Final Statement on the Blog

This will be the final post of the blog, not sure what will happen with the new direction of the team as far as future blogs. I want to personally thank everyone that has supported the Mustangs throughout the past five seasons, the Mustangs have a loyal group of fans and host families that show wonderful support throughout the summer to the group of 25-30 college athletes that come to Martinsville. I'm not going to get into why or how I was let go, to be honest I don't know the entire story myself and what's done is done, whether or not I agree with it or not. I know that I poured every ounce of my blood, sweat, and tears into Mustangs baseball and Hooker Field and to see it taken away from me after five years is certainly disheartening to say the least.

I want to talk about the accomplishments of the past five seasons and the good memories that I will have with my time with the Mustangs. In five seasons there were 24 Mustangs that were drafted and another four players that were signed and didn't arrive due to being drafted, that's basically 6-7 players per season based on the four MLB drafts that have occurred. The 2006 season was certainly a memorable one for me as we captured both halves of the Western Division regular season title behind an offense that hit .293 as a team. The 2007 post season run was also very rewarding as well. In 100 degree plus heat the Mustangs knocked off Edenton and Fayetteville to advance to the winner's bracket final before falling to Peninsula and eventual champion Thomasville to finish third. After starting the season slow the last two season's the Mustangs turned things around in both second halves to make a run at a playoff spot coming up just short in both seasons. Other highlights included being able to play Team USA at their complex in Cary, NC during the 2008 season and just this past year having the opportunity to see Phil Cerreto win the home run derby at the CPL All Star Game in Wilmington and to capture the CPL's Offensive Player of the Year at the completion of the season. Each and every year there was always criticism for taking small school players, he was certainly one that proved a lot of people wrong. All in all, these past five seasons have been a great ride for me and I will miss going to the ballpark everyday.

In closing I want to give a special thanks to Matt Hankins and Wade Bartlett for their support during the first few years of the franchise, these two people allowed me the opportunity to come to Martinsville to further my career in baseball and I thank them for allowing me to do so. I've met a lot of wonderful people in the area including my wonderful wife Shelly and her great family. I also want to say it was certainly a pleasure to work with Coaches Rob Watt, Barry Powell, and Dan Powell throughout my time here in Martinsville, those are three friendships that I certainly will cherish for the rest of my life and the time I spent with all three has certainly been enjoyable. Once again for the people that supported the Mustangs for the past five seasons, Thank You,

Respectfully.

Doug Gibson

2010 Roster Taking Shape

The 2010 roster is taking shape and the first names will be announced soon. The Mustangs have agreed/committed to around 10-12 players to date with most from mid-level to higher level division one programs along with some solid players from some Division two and three schools. Stay tuned as the names will be announced when the contracts begin to come in.

Congrats in Order

The Mustangs would like to congratulate assistant coach Dan Powell and his wife Chris on the birth of their second son, Caden Ryan, who arrived on Wednesday at 4:06 PM weighing in a 8 pounds, 14 ounces and 21 inches long. Everyone is doing fine.

Two Guys Left Off the Alumni Update....

Sorry for the mistake, I left two guys off the Alumni update and both were high level players this summer in the Braves and Mets organizations.

Edgar Ramirez - St. Lucie (High A)/Binghamton (AA)/Buffalo (AAA) - Ramirez became the first former Mustang to reach to the Triple A ranks after earning a late season call-up to the Bisons after spending most of his season between St. Lucie and Binghamton. Ramirez posted a 3-3 record with a 3.78 ERA in 39 total appearances this summer. The righty from LSU who pitched for Martinsville in 2005 worked 81 innings allowing 84 hits and 34 earned runs while walking 30 and striking out 62. With his late season call-up it is likely that Edgar will start 2010 back in Buffalo with the Triple A Bison.

C.J. Lee - Rome (Low A)/Myrtle Beach (High A) - Lee started the season in Rome but quickly earned a call-up to Myrtle Beach where he spent the remained of the 2009 season. Lee hit .239 (80-for-335) with 17 doubles, three triples, four homeruns, and 24 RBI while also stealing nine bases. Lee is getting married in October.

