HERKIMER GENERALS MEN’S SOCCER OPENS PRE-SEASON RANKED # 1
Herkimer, NY— Herkimer County Community College’s men’s soccer team opens pre-season today ranked #1 in the country in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll.
The Generals finished last season by winning the program’s eighth National Championship defeating Genesee CC 4-1 in the final.
Herkimer finished 17-1-0 and won the programs 23rd (24th overall) consecutive Region III Championship.
The Generals return six starters from a very successful spring season including leading goal scorer forward Charlie Anderson (Southhampton, England), mid-fielders Craig McCabe (Dundee, Scotland), Jordan Stoddart (Bramton, Canada), Raphael Carvalho (Danbury, CT) and defenders Mike Kuss (Syracuse, NY) and Korab Syla (Yonkers, NY).
“I am very excited about this group,” said Coach Pepe Aragon. “We will have great leadership from our seniors and an extremely talented freshman class.”
The Generals will find out about themselves early as they travel to NCAA Division I Binghamton University Friday, August 17 for a pre-season match.
Kick-off is at 2:00 pm at the Bearcats soccer complex in Binghamton, NY.
SHORTSTOP LECLAIR JOINS GABAY-EVANS IN NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
HCCC shortstop John LeClair in action. ( Above)
Herkimer, NY – Shortstop John LeClair became the latest Herkimer County Community College baseball player to garner a national award. LeClair, a sophomore from Mohawk, NY and a criminal justice major at HCCC, was named the Rawlings Golden Glove shortstop for NJCAA Division III baseball.
Shortstop John LeClair
The Rawlings Golden Glove Award is presented by the Rawlings Corporation in conjunction with the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and the National Junior College Athletic Association.
A Golden Glove Award is presented to the top defensive Division III player at each of the nine baseball positions.
LeClair posted a .936 fielding percentage. He made 54 putouts, had 93 assists, and only made 10 errors on the season.
Head Coach Jason Rathbun stated, “LeClair was often putting a highlight play in our memory throughout the year. John was also the leadoff man for the Generals where he posted a .368 batting average with 10 doubles, three triples, and two home runs. He also stole 10 bases out of 13 attempts this season.”
LeClair joined teammates Willie Gabay and Hassan Evans in the national spotlight during the week. Gabay and Evans had already made headlines for being the first Generals ever selected in the Major League Baseball June draft. Soon after the draft, the pair were named All-Americans.
EVANS AND GABAY NAMED ALL AMERICAN
Herkimer, NY – Herkimer County Community College’s recently drafted baseball players Willie Gabay and Hassan Evans were both named All American by the National Junior College Athletic Association, for the 2012 season.
Hassan Evans
Hassan Evans, Brooklyn, who was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 38th round last week, was named 1st Team All American by the NJCAA. Evans led Herkimer in home runs this season with four round-trippers. Evans posted a .389 batting average with seven doubles and six triples, and was second on the team in runs batted in with 34.
Evans was honored as a first team All-Region and All-Mountain Valley Conference Team member as a sophomore. He was also honored with HCCC’s highest athletic achievement award, Male Athlete of the Year, which considers all sports played by the Generals. Evans, who plans on playing at Division I Delaware State next year, is currently playing for the Diamond Dawgs of the PGCL.
Willie Gabay
Willie Gabay, Mahopac, who became the first Herkimer player ever selected in the Major League Baseball draft when he was selected in the 15th round of the draft by the Tampa Bay Rays last week, was selected by the NJCAA as 3rd Team All American.
Gabay set the Herkimer college record for strikeouts this season with 91 in 58.1 innings. He allowed only 37 walks and 28 hits. His earned run average was 2.62 and his record was 6-1, with four saves.
Gabay was a two-year starter for the Generals. He earned Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year honors as a sophomore, he was a First Team All Region selection and was also named the Generals’ MVP. Gabay signed his contract with Tampa Bay this week and is processing in Florida right now waiting for his assignment.
These two selections make a total of eight All Americans under Head Coach Jason Rathbun. Herkimer’s first selection was Todd Allen in 2006.
Then Allen was named All American again in 2007 along with Keith Hendricks 2007, Ty Folli 2008, Brandon Jones 2010, and Lee Foxton in 2010.
HERKIMER PITCHER GABAY SELECTED BY TAMPA BAY IN ROUND 15-HASSAN EVANS DRAFTED BY CUBS
Herkimer, NY – Generals’ pitcher Willie Gabay became the first Herkimer player ever selected in the Major League Baseball draft when he was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. Gabay had a stellar career at Herkimer and was chosen by the Rays in the 15th round of the draft.
Former HCCC pitcher Willie Gabay showing his great form.
Right-hander Gabay is 6’ 1” and 180. His fastball is in the low 90s and can reach 94 mph with what is described as late bite.
Gabay set the Herkimer school record for strikeouts this season with 91 in 58.1 innings. He allowed only 37 walks and 28 hits. His earned run average was 2.62 and his record was 6-1, with four saves.
As a freshman in the 2011 season, Gabay was 5-2 with 3.34 ERA with 50 strikeouts over 37.2 innings. “Willie was the most dominant strikeout pitcher we have ever had here at Herkimer,” stated Head Coach Jason Rathbun.
Tampa Bay is known for having one of the best systems in baseball for developing young players. Last year Tampa used six starting pitchers, and all six were drafted and developed in the Tampa organization. With the success of pitchers like David Price, Matt Moore, and James Shields, Gabay will have a pathway that has been proven by All Star-caliber players.
“Baseball is my life and I am grateful for my opportunity to play for the Rays organization,” stated Gabay. He added, “Herkimer baseball was the first step that helped me accomplish this dream. I want to thank God, my family, my Herk family and all of my friends who have supported me through it all.”
Herkimer Head Coach Jason Rathbun had the highest praise for Gabay. “Willie is a special person, and his drive and motivation to be the best is what will lead him through this process. I have all the confidence in the world that Willie will make an impact in the Rays organization. I am thankful they have given him this opportunity. Willie has opened the door for so many more players that will come through our program in the future.”
HCCC Director of Athletics Donald Dutcher added, “For the last two years Willie has been a role model for other student athletes to follow. His hard work, determination and respect for the program and school has been tremendous.
We are very happy for Willie and this opportunity that he has ahead of him. He is truly a class act kid who has done everything right as a student and athlete to get him where he is today. We were blessed to have him here for two years and wish him nothing but the best.”
