Canberra Cavalry Re-Sign Brian Burgamy

Burgamy, 31, dominated almost every batting statistic in his inaugural ABL season and set a new league record batting average of .409.

He also led the league in runs scored (41), hits (67), total bases (111) and walks (34), and was third in home runs (12) and fifth in runs batted in (34).

It means the Cavalry now has their two offensive stars from the 2011-12 campaign back at the plate again, with Kody Hightower already in Canberra preparing for the upcoming season.

The Cavs have been in constant contact with Burgamy since he returned to the USA, with negotiations ramping up about six weeks ago.

Cavalry general manager Thom Carter said Burgamy's return also helped build continuity for the fledgling club, instead of just having minor league players fly-in from the USA for one season.

"Brian Burgamy is a huge boost to anybody's offence," he told The Canberra Times. "The guy set records here last year for batting average and led the league in just about every offensive category and is a clutch hitter.

"He's just going to increase our [offensive] output, along with other players we've signed and brought across.
"We think we're going to have one heck of an offence this year."

Burgamy and Hightower aren't the only Cavalry players returning from last season.

Canberra products Hayden Beard, Steven Kent, Kyle Perkins and Ben Warner are also on the roster, while pitcher Brian Grening will be the No.1 starting pitcher.

Pluck-A-Couple-Ducks

(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 29, 2012) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Camden Riversharks 5-3 on Wednesday night in the final game of a three-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.

Camden took an early 2-0 lead in the first against Ducks starter Bobby Blevins on a sac fly to right by Brian Burgamy and a RBI single to right by Eduardo Perez. The Ducks grabbed a run in the second on Shawn Williams’ RBI groundout off Riversharks starter Eddy Camacho to cut the deficit to one.

Long Island then jumped in front 3-2 in the fourth on Josh Johnson’s two-out two-run single to right with the bases loaded. It stayed that way until the ninth when the ‘Sharks scored three to take a 5-3 lead. Burgamy’s RBI double, a sac fly by Raul Padron and a run-scoring single from Perez did the damage.

Neither starter factored into the decision. Blevins tossed five innings, yielding two runs on five hits with four strikeouts, and Camacho pitched six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out four. James Houser (2-0) got the win after tossing a scoreless eighth inning, and Armando Benitez (2-1) suffered the loss, surrendering three runs on three hits in the ninth. Leo Rosales earned his second save with a scoreless ninth.

'Sharks Come Up Big In Extras, Matera Injures His MCL In Walkoff Win

Brian Burgamy's RBI single in the bottom of the tenth scored Chris Walker and gave the 'Sharks their second extra inning walk-off victory over the Somerset Patriots in three days.

Burgamy was the hero of Tuesday night's game also, when his tenth inning home run sealed the win for Camden. He went 2 for 5 tonight with 2 RBI.

Bryan Corey got the start for the Riversharks, looking to rebound from his dismal four runs on eight hits, four and a third inning start against York on August 18th. Corey pitched well through six innings tonight, surrendering a single run on just four hits. He struck out three.

The 'Sharks scored a run in the first off Somerset's Justin Cassel, and again it was Burgamy providing the spark, doubling in Chris Walker for a 1-0 lead. The Pats tied it up in the fourth when a Colin Curtis sac fly scored Joe Holden.

Corey's exit after six gave way to the 'Sharks bullpen, and the Patriots took the lead in the seventh when a wild pitch from reliever Josh Walter got away from Raul Padron.

But a remarkable two out, ninth inning rally, capped by an RBI single from Steve Doetsch that tied the game, sent us to extras.

Scary moment for Camden: Paddy Matera was injured running hard into third base after Doetsch's hit, and had to be basically carried off the field by Ron Karovice and trainer Jason Kopec. It appears he either seriously sprained or perhaps might've broken his ankle, he was in obvious pain on his way off the field and into the locker room.

