Pitchers:

Ryan Dixon is new to the Skyhawks pitching staff. In 2001, Dixon won a national championship with Seminole H.S. in Seminole Florida and was a teammate of L.A. Angels’ Casey Kotchman. Dixon played one season with Miami, two with the Stetson University Hatters, one with the Johnson City Cardinals of the Appalachian League, and one with the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am league.

James Douglas is returning to the Skyhawks for his second season. In 2008 Douglas had an ERA of 2.66 and appeared in 25 games. Prior to becoming a Skyhawk, Douglas played in the Golden League for St. George.

Stephen Fox is another new member of the Skyhawks’ pitching roster. Fox was a first team All-State pitcher in 2005 for Bergen Catholic in Oradell N.J., posting a 7-2 Record with a 0.89 E.R.A. for the Crusaders. Fox then went on to play his collegiate ball at Hofstra University in West Hempstead, Long Island.

Gary Galvez is returning for his second season with the Skyhawks. Galvez had an ERA of 4.70 in 2008. Galvez appeared in 16 games last season. Prior to becoming a Skyhawk, Galvez played for another CAN-AM league team, Brockton.

Justin Knoff, key cog in last year’s success, returns to Sussex for the 2009 season. Knoff took the mound nine times for the Skyhawks, compiling a 3-1 record with a 3.74 E.R.A., 33 strikeouts and an opposing batting average of .257 in 53 innings on the hill.

Roger Lincoln is returning to the Skyhawks for his second season. Last year Lincoln appeared in 10 games, with an ERA of 4.67. Prior to becoming a Skyhawk, Lincoln played for the Lincoln team. He attended Stetson University in Florida.

Matt Petrusek was another key cog in last year’s championship run. Petrusek appeared in 36 games, compiling a 5-2 record with a slip 1.79 ERA, and team leading 24 saves. The Tinley Park, Illinois native also struck out 57 batters in only 54 and 1/3 innings, allowing just one home run over that span.

Kyle Ruwe, another key cog of the championship pitching staff returns for the 2009 season as well. Ruwe started 18 games for the Hawks last season, posting a 12-5 record with 72 strikeouts to only 20 walks in 129 innings of work.

Mike Schellinger is new to the Skyhawks’ team. Previously he has played with the Joliet Jackhammers and the Washington Wild Things. During his 2008 run with Washington Schellinger played 21 games and had an ERA of 3.95.

Alex Smith is new to the Skyhawks pitching roster. Smith is a left-handed pitcher who comes to the Skyhawks via the University of Virginia. Smith appeared in 30 games for the Cavaliers, 26 of them as a set-up man. He threw 44.2 innings and struck out 33 opponents during his collegiate career.

Stephen Whalen becomes a member of the Skyhawks pitching staff this year. Whalen joins the Skyhawks after two stellar seasons with the University of New Orleans Privateers. In his two full seasons at UNO, Whalen compiled a 15-10 record in 47 games with 4 saves and 114 strikeouts in 150.2 innings pitched. Whalen also spent part of last year with the Midwest Sliders, the road team of the Frontier League, appearing in 6 games.

Matt Marc-Aurele attended Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ where he was named first-team All-NJ and second team All-NEC in 2005. Matt Marc-Aurele attended Wayne Valley High School where he was a three-year letter winner and starter for the high school’s baseball team.

Sandy Nin is a new pitcher for the 2009 Skyhawks team. In 2006, Nin pitched 6 games for Colorado Springs Sky Sox, a minor league team for the Colorado Rockies, with an ERA of 4.55. Nin has also played for the Brewers minor league camp.

TJ Stanton previously pitched for Quebec in 2008 and 2007. During his 2008 run with Quebec, Stanton had ERA of 3.90. Stanton resides in Palatka, Florida.

Carter Clements is the newest member of the Skyhawks pitching staff. In attended Saint Leo University where in 2008 he earned the number one spot in the pitching rotation for the Saint Leo Lions baseball team. During the 2008 season Clements recorded 65 strikeouts and pitched a total 84 innings.

Catchers:

David Adamchick, former Lancaster Barnstormers catcher, joins the Skyhawks this year. Adamchick played for Keystone College from 2002 to 2006. During his time at Keystone, Adamchick had 545 at bats, 132 runs, 199 Hits, 17 HR, and 163 RBI. David also made First Team All-NEAC in 2005 and 2006. During his career as a Barnstormer, David had an AVG of .148 and 2 RBI.

Raymond Serrano played AAA ball for Richmond last season. During his 2008 run with Richmond he had an AVG of .294.

