15U Ruffnecks Rise to Challenging Schedule
TEAM ROSTER | TEAM SCHEDULE
The 15U Ruffnecks season is regarded as the year in which players jump from “Kid’s Baseball” to “Men’s Baseball.” Some of the 15U Ruffnecks enter the summer with varsity high school experience garnered from the spring season. It is this experience, playing against 16, 17, and even 18 year old competition, that makes this year such a significant leap. Other 15U players do not have varsity experience. For them, it takes a little longer to adjust to the speed of Ruffnecks summer baseball at the 15U to 17U level. The schedule begins in mid-June. Since we are still affected by the impact of Covid 19 on high school schedules, the program will commence “Pre-Season” training on June 8th at the NEBC. Daily workouts include batting practice, skill work, and pitcher side sessions to recalibrate pitching arms for the busy summer. The 15U team is challenged early with competition in events such as the 17U PG Super25 and the 16U PG Super25. Indeed, most of the tournaments are against older competition. This is in keeping with our goal to set the tempo and the pace of play at (or above) the level of high school or prep varsity baseball experience.
The 2021 edition of the 15U Ruffnecks features a group of talented players. Roles become more defined, with pitchers focusing on pitching and positional players (especially infielders) concentrating on the faster tempo of the game against older competition. The 15U season is highly instructive, challenging, and physically demanding. We play almost every day in a schedule that transitions quickly from one tournament event to the next. Seldom are there days off in between.
The Ruffnecks’ home, the New England Baseball Complex, provides game and practice facilities that are unmatched in the region. With field reliability and the certainty that comes with playing on a synthetic surface, the 15U Ruffnecks conduct practices and games in a predictable and professional environment.
2021 15U Team Rosters & Schedule
15U Roster
| # | Last Name | First Name | Positions | School | Grad Class | Hometown |
| 11 | Andersen | Nick | OF | Belmont Hill | 2024 | Framingham, MA |
| 1 | Auren | Jeremy | OF, RHP | Framingham HS | 2024 | Framingham, MA |
| 2 | Barclay | Aiden | 3B, OF, 1B | St. Sebastian's | 2024 | Dover, MA |
| 6 | Bibbo | Nolan | IF, OF, RHP | Belmont Hill | 2024 | Wellesley, MA |
| 24 | Ciongoli | Ty | OF, LHP | St. Sebastian's | 2024 | Wellesley, MA |
| 15 | Colby | Nolan | INF | Souhegan HS | 2024 | Amherst, NH |
| 34 | DeBenedictis | Matt | OF, RHP | Milton HS | 2024 | Milton, MA |
| 44 | Dushney | Max | C, IF | St. Mark's School | 2024 | Ashland, MA |
| 21 | Dyalchand-Ericson | James | OF, RHP | Brookline HS | 2024 | Brookline, MA |
| 14 | Hegarty | John | RHP, 1B | St. Mark's School | 2024 | Needham, MA |
| 17 | Lamson | Isaac | INF | Phillips Andover | 2024 | Stow, MA |
| 41 | Lee | Lorcan | RHP | Newton North HS | 2024 | Newton, MA |
| 27 | Lee | Oisin | RHP | St. Mark's School | 2024 | Newton, MA |
| 20 | Liebenthal | Oren | RHP, 1B | Wellesley HS | 2023 | Wellesley, MA |
| 13 | Messer | Lucas | C, OF | Framingham HS | 2024 | Framingham, MA |
| 29 | Morrissey | Eddie | C, 3B, OF | Dexter-Southfield | 2024 | Milton, MA |
| 22 | Rucky | Nick | INF, RHP | Archbishop Williams | 2024 | Braintree, MA |
| 26 | Watts | Sean | OF, RHP | Medfield HS | 2024 | Medfield, MA |
| # | Coach First | Coach Last | Position | Years | ||
| Kevin | Casey | Manager | 6th Year | |||
| Bryan | Muenzner | Assistant | 1st Year | |||
| Rob | Calagione | Assistant | 6th Year |
Tournament Coverage: 16U PG Super25 June 24-27
The 15U Ruffnecks compete in the 16U PG Super25 June 24-27 at the NEBC. Oisin Lee pitched 3 solid innings leading the Ruffnecks to a 10-7 Game 1 victory. The offense was led by Nick Andersen, Isaac Lamson, and Aiden Barclay. Miscues hurt the Ruffnecks in Game 2 as they fell behind 6-0. The team rallied behind triples by Nick Rucky and Lucas Messer before falling 6-3.
