Members of the Emory University baseball team enjoyed successful summer seasons across the United States, highlighted by Richard Brereton, Jack Rubenstein, Michael Edelman and Michael Leeder capturing league titles with their respective teams.
Brereton, a member of the Cotuit Kettlers in the storied Cape Cod League, one of the premier summer leagues in the country, helped the Kettlers to their league-record 17th championship. Brereton was a key piece of the team's two-game sweep of the Harwich Mariners in the championship series, firing six shutout frames on the road in extra innings as Cotuit won the championship opener, 7-6, in 15 innings. The Kettlers went on to defeat the Mariners 10-3 in game two to clinch the title.
For the summer, Brereton went 2-0 with two saves in 12 appearances. He struck out 29 batters in 29.1 innings while walking only 12.
"I was blessed to be given the opportunity to play for the winningest team in such a storied summer league. The Kettleers are a first-class organization with incredible support from the entire town," Brereton said, reflecting back on his time with the team.
"One of my goals growing up was to play in this collegiate league," Brereton continued. "I'm so honored to have played alongside the best amateur talent in the world and to have been a part of the Kettleers' 17th championship."
Rubenstein and Edelman helped the Niagara Power to their first championship since 1993 in the New York Collegiate Baseball League. Rubenstein played in 28 games for the Power, recording a .286 average with six doubles, one home run, five stolen bases, 16 RBI and a NYCBL-leading 15 hit-by-pitches. Edelman added a .273 average in 16 games, collecting 12 hits, eight RBI and two stolen bases.
Over in the Sunbelt League, Leeder was a member of the Brookhaven Bucks which repeated as league champions. Leeder finished with a 2.79 ERA in four appearances spanning 9.2 innings. He struck out eight and did not issue a free pass.
In the Futures League, Zeke Diamond led the Bristol Blues to a championship appearance against the eventual league winner Worcester Bravehearts. Diamond put forth an outstanding summer campaign, ranking fifth in the league with a .338 average to go along with six doubles, two triples, two round trippers, 26 RBI and four stolen bases. Diamond was named to the Futures League All-Star Game and was tabbed to the league's July Team of the Month.
James Robertson rounded out notable Eagles in summer ball as he played with the Arroyo Seco Saints of the California Collegiate League. Robertson made eight appearances for the Saints, going 1-3 with 17 punch outs in 18.2 innings to help the team to a CCL runner-up finish.
Pitching Coach David Anderson enjoyed a successful summer as well as manager of the Fayetteville SwampDogs of the Coastal Plain League. Anderson managed the team to their third straight playoff appearance, finishing the year with an overall record of 24-26. Anderson was picked to be the coach for the East Division All-Stars during the All-Star Showdown in Savannah, GA.