Vermont Strikers Split games in Rhode Island Tourney
Evan Dennis (Blue Mountain), Tyler Rivard (Hazen Union), Wyatt Mason and Austin Wheeler (Lyndon Institute) played for the 18U Vermont Strikers at the annual Fourth of July Showcase baseball tournament.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Hazen Union’s Tyler Rivard and his Vermont Striker 18U summer baseball team went 2-2 at the 15th Annual Fourth of July Showcase baseball tournament over the holiday weekend.
The Strikers started the highly competitive tourney on fire, blanking Energy Baseball’s College Showcase 5-0 and Ocean State Outlaws 9-1, before falling to GBF Northeast and Conn. Capitals Upperclass. Rivard earned tournament MVP honors last month in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and was also a First Team Capital League selection after a stellar junior campaign for Hazen Union, leading them to the Division III state title game. He is joined on the Strikers by Capital League Co-Players of the Year Austin Wheeler (Lyndon Institute) and Spaulding’s Danny Kiniry. Rivard and the Strikers will be at Saratoga, Westchester, and Cooperstown, N.Y., the next three weekends to wrap up their summer season.
Menard, Rooney, and Cushing Lead Babe Ruth Regional All-Star Team
STAMFORD, Conn. – Hazen Union’s Andrew Menard and Lyle Rooney led five selections from their Green Mountain Wild Babe Ruth team to play in this coming weekend’s New England Regional 16-18 Babe Ruth All-Star Tournament.
Menard and Rooney were joined by teammates Ricky Fennimore, Cam Roy, and Cam Dennis to represent Vermont on the talented team that will be coached by Wild coaches Jared Cushing and Brandon Flood.
“We’ll approach this week’s regular season games with caution and make sure the guys get plenty of rest for the weekend. These guys are worthy selections and will join a very talented team traveling to Connecticut. I’ve seen some strong teams for Vermont in my day, but I’m not sure we’ve brought a more talented team than this one and we’re hoping to give VT something to be proud of at the tourney this weekend,” said Cushing.
Rooney is expected to get the ball in the first game on Friday night as Vermont starts their regional journey at 8 p.m., at Scalzi Park.
Locals Shine at Vermont State Amateur
BRATTLEBORO – Former U-32 golf standout Bryson Richards came up four shots short of defending his 2021 title last week as local golfers represented their country clubs well at the Vermont State Amateur.
Richards shot 68 in his final round, but couldn’t catch Rutland Country Club’s Jared Nelson who fired a six under par 65 for the second time in the tournament to hold off all challengers. Mountain View Country Club’s Phil Fairbanks (70) saved his best round for last, good enough for a T5 finish along with Brody Yates (Kwiniaska Golf Club) and Taylor Bellemare (Ekwanok C.C.). Richards will now turn his attention to his much anticipated senior year at the University of Rhode Island where the talented lefty has won two individual tournaments and has been named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week twice in his impressive collegiate career. Younger brother Riley finished 37th last week after qualifying for his first State-Am and will play for Franklin University in the fall. Both are sons of former Craftsbury Academy three sport star Pete Richards.
