Baseball
December 3, 2007
LE MOYNE BASEBALL SIGNS FIVE IN EARLY SIGNING PERIOD.
MARK KUZMA, DEREK ZIELINKSI, KYLE KALAKA, BRETT BOTSFORD & JOE
LOMBARDI TO JOIN DOLPHINS NEXT YEAR.
SYRACUSE, NY – Le Moyne College Head Coach Steve Owens
announced that high school seniors Mark Kuzma, Derek Zielinksi,
Kyle Kalaka, Brett Botsford and Joe Lombardi have signed a National
Letter of Intent to play baseball at Le Moyne College.
“I am extremely excited about this group and the potential
they have to contribute to our program,” says Head Coach
Steve Owens. “These student-athletes possess the specific
talents, which include frontline pitching, quality left handed
hitting and strong leadership that will ensure the program’s
continued success in subsequent seasons. Coming from a multi-sport
background, this group is tremendously athletic and has the
potential to become one of the finer classes in recent
history.”
Mark Kuzma / LHP / 6’4”
A starting pitcher for Waverly High School, Mark Kuzma has been a
fixture in Kyle McDuffee’s starting rotation since his
freshman year. In his junior season, Kuzma was 7-1 with a 1.00 ERA
while recording 107 strikeouts in 63 innings. In his sophomore
season, he recorded 116 strikeouts and recorded a no-hitter in 70
2/3 innings pitched. At the plate, Kuzma led Waverly in hitting his
junior season with a .441 batting average, three home runs and 28
runs batted in.
Kuzma earned NY All-State honors in his sophomore and junior
seasons. Additionally, he was named the Regional Player of the Year
his junior season and a member of the 2007 Empire State Games
Central Region team that earned a bronze medal.
Coach Owens on Mark Kuzma:
“Mark has the potential to be a frontline pitcher for
this club. With an above average fastball and breaking ball, he has
the tools to make an immediate impact to our program and, possibly,
play beyond the collegiate level.
Derek Zielinksi / RHP / 6’3”
Derek Zielinski is a senior pitcher at Colonie Central High School
(former high school of Le Moyne standout Kyle Brown ’04) for
head coach Greg Lanni. As a junior, Zielinski compiled a 2-1 record
and batted .326 with two home runs. Zielinski was a starting
pitcher for the 2007 Empire State Games Adirondack region and 2006
Babe Ruth All-Stars who reached the World Series.
Coach Owens on Derek Zielinski:
“Derek is a tall and thin right-handed pitcher who
posses a strong work ethic. He has good velocity and an above
average breaking ball. He has a high ceiling and can develop into a
strong contributor to our pitching staff.”
Kyle Kalaka / Catcher / RHH / 5’10”
A senior catcher from Roy C. Ketcham High School (former
high school of Le Moyne pitcher Matt Scherer ’04) in
Wappingers Falls, NY, Kyle Kalaka was part of the 2005 N.Y.S. Class
AA Championship team with current Le Moyne centerfielder Sean
Paino. Named All-League, All-County and team captain his junior
season, Kalaka led Pat Mealy’s squad with a .424 batting
average and 22 runs batted in. Kalaka batted .411 as the starting
catcher for the 2007 Empire State Games Hudson Valley team in
earning a silver medal. Kalaka was also named All-League and
honorable mention All-County following his sophomore season.
Coach Owens on Kyle Kalaka:
Kyle is the ideal catcher. He is a knowledgeable,
enthusiastic, and team-oriented young man who understands the game
and how to handle a pitching staff. He has all the physical tools
for the position and will be a great addition to our
program.”
Brett Botsford / SS/CF / LHH / 6’0”
A shortstop/centerfield for coach Dave Penafeather at Baldwinsville
(C.W. Baker) High School, Brett Botsford earned first-team
All-League honors in his sophomore and junior season. Botsford hit
.358 with 24 hits and nine stolen bases his junior season. In
earning second-team All-CNY honors in his sophomore season,
Botsford hit .346 with 27 hits and 14 stolen bases. A two-time
Empire State Games participant for the Central Team, he earned a
bronze medal in 2007. Botsford also earned the Most Outstanding
Player Award in the 2005 Babe Ruth World Series in Abbeville, LA as
the Onondaga team earned a third place finish.
Coach Owens on Brett Botsford:
“Brett is a versatile player who can play the middle
infield and outfield. His great baseball tools coupled with his
athleticism will surely make him the premier position player in the
Central New York area in 2008.”
Joe Lombardi / 1B/LHP / LHH / 6’4”
A four year varsity letter winner for coach John Consorti
at Briarcliff High School (former high school of Le Moyne all-time
strike out leader Bobby Blevins ’07), Joe Lombardi earned
All-League and All-Section Honorable mention in his sophomore and
junior seasons. Lombardi played for the New York Nine (wooden bat
league) in 2007 and batted .375 with one home run, nine doubles and
32 runs batted in through 35 games. He also recorded a 2.80 ERA and
one complete game shutout in 19 innings of work on the mound.
Coach Owens on Joe Lombardi:
“Joe posses a very powerful and athletic build. He has all
the physical tools to make an immediate impact for our program.
With an above average fastball, Joe has the potential to contribute
on the mound as well. Having been recruited to play basketball at
the Division I level, Joe could very well be one of the finest
all-around athletes I have recruited to Le Moyne
College.”
Le Moyne (34-19) captured the MAAC regular season and tournament
championship en route to the programs third NCAA Tournament berth
in five seasons. The Dolphins will compete as an independent in
2008 as they open their season on February 28th when they travel to
take on Longwood University in a three game series.