The 'Sharks, energized by their ninth inning success, wasted little time in the tenth. Chris Walker drew a leadoff walk, and Delwyn Young laid down a great bunt to get him into scoring position. Burgamy absolutely smoked a ball to the wall in right center, Walker scored, and Burgamy was mobbed by everyone in the dugout between first and second. 'Sharks win a thriller, 3-2 in ten innings.

UPDATE: According to 'Sharks GM Adam Lorber, Paddy injured his MCL going hard into third. That's a season ender, and possibly surgery. Get well soon, Paddy!

Brian Burgamy's Walk Off Heroics Lift Camden Over Somerset 5-4

Camden, NJ – First baseman Brian Burgamy’s line drive opposite field solo home run (16) in the bottom of the 10th inning propelled the Camden Riversharks (15-22, 49-57) to a 5-4 victory over the Somerset Patriots (19-21, 54-56) Tuesday night from Campbell’s Field. These two squads have split the first two games of this four game midweek series.

In the top of the second inning second baseman Freddie Bynum slapped a two RBI single through the right side of the infield to give the Patriots an early 2-0 lead.

In the ensuing half inning Camden tied the contest at 2-2 as shortstop Jake Eigsti fisted a two RBI single to center field.

Somerset retook the lead in the fourth frame as Bynum hit a RBI sacrifice fly to make the score 3-2.

The Riversharks jumped in front in the home half of the fifth inning as they plated two runs to take a 4-3 lead. Second baseman Delwyn Young hit a RBI double and designated hitter Eduardo Perez collected a RBI on a fielder’s choice.

The Patriots tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the seventh inning as shortstop Yunesky Sanchez tallied a RBI on a fielder’s choice.

Burgamy’s blast proved to be the difference in the 10th inning as the Patriots lost in walk-off fashion for the second time in the last three games.

Leo Rosales earned his second win of the season while Carlton Smith suffered his third loss of the year.

Burgamy's Blast Beats Bluefish, Bad Bullpen Battles, Bemusedly...

Brian Burgamy's three run homer in the seventh gave the 'Sharks a 7-3 lead, and for once, the bullpen didn't blow it. Camden held on to win 8-4, avoiding a series sweep by the Bridgeport Bluefish and snapping a three game losing streak in the process.

Mike McGuire got the start for the 'Sharks this morning and pitched fairly well, surrendering three runs on four hits in seven innings of work. He walked two and struck out four.

Camden scored three times in the first inning off Bridgeport's Brad Thomspon, getting consective, two out doubles from Burgamy, Pedro Feliz and Raul Padron. An Eduardo Perez RBI single capped the offensive outburst before Jake Eigsti grounded out to end the inning.

But the Bluefish answered right back in the second. Joey Gathright's sacrifice fly scored James Simmons to get Bridgeport on the board, and Brad Boyer launched a two run homer to right that tied the game 3-3.

Danny Santiesteban broke the tie in the fourth with an RBI double that scored Eigsti, and the 'Sharks caught a break in the fifth inning, when a combination of heads up defense and bad base running caused Bridgeport to hit into a 7-4 double play.

McGuire's departure in the seventh brought on the much maligned Riversharks bullpen. But despite our numerous prayers for rain, and both of them surrendering a couple hits, both Josh Walter and Leo Rosales got through two innings of relief relatively unscathed, surrendering just one run. Jake Eigsti's sac fly in the eighth added a bit more insurance for Rosales, who shut the door on the Bluefish in the ninth and sealed the win.

Hey Australia!! What's A Burgamy Fan Gotta Do To Get A Canberra Cavalry Jersey!!

Camden Riversharks in the ABL

The Riversharks have the unique distinction of having four players who started 2012 playing in the Australian Baseball League. Pitcher Mike McGuire and first baseman Brian Burgamy spent time with the Canberra Cavalry, pitcher Kevin Reese with the Melbourne Aces, and pitcher Sean Jarrett with the Brisbane Bandits. Here's a great video in which all four describe their experiences playing down under:

Corey's Not So Hot Line

The York Revolution knocked 'Sharks starting pitcher Bryan Corey out of the game before he could record a single out today, on their way to an eventual 8-6 victory at Campbell's Field.