On Saturday, June 26 the 15U Ruffnecks dropped a 3-2 decision. Nolan Bibbo pitched well in defeat. In Sunday’s finale the Ruffnecks earned an 8-8 tie. Ty Ciongoli pitched 3 outstanding innings in relief. Aiden Barclay, Jeremy Auren, Lucas Messer, and Nick Rucky had big hits for the Ruffnecks.
Ruffnecks win Uncle Sam World Series: July 1-4
The 15U Ruffnecks started the holiday in fine fashion with two lopsided victories. Nolan Bibbo pitched well in the opener. Oisin Lee was dominant in Game 2. All players contributed to a productive offensive output. The ‘Necks captured their pool with a perfect 4-0 record. Game 3 featured some timely hitting and good baserunning in a 9-4 win. In Game 4 James Dyalchand-Ericson pitched 5 shutout innings despite wet conditions for the 4-0 win. Ty Ciongoli got the save.
In the semifinals, Eddie Morrissey led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a triple and Matthew DeBenedictis drove him in for a walk-off win in extra innings. Jeremy Auren made the extra innings possible with a bottom of the 7th 2 out double that scored two runs to tie.
In the Championship game, Oren Liebenthal pitched outstanding in a 12-4 championship victory.
15U Ruffnecks Get Off to Strong Start at 16U PG WWBA in Marietta, GA
The 15U Ruffnecks came out with explosive offense in their “doubleheader day” Thursday, July 15th at the 16U Perfect Game WWBA in Marietta, Georgia. The squad departed early at 7:00am in vans to field locations nearly an hour and half away from their hotel. Game #1 saw the ‘Necks come out strong with 2 runs in the top of the first against Ohio Elite 16u. Ohio got an unearned run back in the bottom of the third to make it 2-1, where it stayed until the 3rd. Then the ‘Necks exploded for 6 runs behind three triples, one each by Nolan Colby, Eddie Morrissey, and Nick Andersen. The team never looked back as they rode the smooth pitching of James Dyalchand-Ericson. In Game #2 the Ruffnecks defeated one of the 5-Star National teams 12-0. Nolan Bibbo pitched for the ‘Necks.
The ‘Necks faltered in a 10-9 loss to a worthy opponent. The 15’s had two separate 5 run leads but could not close the deal in Game #3. Game #4 saw 14u pitcher Jeremy Krendel give the Ruffnecks a strong outing against the nationally ranked South Charlotte Panthers. The Ruffnecks hung around through five competitive innings, eventually falling 11-3.
Sadly, the Ruffnecks had their final three games of the event washed out by rains. While disappointing, the event was nevertheless a good experience. The 15U Ruffnecks returned home Tuesday night July 20th. They restart their engines for the weekend of July 23-25.
Ruffnecks Score 4 in the 7th to win Game #1 of 18U Shark Bait Showdown
The 15U Ruffnecks rallied with 4 runs in the 7th to capture the first game in the 18U Shark Bait Showdown in Narragansett, RI. The team rode some excellent pitching from Matthew DeBenedictis and Oren Liebenthal. Max Dushney closed out the win in the 7th.
Schedule Updated July 25, 2021 at 7:51 am
17U Shark Bait Showdown – Sunday, July 25 – No Game.
Wednesday, July 28 – 5:00pm Batting Practice at NEBC.
18U College Prep 9 Inning Classic schedule at NEBC July 29-31 is now posted.
Tournament of Champions (Cincinnati, OH) Schedule is posted. Departure is August 3.
