Portage South Announces 2013 Wall of Fame Class
The 2013 Portage South Baseball Wall of Fame class was selected in August with one former Black
Squirrels being honored. Bob Paradise was chosen by the PS Wall of Fame committee.
Bob Paradise started the Portage South baseball in 1997. He was the head coach from 1997-2001,
accumulating an 83-65-6 record. Paradise remained a coach for the team from 2002-2009 and played an integral
part in resurrecting the Greater Akron AA League in 2005. He served as Secretary/Treasurer for the NEO
AAA league from 1997-2004 and for the Greater Akron AA from 2005-2011. He was still
playing and hitting infield into his 50s and 60s.
PS Has 5 Named to All-League Team
The Roy Hobbs/Greater Akron AA League Awards were announced and 5 Black Squirrels were
named to the All-League team. This year the team was selected by the Awards Committee. 24 players were selected
for each division, American and National. Phil Smith, Mike Darrah, Nic
Carucci, Kevin Haley and Walt Samson were honored for PS in the 2013 season. Smith
was also a finalist for the Frank Garcia MVP Award and the George Sisler Top Hitter award. Carucci was a finalist
for the Dave Young Pitcher of the Year Award.
Portage South Team Awards Announced
With the 2013 season now over, the Portage South Black Squirrels announce the annual team
awards. The PS MVP was presented to Phil Smith. Smith had 36
hits, 24 runs scored, 8 doubles, a triple, 8 homeruns and drove in 28 runs. Mike
Darrah finished the season with a .500 average which gave him the Stan Musial Batting Title.
The team's Cy Young was awarded to Nic Carucci. Carucci went 5-2 with a 1.83
ERA in 46 innings pitched. He also struck out 67 batters. The fourth and final award given out
is known as "The Herb". The 2013 Herb went to Jason Preising.
Black Squirrels Win National Division Title
After finishing the 2013 regular season with a 20-3 record, the Portage South Black Squirrels
earn the National Division title. They finished 4 games ahead of the Akron Braves and have the second best record overall
in the league. PS was the only 20 game winning team in the Roy Hobbs/Greater Akron AA League. With the Division
title, Portage South also earns a bid to the NABF tournament in Youngstown, OH.
