Somerset Makes Big Additions
by Mike Ashmore
September 14, 2006 - Hunterdon County Democrat

Just two weeks ago, the Somerset Patriots had so few healthy position players, the starting pitcher was forced to bat in place of the designated hitter.

Now, they've got more players than they know what to do with.

Ryan Radmanovich and Kevin Nicholson returned from the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Cuba, and the Patriots signed three more players to compliment their Canadian core.

Lou Lucca was signed to fill the hole at third base left by Jeff Nettles, who was lost for the season when he broke his thumb after being hit by a pitch in Camden. Lucca finished his season in Somerset last year, hitting .264 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 28 games played.

The team then acquired outfielder Elliott Ayala and catcher Tommy Rojas from the Nashua Pride of the Can-Am League off of waivers, as both players were made available since the Can-Am League's season ends three weeks earlier than the Atlantic League season.

Ayala adds depth to an outfield that already features Larry Barnes, Henri Stanley and Radmanovich.

But the biggest impact made by any of the new players so far has been made by Rojas. Rojas, a 30th round draft pick by the Yankees in 2000 out of Southern Nevada, spent six seasons in the New York organization before being released by the team while with the Trenton Thunder earlier this season.

Rojas, who reached Triple-A in 2005, hit two home runs in his first four games with the Patriots and has a chance to be Somerset's everyday catcher for their playoff run.

The Patriots, who've led the division outright for only one day in the entire season, are currently five games out of the division lead with around two weeks left in the season.

If they're going to make a run, the time to do it is now. And it would appear that they've got the best chance they've had to make one all season long.

SomerStuff: Dave Elder, making some of his first starts since college, carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning on Sunday afternoon against the Ducks...Juan Gonzalez didn't play for the Ducks during their most recent trip to Somerset, making many wonder why the team ever signed him.

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