NG: Crisostomo injects energy in Power
NYCBL BASEBALL: Crisostomo injects energy in Power By Nate Beutel Sam Kirby knew his team was missing something the past few weeks as it struggled through a long and agonizing losing streak. The third-year Niagara Power skipper just couldn’t put his finger on it. Then when he re-inserted catcher Alejandro Crisostomo into the lineup a few games back, it finally clicked. “We needed intensity — an attack mode,” Kirby said. “Alejandro brings that fire and passion that we definitely needed and we were desperately looking for.” Crisostomo, who suffered through biceps tendinitis for more than a month, said he prides himself on leading the team through his emotion and energy. “Being a catcher, I’m pretty much the backbone of the team,” he said. “I have to be strong. I have to be loud. I have to be a leader.” Less than a week back and Crisostomo is already asserting himself well. He’s thrown out four baserunners, his hitting is rounding into shape and even his game management is catching up quickly. “He’s gaining a lot of confidence in himself right now,” Kirby said. “And that’s scary because I think he has something to prove.” Crisostomo, who will be a junior at Division II St. Augustine’s College in the fall, didn’t see much time this past spring. He came to Niagara in hopes of fine-tuning his game and earning a spot in the lineup each and every day for the Falcons come next spring. “I’ve sat and learned, but now it’s my time to shine,” Crisostomo said. “I’m ready to showcase the talents that I have.” Let that serve as a notice to the rest of the New York Collegiate Baseball League for the second half of the season, according to Kirby. “I expect him to be an impact player for us the rest of the season,” the manager said. “He’s going to help us win a lot of games the rest of the way.” Crisostomo added, “We’re turning the page. We’re ready to make a big run at the playoffs and hopefully winning the whole thing.”
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