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New York Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Nephew of NYC Council's top Republican selected by Arizona Diamondbacks in MLB Draft
This pol's flip flop comes from the heart. NYC Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola's nephew Joe was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Major League Baseball Draft last week — and the longtime Mets fan is already switching her allegiances. 'I'm changing my hat,' the Queens GOPer and new Diamondbacks fan declared to The Post. 'I'm sorry. Blood is thicker.' Advertisement Joe Ariola, a 6-2 190-pound lefty hurler, played three seasons at Wake Forest University and was tapped in the seventh round by the Diamondbacks with the 213th pick – guaranteeing him a $274,100 signing bonus. That's nearly double his aunt's $148,500 take as a council member. 4 Joe Ariola, a New York native and nephew of NYC Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola, is a top pitching prospect.. Getty Images Advertisement 'He's very special to me because he's my godson, and because it was hard work and determination that got him there,' she said. 'He has achieved the dream of every Little Leaguer.' The pol also offered a glowing scouting report of her new favorite player: 'He's a lefty pitcher that could throw between 93 to 97 miles per hour, and he's got a curveball that is next to unhittable.' The younger Ariola, who was born in Queens and raised in Malverne on Long Island, has faced his share of obstacles throughout his young career. He had a spectacular freshman year at Chaminade High School, giving up only a single earned run while striking out 80 batters in just 34 2/3 innings. Advertisement 4 NYC Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola offered a glowing scouting report of her nephew Joe Ariola. Michael Nagle 'Our eyes popped out when we first saw him pitch. It was like finding a winning lottery ticket you didn't know was there,' recalled the high school's baseball coach Joseph Caso. However, the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled Ariola's sophomore season and then he underwent Tommy John surgery, wiping out his last two seasons in high school. But he had already shown more than enough ability to score a scholarship to play for baseball powerhouse Wake Forest. Advertisement During the MLB Draft broadcast, announcer Jim Callis referred to Ariola as an 'upside play' who issued too many walks at Wake Forest but 'who's stuff is really interesting.' 4 Joe Ariola pitched three seasons for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Getty Images The younger Ariola said he agreed with Callis' assessment and is excited to be in the Diamondbacks' minor league system, where he plans to work on improving his control. Although he wasn't drafted by the team he grew up rooting for – the Yankees – Ariola said 'it was special' to pitch for their former minor-league affiliate Trenton Thunder in last month's MLB Draft League — especially on the same field where past and present Bronx Bombers like Aaron Judge and Derek Jeter once played. 'I had three starts and did well,' he said. 'Great coaches over there. It was so super comfortable and they just welcomed me with open arms.' 4 Joann Ariola said her nephew and godson Joe Ariola 'has achieved the dream of every Little Leaguer.' Obtained by the New York Post But he also said his days of rooting for the Yankees are over. 'It was definitely a thrill to get drafted by the Diamondbacks,' he said.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Scrappers comeback spoiled by late Thunder rally
NILES, Ohio (WKBN) – The Mahoning Valley Scrappers surrendered a lead in the ninth inning during an 11-9 loss to the Trenton Thunder in MLB Draft League action at Eastwood Field. After trailing at one point, 8-2, the Scrappers scored seven straight runs to take a 9-8 lead into the final inning. The Thunder then scored three runs in the top of the ninth before sitting the home team down in order in the bottom half. Leading the way for the Mahoning Valley was Daniel Stewart, going 5-for-5 on the day with three runs batted in. Khi Holliday and Cardell Thibodeaux also drove in two runs each for the Scrappers. For Trenton, Jakob Poturnak went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and John Schroeder hit a two-run home run and also registered three RBIs. The Scrappers will again host the Thunder on Thursday, June 12, with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch at Eastwood Field. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Dominion Post
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Dominion Post
Sam Miller leads Black Bears to 7-6 victory in home opener
MORGANTOWN — The West Virginia Black Bears' home opener for their 10th season couldn't have gone any better. The Black Bears bested the Williamsport Crosscutters 7-6 on Tuesday under the lights of Kendrick Family Ballpark. The Black Bears moved to 3-2 on the season and handed the Crosscutters their first loss. West Virginia is now a game back of Williamsport, who leads the MLB Draft League of six teams. It was the Black Bears' first game in Kendrick Family Ballpark, after starting the season on the road with a 2-2 record. Being part of the MLB Draft League, West Virginia drew an active crowd for the season opener. Sam Miller, who drove in the go-ahead run, enjoyed playing in Morgantown for the first time this season. He lives close by in McMurray, Pa. His sibling goes to WVU. 'I've been around West Virginia for a while,' Miller said. 'I love it. It's pretty cool. I've never played with fans like that at a stadium.' The West Virginia squad put on a good showing for the crowd. With the game tied, Miller, from Columbia University, singled on a line drive, scoring Oklahoma State's Beau Slyvester and the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth. It was entertaining all night. The Black Bears scored at least once in the first four innings. The scoring started with a single from Mario Magana, who's committed to Miami. After a run in the second, Jonny McGill singled to make it 3-0 Black Bears after three. The crowd really got a show in the fourth inning. Connor Hicks, who attends Southeastern, rocketed one over the wall, starting a two run inning for the Black Bears, making it 5-0. The undefeated Crosscutters didn't want to lose their undefeated steak easily. Williamsport finally got on the board in the big sixth inning, scoring four. Then, the Crosscutters tacked on two more, tying the game at six. Although the season is still in the early stages, the team is starting to gel well together, especially after the road trip that included a trip to Maryland. There are players from schools all over, and they'll have plenty of time to learn about each other. 'It's only been like four days, but we're a close-knit group,' Miller said. 'The road trip was huge because we are all in close quarters with each other. The Black Bears' home opener starts a long summer season for upcoming and college players, looking to eventually play in the MLB. Most are looking to improve their skills and keep getting reps throughout the summer offseason. Miller was thrown out twice on the base paths Tuesday night, which the focus of what he wants to work on. 'Definitely getting faster,' Miller said. 'I got thrown out twice tonight, so yeah.' To showcase the players, there is a theme night or discount almost every game, including 90s-night, Star Wars night, fireworks after the game, or Bark in the Park. There are a couple of West Virginia Mountaineers on the roster. Skyler King, Ben Lumsden, Chase Swain, and Spencer Barnett are all listed on the summer roster. However, none of them have played this season because of the recent conclusion to their college postseason on Sunday. It's a long road ahead for the Black Bears. They play almost every day until the beginning of September. Tuesday night was just the beginning of a long journey. 'It was nice to get above .500,' Miller said. '[The crowd] was awesome. It was cool.'
