News

april 2009

Dolan & Murphy 2009 Roster & Schedule

April 25, 2009

Aurora, IL

Dolan & Murphy 2009

Aurora, Illinois

Doug Gillis (Brighton, MI) returns for his second season with the Shamrocks. Doug is one of the most accomplished American pitchers in the game today with an endless list of awards and honors to his name. He also has seasons of international pitching experience under his belt in places such as New Zealand, Dominican Republic, and Europe. As a five-time member of Team USA earning both silver and gold medals at the Pan American Games, two-time ASA Major National Champion including First Team All-American honors, ISC All World honors, and lead pitching instructor for the International Softball Congress (ISC); Doug is an ideal leader for our maturing club. We are excited to have Doug leading our staff and expect big things from him this season. (See http://www.douggillis.com/staff.aspx for more detailed background on Gillis).

Ales Jetmar (Dvor Kroalove, CZ), member of the Czech National Team,will join Doug on Aurora’s pitching staff this summer. Ales is a tall, hard-throwing Czech if I have ever seen one—and I have! Ales has years of pitching experience and is entering the prime of his career. He has played with teams from the Czech Republic (Radotinsky SK & Spectrum Praha), The Netherlands (Centrals), and New Zealand (Dodgers). Ales is a Czech Republic Champion (2006), silver medal holder from Holland Top League 2007, and two-time European Champion. He has competed in the ISF World Championship held in New Zealand (2004), the ISC World Tournament (2006), and the ISF World Cup (2007). Ales will join the Czech National Team this summer in Saskatoon, Canada as they compete at the ISF World Championship. Aurora is very appreciative of the flexibility the Czech National Team coaches have shown in working with us to secure Ales services for this summer. We are confident that the level of competition we face all season will prepare him well for the ISFs.

Leo Roman (Chicago, IL), member of the Puerto Rican National Team, Leo Roman will round out our pitching staff for the 2009 season. Leo provides a nice contrast to Doug and Ales as he is not as tall as them. He is a well accomplished pitcher and has dominated in the Humboldt Park area and tourneys in Rockford, Thompson, DeKalb, Durand, South Beloit, Carbondale. Leo has thrown no hitters in competitive Rockford Tournaments (1997, 1998). He was also a member of the Midwest Champions B class. He performed very well at the AAU in Orlando, FL the last three years—two years with Fed-lock (Washington, DC) and this year with the Puerto Rican National Team. Leo is currently pitching for the Criollos De Caguas. As a member of the Puerto Rican National Team, Leo had the opportunity to travel to Cuba and defeated the Venezuela Team. Many of us on the Aurora squad have had to face Leo for years… we are all glad to finally have him on our side!

Other New Additions: With the “retirement” of veteran John “Wildman” Sudges (two-time ISC All-World selection—1989 & 1999 and ISC Leading Hitter—1999), the Shamrocks have added some key additions for the 2009 season. Jim Pecoraro and Robert Reder both bring Team USA experience to Aurora. Jim has had a very successful transition into fastpitch after an accomplished pitching career at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year and Honorable Mention Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American). Jim competed at the VII Pan Am Qualifier in Hermosillo, Mexico as a member of Team USA (2006). He was also an invitee to the 2007 Team USA selection camp in Chula Vista, CA. Jim earned 1st Team All-World honors with New Image at the 2005 NAFA A-Major World Series in North Mankato, MN. He also led Pete’s Blues (Mascoutah, IL) to an Illinois Open State Championship earning All-State Honors and batted .368 (7 for 19) in leading Pete’s Blues to a 9th place finish at last year’s ISC II. Jim brings added power to the right side of the plate for the Shamrocks and can play anywhere on the field. Robert was a member of the 2008 Jr. Men’s World Team (http://www.usasoftball.com/bios.asp?uid=3796). He will provide a consistent stick from the left side of the plate and have the opportunity to play a variety of defensive roles for Aurora, including backing up current standout Camden Decker (2005 Jr. USA Team member & 2008 Team USA selection camp invitee) behind the plate. Robert is experienced well beyond his years and will no doubt develop into a leader on the team in his first year of major ball. Lastly, the Shamrocks would like to welcome local standout Mike Glock to our squad. Mike has competed as a teammate with most of the Shamrocks over the years--weekday ball and 23-under competition. He has all the tools necessary to succeed at the major level. Mike’s speed will be an asset to the team in the outfield and on the basepaths. Mike was an All-World selection at both the 2006 and 2008 ISC 23-under Championships. Mike is a true student of the game. His work ethic and willingness to make adjustments will make him a valuable addition to the Shamrocks.

2009 Roster

P – Doug Gillis – Brighton, MI

P – Ales Jetmar – Dvor Kroalove, CZ

P – Leo Roman – Chicago, IL

P – Jason Iuli – Aurora, IL (Non-ISC play through July)

Cooper Carson (Aurora, IL)

DJ Cocks (Plano, IL)

Camden Decker (Yorkville, IL)

Mike Drew (Montgomery, IL)

Mike Glock (North Aurora, IL)

Jarod Gutesha (Dekalb, IL)

Mark Kleffner (High Ridge, MO)