KENDAL EAGLES PREPARE FOR OPENING OF THE 2014 SEASON

The Kendal Eagles have been practicing for several weeks as they prepare for the upcoming 2014 season. The Eagles will host their traditional home opener on Monday, May 19^th at 1:00pm versus the Port Hope Flyers. Not satisfied with a losing two games on the final day of the OBA Provincial championships for the second consecutive year, the Kendal Eagles have undergone major off-season roster overhaul. The Eagles return almost all of their key pieces from the 2013 season and  announced Wednesday that they have signed multiple players to their roster for the upcoming season as they prepare to host the OBA ‘A’ Championships.

Ryan Davis returns to Kendal after playing several seasons with the Port Hope Flyers. Davis previously played junior in Kendal for the Royals. Davis can play all four infield positions and will be added to a deep Eagles rotation. Last season Davis had a .357 batting average with 2 homeruns in 18 games.

Tyson Robinson joins the Eagles for the 2014 season following in the footsteps of his father, Mike a long time Eagles hurler. Robinson an infielder, catcher and pitcher joins the Eagles after 1 season with the Port Hope Flyers were he hit a solid .271 and led the team in walks with 14. He also pitched 16 innings to a combined record of 1-1 with 1 save.

Owen Sharp, another former Port Hope Flyer enters his first year with Eagles. Sharp threw 35 innings for the Flyers with 4 complete games, a record of 3-2 and 1 save. Sharp hit .281 in 27 games, and has the ability to play multiple positions. Sharp threw a no-hitter against Oshawa in 2012.

Jason Hamilton, returns to the Eagles fold after a three year hiatus to once again help lead the Eagles rotation. Hamilton a dominant pitcher held the Exeter Express to 3 hits over 7 innings in his last appearance wearing Eagle blue. Hamilton’s experience on the hill will help steady a young Kendal pitching staff.

Andy Hamilton, also returns to the Birds after a three year break. Andy will provide Kendal with another defensive option on the right side of the infield. Hamilton can also handle the bat and always finds a way to get on base.

Nick Stone comes into his first season with Eagles after playing with the Port Hope River Rats. Stone a third baseman and pitcher will be relied upon heavily to anchor the Eagles rotation and provide a power bat in the middle of the order. Stone was the OSBA Eastern Conference rookie of the year in 2012.

Dawson Stone joins the Eagles after spending the last few years with the Port River Rats. Stone a right-handed outfielder will also eat up some innings on the mound out of the bullpen. Stone was nominated for the OSBA Eastern Conference reliever of the year in 2013.

Nate Moelker will also appear in his first season with the Eagles coming over from the Port Hope River Rats. Moelker a slick fielding first baseman also provides the Eagles with some added pitching depth. 

Dan Joy will mark his first season in Eagle blue. Joy played 2013 with the Port Hope River Rats. Joy a catcher with a good stick, was named to the 2013 OSBA All Star game.

Brandon Vaters a strong armed outfielder joins the Eagles for 2014. Vaters also comes to the Kendal by way of the Port Hope River Rats. While not officially recorded, Vaters likely led OSBA in outfield assists.

The Kendal Eagles announced Thursday that they have signed Ron Davis to be the new team manager for the upcoming season. Per team policy, financial details and terms were not disclosed.

Davis, becomes Kendal’s11th manager in the clubs 44 year history. This marks Davis’ second tour of duty as the Eagles skipper. Davis joins the Eagles after helping guide the Port Hope Flyers to a 20-12 record last year and a fourth place finish in the OSBA Eastern Conference.

“After a lengthy and detailed search for our new manager, it became very clear that Ron Davis embodies every aspect of what we defined as an ideal candidate,” said the Kendal Eagles executive. “Ronnie’s 30-plus years in EOBA/OSBA coaching circles working with some tremendous baseball mentors coupled with his proven ability as an in game strategist will serve as a great backdrop for the future approach of this team.” 

Davis, has served as a head coach, associate head coach and assistant coach in the EOBA/OSBA for the past 30years with the Eagles, Kendal Royals, and Flyers. He has won numerous OBA Championships in various divisions. 

The signing of the new Eagles manager came after previous manager BJ Hackett decided to step down from the position to focus on the Kendal Green Machine. Hackett retires after 7 years at the helm of the Eagles. Hackett managed the Eagles to two OBA championships, ‘C’ in 2007 and ‘B’ in 2009. Hackett also guided the Eagles to a silver medal at the 2011 ‘A’ championships.

EAGLES BUST BANDITS

The 2014 Kendal Eagles remained undefeated after sweeping the Bowmanville Bandits in double header action this past Sunday at Harvey Jackson Memorial Park.

The first game saw Phil Cammasuli throw a complete game shutout chalking up 7 strikeouts in his second win of the season.  The Eagles offence could do no wrong in game one of the double dip putting up 19 hits on the way to a 17-0 drubbing of a young Bowmanville squad.  Tyson Robinson led the attack going 3 for 4 with 5 rbi’s, Bryan landry added 4 hits and 3 rbi’s and Evan Moore smacked a 3 run bomb over the left field wall. 

Game 2 saw newly acquired Nathan Moelker take the hill for the Eagles.  The steady right hander battled through all seven innings for the complete game victory.  Nathan notched 6 strikeouts in the effort.  This game was a bit different then the first game mercy in that the Eagles held a 1-0 lead after 3 innings.  After singles by Chris Bouley and Tyson Robinson, Eagles 3 bagger Ryan Davis launched a belt high fastball towards the Harvey Jackson arches in left field for a three run dinger.  The birds tagged on 3 more runs including a Tyson Gimblett long ball giving Kendal a 7-2 victory.  Ponty Pool’s Harvey Hamilton took home Sunday’s 50/50 draw.

The Eagles now sit in first place in the Eastern conference of the Ontario Senior Baseball Association (O.S.B.A.) with a record of 7 wins, 0 losses and 2 ties.  After a very successful home stand the Birds travel just up the 401 this Sunday for a double header with the Clarington Cubs.  The Cubs also are undefeated and should be a good test for manager Ronny Davis’s Eagle squad.

Kendal Eagles Upcoming Games:

Sunday June 8 – Kendal Eagles @ Clarington Cubs – 2:00pm & 4:30pm – Clarington Fields

Wednesday June 11 – Kendal Eagles @ Peterborough Tigers – 7:30pm – Riverside Park

Sunday June 15 – Brooklyn Dodgers @ Kendal Eagles – 12:00pm & 2:30pm – Harvey Jackson Memorial