Mustang Alumni Update - End of 2009 Minor League Season

A total of 16 former Mustangs just completed Professional Seasons in the Minor League and Independent League ranks, the following is a list of players along with some notes about their 2009 seasons. The list will start with those players that competed in the Minor Leagues this season and will be followed by those who played in various Independent Leagues this past season.

Scott Diamond - Missississi (AA) - Diamond pitched the entire season for the Double A Mississippi Braves and had a strong showing throughout the summer. Diamond finished with a 3.50 ERA and 5-10 record in 23 starts. The lefty who pitched for the Mustangs during the 2006 & 2007 seasons pitched a total of 131 innings allowing 152 hits, 51 earned runs, 53 walks, and struck out 111 batters. With his strong showing the summer it would be safe to say that Diamond will get a chance at Triple A Gwinnett to start next season.

Adam Milligan - Danville (R)/Rome (Low A)/Myrtle Beach (High A) - Milligan made his professional debut this summer and didn't disappoint. After spending just a week in Danville, Milligan was promoted to Rome where he spent most of the rest of the season before a late call-up to Myrtle Beach. Over the course of three stops Milligan hit .344 (90-for-262) with 39 runs scored, 20 doubles, three triples, 13 homeruns, 49 RBI, and had a .592 slugging percentage. Milligan will most likely start 2010 in Myrtle Beach and a good start would surely have him on his way to Double A Mississippi.

Rowdy Hardy - Wilmington (High A)/Northwest Arkansas (Double A) - Hardy rebounded in 2009 after a rough 2008 posting a 2.74 ERA and 7-5 record in 23 total apperances (16 starts) between Wilmington and Northwest Arkansas. Hardy worked 108.1 innings allowing 111 hits, 33 earned runs while walking 29 and striking out 68. Kansas City will decide what to do with the former Carolina League Pitcher of the Year this offseason.

Tom Layne - Visalia (High A)/Mobile (Double A) - Layne had another solid season splitting time between High A and Double A. Layne appeared in 35 games (10 starts) over the course of the season working 97 innings for the Diamondbacks organization. Layne allowed 90 hits and 38 earned runs while striking out 67 and walking 44. Layne will likely remain in Mobile it seems to start the 2010 season.

C.J. Ziegler - Augusta (Low A)/Salem-Keizer (Rookie)/San Jose (High A) - Ziegler made three different stops during the 2009 season and finished off the season at High A San Jose in the California League. Ziegler hit .272 (88-for-324) with 24 doubles, seven homeruns, 51 RBI this season and finished the year on a high note hitting .405 in his last 10 games with two homeruns and nine RBI. San Francisco will likely have Ziegler back in San Jose to start the 2010 season.

Eric Campbell - Savannah (Low A)/St. Lucie (High A) - Campbell earned a late season call-up after his solid play all season in Savannah. Campbell his .249 on the year (90-for-361) with 25 doubles, five homeruns, and 47 RBI. During his late season call-up Campbell hit .273 in seven games for the St. Lucie Mets in the Florida State League. Campbell will most likely start 2010 right back in St. Lucie, which is a very nice place to spend a season in my opinion.

Mike Piazza - Orem (Rookie - Advanced) - Piazza was a free agent signing of the Los Angeles Angels this summer and the righty from Florida Tech was solid in his first pro season on the mound. Piazza went 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 15 games for the Owls. In 30 1/3 innings pitched he allowed just seven earned runs and 31 hits while walking 15 and striking out 29. Piazza will most likely get a shot a Low A next season in the Angels organization.

Casey Hodges - Myrtle Beach (High A)/Rome (Low A)/Danville (Rookie -Advanced) - Hodges helped the Danville Braves to the Appalchain League crown this summer after spending time in three different cities. Hodges finished the summer with a 6.69 ERA and 2-0 record and six saves (all with Danville). Hodges appeared in 23 games working 36 1/3 innings allowing 27 earned runs and 45 hits while walking 19 and striking out 29. After his strong performance in Danville he should get another shot in Rome to start 2010.