The Revs first seven batters pounded Corey for five runs on four hits before he was finally pulled for reliever Blake King. King got Travis Scott and Chris Nowak on a strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play for outs one and two, and Danny Gonzalez popped out to Jake Eigsti to mercifully end the inning.

Amazingly, Camden got three runs back in the bottom of the frame. Eddy Perez singled in Chris Walker, a Pedro Feliz double scored Perez, and Raul Padron's grounder to second scored Brian Burgamy to make it 5-3. AFTER ONE.

Both teams settled down after that first inning insanity until, in the fifth, the 'Sharks tied the game at 5-5. Feliz belted his 5th home run of the year, and Raul Padron scored on a Wade Korpi wild pitch. Blake King and Eddy Camacho had combined for five shutout innings, and it seemed like momentum was on Camden's side.

Until...

In the top of the sixth, York scored three more runs, this time off reliever Mariano Gomez, to take an 8-5 lead. Camden cut it to 8-6 in the eighth when Brian Burgamy launched his 12th homer over the outfield wall, but York closer Ricardo Gomez shut the 'Sharks down in the ninth, picking up his fifth save of 2012.

Here Comes Jarrett Singing Oldies, Goldies

Sean Jarrett's first start of the second half was a short one.

The 'Sharks righty returned from the DL tonight against the Lancaster Barnstormers and lasted just three innings, giving up three runs on four hits while striking out one. But his wasn't the most troubling line of the night.

For the first time in a long time, Camden's bullpen basically imploded in a 5-2 loss at Clipper Magazine Stadium. After Jarrett's departure, Blake King and Spencer Steedley just couldn't find the strike zone, combining to walk SEVEN 'Stormers in two and two thirds innings of relief.

Amazingly, Lancaster only scored twice as a result, but those five runs proved too much for the 'Sharks to overcome. Camden's only offense came in the form of the long ball, with solo homers from Patty Matera in the sixth, and Brian Burgamy in the eighth.

A note on BB's homer:

Burgamy absolutely CRUSHED a 3-2 fastball from 'Stormers reliever Beau Vaughn over the right field wall. It cleared the fence, it cleared the picnic area tents, it may well have hit the warehouse across the street from Clipper Magazine Stadium. I have NEVER seen a bigger home run, and neither had the 'Stormers fans sitting directly behind me. It was a thing of absolute beauty.

The game ended when Steve Doetsch smoked a ball to left field, only to be robbed of extra bases by Lancaster outfielder Blake Gailen, who made a remarkable catch on the run for the third out.

'Sharks Walkup Music Redux, Pt. II: Brian Burgamy

Burgy spent the off season down under in Australia. I'd like to think my number three hitter could unleash the dogs of war, so my choice is "Ace Of Spades" by Motörhead, with this video on the JumboTron:

'Sharks Survive Late Rally, Beat Revs 6-5

The York Revolution scored twice in the ninth inning to cut the 'Sharks lead to a single run, but closer John Lujan struck out Ramon Castro for out number three, sealing the victory for Camden and earning Lujan his league leading 15th save.

Ricky Brooks got his sixth win of the season, but the righty battled all game, giving up a towering solo home run in the first to Castro that put the Revs up 1-0 right away.

Camden tied the game in the bottom of the first when a Pedro Feliz sac fly scored Chris Walker

Brooks got into more trouble in the third when an RBI single by Andres Perez plated Scott Grimes. Chris Nowak then grounded into an around the horn double play that scored Castro, but Brooks retired Michael Hernandez to escape the inning with the Revs up 3-1.


The 'Sharks took the lead back in the bottom half of the inning, a sac fly from Raul Padron scored Lloyd Turner, Alvin Colina's double off the wall scored Brian Burgamy, and Steve Doetsch singled in Colina to make it 4-3. 


Camden got two more runs in the fourth when another Feliz sac fly scored Patty Matera, and Colina singled to scored Burgamy. 