Infielders:

Chris Brown returns for his second season with the Skyhawks. In 2008 he was a 2B for Sussex with an AVG of .316, 9 HR, and a RBI of 43. Brown appeared in 94 games. Previously. Brown played for the Joliet Jackhammers.

Jeremy Hunt will be participating in his first season with the Skyhawks. Previously he played for Lake Ellsinore with an AVG of .266, 11 HR, and a RBI of 52. Hunt appeared in 101 games. Hunt is originally from Greensboro, NC but currently resides in Tampa, FL. Hunt attended Villanova University where he played college ball. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres and was assigned to their rookie team, the Arizona Padres.

Kyle Kmiecik is a Skyhawks newbie. Kmiecik’s best season came with the Kinds in 2007 when he appeared in all 95 games as their starting second baseman, hitting .281 with 21 doubles, 10 home runs, 49 RBI’s and a .442 slugging percentage. Kmiecik also had 164 Putout’s and turned 56 Double Plays.

Mark Pappas returns for his second season with the Skyhawks. In 2008, Pappas appeared in 12 games as SS with an AVG of .316, 6 HR, and an RBI of 5. Previously Pappas attended Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ where he placed in the Big East Academic All Stars.

Matt Weston, Skyhawks 1B from last year’s championship season returns this year. Weston was a key cog in the Skyhawks Championship run, finishing the season with a .299 AVG; he was second in the league with 22 HR, and fifth in the league in slugging with a .556 SP. Weston finished with 197 total bases in 93 games with 106 hits, 19 doubles, 3 triples, 60 RBI’s and 60 runs scored.

Outfielders:

Ryan Crespi returns for his second season with the Skyhawks. Crespi joined the team mid-season last year and drove in 5 batters in limited playing time off the bench. Crespi played an excellent Arizona Winter League season finishing fourth in the league with 3 home runs in 20 games and fourth in the league with 8 extra base hits.

Maikel Jova will be appearing in his first season with the Sussex Skyhawks. In 2008, Jova played for the Yuma Scorpions of the Golden League. Last season he appeared in 84 games with an AVG of .359, a RBI of 88 and 9 HR.

Jorge Moreno is returning to the Skyhawks for his second season. During last year’s championship run Moreno appeared in 93 games with an AVG of .276, 11 HR, and a RBI of 55. Previously to becoming a Skyhawk, Moreno was named MVP for the Winnipeg Hold Eyes in 2005 and the MVP for the Sioux City Explorers in 2007.

Ron Perodin returns for his third season with the Skyhawks. Perodin started 91 out 94 regular season games for the Hawks last year, hitting .302 with 119 hits, 15 doubles, 3 triples and 43 RBI’s.

Skyhawks Offer FREE Coaches’ Clinic!

Augusta, NJ- Skyhawks coaching staff, Hal Lanier, Dave Cash, and Brooks Carey will be hosting an on-field baseball clinic at Skylands Park on Thursday, May 21st at 6:30PM.

Hal Lanier was named MLB Manager of the Year in 1986, and most recently named 2008 Can-Am Manager of the Year. Dave Cash is a former Baltimore Orioles first base coach and served as a second baseman for eleven MLB seasons. Brooks Carey holds five years of professional baseball experience, including a position as Manager of the Arizona Winter League’s Western Canada Miners.

The Skyhawks coaching staff will be able to give participants advise on pitching, hitting, fielding, and situational play. There will also be an on-field question and answer with the coaches and participants.

The clinic is completely free, however, there is a 150-person limit, so reserve your space today! To RSVP, e-mail CoachesClinic@SussexSkyhawks.com. Skyhawks Set Exhibition Game Augusta, NJ- The Sussex Skyhawks announced today that the team will be hosting an exhibition game on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th at 1pm against the New Jersey Jackals.

Entrance to the game is free!! Patrons are encouraged to attend the game and support the 2009 Skyhawks!

The Skyhawks official season begins at home on June 1st. To reserved tickets for the 2009 season, call 973-300-1000 Ext. 21. Baseball Mania Sweepstakes

The Skyhawks will be running a charitable benefit game throughout the 2009 season. Tickets are available for $20 and your purchase helps to raise money for the Little Luke Sports Foundation, an organization that enhances sports education for children.

Your purchase of a ticket will grant you access to a digital entertainment package- a selection of music and books that can be accessed and downloaded online. In addition, your ticket purchase will enter you into a weekly cash drawing. Each ticket is assigned a minor league team, and ticket’s win when their team’s stats beat out the other team’s in your pool each week. Teams are assigned randomly and the winning ticket will see the winner pocket up to $300 a week.

For more information, contact Louanne Cular at Louanne@sussexskyhawks.com or by phone at 201 697 4391.