Mike Williams - State College (Short Season A) - Williams worked out the bullpen for the Spikes working 34 innings in 19 games. The lefty from Mount Olive College went 3-2 with a 3.71 ERA while allowing 14 earned runs and 35 hits while walking 15 and striking out 29. Williams is in the Pirates organization and should get a shot at the Low A level to start next season.

Paul Cruz - Quad City (Low A) - Cruz was released by St. Louis in late June but had put together a somewhat solid season before his release. Cruz hit .260 (51-for-196) with eight doubles, a triple, three homeruns, and 20 RBI before the end of June. Cruz was not picked up by any minor league team after his release from Quad City.

Matt Gianini - Alexandria Aces (Continental Baseball League) - Gianini went 1-2 with a 5.61 ERA in 21 games for the Aces. In 25 2/3 innings the lefty allowed 20 hits and 16 earned runs while walking just five and striking out 21.

Brett Mieras - Sioux City Explorers (American Association) - Mieras had a very solid season with a .313 average (42-for-134) with four doubles, a homerun, and 15 RBI.

Nick Peterson - Washington Wild Things (Frontier League) - Peterson went 1-4 with a 5.31 ERA in 39 innings for Washington. Peterson added 10 saves and 57 strikeouts for the Wild Things.

Matt Schneider - Evansville Otters (Frontier League) - 2008 Mustang Schneider hit .234 (22-for-94) with a double, homerun, and 13 RBI in his professional debut.

Mike Goetz - Rockford Riverhawks (Frontier League) - Goetz was back in Independent ball this summer after spend a part of last summer in the Pirates organization. Goetz hit .230 (28-for-122) with four doubles, 12 RBI, and eight steals.

Pete Paris - Wndy City Thunderbolts (Frontier League) - Paris hit .306 (44-for-144) in his professional debut with nine doubles, two homeruns, and 33 RBI for Windy City.

Player Signings Coming Soon!

The Mustangs recruting for the 2010 season and new players will be announced when they are signed. Stayed tuned to all of the Mustangs info sources to find out what players will be headed to Martinsville for the 2010 summer.

Doug Gibson's Weekly Column - September 2nd, 2009

I normally don't like to boast about accomplishments and such and normally just go about my business and work hard at what I do, but I'm extremly happy to say that it's an honor to see the first player that I ever signed working in colleigate summer baseball make the Major Leagues. I began working in Covington in the Valley League in 2001, but when I began as GM there the team was already in place as the season was set to begin just a month or so from me getting the job. It wasn't until the next season that I began to play a part in the recruiting process. The first player that I ever signed was a talented catcher from Hattiesburg, Mississippi and was an incoming freshman at Mississippi State named Craig Tatum. Craig played about half the season with us in 2002 before injuring his arm. Craig was drafted by the Reds in the 3rd round of the 2004 draft and just last month was called up to Cincinnati and is now the primary catcher for the Reds as injuries have sidelined a few other catchers. Hopefully in the future I will be able to write about former Mustangs making the show but it's a great feeling to know that dreams certainly do begin in places like Covington and Martinsville.

Rothlin and Cerreto Named to Top Prospect Lists

Mustangs Pitcher Trent Rothlin and first baseman Phil Cerreto have been named to post season top prospects list from pgcrosschecker.com and Baseball America. Rothlin was tabbed as the #21 prospect in the PGCrosschecker rankings while being ranked #9 in the Baseball America List. Cerreto, who was named CPL Offensive Player of the Year for his efforts in 2009 was the #6 prospect in the PGCrosschecker rankings and wasn't ranked in the Baseball America Top 10 list. Both Cerreto and Rothlin were honored by the Mustangs as the top player and top pitcher for Martinsville during the 2009 season. Cerreto is entering his senior season at Longwood while Rothlin is entering his junior season at Ole Miss.

