Attorney Joseph J. Russo is the founder and General Manager of the Lehigh Valley Clippers (www.lvclippersbaseball.com), a semi-professional baseball team in the Blue Mountain League. During the Clippers successful 2005 inaugural season they posted a regular season won/loss record of 17-15. The Clippers qualified for the playoffs, sweeping the Bethleon Blue Jays in the first round, before being defeated by the MCS Cardinals in the second round. The Clippers won the 2005 Independence Day MSBL Tournament Championship, defeating the Hellertown Royals, 2-1 in a nine inning contest.

During the 2005 season two (2) players were signed to professional contracts: Clay Kuklick (Elmira Pioneers) and Nolan Neiman (New Jersey Jackals). Neiman became the 10th player in DeSales University baseball history to sign a professional baseball contract when he was signed by the New Jersey Jackals. Neiman is currently an Assistant Baseball coach at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to the professional signings, three (3) Clippers players (Garrison Rausch, Liam O’Connor, and Andy Yencho), executed contracts to play in the ACBL.

In 2005, the Clippers had perhaps the youngest team in the BML. They were led offensively by Garrison Rausch, who was the team leader in Batting Average (.463), On Base Percentage (.500), and Slugging Percentage (.610). Rausch also had a fantastic year on the mound posting a 1.60 ERA, with a 4-2 record.

Clay Kuklick also dominated offensively finishing second on the team in Batting Average (.400), On Base Percentage (.500), and Slugging Percentage (.578). Kuklick had several professional baseball tryouts in 2005 and was eventually signed by the Elmira Pioneers of the Northeast League. Kuklick was a standout player for Kutztown University. He played for the Quakertown Blazers in the ACBL in 2004.

The Clippers had two (2) players named to the 2005 Annual BML All-Star Game, Garrison Rausch (Kutztown University) and Steve Roberts (Lafayette College). Rausch won the BML Batting Title, was named to the BML All-League Team, and won Rookie of the Year honors. Roberts posted a 5-2 won loss record with an ERA of 3.74. He recorded 47 strike-outs in 58 innings pitched.

Mike McDaniel is returning as the Field Manager for the Clippers. He is responsible for day to day field management, player development, as well as recruiting. He was successful in recruiting several top notch players during the Clippers inaugural season.

McDaniel is a veteran baseball instructor and coach. In addition to his duties as the Manager of the Clippers, he is an Assistant Coach at DeSales University. Prior to coaching DeSales University, he was the Pitching Coach for Muhlenberg College.

McDaniel served as the Field Manager for the Lehigh Valley Catz of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League (ACBL), as well as Director of Player Recruitment. Further, he has extensive professional baseball coaching experience. He served as the third base coach and Hitting Instructor for the Allentown Ambassadors in the Northern League and was a coach for the Lehigh Valley Black Diamonds in the Atlantic League.

John Dillinger will be joining McDaniel as a Player/Coach in 2006. Dillinger was a 20th round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992. He spent the next six and a half years in the Pirates' organization before coming to the Allentown Ambassadors midway through the 1998 season. He compiled a 7-3 record with a 3.57 ERA for the Ambassadors. He then briefly joined the Texas Rangers' organization before suffering an injury to his elbow, which required Tommy John surgery. Dillinger spent the next year undergoing rehabilitation, before briefly joining the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League. Dillinger then joined the Toronto Blue Jays and pitched for their AAA affiliate in Syracuse. He pitched well enough to make the AAA All-Star team that year and finished with an 11-7 record and a 3.99 ERA.

In 2002, Dillinger was invited to the New York Yankees Spring Training Camp where he pitched in the Grapefruit League. He pitched very well in the Grapefruit League prior to being optioned to the minors. In 2002, Dillinger also pitched briefly for the Allentown Ambassadors before signing with the Anaheim Angels. Dillinger pitched at their AAA affiliate in Salt Lake City before finishing the season at AA Columbus. In his final stint with the Ambassadors, Dillinger went 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA. In 2005, Dillinger pitched for Long Beach Armada, the El Paso Diablo’s, and the Elmira Pioneers.

