WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - For most fans of the National Pastime, Alaska does not come to mind immediately when thinking of baseball hotbeds. For collegiate ballplayers looking to make an impression on the decision makers at the next level, however, nothing could be further from the truth. The Last Frontier is home to the Alaska Baseball League, one of the most prestigious amateur leagues in the country. For the first time, a University of Hartford player was selected to play in the league, and Simon Kudernatsch has represented the Hawks well, recently being named a Second Team All-ABL performer.

The starting shortstop for the Hawks and an America East Player of the Week before breaking his wrist nine games into the 2010 season, Kudernatsch has played all over the field for the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks, excelling not only in the infield but also in the outfield, where he has started the past ten games. The Goldpanners have featured Major League talent such as Tom Seaver, Dave Winfield, Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Michael Young and Bill Lee, and currently sit in first place in the ABL as the season winds down. With four games to play, the Goldpanners have a 2.5 game lead for a spot in the National Baseball Congress World Series, held in Wichita, Kansas.

Kudernatsch is not the only Hawk making a mark in summer league play. Outfielder Rodger Wilmot and pitcher Brian Rice have led their respective teams to the finals of the Atlantic Baseball Confederation. Playing for the Freehold Clippers in his hometown, Wilmot has batted .309 in 55 at bats with two doubles and a triple, driving in six runs. Rice, meanwhile, has pitched 37.0 innings for the Protocall Starz, pitching to a 3.65 ERA in compiling a 3-2 record with 23 strikeouts.

Finally, pitcher Anthony Mannuccia was named to the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League Eastern All-Star Team. Mannuccia made six starts for the Sag Harbor Whalers over the first half, going 1-2 with a 2.61 ERA over 41.1 innings.

Kudernatsch's Goldpanners Page

Atlantic Baseball Conferation Page

Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League Page