varsity news

Durham Lords Media Release
Monday, August 24, 2009

DURHAM COLLEGE STUDENT-ATHLETE EARNS A SPOT ON GREAT BRITAIN’S WORLD CUP 40-MAN ROSTER

GREAT BRITAIN – The Great Britain baseball coaching staff has announced a 40-man preliminary roster of players, one step away from the 24 players who will ultimately be selected to compete in the World Cup. Named to the 40-man roster was Durham College student-athlete Gary Rose, who is also entering his third season with the Durham College men’s baseball team.

“It is pretty exciting to be selected to the preliminary roster,” said Rose. “All of the hard work that I have been putting in is really paying off. To get the opportunity to play at that level is a great honour.”

22 nations will compete at the World Cup which will be taking place throughout Europe from September 9-27, 2009. This year will mark the 38th running of the international tournament, which is sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF), which is open to amateur baseball players as well as players in the minor leagues.

Rose is hoping he can translate his success at the collegiate level to the world stage, as he has been an ace on the Lords pitching staff for the past two seasons. Last season, Rose set a Durham College record for most wins in a season as he compiled an overall record of 7-1. During the regular season, he led the nation in wins with a 4-0 record with a 1.91 ERA. Rose also brought home a number of awards at the end of the season as he collected the team’s Top Pitcher award as well as the Leadership award. Nationally, Rose was selected as a CIBA All-Canadian. The Lords won their fourth straight provincial title and finished in fourth place at the national championship.

In his freshman season, Rose had a regular season record of 2-0 with an ERA of 0.96. He was also a force at the plate batting .333 in 17 plate appearances as the Lords went on to win the provincial championship and finish in fifth place at the nationals.

“It is great to see our players get recognized for their achievements on the diamond,” said Durham College head coach Sam Dempster. “There are a lot of opportunities to move forward in the game and I am happy to see Gary get this chance.”

The Great Britain coaching staff for the World Cup is led by Head Coach Stephan Rapaglia along with Brian Cleary (Pitching Coach), Charlie Sullivan (Assistant Coach), Alan Dean (Trainer), and Alan Smith (General manager).

In 2007, the USA won the World Cup as they defeated Cuba 6-3 in the finals. Cuba has been dominant at the championship winning the title 25 times. Great Britain has won one medal at the World Cup, taking home the inaugural championship in 1938.

It will be a big season for the Durham College baseball team as they look to win their fifth straight Ontario Championship. The college will also be hosting the 2009 CIBA National Baseball Championship taking place from October 23-25, 2009.

GREAT BRITAIN 40-MAN WORLD CUP PRELIMINARY ROSTER

CATCHERS
Ryan Baker, Staten Island Yankees, USA (A)
Chris Berset, University of Michigan, USA
Mitch Evans, No current team
Will Lintern, Gauting Indians, Germany
Mike Nickeas, Binghamton Mets, USA (AA)

INFIELDERS
Tim Collins, St. Catharines Metros, Canada
Chris Falls, Mannheim Tornados, Germany
Jason Holowaty, Namur Angels, Belgium
Evan Romanchuk, Namur Angels, Belgium
Sam Wiley, Dodgers Eastern Elite, USA
Brant Ust, Formerly of Tacoma Rainers, USA (AAA)
Ian Young, Rouen Huskies, France

OUTFIELDERS
Darren Heath, No current team
Raef Hobbs-Brown, Mainz Athletics, Germany
Richard Klijn, Regensburg Legionaere, Germany
Michael Johnson, California State University Stanislaus, USA
Matt McGraw, DOOR Neptunus, Netherlands
Alex Malihoudis, Senart Templiers, France
Brad Marcelino, San Diego Astros, USA
Jason Rees, Mr. Cocker HCAW, Netherlands
James Rutherford, Leafside Leafs, Canada
Tom Stack-Babich, Southern Illinois Miners, USA
Ryan Trask, Bracknell Blazers, Great Britain

PITCHERS
RHP Drew Bignall,Formerly of Trinity University, Texas
RHP Tom Boleska, Lynchburg Hillcats, USA (A)
RHP Brook Coatsworth, Olympia Haarlem, Holland
RHP Brian Essery, St. Catharines Metros, Canada
RHP Sam Jew (pictured), Arkansas State University, USA
RHP Aeden McQueary, ADO, Netherlands
RHP Matt Maitland, Bracknell Blazers, Great Britain
RHP Dave Mercado, Harrowgate Tigers, Great Britain
RHP Chris Mowday, MediaMonks RCH, Netherlands
RHP Craig Pycock, Mannheim Tornados, Germany
LHP Gary Rose, Durham College, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
RHP Alex Smith, No current team
RHP Stephen Spragg, Eurostars, Netherlands
LHP Drew Taylor, Toronto Maple Leafs, Canada
RHP Gary Tongue, Dortmund Wanderers, Germany
LHP Paul Waterman, Gauting Indians, Germany
RHP Sam Whitehead, Heidenheim Heidekoepfe Germany

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)