Aug. 7, 2007

With most college summer baseball leagues wrapping up their seasons, Hurricanesports.com will catch up with current Hurricanes to see just how their summer on the field and on the mound as well as away from South Florida went. First up is sophomore RHP Kyle Bellamy, who helped the Geneva Red Wings to the semifinals of the New York Collegiate Baseball League. Geneva is located between Rochester and Syracuse in upstate New York. Bellamy enjoyed a great summer on the mound for the Red Wings.

He set a team and NYCBL record with 16 saves in 26 innings, held opponents to four hits, walked two and posted a 0.00 ERA. He even developed a third pitch and gotten a first look at a different part of the United States.

Bellamy's coach Dave Herbst said the sidewinder is up for NYCBL Pitcher of the Year honors.

"Kyle was lights out for us this summer," Herbst said. "He developed a changeup from down there, which is tough to do."

Here's what the sophomore right-hander had to say:

Hurricanesports.com: What was your goal for the summer?
Bellamy: I wanted to work on cutting down on my walks. I walked a lot of people last season, so that was my number one priority. I wanted to get my control under perfection and I've been able to do that. I've only walked one guy this summer. Also, pitching to left-handed hitters was a big thing on my list. During the college season, I was affective against right-handed hitters, but I didn't do as well against lefties. I've been able to get both out this summer. Lastly, I've also learned a changeup, which was another goal of mine. So now I have that third pitch in the mix.

Hurricanesports.com: How was the summer in New York?
Bellamy: It was quite different from Miami. During the day, it was pretty hot. At night, it was cold, dipping down to the 50s and 60s. I even had to wear a heavy jacket at night at times. But I had never been to New York so I enjoyed it.

Hurricanesports.com: What were some of the best things you did this summer?
Bellamy: I got to know so many new people. The guys on the team were great. People were really nice up there. I went fishing. We had cookouts on the lake. A couple of the guys on the team lived on a lake so we spent a lot of time there. I visited Niagara Falls and the Baseball Hall of Fame. I did so much.

Hurricanesports.com: What did you miss about Miami?
Bellamy: My family, friends, girlfriend, teammates and all the Cuban food. Hurricanesports.com: What's the best thing about playing summer ball in college?

Bellamy: It gives you a chance to get better as a player. I've not only met some great players, but summer ball has helped me find myself as a pitcher. I worked on refining my mechanics. It just improves you to make you a better player. Other

`Canes in Summer Ball
Cape Cod League
Regular season play winds down on Wednesday and the playoffs begin Friday.

• Brewster Whitecaps
  First baseman Yonder Alonso still leads the Brewster Whitecaps as he's up to hitting .331 through 42 games. He leads the league with 47 hits while totaling 70 bases with 11 doubles, four home runs and 22 RBI. Alonso has walked 35 times and has four intentional passes to base. He leads the league with a .476 on-base percentage, ranks third in total hits and doubles. Teammate Blake Tekotte continues to lead the Cape with 22 stolen bases and ranks second in the league in runs scored (29). Tekotte is hitting .264 with 39 hits - second best on the team - 50 total bases, six double, one triple, one home run and 14 RBI. His on-base percentage is .383.
• Orleans Cardinals
  Outfielder Dennis Raben has a league best 33 RBI while hitting .290 with 26 runs scored, 42 hits, 72 total bases, eight doubles, two triples, six home runs and 33 RBIs. Third baseman Mark Sobolewski ranks third on the team in hits (25). He's hitting .192 in 38 games with nine runs, eight doubles and 10 RBI.
• Hyannis Mets
  Shortstop Ryan Jackson has played all 41 games for the Mets. He's batted .204 with 29 hits, 34 totals, five doubles and 15 RBI.

Valley League

• Three Hurricane pitchers have helped the Luray Wranglers to the Valley League Baseball Championship Game. Brothers RHP Carlos Gutierrez and RHP David Gutierrez along with LHP Teddy Kaufman have combined to pitch 88 innings this summer. David Gutierrez is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA. He's allowed five earned runs in 35 innings, struck out 35 and held opponents to a .168 batting average. Carlos Gutierrez has worked 31 innings going 3-2 in seven starts with a 3.19 ERA. He's given up 11 earned runs and recorded 18 strikeouts. Kaufman has allowed eight earned runs in 22 innings with 16 strikeouts. Opponents have hit .218 against him in 12 appearances.
• Right-handed pitcher John Housey switched teams in the middle of the summer. After starting out with the Staunton Braves, Housey joined the Woodstock River Bandits. Housey went 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA in five starts. He tossed 25.2 innings holding opponents to a .188 batting clip and striking out 28.

Coastal Plains League

• Right-hander Michael Rudman has appeared in 11 games for the Wilmington Sharks. He is 1-0 with a 5.84 ERA. He's struck out 25 in 24. 2innings.