Tag Archives: Chris Torres

Feb 19 2013

Mass. College Hoops: Tuesday Night Roundup

By Brian Willwerth

Tuesday marked the beginning of numerous conference tournaments and below are the men’s basketball results:

LITTLE EAST CONFERENCE (LEC) QUARTERFINALS

Rhode Island College 62, UMass Dartmouth 58 – Jake Laga had 14 points for the 8th-seed Corsairs, but it wasn’t enough as four Anchormen scored in double-figures.

Southern Maine 85, UMass Boston 65 – in the 4 vs. 5 matchup, Rahshjeem Benson’s had 18 points for the Beacons.  But four Huskies scored in double-figures.

COMMONWEALTH COAST CONFERENCE (CCC) QUARTERFINALS

Curry 76, Western New England 54 – The top-seeded Colonels advanced to the semifinals, as Sedale Jones led four Curry players in double-figures with 22 points. Damon Alston had 26 points in a losing effort for WNEC.

Gordon 81, Roger Williams 59 – The 2nd-seed Fighting Scots had a balanced attack, with David Dempsey leading the way with 20 points. Luke Hamilton and Park Thomas each had 16.

Eastern Nazarene 78, Salve Regina 64 – In Quincy, Jaylen Owens had 19 points as the Lions advanced to the CCC semifinals.

Wentworth 73, Nichols 69 – Behind 24 points from Colin Johnson, the Leopards stayed alive in the CCC tournament.   Irving Eggleston had 23 for the Bison.

GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (GNAC) QUARTERFINALS

Anna Maria 85, Emmanuel 76 – Make it 16 wins in a row for the AMCATS. Brad Peterson led the way with 21 points for the top seed in the GNAC.

St. Joseph’s (Maine) 73, Emerson 68 – The season is over for coach Jim O’Brien’s squad. Michael Thorpe had 19 points in a losing effort.

Johnson & Wales 72, Suffolk 71 – Chris Torres had 23 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Rams lost a heartbreaker in Providence.

MASSCAHUSETTS STATE COLLEGEIATE ATHLETIC CONFERNCE (MASCAC) QUARTERFINALS

Salem State 86, Worcester State 78 – All five starters scored in double-figures for the Vikings, led by Bryan Ortiz’s 17 points. Dane Jobst had 24 for the Lancers.

Fitchburg State 63, Bridgewater State 60 – Zach Valliere had 17 points as the Falcons picked up the victory on the road. Michael Lofton had 20 points in a losing effort for the Bears.

Jan 9 2013

Mass. College Hoops: Suffolk’s Chris Torres Reaches 1,000-Point Mark

By Matt Noonan 

Prior to Suffolk University’s men’s basketball loss on Tuesday evening to Johnson & Wales University, senior Chris Torres (Brockton, MA) was honored for reaching the 1,000-point milestone last weekend.

Torres, who earned this particular milestone between playing for Suffolk and Newbury College over the past few seasons, has netted 159 points this season. His best game thus far was against University of New England when he tallied a team-high 28 points in the Rams victory.

For more information on the Rams basketball team and season – HOP HERE.

Jun 2 2012

Mass Indy Baseball Player Profile: Chris Torres (Worcester Tornadoes)

By Matt Noonan 

WORCESTER, MA – Worcester Tornadoes catcher Chris Torres loves the game of baseball.

The 29-year-old Florida native, who was drafted by the Detroit Tigers, (2005) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2001) in the MLB Amateur Draft, is focused on doing whatever it takes to earn a spot on a big league roster.

Torres has appeared in six games this season and has recorded five hits, two home runs, and three RBIs. He’s hopeful that he’ll play in a majority of games this season, too, but again, is just focused on improving every single day.

Here is our conversation with the veteran catcher on the season thus far.

For the third consecutive year you’re playing for a Massachusetts independent baseball team. How’s it feel to be back in the Bay State, and how’s the season going thus far?