15U Ruffnecks Schedule 2021
| May | Date | Time | Opponent | Event | Site | Score | Directions |
| Monday | May 31 | 6:00 | N/A | Organizational Meeting | Canceled | ||
| June | Date | Time | Opponent | Event | Site | Score | Directions |
| Tuesday | June 1 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Wednesday | June 2 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Thursday | June 3 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Friday | June 4 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Saturday | June 5 | SAT Test Date | |||||
| Sunday | June 6 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Monday | June 7 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Tuesday | June 8 | 8:00am to 11:30am | Pre-Season Practice | BP, Skill Work, Pitchers | NEBC | ||
| Wednesday | June 9 | 8:00am to 11:30am | Pre-Season Practice | BP, Skill Work, Pitchers | NEBC | ||
| Thursday | June 10 | 8:00am to 11:30am | Pre-Season Practice | BP, Skill Work, Pitchers | NEBC | ||
| Friday | June 11 | 8:00am to 11:30am | Pre-Season Practice | BP, Split Squads | NEBC | ||
| Saturday | June 12 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Sunday | June 13 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Monday | June 14 | 8:00am to 11:30am | Pre-Season Practice | BP, Skill Work, Pitchers | NEBC | ||
| Tuesday | June 15 | 8:00am to 11:30am | Pre-Season Practice | BP, Split Squads | NEBC | ||
| Wednesday | June 16 | 8:00am to 11:30am | Pre-Season Practice | BP, Skill Work, Pitchers | NEBC | ||
| Thursday | June 17 | 8:00am to Noon | SCOUT DAY | SCOUT DAY | NEBC | ||
| Friday | June 18 | 5:30 | East Coast Eagles White | 15U PG25 Super Regional Pool Play | NEBC Field 2 | W 8-3 | 15U PG25 Link |
| Saturday | June 19 | 10:15 | Brigade | 15U PG25 Super Regional Pool Play | NEBC Field 3 | L 2-3 | |
| Saturday | June 19 | 5:30 | Ocean State Makos White | 15U PG25 Super Regional Pool Play | Worcester State | W 7-5 | |
| Sunday | June 20 | TBD | Playoffs | 15U PG25 Super Regional Playoffs | NEBC | ||
| Monday | June 21 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Tuesday | June 22 | 8:30am to 11:30am | Practice | Team Specific | NEBC | ||
| Wednesday | June 23 | 8:30am to 11:30am | Practice | Team Specific | NEBC | ||
| Thursday | June 24 | 7:45pm | Show NE | 16U PG25 Super Regional Pool Play | NEBC Field 1 | W 10-7 | 16U PG25 Link |
| Friday | June 25 | 10:15am | NE Runbirds | 16U PG25 Super Regional Pool Play | NEBC Field 3 | L 3-6 | |
| Saturday | June 26 | 9:00am | Canes Northeast 16U | 16U PG25 Super Regional Pool Play | Algonquin HS Northborough, MA | L 2-3 | |
| Sunday | June 27 | 10:15am | 16U Seacoast Pirates Showcase | 16U PG25 Super Regional Pool Play | NEBC Field 1 | T 8-8 | |
| Monday | June 28 | 8:00am Pitchers Participate Only | Mass Hurricanes Elite 17U | 17U PG25 Super Regional | NEBC Field 1 | ||
| Monday | June 28 | 10:15am Pitchers Participate Only | NH Prospects 17U | 17U PG25 Super Regional | NEBC Field 1 | ||
| Tuesday | June 29 | 8:30am Pitchers Participate Only | Team Boston 17U | 17U PG25 Super Regional | Assabet Regional HS | ||
| Wednesday | June 30 | 8:00am Pitchers Participate Only | Taconic Rangers | 17U PG25 Super Regional | NEBC Field 1 | ||
| July | Date | Time | Opponent | Event | Site | Score | Directions |
| Thursday | July 1 | 12:30 | US Prospects | 15U Uncle Sam World Series Pool Play | NEBC Field 3 | W 12-1 | 15U Uncle Sam Link |
| Thursday | July 1 | 2:45 | Rt. 2 Blue Sox | 15U Uncle Sam World Series Pool Play | NEBC Field 3 | W 11-0 | |
| Friday | July 2 | 2:45 | Nokona Chiefs | 15U Uncle Sam World Series Pool Play | NEBC Field 2 | W 9-4 | |
| Saturday | July 3 | 8:00am | MWS Devils | 15U Uncle Sam World Series Pool Play | NEBC Field 1 | W 4-0 | |
| Sunday | July 4 | 2:45 | Mass Hurricanes | 15U Uncle Sam World Series Semifinals | NEBC | W 3-2 (10) | |
| Sunday | July 4 | 5:00 | Bases Loaded Bulldogs | 15U Uncle Sam World Series Championship | NEBC | W 12-4 | |
| Monday | July 5 | 5:00pm | Syracuse Sports Zone | 18U Boston Invitational | NEBC Field 2 | L 2-3 | Boston Invitational |
| Monday | July 5 | 7:15pm | Maine Lightning Showcase | 18U Boston Invitational | NEBC Field 2 | L 3-10 | |
