be back for his third season with the Grays. Eppley will primarily handle the designated hitter role due to a lingering arm injury. He has a .307 career batting average.
Jason Merriman, 20, returns to anchor the pitching staff. Merriman went 6-3 last year with a 2.39 ERA and was Honorable Mention for the AAABA League Most Valuable Pitcher award. Merriman will get the call on opening night.
Jabbar Brown, 18, will be back in the starting rotation after a 3-2 rookie season. Brown had a 3.92 ERA and was third in the Rookie Pitcher of the Year voting.
Kip Watkins, 19, will begin his first AAABA season. Watkins, a native of Seattle, Washington, will help solidify the rotation. Last summer, Kip played in Seattle for the Taylor Baseball Club. They were the AAU National Runner-Up.
Mike Cardamone, 18, will also join the starting rotation in his first AAABA season.
Cardamone was selected the 2001 W.P.I.A.L. Section 1-AAA Most Valuable Player at Penn-Trafford High School.
Kerry Pfeil, 20, will be back for his third season to anchor the bullpen. Pfeil was 4-0 with a 0.58 ERA last season out of the bullpen. He was Honorable Mention in the AAABA League Most Valuable Pitcher voting. He will also be used as a utility player and provides an offensive threat.
Jeff Shola, 20, will begin his first season with the Grays. Shola was 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA last year with Wise Trailer Sales. He will be used as a starter and a reliever.
Dave Holtz, 19, will begin his third season with the Grays. Holtz has a 3.96 ERA in his career. Holtz will be used as a starter and as a reliever. He also is an outfielder with a good left handed stick.
Steve Siembak, 19, will be counted on out of the bullpen in his third season with the Grays. Siembak is a hard thrower and also will see time in the outfield. He is a deep threat at the plate. Siembak threw a no-hitter last year against the Galleria.
Drew Waligora, 18, is expected to be a major contributor to the pitching staff. He also will be used at first base and third base. Waligora gives the Grays a power hitting left-handed bat.
According to Grays' manager Chris Pfeil, "I think this team is pretty well-balanced. We have good team speed, which we hope will ignite our offense. I feel we improved our pitching staff considerably and our whole defensive game should be more consistent."
The Grays are looking for their first ever playoff berth. Pfeil commented, "There is more talent in the league this year than there has been the past few seasons. The key to our success is playing consistent baseball all summer."
Pfeil will be assisted by Patrick Hollern, Paul Knupp, Ray Stenger, and Chris Zakraysek.
Larry Pfeil is the Grays' General Manager. The Grays are sponsored by Denny Altimore and Dr. Thomas and Debbie Cardellino.
At-Bats:
1. 421-Matt McMillen (10-14)
2. 416-Sam Watkins (07-10)
3. 399-Matt Petrowsky (04-07)
4. 390-Dillon Boyer (12-15)
5. 382-Ronnie Stenger (05-08)
Hits:
1. 149-Dillon Boyer (12-15)
2. 138-Matt Petrowsky (04-07)
3. 131-Sam Watkins (07-10)
4. 127-Ryan Unger (99-02)
5. 123-Matt McMillen (10-14)
Batting Average (Minimum of 125 AB):
1. .438-Doug McNulty (04-05)
2. .407-Derek Mechling (04-05)
3. .392-Mike LeViseur (09-10)
4. .382-Dillon Boyer (12-15)
5. .346-Matt Petrowsky (04-07)
Doubles:
1. 34-Matt Petrowsky (04-06)
2. 28-Sam Watkins (07-10)
3. 27-Luke Williams (12-15)
3. 24-Derek Mechling (04-05)
4. 23-Adam Miscik (01-04)
