Cumberland baseball set to begin 2022 season

VINELAND- Head Coach Marco Carolla and the 2022 baseball team are set to begin their season this weekend when they host the SUNY Adirondack Timberwolves. The first game of the series is scheduled for tomorrow @2PM at the Dukes baseball complex. 

In 2021, the Dukes finished the season with an overall record of 21-6 (11-5 in GSAC). Going into the North Atlantic District tournament, Cumberland was ranked 2nd overall in the country according to NJCAA polls. This overall record included a home record of 13-2, and a team batting average of .327 throughout the season. This year the Dukes bring back many key players from the 2021 season, while adding newcomers that are expected to see playing time very quickly. 

Behind the dish this year for Cumberland is 2nd year player Matt Shepherd. Shepherd led the offense last year as he hit for a team high in batting average (.491) and slugging percentage (.781). His season included 9 doubles, 2 HR's and 20 runs batted in. At the conclusion of the 2021 season, Shepherd was named 1st team All-Region at the DH position; though he is still known for being a stellar defensvie catcher. Fellow Delaware county representative Kevin Merrone also looks to have another big year for the Dukes. Last season, Merrone was named to the 2nd team All-Region after posting a .423 batting average while bringing in 26 RBI's, 4 homeruns, and leading the team in runs scored with 33. On the mound, Cumberland was led by Andrew Simone. Simone led the Dukes in almost all major pitching statistics in 2021. He tallied 53.2 innings pitched and had an overall ERA of 3.19 while punching out 66 batters and only commiting 22 walks. He ended the year with a 4-1 record and saw 11 apperances. 

When spectators come to the Dukes Baseball Complex in 2022, they will notice many new faces on the roster. One of those new faces is a transfer from Wilmington University, John Liberio. Liberio hails from Folsom, PA where he played highschool baseball at Ridley HS. The crafty left-handed pitcher dominated all Fall season for the Dukes and looks to be a top of the rotation arm for the Dukes heading into the season.  Another pitcher that pitching coach Darren Fischer is excited to add to the staff is Camden County transfer Jacob Shapley. Shapley saw action in 21 innings last season and held an overall record of 1-1. He surrended 12 earned runs in 21.1 innings pitched and collected 24 strikeouts. The 6'5 righty is another option for the Dukes at the top of the rotation. 

Two position players that look to earn playing time early in their careers at Cumberland is Will Gamble and Ben Maiers. Gamble is a transfer from Southeastern Community College-Whiteville. In the 2021 season for the Rams, Gamble posted a batting average of .253 while bringing in 15 RBI's, 1 homerun, and scoring 16 runs. The outfielder from Raleigh, North Carolina looks to be a top to middle of the lineup player. Lastly, Maiers comes to Cumberland from Kingway HS. During the 2021 season, Maiers was named 1st team All-Conference in the Tri-County Royal division. He also showed his versatility on the field as he played both the outfield and catcher during the Fall season. 

Full 2022 Season Schedule: https://www.dukesathletics.com/sports/bsb/2021-22/schedule