Brooks exited after five innings, giving way to the bullpen. Leo Rosales, Josh Walter and All Star Zach Hammes retired the Revs in order over the next three innings of work, setting the table for Lujan. 


Notes: Lloyd Turner exited the game in the third inning, Paddy Matera replaced him at second base. 

El Scorcho By Weiser

Keith Weiser threw six innings of shutout baseball and the Camden Riversharks provided just enough offense to defeat the Lancaster Barnstormers 2-1 tonight at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Weiser allowed five hits while striking out three in his longest outing this season.

The 'Sharks got to Lancaster starter John Halama early. In the first, Chris Walker led off with a single, stole second, and took third on a throwing error by catcher Emerson Frostad. A Lloyd Turner sac fly scored Walker, and two batters later Raul Padron's RBI single scored Brian Burgamy to make it 2-0.

Which it would remain for nearly the entire game. Weiser got some help from the 'Sharks defense, the 'Stormers grounded into two inning ending double plays in the first and third.

Spencer Steedley worked a scoreless inning in relief of Weiser, and the got the 'Stormers to ground into ANOTHER inninng ending double play in the seventh.

Lancaster's lone run came in the eighth off reliever Zach Hammes. Jaime Pedroza's ground out scored pinch hitter Terry Tifee from third to cut the lead to 2-1. But that was as close as the 'Stormers would get. John Lujan came on in the ninth and retired the side in order to earn his Atlantic League leading 14th save.

Notes: Scary moment for Brian Burgamy, in the third he was hit squarely on the knee by an errant Halama pitch that sent him sprawling at the plate. It looked awful, but he quickly recovered and jogged to first.

At first I thought it was a mistake, but turns out John Halama hit for himself tonight in the #9 spot. He laid down a pretty solid sac bunt in the fifth to advance Ryan Harvey to third base.

The SharkTank Redemption

Ricky Brooks threw eight shutout innings to lead the Camden Riversharks over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, 7-0, in the third game of a four-game set at Campbell’s Field Saturday night. 

Brooks (5-1) gave up just three hits and a couple of walks while striking out four in his eight innings of work; Spencer Steedley threw a scoreless ninth to preserve the shutout. 

The Riversharks (29-32) offense gave Brooks some runs in the first inning. Chris Walker and Brian Burgamy each walked and with two outs, Eduardo Perez drove them home with a double to right center. 

Deinys Suarez (3-3) settled down after that, keeping the Sharks scoreless over the next 5.2 innings. 


That was, until Walker unloaded his second home run of the series, doubling the lead to 4-0 and chasing Suarez from the game. Perez continued his hot hitting with a three-run blast of his own in the eighth. Perez finished the day 3-for-4 with a run scored and five RBIs. 

'Sharks Win Behind Solid Effort From Corey

Bryan Corey pitched effectively through 5 2/3 innings and earned his fourth win of 2012 as the Camden Riversharks beat the Long Island Ducks 6-2 tonight at Campbell's Field. Corey surrendered only one run on four hits while striking out two. 


Brian Burgamy blasted his seventh home run of the season deep to right to get the 'Sharks on the board in the bottom of the first. In the second, Jake Eigsti's RBI double scored Steve Doetsch and made it 2-0. 


Eigsti got another RBI in the fourth on a sacrifice fly that scored Drew Macias, and the 'Sharks lead it 3-0. Macias, the #7 hitter, had two stolen bases on the night.


Camden got another run in the fifth when Pedro Feliz grounded into a fielder's choice that scored Lloyd Turner. 


Camden nearly coughed up the lead in the sixth. After a James McOwen solo shot finally got the Ducks on the board, reliever Eddy Camacho threw seven straight balls and walked his way into a bases loaded 2 out jam. Camacho got Colin Roberson swinging for out number three. 


Long Island scored once more in the seventh when McOwen singled in Kraig Binick to make it 4-2 before Ron Karkovice had seen enough of Camacho. Josh Walter was brought in to get the last out of the inning. 


