"THE ROCKET" BRINGS HOME THE BLING

FRANKFORD, PA
The PIAA held their annual banquet to honor the ALL PUBLIC players and Coaches for their tremendous accomplishments throughout the 2013 season at Rosewood Caterers, Frankford, PA. 

Among the players honored were four members of SLA's near perfect Rocket team that finished a magical season at 11-1, and will move up in Divisional play for the 2014 season. 

Senior Pitcher and Infielder Nick Manton finished the season with a 1.125 ERA, 0.4375 WHIP, struck out 21 batters, issued only 1 Walk and surrendered just 2 Earned Runs all season. Nick was also awarded SLA's Cy Young Award for Pitcher of the Year. Great way to end his play and start his Coaching career with the team.

Junior Center fielder and Pitcher Jeff Schwartz, who led the team in nearly every offensive category and was runner-up for league M.V.P, also achieved the near impossible by winning the Division's Triple Crown- Most RBIs (32) Runs Batted In, Most Home Runs (4) and Best Batting Average (.857). Jeff also blew away Divisional players with a .912 OBP (On Base Percentage), 1.856 SLG (Slugging Percentage) and 2.77 OPS (On Base Plus Slugging). 

Junior Pitcher and Infielder Ethan Reese, who was an outrageously effective Lead-Off hitter, won the 2013 Silver Slugger Award. Ethan led the team in hits (21), was 2nd with a .657 Batting Average, 2nd in Runs (20) and 3rd with a .695 OBP (On Base Percentage). 

Freshman Catcher and Pitcher Kevin Courtney, garnered Rookie of the Year honors for his defense and consistent offensive production in the Clean-Up Spot (Batting 4th). Kevin was 2nd on the team in RBIs (19) Runs Batted In, scored 14 Runs; was 3rd with 16 Hits- 7 of which were for Extra-Bases, and led the team with 5 Doubles. Kevin finished his first season as a Rocket with a .640 Batting Average, .735 OBP, 1.000 SLG, and a 1.74 OPS. 

Senior Pitcher and Short Stop Jordan McLaughlin, who just today ran into a collapsed building and saved two women in Center City Philadelphia, received the Roberto Clemente Award for his tireless and consistent effort in building Rockets Baseball at SLA. Just like Mr. Clemente, who lost his life in a plane crash personally ensuring that relief supplies reached earthquake victims in Nicaragua ('72), Jordan "best exemplifies the game of Baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and an individual's contribution to his team." Compassionate and selfless way to end play and start his Coaching career with the team.
NYTimes reported that Mr. McLuaghlin refused credit for saving two women and stated, "I just went to try to help people because it was the right thing to do."  

Rockets Head Coach Douglas Herman accepted the honor of reading out the awards for the D-Division All-Public League Players, and was all smiles as he read out the names of his very own Rockets. 





2013PIAABanquet
2013PIAABanquet

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