Adam Milligan Off to a Hot Start in Pro Ball

2007 Mustang Adam Milligan is having an excellent rookie season in the Atlanta Braves organization. Milligan started the season for Danville in the Appy League but that lasted just nine games after Adam hit .439 with five doubles, a triple, two homers, and 10 RBIs in 41 at bats. After a promotion to Rome in the South Atlantic League Milligan's numbers haven't fallen off at all. Through 44 games he is hitting .360 with 11 doubles, two triples, 10 homeruns, 30 RBIs while scoring 23 runs. Milligan was a member of the 2007 Mustangs who finished third in the CPL Petitt Cup Tournament and just this season had his single season homerun record snapped by Phil Cerreto. Stayed tuned for more updates on former Mustangs who have moved on to the professional ranks. The second annual professional rankings of former Mustangs will be published once the minor league season concludes in September.

Cerreto Named Coastal Plain League MVP

Mustangs first baseman Phil Cerreto was named Coastal Plain League MVP on Thursday Morning, capping off an incredible season that saw the Longwood junior put his mark on the record book in Martinsville. Cerreto finished the season with a .351 average (72-for-205) with 33 runs scored, 16 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, 40 RBIs, 120 total bases, and 12 stolen bases. Cerreto now holds the Mustangs single season record with hits, doubles, homeruns, RBIs, and total bases and will now add the Coastal Plain League MVP award to his Mustangs Player of the Year Award and his CPL Homerun Derby Trophy from the All Star Game in Wilmington in July. Cerreto is entering his senior season at Longwood this fall. The native of Midlothian, Virginia is the first Mustangs to earn a post season CPL award in franchise history.

2009 Mustangs Award Winners

The Mustangs honored their 2009 award winners at the final game on August 4th. The following is the list of winners and their awards:

Phil Cerreto - Player of the Year - Cerreto set team records for hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, and total bases while hitting .351 on the season. The rising senior at Longwood was the heart and soul of the middle of the Mustangs lineup. He was one of three Mustangs to represent the team at the All Star Game in Wilmington and captured the CPL Home Run Derby title beating 15 other CPL All Stars in the event.

Trent Rothlin - Pitcher of the Year - Rothlin was twice named the CPL Co-Pitcher of the Week and set the Mustangs team record with 83 strikeouts in just over 65 innings of work. Rothlin struck out 15 batters in his next to last start against Wilmington to set the record. Rothlin was another Mustang that appeared in the CPL All Star Game in Wilmington as well. Rothlin will be heading to Ole Miss for his junior season after spending last season at Walters State C.C. On the year Rothlin was 4-1 with a 2.62 ERA and held opposing hitters to just a .191 batting average against.

Tyler Smith - Defensive Player of the Year - Smith carried the bulk of the load behind the plate for the Mustangs, starting 42 games on the year. Smith posted a .235 batting average and represented the Mustangs at the CPL All Star Game with Cerreto and Rothlin. Smith threw out 16 would be base stealers on the season and posted a .974 fielding percentage.

Brad Agustin - Team Mustang Award - Presented to the Mustang that shows the heart and desire of what it takes to play for the Martinsville Mustangs. Agustin was a spark to the Mustangs when in the lineup. An early season injury kept Agustin out of the lineup for around 20 games and the Mustangs suffered without his presence. Agustin returned to the lineup on July 4th and the Mustangs went on a team record seven game winning streak and finished 15-13 in the second half with Agustin back at shortstop. The rising senior at Buffalo was a crowd favorite and a pleasure to have in the Mustangs locker room.

Ryan LaPensee - Coaches Award - The final award went to Ryan LaPensee for his leadership shown on and off the field after returning to the team in late June after starting the season in the Cape Cod League. LaPensee was another spark for the Mustangs that allowed them to turn around a bad first half and finished second in the division during the second half of the season. LaPensee finished the season with a .328 average with five doubles, a triple, 19 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. LaPensee is now the all time career leader for stolen bases with 41.

Mustangs Close Out 2009 with Two Wins

The Mustangs closed out the 2009 season wrapping up second place in the Western Division with wins over Asheboro and Forest City on Monday and Tuesday. The Mustangs knocked off the Copperheads in their final road game of the season 10-6 at McCrary Park on Monday night before returning home on Tuesday night and treating the home crowd to a thrilling 7-6 come-from-behind win over Forest City, their first victory over the Owls this summer. The blog will take a break for a few days and we'll be back Monday with season recaps, award winners, and more.....