The 2006 season promises to be an exciting one, with many returning players, most of who are currently playing or previously played for local Colleges and Universities. Returning players include Matt McKittrick (.333 BA) (DeSales), Justin Kotarski (formerly with the Allentown Ambassadors and 5th in the BML with 8 doubles), Andy Yencho (LV Katz/ Keystone), Brian Schaffer (Alvernia College), Chris Peters (BA .319 (DeSales), Brandon Mazzie (BA 304, 17 RBI’s, .456 Slugging Percentage, 2 HR’s (Arcadia), Doc Neiman (Southern Lehigh First Team Colonial League, Lehigh Valley Elite, Pennsylvania Keystone Team, DeSales), John Russo (Southern Lehigh, Lehigh Valley Elite, Pennsylvania Keystone Team), Garrison Rausch (Kutztown), Steve Roberts (Lafayette), and Tim Bremen (Sussex Community College). Mazzie had an excellent year at Arcadia University, posting an average of .345, with 8 doubles, 4 home runs, and 35 RBI’s. Mazzie was named to the ALL-PAC Conference First Team. Doc Neiman and John Russo, two Southern Lehigh stand-outs, along with newcomer Brendon O’Connor (Pleasant Valley stand-out Catcher), are the youngest players on the Clippers. O’Connor will be playing baseball at North Dakota State University next year. Doc Neiman will be joining the DeSales University baseball team.

Andy Yencho had an outstanding year at Keystone College and was selected to the 2006 North Eastern Athletic Conference All-Conference Team for his play at third base. Yencho batted .393 collecting a team high 55 hits in 38 games. Yencho was second on the team in runs scored with 48 and was second on the team in RBI with 37. He led the team with 18 doubles while collecting two triples and three home runs. Yencho had a slugging percentage of .614 and an on-base mark of .485.

Ryan Bennick will also be returning to the Clippers in 2006. In 2005 Bennick recorded 30 Strike-Outs in 29.1 innings pitched with a 3.34 ERA for the Clippers. Bennick had an outstanding year with Salisbury University recording a won loss record of 6-1 with an outstanding ERA of 1.97. Bennick was recently named to the 2006 Capitol Athletic All-Conference Team (Second Team).

The Clippers have several newcomers in 2006, including Ken Spangenberg and John Connell, both of whom had very impressive years with Arcadia University. Connell, a hard hitting first baseman, had an average of .433, with 18 doubles, 38 RBI’s, 3 home runs, a slugging percentage of .624, and an on-base percentage of .512. Connell was named to the ALL-PAC Conference First Team. Spangenberg, a middle infielder, had a .359 average, with 6 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs, 26 RBI’s, and a slugging percentage of .500. Spangenberg was named to the ALL-PAC Conference Team as Honorable Mention.

Matt Reppert, the ace of the DeSales University pitching staff, will be joining the Clippers in 2006. Reppert earned his 26th career win this year setting a new career record at DeSales. Reppert has more wins than any pitcher in DeSales history. He posted a 4-2 won lost record. In 2005, Reppert posted an 8-2 record with a team-low ERA of 1.60 and a team-high 73 innings pitched. Also joining the Clippers from DeSales is Jon Pallone, an impressive LHP. Pallone posted a record of 3-2 for DeSales. Pallone will add depth to the Clippers pitching rotation.

Dylan Sapir, a long time player in New Jersey wood bat leagues, and an Assistant Baseball Coach at Muhlenberg College, will be joining the Clippers as player/coach in 2006. The Clippers have also added Kyle Conrad (Keystone College), Steve Geisel (Alvernia College), Bob Corsi (East Stroudsburg University), and Jonmichael Vito (Misercordia College).

^ back to top