Triples:
1. 6-Doug McNulty (04-05)
6-Derek Mechling (04-05)
6-Brett Quiggle (11)
3. 5-Ryan Unger (99-02)
5-Matt Petrowsky (04-07)
5-Sam Watkins (07-10)
5-Matt McMillen (10-14)
5-Tony Strasiser (12-14)
5-Dillon Boyer (12-15)
Home Runs:
1. 14-Doug McNulty (04-05)
2. 12-Scott Goss (02-04)
12-Derek Mechling (04-05)
4 11-Sam Watkins (07-10)
5. 7-Mike LeViseur (09-10)
Total Bases:
1. 198-Matt Petrowsky (04-07)
198-Sam Watkins (07-10)
3. 183-Dillon Boyer (12-15)
4. 168-Doug McNulty (04-05)
5. 165-Ryan Unger (99-02)
Runs Scored:
1. 117-Dillon Boyer (12-15)
2. 115-Sam Watkins (07-10)
3. 105-Jesse Cooper (11-14)
4. 97-Matt Petrowsky (04-07)
3. 86-Matt McMillen (10-14)
RBI's:
1. 92-Sam Watkins (07-10)
2. 87-Doug McNulty (04-05)
3. 81-Ronnie Stenger (05-08)
4. 73-Matt Petrowsky (04-07)
5. 72-Matt McMillen (10-14)
On Base Percentage (Minimum of 125 plate appearances):
1. .574-Derek Mechling (04-05)
2. .571-Doug McNulty (04-05)
3. .564-Mike LeViseur (09-10)
4. .487-Evan Petro (05-07)
5. .476-Matt Perry (99-01)
Walks:
1. 63-Dillon Boyer (12-15)
2. 60-Evan Gazza (06-09)
3. 59-Evan Petro (05-07)
4. 55-Sam Watkins (07-10)
55-Matt McMillen (10-14)
Stolen Bases:
1. 49-Matt McMillen (10-14)
2. 46-Matt Petrowsky (04-07)
3. 45-Jake Oswalt (06-08)
4. 44-Sam Watkins (07-10)
5. 40-Dillon Boyer (12-15)
Hit By Pitch:
1. 33-Ryan Unger (99-02)
2. 23-Matt Petrowsky (04-07)
3. 20-Dillon Boyer (12-15)
4. 19-Sam Watkins (07-10)
19-Mike LeViseur (09-10)
Appearances:
1. 12-Andrew Keirn (2013)
2. 11-Dave Holtz (2002)
11-Chris Minarcin (2002)
11-Mike Tatarko (2004)
11-Sam Watkins (2009)
11-Jon Murphy (2010)
11-Braxton Roxby (2017)
Games Started:
1. 8-Jason Merriman (2000)
8-Donnie Miller (2000)
8-Kip Watkins (2002)
8-Mike Cardamone (2003)
8-Dave Wagner (2005)
8-Alex Gett (2005)
8-Chris Sobota (2008)
8-Ryan Zamiskie (2009)
8-Clint White (2010)
Complete Games:
1. 7-Kip Watkins (2001)
2. 6-Jason Merriman (2000)
6-Kip Watkins (2002)
6-Mike Cardamone (2003)
5. 5-Kurt Krejocic (2006)
5-Ben Watkins (2007)
5-Jay Mitaly (2007)
5-Andrew DiNardo (2008)
Wins:
1. 7-Mike Cardamone (2003)
7-Alex Gett (2005)
7-Tyler Noel (2007)
4. 6-Jason Merriman (2000)
6-Kip Watkins (2001)
6-Kip Watkins (2002)
6-Brenton Gilmore (2004)
6-Dave Wagner (2005)
6-Ben Watkins (2007)
6-Landon Wahl (2009)
6-Scott Dixon (2010)
6-Derek Younker (2012)
6-Derek Younker (2013)
Saves:
1. 5-Ryan Miscik (2002)
2. 4-Alex Gett (2004)
4-Doug McNulty (2005)
4-Chris Sobota (2007)
4-Sam Watkins (2009)
4-Andrew Keirn (2013)
Innings Pitched:
1. 56.2-Mike Cardamone (2003)
2. 53.1-Kip Watkins (2002)
3. 52.2-Jason Merriman (2000)
4. 51.2-Ryan Zamiskie (2009)
5. 51.0-Kip Watkins (2001)
ERA (Minimum 7 appearances):
1. 0.00-Andrew Rudnik (2005)
2. 0.34-Kurt Krejocic (2006)
3. 0.58-Kerry Pfeil (2000)
4. 0.68-Chris Sobota (2007)
0.68-Kris Park (2008)
Strikeouts:
1. 62-Jay Mitaly (2007)
2. 61-Chris Sobota (2008)
3. 57-Jason Merriman (2000)
57-Alex Gett (2005)
5. 55-Joe Shrift (2004))
Winning Percentage (Minimum 4 decisions):
1. 1.000-Kerry Pfeil (2000)
1.000-Dave Holtz (2002)
1.000-Brenton Gilmore (2004)
1.000-Dave Wagner (2005)
1.000-Tyler Noel (2007)
1.000-Ben Watkins (2007)
1.000-Kris Park (2007)
1.000-Ryan Zamiskie (2008)
1.000-Kris Park (2008)
1.000-Mike Mulvey (2011)
1.000-Derek Younker (2012)
1.000-Mike Mulvey (2013)
1.000-Tim Mulvey (2014)
1.000-Nathan Bearer (2015)
1.000-Justin Vardian (2015)
1.000-Shane Supanick (2016)
1.000-Brady Walker (2017)
1.000-Joe Colledge (2018)