The 'Sharks tacked on some insurance in the eighth when Macias scored after an error by Ducks reliever Eric Niesen, and some smart baserunning by Steve Doetsch allowed him to score on a wild pitch from Jon Hunton.


John Lujan came on in the ninth and retired the Ducks in order. 

'Sharks Squash Skeeters In A Slugfest

With the bases loaded in the 8th inning, Marquez Smith took a 3-2 fastball from Skeeters reliever Kelvin Villa and crushed it over the left field wall for a grand slam. It was the coup de grâce for Sugarland, as they fell to the Camden Riversharks tonight by a score of 12-5.

The Skeeters struck first when Dominic Ramos led off the game with a triple, and scored when Bubba Bell singled him in to make it 1-0. An error by Alvin Colina later in the inning allowed Bell to score. 

But that was the only time Sugarland would enjoy a lead. The 'Sharks bats came alive tonight against Skeeters pitching. In the bottom of the first, Colina's sac fly to center scored Paddy Matera, and an Eduardo Perez double scored Smith and Brian Burgamy to make it 3-2 'Sharks. 

In the second, Ramos took Keith Weiser deep to left for his fourth home run of the season, tying the game a 3-3. Ramos came within one single of hitting for the cycle, going 3 for 5 on the night with 2 RBI.

Camden got three more in the bottom of the frame, a double from Smith scored Patty Matera, and Burgamy's two run blast, his 5th of 2012, made it 6-3 'Sharks. 

The Skeeters cut the lead to 6-5 in the 4th on RBI doubles from Ramos and Iggy Suarez.

A solo shot from Burgamy in the 5th added some insurance, and the huge, 5 run eighth inning sealed Sugarland's fate. Weiser gets the win, but the bullpen combo of Jeff Farnsworth, Spencer Steedley, Zach Hammes and John Lujan deserves credit for shutting down the Skeeters the rest of the night, allowing no runs and just two hits in four innings of relief.

Farnsy's Miscue Lets York Jump The 'Sharks

Brandon Haveman hit a three run, bases clearing double in the seventh inning off 'Sharks reliever Jeff Farnsworth, and the Revolution held on to win 4-2 tonight at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

In five innings of work, Camden starter Bryan Corey held the Revs to just one (unearned) run on five hits while striking out six. But all the Riversharks offense could muster in response was two runs in the first inning, when Brian Burgamy's RBI single scored Chris Walker and Lloyd Turner.

Haveman got one run back for York in the bottom of the frame when he scored after Chris Nowak hit into a fielder's choice.

Steve Doetsch lead off the second with a triple, but was left stranded after a groundout from Turner, and strikeouts from Burgamy and Scott Knazek.

The Revs bullpen came through in a big way in relief of starter Jesus Sanchez, who exited after just an inning and two thirds. Lefty Yunior Novoa recorded five strikeouts in his three innings of relief. R.J. Rodriguez notched his 7th save of 2012, retiring the 'Sharks in order in the ninth.

Jake Eigsti's hitting woes continued as he went 0 for 4 at the dish tonight. In his last ten games, Eigsti is 6 for 38, for a miserable .157 batting average.

Burgamy's Got Mad Hits, Like He Was Rod Carew

Brian Burgamy debuted some new walk up music at today's game. In what must be a tribute to recently deceased Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch, Burgamy approached the dish with the speakers at Campbell's Field blasting "Sure Shot", from the Beastie's 1994 album Ill Communication.

Speaking of walk up music, I kinda miss Lloyd Turner's: 

Blake Gailen & Jesus Merchan 7, Riversharks 3

The Camden Riversharks gave up four run innings in the fifth and sixth innings as they fell, 11-3, to the Lancaster Barnstormers Tuesday night at Campbell's Field.

Riversharks (7-11) starter Bryan Corey (2-2) retired the first two men he faced but three straight singles, including an RBI knock from Jesus Merchan, gave the Barnstormers (11-7) an early lead. Blake Gailen delivered an RBI single of his own in the third to add to the lead. Gailen and Merchan went a combined 7-for-9 at the dish, scoring four runs and driving in seven.

