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Former Cobras in the News
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Two former Cobra players made headlines during their 2002 college seasons.
Richard "Bubba" Lavender participated in the College World Series "Home Run Derby" in July. Playing for Morehead State (KY), Bubba was among the leading homerun hitters in the NCAA Division I last year. The "Home Run Derby" was broadcast on ESPN 2 from Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska. Bubba played for Bishop Hartley High School and spent 9 summers in a Cobra uniform and is a member of the "Columbus Cobras Hall of Fame. His father Randy is coaching this years 18' year old team.
Denny Nisbet broke the all-time NCAA Division II record for sacrifices with 72 while playing for the University of Indianapolis. In addition to being a four-year starter on the Greyhounds baseball team. Denny set every school punting and field goal record as a member of the U of I football team. Denny played for Bishop Watterson High School and Played four seasons for the Cobras. Denny is also a member of the Cobra Hall of Fame.
National Champions off to College
After winning the 2002 NABF National Championship in the 18 year old division, the players headed off to college in August. The Cobras organization prides itself on assisting every player to obtain a college scholarship by exposing them to the scouts throughout the country.
The coaching staff is pleased to say that every player on the roster did enroll in college except for the two that returned for their senior year in high school (They have however already signed for next year). Players that did sign are as follows.
Brian Boone-Youngstown State
Ben Decatur-Wright State
Brian Dill-University of Cincinnati
Kevin Dolan-Rio Grande
Brock Huton-Wallace State
Tom Kerr-Marietta College
Matt Koblens-Ohio Dominican
Jay Pacella-Kent State
Wes Schirtzinger-Ohio State
Dustin Thomas-Columbus State
Ben Thorpe-Heidelberg
Kyle Wellman-John Logan
Aron Yorde-Ohio Dominican
Josh Davidson-Ashland
Eric Earnhart-Wallace State
Two Cobra Teams Head To Disney !!!
The 13 year old and 12 year old Cobra teams have qualified for the prestiges USSSA Elite 16 World Series being held at Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney in Orlando, Florida. The tournament will be played July 31 thru August 5.
Both teams qualified out of the USSSA Elite North National Championships held in Cincinnati last week.
Good Luck to both teams!!!!
Friday, January 7
Cobra Reaches Major Leagues
Eric Crozier, former Columbus Cobra, made his Major League debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in a game against the Oakland A's on September 4, 2004. The 6'4", 200 pound lefty is the leading candidate to replace Carlos Delgado at first base, who departed the Blue Jays after the 2004 season when he opted for free agency.
Eric is a true success story and an example of hard work paying off. Eric graduated from Independence High School in 1996 and was not drafted. He played baseball at Norfolk State and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 41st round in 2000. Eric worked his way up through the Indians minor league system and was traded to the Blue Jays in August 2004.
Lopez Named Notre Dame Team Captain
Former Columbus Cobra, Greg Lopez, from Upper Arlington was selected 2005 team captain for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Lopez was also named to the Big East PreSeason All Conference team. Lopez was a third team all-Big East performer in 2004, ranking 3rd on the team with a .332 batting average while posting 42 error-free games. No previous full-time shortstop in the 10-year Paul Mainieri era had posted a batting average above .330 and a fielding percentage of .930-plus. His other 2004 stats included 66 hits, 14 doubles, 2 home runs and 34 RBI - plus a .353 batting average in Big East action that ranked 12th amoung the league's players.
2004 Cobras Off to College
Jason Barber Mt. Vernon Nazarene College
Shane Butland Brandeis University
Tom Casasanta Ohio State University - Newark
Dante DiSabato Miami University
Matt Haycock Bowling Green State University
Andy Karpowicz Otterbein College
Greg Klaus Columbus State
Joey McDaniel Florida Southern College
Ray McDonald Columbus State
Stefan Vailoff Otterbein College
Justin Roberts Wright State University
Jake Hale Ohio State University
One More Cobra Drafted
Chris Bova was drafted in the 36th round of the 2004 Major League draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. Chris spent 5 seasons in a Cobra uniform. Chris was a standout pitcher at Reynoldsburg High School and later enjoyed a stellar career at Ohio University.
Roberts Heading to Wright State
Justin Roberts, Columbus Cobra, signs with Wright State after his Freshman year
at Columbus State. Justin, a second baseman, was named Third Team All-American
in 2004 while batting leadoff for the Cougars. Roberts lead the team in runs scored
and steals with finishing second in batting average. Justin is a graduate of Groveport
Madison High School. Justin's father , Steve Roberts, has been a long time Cobra
coach, fan and board member.
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