** Please Note: Directions to Silver Lake Park Can be Found on Our Schedule Page**
2009 Season in Review
Historic Season for Panthers Included 17 Ws, Playoffs
Baez, Kennedy, Isaacson Named All-Skyline
Purchase, NY (May 4, 2009) – Baseball is a game of patience. Having been a key member of the past three renditions of the Purchase Panthers, Kyle Saud was finally rewarded for all of his hard work and optimism of the good fortune to come.
By surprising the rest of the Skyline Conference with a fearsome rookie pitcher, a slew of wily veterans and a three-headed monster in the middle of the lineup, the Panthers unlocked the gates to the playoffs in spring 2009.
The Panthers did not end their campaign at 8-8 in the league by mistake. Slug first, ask questions later first baseman George Kennedy was the leader of the ball bashing attack, hitting a team-high four home runs to go along with his 46 hits, 39 RBIs and a .338 batting average. He slugged an impressive .610.
Let’s not forget Austin Groves, who like his teammate Kennedy also batted an identical .338.
Lineup aside, pitching wins more often then not. And the Panthers sorely lacked a true ace the past few seasons. That’s where Albert Baez came in. The 2009 edition of the Panthers wasted no time placing the ball in the hands of Baez to get the job done. The newcomer was no disappointment on the mound, going 5-3 in 10 appearances, yielding no homeruns and only 45 hits in 50 1/3 innings pitched for a pristine 1.97 ERA. The flamethrower would also go on to lead the team with 47 Ks and three complete games.
Needless to say, Baez was named to the All-Skyline 1st Team at season’s end.
With a sured up lineup and an ace in the fold, Saud could finally concentrate on doing what he does best: Lead. The co-captain would draw a team-high 28 walks, while scoring 30 runs and also patrolling the vast center field at both Silver Lake Park and at Purchase to top all everyday players with a .984 fielding percentage.
Saud was one of six departing seniors who participated in the Panthers’ 8-2 loss at
Senior Day 2009
In addition to the seniors and freshman standout Baez, electric closer and rookie CJ Bula took the conference by storm with his fastball. He joined a much-improved bullpen that trotted out reliable arms in Miraglia and Francis Delgado.
Highlights included a sweep of
The Panthers dedicated the season to the memory of the late Bill Salter. Each member of the team wore patches on their sleeve in honor of their first-ever assistant coach.
Armed with a strong returning core and a promising group of recruits, the Panthers are expected to be a serious player for a conference title in 2010.
-Oren Vourman
