Published August 23, 2019
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MELROSE — Five members of the Melrose Americans made the Intercity League All-Star team this season. The five Americans to make the team are Ian Libby (outfield- first base), Nick Cordeau (outfielder), Elias Varinos (center field), Mike Peters (pitcher) and Nick Colucci (pitcher).
Libby, who is from Melrose, hit .295 in his first year on the team.
“He was our number-three hitter and brought a lot to the table,” said Americans manager Kevin Burgoyne.
Libby went to Malden Catholic and now plays at RIT.
Cordeau, another first-year player who is also from Melrose, hit .284.
“He led us in steals with seven but had a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the final week of the season,” pointed out Burgoyne.
THE MELROSE AMERICANS had five All-Stars named by the Intercity League recently. (File Photo)
Varinos, a centerfielder, hit a team-high .324.
“It was his first year on the team and he was a good lead-off hitter,” said Burgoyne.
Peters is in his sixth year on the team. He led the team in ERA at 2.37.
“He was our best pitcher throughout the year,” said Burgoyne.
Colucci, a Lynnfield resident, was a reliever in his first year on the team.
“He struck out 27 in just over 16 innings,” said Burgoyne.
Colucci is one of three American players from Lynnfield this summer. The two others are Dan O’Leary and Spencer Balian who were both first-year players.
Balian broke his hand in the fifth game of the season and was out for the season.
Melrose ended the year at 7-20 as they finished in last place in the league.
“We lost 12 players from last year’s team including two of our best players,” explained Burgoyne, who just completed his 25-year as manager. “We had six of seven rookies start most games and it makes it tough going against experienced teams like Lexington or Alibrandi.”
Burgoyne hopes that there is not that much turnover in the roster next summer and that a couple of key players who missed this season will be back next season.