“It feels good. It’s a good organization; they’re doing things right, everything’s going in the right direction, and [it’s] a great group of guys. I couldn’t ask for a better position to be in, [but hopefully I’ll] get more playing time and I think it’ll work out itself as I keep doing better.”

This past Wednesday against Newark, you hit a walk-off home run to conclude a suspended contest. What’d you see on that particular pitch?

“I saw a 91 mph fastball and I said, ‘I’m going to hit it because I like them’ and it happened to go out [of the ballpark]. It’s just hard work pays off.”

From a veteran perspective, how have you helped some of the younger players progress over these past few weeks?

“We’ve got a young guy named J.B. Brown, a good guy and good hitter. [I’m helping him] work on his swings just a little bit, and just how he relates to the other guys. [These young guys] come out of college or right out of pro ball, and you figure out that we’re all in this together and there’s no need for [showboating]. Then you’ve got Tony Patane, who’s a great dude, great kid, working hard. I think [these young guys] just kind of latch to us [veterans], hang out and they learn stuff. They’re all good kids, good guys.”

What’s your relationship like with manager Chip Plante? How has he helped you or the team thus far?

“Chip’s awesome. Chip is a good manager. He gets into it just like he’s a player and I like that. He’s got a fire in him, he wants to win, he’s out there to win, he gets fired up, and I love when he gets fired up [because] we’re all here to win. At the end of the day, we all want to get a championship here in Worcester, and get some rings.”

Are there any parallels between this team and the Pittsfield Colonials?

“That was a special team, [and] it was a great group of guys. It’s good because the same chemistry is here with the Tornadoes, and we’ve just got to put that product that we believe in on the field. It’s going to come [because] I’ve never seen a team that started out in the beginning of the year blowing people up and ending the year blowing people up in the World Series. It’s usually that team that gets hot at the right time, so I think we’re going to figure it out, and we’re going to be a dangerous team.”

Excluding some of the rookies and younger players, which you mentioned above, who’re some other players to watch as the season progresses?

“Johnny Welch, who’s about to heat up. You’ve got Brandon Kelliher; he’s going to heat it up. Obviously, Nick Salotti, who started off a little slow, but that homer on Thursday is going to get him going. Alex Trezza, he always hits .300 and 15 homers [per season], and you can write it down because it’s going to happen, so once guys figure it out, we’re going to be rolling.”

What’s an average game day like for an independent baseball player? What’re things you do to prepare yourself for a game?

“Wake up at about 1PM, get some lunch, come to the field, bust out really hard work, we work hard, and we’re here from 2PM to 11PM, and people don’t realize that it’s not like we’re here for [a short period of time]. We take ground balls, I hit in the cage, then we hit again, we do our routine, and we shower, then we do our routine again, and we get ready for the game and then it’s an intense battle for two-to-three hours, even more sometimes, and then we wake up and do it again the next day, so it’s pretty intense.”

What’s it like playing with Jose Canseco? How has his MLB experiences helped you as a player?

“He’s got a lot of knowledge, and he gets a bad rap. Seeing him, hanging out with him every day, and listening to him, he’s like a gentle giant. He comes up; he talks to us about things and things he’s been through. He buys us [food], so he’s a really good guy, and he’s been helping. We’d like to see him hit a little bit more, but whatever he does, he’s good, he’s good [company].”

I have to ask you, what’s the deal with this new look? Are we ever going to see the Chris Torres from Pittsfield with a shaved head or Mohawk?

“I don’t know. We’re going to keep this [look] going because we’re hitting, but if the team doesn’t or if I feel like we need something to bring us together like we had the Mohawks in Pittsfield then we’re going to do it. Whatever it takes to bring us together to win, but yeah, I grew it out at home in Florida.”

Finally, what is the future for Chris Torres?

“Obviously, everyone on this field is playing to get back to organized ball in the big leagues, and if they’re telling you something else they’re lying, and that’s why I work hard and that’s why they all work hard because there’s still that in the back of my mind that is [my dream] kind of out of the loop, probably, but you never know [and] that’s why you put on a baseball uniform. [Excluding playing in the majors], I want to be around the game, and I either want to coach, work in the front office or [do] player development stuff or something. I’ll be around the game because I love it and can’t get away from it.”