| Tuesday | July 6 | 7:15pm | Show Nationals | 18U Boston Invitational | NEBC Field 3 | W 7-3 | |
| Wednesday | July 7 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Thursday | July 8 | No Game | No Game | 16U Boston Open | NEBC | Boston Open Link | |
| Friday | July 9 | 9:00 | Woodbury Sports Jr. Ducks | 16U Boston Open Pool Play | Strong Field East Bridgewater | Canceled/May Reschedule | |
| Saturday | July 10 | 12:00 (Time Change) | Legkick Nation 16U | 16U Boston Open Pool Play | Lynnfield HS Lynnfield, MA | W 9-0 | Tourney Sched Link |
| Sunday | July 11 | 8:00 | Woodbury Jr. Ducks | 16U Boston Open Pool Play | Evolution Field | L 5-6 | |
| Sunday | July 11 | 10:15 | MDB Knights | 16U Boston Open Pool Play | Evolution Field | L 0-2 | |
| Monday | July 12 | Canceled | Locked In Baseball Expos 16U Black | 16U Boston Open Pool Play | St. John's HS | Canceled | |
| Tuesday | July 13 | 6:00 | GBG Hawks | Schedule/Location Change | Stonehill College Easton, MA | W 6-5 | Directions Stonehill College |
| Wednesday | July 14 | Travel Day | To Georgia | 16U PG WWBA Championships | Marietta, GA | Travel Day | 16U PG WWBA Link |
| Thursday | July 15 | 9:00 | Ohio Elite 16U | 16U PG WWBA Championships Pool Play | Marietta, GA | W 13-2 | |
| Thursday | July 15 | 2:00 | 5 Star National 16U | 16U PG WWBA Championships Pool Play | Marietta, GA | W 12-0 | |
| Friday | July 16 | 2:45 | Full Count Prospects | 16U PG WWBA Championships Pool Play | Marietta, GA | L 9-10 | |
| Saturday | July 17 | 9:00 | South Charlotte Panthers 2023's | 16U PG WWBA Championships Pool Play | Marietta, GA | L 3-11 | |
| Sunday | July 18 | 4:30 | Slammers | 16U PG WWBA Championships Pool Play | Marietta, GA | Rained Out | |
| Monday | July 19 | 11:30 | UB 16U Jordan | 16U PG WWBA Championships Pool Play | Marietta, GA | Rained Out | |
| Tuesday | July 20 | 9:00 | NTAA Wily Mo Dragons | 16U PG WWBA Championships Pool Play | Marietta, GA | Rained Out | |
| Wednesday | July 21 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Thursday | July 22 | 6:00pm | Practice | Practice | NEBC | ||
| Friday | July 23 | 5:00pm | Rye (NY) Grays | 17U Shark Bait Showdown | Sprague Field Narragansett, RI | W 6-3 | Directions to Sprague Field (RI) |
| Saturday | July 24 | 5:45pm (Time Change) | CT Crush Nationals | 17U Shark Bait Showdown | Sprague Field Narragansett, RI | L 3-4 | |
| Saturday | July 24 | 8:00pm (Time Change) | Ocean State Makos | 17U Shark Bait Showdown | Sprague Field Narragansett, RI | L 0-3 | |
| Sunday | July 25 | No Game | No Game | 17U Shark Bait Showdown | Sprague Field Narragansett, RI | ||
| Monday | July 26 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Tuesday | July 27 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Wednesday | July 28 | 5:00 | BP/Practice | Practice | NEBC | ||
| Thursday | July 29 | 4:15pm | East Coast Eagles 17u White | 18U College Prep 9 Inning Classic | NEBC | 18U CP 9 Inning Classic | |
| Friday | July 30 | 8:00am | Full Circuit Power 17u | 18U College Prep 9 Inning Classic | NEBC | ||
| Friday | July 30 | 1:30pm | Technique Tigers Navy | 18U College Prep 9 Inning Classic | NEBC | ||
| Saturday | July 31 | 7:00pm | New Hampshire Prospects 17u | 18U College Prep 9 Inning Classic | NEBC | ||
| August | Date | Time | Opponent | Event | Site | Score | Directions |
| Sunday | August 1 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Monday | August 2 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
| Tuesday | August 3 | Travel Day | 4:25pm Departure | Tournament of Champions | Cincinnati, Ohio | ||
| Wednesday | August 4 | 8:00am | Midwest Futures 17u (MO) | Tournament of Champions Pool Play | Roselawn Park #1 Cincinnati, Ohio | TOC Tourney Link | |
| Thursday | August 5 | 7:00pm | US Elite National (PA) | Tournament of Champions Pool Play | Miami of Ohio Oxford, OH | ||
| Friday | August 6 | 12:15pm | MN Icemen (MN) | Tournament of Champions Pool Play | West Chester #1 Cincinnati, OH | ||
| Friday | August 6 | 7:00pm | Top Tier 16u | Tournament of Champions Pool Play | Bellevue Vet Cincinnati, OH | ||
| Saturday | August 7 | TBD | TBD | Tournament of Champions Bracket Play | |||