DRAGONS
NEW YORK
2018 PALISADES WBL MINOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
TOURNAMENT ROSTER
Nick Lea (c) – LHP/RHB – Age 26 – New York
Mike Bucci – LHP/LHB – Age 22 – New York
2019 Palisades WBL Rookie of the Year
Tom Gannon – LHP/LHB – Age 23 – Massachusetts
2019 NWLA Tournament Champion
Michael Quezada– LHP/LHB – Age 25 – New York
Chris Sholkoff– RHB – Age 26 – New York
TEAM OVERVIEW
Not many teams can throw FOUR left-handed pitchers at the opposition. But that is precisely what the Dragons will have at their disposal this October at the 2020 United Wiffle®Ball National Championship Tournament. The Dragons are loaded with southpaws including team captain Nick Lea, Mike Bucci, Michael Quezada, and Tom Gannon.
2020 has been a breakout year for Lea on the carpet. After struggling with command issues for several years, he suddenly turned a corner in 2020. It started with 1 vs. 1 vs. 1 backyard games with his brother, Vin, and Bucci in the spring and has carried through to the 2020 MAW season. Nick has shouldered the bulk of the workload for the Dragons this year in Mid Atlantic and achieved mostly positives results in leading his team to elimination round in all three June and July MAW tournaments. Right alongside Nick on the Dragon’s pitching depth chart is Tom Gannon. Gannon is once again one of the more well-traveled wifflers this year and continues to grow as a pitcher with each outing. Like Lea, Gannon’s somewhat unorthodox style could present an issue match up for certain teams come October.
If the Dragons need additional help on the carpet, they could turn to Quezada who has been the Storm’s best pitcher this year in GSWL Yard. Quezada has some semi-recent fast pitch experience, as well, in both Palisades minors and majors. While the Dragons could also use Bucci on the mound - he has picked up innings for his team in MAW this season - the bulk of his contributions will likely come at the plate. Bucci uses a low crouched stance to generate a quick, line drive swing and is already a solid hitter with room for growth. Chris Sholkoff - a teammate of Quezada’s on the Storm and a fellow former Palisades player - will also likely be utilized as a hitter-first option in October. Quezada, Lea, and Gannon should also provide some offense. Gannon carries deceptive power and has had a flare for the dramatic over the last couple of years when it comes to delivering big hits off quality pitchers. While the Dragons may lack a star player, they are a deep and experienced squad with a lot of different options, which is not a bad spot to be in at a large tournament such as this.