Rothlin Sets Strikeout Mark on Friday Night

Trent Rothlin worked eight innings on Friday Night allowing just one run and six hits and broke the Mustangs single season strikeout record with 15 strikeouts to run his season total to 79, breaking the mark of 72 set by Scott Diamond during the 2007 season. This season has been a year of record for the Mustangs. To date Phil Cerreto has set the team mark for hits, doubles, homeruns, total bases, and is currently tied for the record with 38 RBIs. Ryan LaPensee has set the mark for career stolen bases while Lance Harting has set the record for most apperances by a pitcher.

Mustangs Pick Up Road Win and Home Win in Same Day

The Mustangs picked up an away win and a home win all in one day, sweeping a doubleheader from Gastonia at Hooker Field on Thursday night. Game one was continued from Tuesday with the Mustangs leading the Grizzlies 5-4 in the bottom of the fourth before rains struck Sims Legion Park in Gasotnia. The Mustangs scored seven runs in the top of the ninth highlighted by Matthew Scruggs second grand slam of the season to win it 17-10. Phil Cerreto was 5-for-6 with his franchise record seventh home run, his franchise record 14th double, and had four RBIs.

The Mustangs were the home team in game two and picked up the win scoring in the bottom of the seventh on a wild pitch to claim the win and moved to 12-10 in the second half and 19-31 overall with six games remaining. Cerreto continued to swing a hot bad added another double and three RBIs while going 1-for-2. Cerreto is now hitting .368 on the season and is a serious contender for Coastal Plain League MVP.

Mustangs to Auction Off Blue Jerseys Tonight!

The Mustangs will auction off their 2005-2009 Blue Jerseys following tonight's doubleheader against the Gastonia Grizzlies. Each player will sign their jersey and give it to the winning fan right off of their back. All persons wishing to bid on a jersey should come to the area behind home plate in the reserved seating area to place your bid. The Mustangs accept Cash, Check, VISA, and Mastercard.

Mustangs sign Ricky Vaughn

The Martinsville Mustangs have added an arm for the final week of the CPL season. Martinsville has signed right handed pitcher Ricky Vaughn from Savannah College of Art and Design. Vaughn is a native of Winston Salem, NC and spent the 2009 summer pitching for the Morganton Aggies in the Southern Collegiate League. Vaughn will be transferring to Guilford Tech this fall. He will be in uniform tonight for the Mustangs as they host Forest City at 7:20 PM at Hooker Field.

Airiel Down Rocks Hooker Field

For the folks that missed the Airiel Down show last night at Hooker Field you should be ashamed. The boys from Raleigh put on one heck of a show following the Mustangs extra inning win over Columbia at Hooker Field. The first post game concert in Mustangs history was an excellent show and Airiel Down showed everyone how it is done. Special thanks to the entire band for making it a great evening at Hooker Field. All five guys were absolutely wonderful and I think all of them have a big future ahead of them. We will certainly be exploring the option of bringing these guys back to Hooker Field in 2010.

Phil Cerreto making push for League MVP

Where would the Mustangs be without Phil Cerreto. The junior from Longwood has been solid all season long and without a doubt should be a strong candidate for League MVP with the numbers he has put up. Cerreto currently is third in the league with a .355 average with 13 doubles, four triples, six home runs (playing in the biggest field in the league), and 30 RBIs to go along with eight stolen bases. Cerreto has been solid each and every night and last week won the home run derby in Wilmington. With three games left at Hooker Field could we be hearing some MVP chants from the home crowd???

Mustangs Set Franchise Record for Consecutive Home Wins

With their 9-1 win over the Gastonia Grizzlies tonight at Hooker Field, the 2009 Mustangs have set a franchise record with their 8th straight home win, eclipising the mark set by the 2007 Mustangs. The Mustangs began their record home streak on July 4th against the same Grizzlies team on Independence Day.

