Frederick Hustlers

The Frederick Hustlers simply had too much firepower for the short-handed MD Redbirds on Sunday at the Yellow Springs Baseball Complex. The Hustlers won the opener 9-1 behind the pitching of Stephen Betz, Nick DeLisi and Colby Patterson and completed the sweep with Marshall Mott and Matt Kulikowski tossing an 11-0 shutout. “Our guys are getting better and better. Competition is a wonderful thing and they each know there’s another guy on the bench that’s chomping at the bit to have their number called,” noted Coach Main. Leadoff speedster and newcomer Jake Neff got things rolling in the first when he drove a line drive single to left. Neff scored when Mott launched a two run bomb to right to give the Hustlers a 2-0 lead. The Hustlers added one in the third on back-to-back doubles by Dustin Isanogle and Mott, and scored three more in the fourth when a DeLisi walk was followed up with singles by Tyler Prather and Patterson, and a double by Gabe Torres. The Hustlers finished game one with nine hits – two each by Mott and Prather, and one a piece for Neff, Isanogle, DeLisi, Patterson and Torres.

The Hustlers started quickly in game two, putting seven runs on the board in the first and chasing the Redbird starter. Isanogle singled, Mott walked, DeLisi and Prather singled, Neff walked, Matt Cunningham singled, Torres doubled, Betz walked and Patterson singled. Marshall Mott took the mound and any hope for a Redbird comeback quickly vanished. The Hustlers recorded eleven hits in the nightcap – two by Prather including a double, and one each by Patterson, Isanogle, Dalton Williams, Mott, DeLisi, Cunningham, Torres, Betz and Eric Ball.

The Hustlers are back in action this weekend when they travel to Rehoboth Beach, DE for the Sports at the Beach Swing Away Tournament. The Hustlers will up the ante and compete in the 16U division.

The 14U Frederick Hustlers started the Fall season off with a major challenge -- the USA Baseball Wood Bat Labor Day Cup at the National Training Complex in Cary, NC. Proving no test is too big for this group, the Hustlers pulled off the shocker winning the Championship and many new admirers with their sparkling play and gritty determination. The Hustlers got a stellar, complete game outing from RHP Nick DeLisi and turned in three deflating double plays in defeating an ultra-talented U.S. Stars team from Canton, OH 9-2 in the title game. “Definitely one of the best games Nick has thrown,” commented Coach Main afterwards. “He had all three pitches working and could seemingly throw them for a strike in any count.” DeLisi only allowed four hits, no walks and struck out seven. Colby Patterson got things going in the top of the first when he led off with a sharp single to left. Singles by Matt Kulikowski and Matt Cunningham scored a run and had the Hustlers feeling good about themselves. The Hustlers would add four more in the second, one in the fifth and three more in the sixth. Matt Cunningham and Colby Patterson each had two hits, while Kulikowski, DeLisi, Eric Ball and Dalton Williams each had one. Dustin Isanogle scored three runs.

The semifinal game was arguably against the best team in the tournament and was a nail-biter from the first pitch. The Hustlers rode a two-hit, seven strikeout, complete game masterpiece from LHP Marshall Mott to beat the Hit-N-Run Baseball Academy 1-0. “Marshall is a gamer. He wants the ball and wants to send you back to the dugout,” said Coach Main. The Hustlers only mustered three hits – two by Mott and one by DeLisi.

The game that got the Hustlers into the final four was another pitcher’s duel and the Hustler’s RHP Matt Kulikowski did not disappoint. The Hustlers faced former Major League Pitcher Mike Gardiner’s Charlotte Stealth squad but it was Kulikowski who was big time. Matt worked six innings of three hit ball with ten strikeouts. “Can’t help but love this kid. He knew we needed this game and he just smiled and said, I’ve got this Coach,” said Main. Ryan Bennett worked the seventh inning with one strikeout for his second save of the tournament. Dustin Isanogle singled and Mott and DeLisi followed with doubles in the first to account for the three Hustler runs.

The Hustlers won game one of the tournament 7-5 against the Warriors from Fayetteville, NC. The Hustlers scratched out nine hits with Mott getting two and Patterson, Isanogle, Kulikowski, Cunningham, Prather, Gabe Torres and Ball each getting one. DeLisi, Stephen Betz, Mott and Ryan Bennett combined for the win on the mound.

The Hustlers only loss in the tournament came in game two when they lost 5-3 to MVP (Greenville, NC). Mott had two hits and Ball had one. Patterson pitched four strong innings and Tyler Prather was equally effective for two in the loss. The Hustlers trademark defense went missing in this game.

For the tournament, Marshall Mott garnered MVP honors with a sizzling .538 average, a dominant outing on the mound, and sparkling defensive play at 1B. Other Hustlers that had good offensive showings were Ball (.375), DeLisi (.308) and Patterson (.300). Isanogle turned in back-to-back defensive gems behind the plate in the semifinal and Championship games.

A big thank you to all of those that attended our tryouts over the four days.  We understand that we are one of many options out there today for travel baseball and we are most grateful that you continue to support and give us a chance to teach the game we love.  Over the next couple of days, lists will be appearing of those who made the different age groups.  Congratulations to those who made our teams.  To those that didn't, I challenge and encourage you to work hard at your game and come back next year and prove us wrong.  We acknowledge that we make mistakes in the selection process and nothing is more gratifying to me than those who come back the following year and make our teams.  As we begin our 18th year of Frederick Hustlers Baseball, we owe much of our success to you.

Thanks, Wayne Main

President, Frederick Hustlers 

Despite many families on vacation, the July tryout dates for youngsters wanting to be the next Manny Machado or Mike Trout were quite popular.  Look at the picture above of some of the 8 and 9-year-olds that came out and you can't help but get excited.  "These kids represent the next wave of talented players to come thru the Hustler family.  We feel blessed to have a chance to work with them," commented Hustler President Wayne Main.

One more weekend of tryouts will take place Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13.  Times for respective age groups can be found in the chart above.  For questions, please call 301-401-9034.