Eduardo Perez got the Sharks on the board in the fourth. He singled home Colin Roberson after a lead off double to bring the Sharks back within one, but much like Saturday night that was the closest they would get.

Gailen wacked his first of two home runs in the fifth to propel eight runs over the next two innings to put the game out of reach.

The Sharks did continue to battle, scoring two in the eighth on sacrifice flies from Roberson and Perez. Brian Burgamy and Lloyd Turner each had their only hits of the game in that inning, extending their hitting streaks to six games a piece.

I Don't Know How To Put This, But Brian Burgamy Is (Still) Kind Of A Big Deal. People Know Him.

The Camden Riversharks weren't having the greatest night.

Starter Humberto Sanchez was yanked after just an inning and two-thirds of work. The 'Sharks scored first, when a Lloyd Turner double scored Billy Rice to make it 1-0. But the 'Stormers took advantage of Sanchez' early control issues when right fielder Fehlandt Lentini crushed a three run homer to right to take a 3-1 lead.

Out of the bullpen, Kevin Reese pitched remarkably well, scattering four hits over five and one-third innings, striking out one, and more importantly keeping the 'Stormers from pulling too far ahead (see: last night's game).

Meanwhile, Camden slowly crept back into it. Scoring once in the fifth when Brian Burgamy singled in Rice to make it 3-2, and once more in the seventh when an error by "Stormers first baseman Tommy Everidge again allowed Rice to score, the game was knotted up at three going into the top of the ninth.

Then 'Stormers left fielder Blake Gailen absolutely murdered a fastball from John Lujan over the wall in left center (it actually hit the Wawa sign with an extremely loud, echoing THUD). Lancaster led 4-3, and all looked bleak for the Mudville Nine.

But the 'Sharks had apparently saved their best for last. In the ninth, Lloyd Turner led off with a single. Felix Pie seemed destined to hit into a double play but "Stormers shortstop Jesus Merchan, who had such an amazing game last night, couldn't field the ball cleanly. Lancaster wound up only getting Turner, Pie was safe on a fielder's choice.

Pie came up limping after his run to first, and after getting checked out by trainers and coaches, walked off the field under his own power, seemingly alright.

Patty Matera pinch runs for Pie, with Brian Burgamy due up. It's at this point that I yelled: "Hey Brian!! You're going to have to hit it to the f#cking moon if you want Matera to score from first!!"

He must've heard me.

Burgamy took 'Stormers reliever Jeff Bennett's 1-0 fastball deep to straight away center.

Home run. Ballgame. 'Sharks win in walk-off, wild fashion 5-3.

Everybody (On The Barnstormers) Hits

For a while, things looked good for the Camden Riversharks tonight.

 Trailing the 'Stormers 3-0 going into the bottom of the 4th, Chris Walker led off the inning with a triple. Lloyd Turner singled in Walker, and Brian Burgamy and Eduardo Perez both walked. Drew Macias drove in Turner and Burgamy with a single to left, and suddenly the game was tied.

 Starter Keith Weiser retired Lancaster in order in the top of the fifth, and the 'Sharks took a 5-3 lead when Brian Burgamy smoked a ball to the outfield fence, scoring Turner and Felix Pie.

 Enter Blake King.

King subbed for Weiser in the top of the sixth, hereafter to be know as "the inning the wheels fell off". Lancaster scored four runs, on only one hit. The 'Sharks committed three errors, and the combination of King and Zach Hammes walked four batters.

The 'Stormers led 7-5, and never trailed again. Tacking on 8 MORE RUNS in the 7th and 8th innings, the final score was Lancaster 15, Camden 5.

Barnstormers shortstop Jesus Marchan had a career night, going 5 for 6 with an RBI.

'Sharks DH Colin Roberson FINALLY got a hit, doubling his average to a gaudy .077.