Phil Cerreto Wins CPL Homerun Derby!

For the first time the Mustangs have a homerun derby champion. Phil Cerreto hit eight homeruns over three rounds for 24 points and edged Adam Eggemeyer of Wilmington by one homerun and three points to claim the 2009 crown. Cerreto becomes the first Mustang to win the homerun derby after near misses by Josh Paul in 2005 and Matt Leake in 2006, who both finished second. Cerreto along with Trent Rothlin and Tyler Smith will be in Tuesday Night's All Star Game in Wilmington.

Three Mustangs Named to CPL National All Star Team

The Mustangs will be represented by three players at Tuesday's Coastal Plain League All Star game in Wilmington, NC. Phil Cerreto, Tyler Smith, and Trent Rothlin have been named to the National Team which includes Mustangs Head Coach Barry Powell as an Assistant Coach.

Cerreto leads the Mustangs in hitting with a .348 average heading into last night's game in Forest City. The Longwood University rising senior will start at first base for the National team. Cerreto leads the Mustangs in doubles with seven, triples with four, homeruns with four, and RBIs with 24. Cerreto has also stolen eight bases on the season.

Rothlin has twice been named the Coastal Plain League Co-Pitcher of the Week in weeks four and six. Rothlin has posted a 3-1 record with a 2.23 ERA in seven starts and 44 1/3 innings of work. The Ole Miss signee from Walters State C.C. has allowed just 27 hits while walking 17 and striking out 53 hitters, which is third in the CPL.

Smith, a rising junior at Mount Olive College is hitting .270 on the season while carrying most of the catching load for the Mustangs all season long. Smith has scored 11 runs and added two doubles while playing excellent defense behind the plate throwing out nine runners on the season.

Trent Rothlin Named CPL Pitcher of the Week, Again!

For the second time in three weeks, Trent Rothlin has been named the Coastal Plain League Co-Pitcher of the week along with Tyler McSwain of Peninsula. Rothlin picked up his team leading third win on Saturday night pitching a complete game against Thomasville allowing just two hits and no earned runs in the 5-1 Mustangs win. Rothlin didn't walk a batter and struck out 10 in his second complete game of the season. Rothlin is a rising junior at Ole Miss after spending this season with Walters State Community College.

Mustangs Looking to Break Record Tonight

With a win over Thomasville tonight at Hooker Field the Mustangs can break a franchise record for consecutive wins in a row. The Mustangs won six games in a row on two occasions during the 2006 season including starting the season with six wins, but the 2009 Mustangs can be all alone in the record books with a win tonight. The Mustangs have technically won seven straight but last Wednesday's 11-0 win over Kernersville does not count because it was not an official league game.

One Streak Continues, Two Streaks End

Friday Night was a night of a continued streak and the end of two horrible streaks. The Mustangs continued their winning ways over the last week picking up their fifth straight CPL win and sixth win overall. A win tonight at home against Thoamsville would equal the team's longest winning streak in franchise history, a feat that was accomplished two times during the 2006 season. The Mustangs have currently won six games overall in a row but games against non-league opponents are not factored into the record books.

Two streaks that needed to end in the worse way came to an end Friday night in Thomasville. The Mustangs had lost 10 straight games in Thomasville dating back to their last win at Finch Field, which ironically was July 10, 2007, so two years exactly to the day the Mustangs ended the curse of Finch Field. Also, the 2009 Mustangs had lost 12 straight games on the road dating back to June 5, when they knocked off Asheboro at McCrary Park.

Two Streaks that Need to End Tonight

The Mustangs have lost 12 straight road games in 2009 and on top of that as a franchise the Mustangs have dropped 10 straight and 13 of their last 14 at Finch Field heading into tonight's game against Thomasville. The Mustangs last road win of 2009 came in early June in an 11-2 win against Asheboro at McCrary Park. Martinsville has lost numerous one and two run games on the road and hopefully tonight two streaks can end. The Mustangs as a franchise hasn't won a game at Finch Field since July 10, 2007, two years ago to the day. Green Hats, two years exactly, somethings gotta give????