SMASH BROS
Former CBA teammates back together again with the Albany Dutch
AMSTERDAM, NY » Adam Zebrowski and Nick Melillo each had big nights on Wednesday for the Albany Dutch, with Zebrowski (aka Zebo) hitting two home runs and Melillo capping off the first game with a grand slam in the final inning.
“I actually came into the dugout and went up to Zebo and said ‘ that’s the CBA way’ because we both played awhile for Coach O’Connor at CBA. It was special and pretty cool because I didn’t know if I’d ever play with any of these guys again,” Melillo said, who is going into his junior season at Siena College.
Zebrowski, Melillo and Nick Debrino are the three former CBA players on the Dutch for their shortened summer season, although Melillo has quite a few connections to the guys he’s now playing with.
“I’m playing with a couple guys from Siena, where I play at school. I’m playing with my cousin Chris Hamilton, and a couple guys from CBA, so all my worlds are colliding. In that regard, it’s been one of the best summers so far,” Melillo said.
lillo said.
The Saints outfielder wasn’t really able to get going offensively in the eleven games he played earlier this year, but he’s hoping a string of recent hits will continue.
“I was just looking to drive the ball. I was struggling at first and I’ve been starting to see the ball better. I had a couple good BP rounds and I was trying to translate it into the game. Today I was able to do that.” he said after the home run and anRBI double.
“I’m just trying to stay sharp and stay consistent. Those are things I always want to work on and just having a great time. This might be the last summer I’m out here playing collegiate baseball, so I want to go out on a good note and really just enjoy it.”
Melillo continued, talking about his attempt to learn first base on Wednesday night.
“Coach Davey actually put me in at first because my cousin Chris wanted to play the outfield and I said that I’d play first for him. Nick Debrino, who also went to CBA, and I were laughing because I dropped a couple balls on accident and he was kind of teaching mewhereto stand. The little stuff like that stands out.
Zebrowski plans on using the summer to advance as a catcher, although it is his bat that is making the most noise. After hitting two home runs on Wednesday, for three on the season, he talked about what it is like finally getting to see competitive pitching again.
“It’s great to be back and just seeing live pitching. Getting back in the box and back on the field, especially with a good group of guys like this. I’ve played with and against a ton of these guys and seen a bunch around the Capital Region. Asmuchstress as we felt since we weren’t playing any games, it just feels great to be back out here.” Zebrowski said, who catches at St. John Fisher College.
In sevengames for the Cardinals this spring, Zebrowski was able to collect seven hits andfourRBIs, including each a double, triple and home run in his 24 at-bats, good for a .292 batting average
The rising junior said that he was initially supposed to play summer ball with the Albany Dutchmen in the PGCBLforCoachNickDavey.
“I’m glad this worked out that I was able to somewhat keep the same plans, playing with a lot of the guys that were going to be on the team initially,” hesaid. “It’s exciting to be out here playing with a bunch of guys that I played with in high school. We can relax now and just get back to playing.”
As a catcher, Zebrowski knows all the ins and outs of calling a game and pitch selection, so when it comes to hitting, he has a specific approach.
“I was just hunting my pitches and when I got them, I didn’t miss it. Really the most important thing is just to be getting at-bats,” he said of his home runs.
Even tough he’s been hitting the ball well, he does know of a few things he wants to work on this summer.
“Probably hitting more off-speed pitches and ultimately commanding a pitching staff better as a catcher. Defensively, I’d like to be able to work with more guys differently and to be able to adapt to different pitchers,” he said.