Baseball Skipper Announces 2009 Walk-On Tryouts

Cirelli looking forward to next campaign

Mesa skipper Tony Cirelli will embark on his 15th season at the helm for the Mesa Thunderbirds. He announced on Monday, June 23 that he will have two walk-on tryouts for the 2009 season.

August 8 at 5:00 p.m. and August 9 at 8:00 a.m. are the two tryout dates. Those interested in becoming members of one of the elite junior college baseball programs in the country are asked to participate both days of the tryouts.

Contact Coach Cirelli for any further questions at 480-461-7562.

Cirelli Honors Two Of His Brightest

Coach honors Berg and Lewis at banquet

Mesa baseball skipper Tony Cirelli nonored Tyler Berg and Connor Lewis for their continued accolades and triumphs on and off the diamond.

Mesa held its annual Athletics Awards Banquet on Monday, April 20 in front of nearly 300.

"These kids have continued to do the little things on and off the field," said Cirelli.

Mesa is in the midst of wrapping up its 2008 season. They have remaining games on April 23 vs. Glendale at home, April 25 on the road vs. Gateway, and finally April 26 vs. Scottsdale at home.

2008 Mesa Baseball

Boys Of Spring Streaking In Right Direction

Fourth straight win has optimism stirring

A 10-0 whipping over MATC on St. Patrick's Day was just was the doctor ordered. A fourth straight win seemed to come at just the right time for Tony Cirelli's squad.

Improving to 13-18 on the year, Mesa looks to continue their winning ways at Phoenix College Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. The Bears then visit Mesa the next day for the second half of a home and home.

Late Inning Heroics Continue

Morreale's 3-run blast in ninth wins it for Mesa

Grand Canyon University Junior Varsity thought they had this one in the bag. Instead, Nick Morreale put the 'Lopes in the Hefty Cinch Sac with a 3-run bomb in the ninth, winning it 8-7 Wednesday night.

Mesa hosts Weber State on Friday and Saturday for their next matchup. Friday's game begins at 3:00 p.m. and Saturday's game, a double-dip, starts at noon.

The team is now 5-1 on the young season and recently received a #3 ranking in the NJCAA Division II polls.

T'Birds Win On Two-Out Hit In Tenth

Torres makes a winner out of Holdridge, 9-8

The Mesa Thunderbirds won on a two-out base hit in the last of the tenth off the bat of Robert Torres, downing Gateway CC, 9-8.

Mesa improves to 4-1 on the young season as hurler Brandon Holdridge picks up the victory.

Tuesday, February 5, the Thunderbirds travel to Grand Canyon University for a 5:00 p.m. matchup.

T'Birds Open With Split Against North Lake

Three combine to no-hit Blazers in game two

Blazer pitching ruled in game one. Only five hits were mustered- two by Matt Schmidt, two by Rocco Cirelli, and one by Kevin Wells. The Blazers prevailed 2-0.

Game two was much different as Mesa got out the sticks. Dominic Gamboa, Kyle Blaylock, Cirelli, and Trevor Diez provided some much needed punch. Gamboa finished two for four, Blaylock, two for three, and Diez came through with a huge bases-clearing double in the fifth inning to help Cruise to a 6-0 victory.

Three Mesa pitchers combined on a no-hitter in the second game. Brandon Holdridge started it, Tony Fagan continued it, and Matt Ortiz slammed the door.

The two teams play another double-dip Saturday afternoon at noon in Mesa.

2008 Baseball Season Outlook

Head Coach Tony Cirelli enters his 14th season at the helm for the T'Birds with lofty expectations. The team will embark upon the season hopeful of making their fourth NJCAA World Series appearance in the last five years.

With a nice mix of incoming freshman and experienced sophomores, the T'Birds have a balance that junior college baseball teams need to be successful. The26-man roster has 15 freshman and 11 sophomores.

Returning players include Kevin Wells, Trevor Diez, Dominic Gamboa, Tyler Berg, Matt Ortiz, Connor Lewis, Matt Schmidt, Nick Morreale, Rocco Cirelli, Eric Lopez, and Joe Dispensa. The fresh faces are Nick Orr, Jason DeMore, Robby Torres, Heath Nichols, Jerry Pajak, Kyle Blaylock, Ryan Guy, Travis Godec, Scott Payne, Michael Gaskins, Kevin Schumacher, Jefferson Rupe, Zach Plancich, Anthony Fagan, and Thomas Gutierrez.

The team is anxious to get started as their first game is set for a Friday, January 25 home opening double-header against North Lake. The game starts at noon.

Alumni Game Slated For November 11, 2007 At Noon At MCC

Coach Tony Cirelli has annonced there will be an alumni baseball game on November 11 at noon. There will be two games: the first being a game of recent alums versus the current team, and the second is an "Old-Timers Game" pitting former stars from Mesa Baseball against each other. In the spirit of playoff baseball, those intrigued are asked to contact Coach Cirelli for more information at 480-461-7562.

 

Link to Yahoo story on SS Joe Dimaggio below...

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-mlb_07_dimaggio031907&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Mesa Baseball History

The Mesa Community College baseball program has a long and storied tradition. Starting  in 1966, head coach Jim Brock quickly established Mesa as a national power, and with it, the high expectations that remain today. Coach Brock and his successor Jim Frye have both been inducted into the NJCAA Hall Of Fame.

Mesa has won three national championships as well as made seven other World Series appearances and won 14 conference championships. Dozens of Mesa players have gone on to play professional baseball, including 25 who have reached the major leagues.

In his 13-year tenure as Mesa head coach, Tony Cirelli has guided the T'Birds to the second most wins (444) and more playoff appearances (10) than any other Arizona community college. The American Baseball Coaches Association recognized him as Southwest Region Coach of the Year in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

 

Please contact The Athletics Department for comments or corrections phone: 480-461-7562