Nov 26 2011

Kates Leads MIT Past Suffolk, 81-59

By Matt Noonan 

CAMBRIDGE, MA – MIT junior guard Mitchell Kates sank eight free throws and led the Engineers with 22 points, as the men dressed in white and maroon defeated Suffolk University on Saturday, 81-59.

“We’re playing very well right now,” said Kates. “Defensively, we definitely still have some things to work on, but offensively we’re clicking. We’re all playing well, we’re sharing the ball as a team and [I] can’t complain.”

“I was pleased we were able to pull out the win,” said MIT head coach Larry Anderson. “I was pleased with some things that we did out there, we just got to learn to do it consistently now.”

MIT stole all the momentum during the opening minutes, as Kates, junior Will Tashman (14 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists), and senior Noel Hollingsworth all scored baskets to distance themselves from a Rams team that eventually halted MIT’s offense midway through the first half.

Junior guard Chris Torres, (23 points, five rebounds) led the Rams with 15 points during the opening minutes, but also committed four turnovers that allowed the Engineers to extend their lead to 19 points prior to halftime.

“Offensively, we were getting all the looks we wanted [in the first half],” said Kates. “We have a lot of weapons on our team, and each night someone else seems to step up and take the offensive load and no one has a problem with it.”

In the second half, MIT’s offense flexed their muscles and sank 56.5 percent of their shots, and forced eight additional turnovers to secure their fifth win of the season.

After the game concluded, Anderson praised the play of Kates, who he described as the team’s quarterback.

“The last three games, Mitchell Kates has been the most valuable player,” said Anderson. “He’s been the guy who’s been our quarterback. He’s our Tom Brady and when he’s playing well, and taking us along with him, we can be a pretty good basketball team.”

MIT will return to the hardwood on Tuesday when they travel to Emerson College for a 7:00pm tip-off, while Suffolk will conclude their two-game road trip against Daniel Webster.

Jun 22 2011

Colonials Continue to Succeed, but Need Fans

Are you ready to join the Pittsfield Colonials fan-base?

By Matt Noonan 

PITTSFIELD, MA – The struggle to put fans in the stands continues to be the biggest challenge facing the Pittsfield Colonials, who lost Tuesday evening to the 2010 CanAm League champion Quebec Capitales, 2-1.

“We’re going to play hard no matter if it’s 20 or 1,000 [spectators], but we’d like there to be a lot of fans out there,” Colonials catcher Chris Torres said. “[Hopefully] the community figures it out and start’s coming.”

“It doesn’t have to be 3,000 people, we’d love to have [that particular number], but the more the merrier. Bring [them] on and there going to see good baseball and these guys are exciting and fun to watch,” Colonials manager Jamie Keefe said.

The Colonials, who rank last in league attendance, could certainly use some help, as well as some old fashion support. They haven’t attracted a true quality fan base, which seems to make many casual supporter of the local team wonder if this particular squad is a good thing for the city of Pittsfield?

“The league is just as adamant about us staying here,” team owner Leslie “Buddy” Lewis stated. “I live here, I want it to stay here, but it is a business and we need [1,200 to 1,300 fans] to break even and [on] a night like [Tuesday], you have 300 to 400 people, it’s hard to put it all together and make sure it works.”

Baseball at Wahconah Park is special. It’s exciting and something everyone should take in at least once in his or her life, but besides its rich culture, it also houses some quality hitting, fielding, catching and pitching, as well as players that aren’t playing for lucrative contracts or endorsements, but instead, the love of the game.

“We’re playing to have fun, we’re playing to win, [but] of course, we want the community here behind us,” Torres said.

“If we can continue to go out there and battle and get good pitching from our side and play good defense, we’re going to win some ball games,” Keefe said.

So, what exactly will it take for the Colonials to acquire more fans? Do they need to win all of their games? Perhaps, win a championship? Again, what is it that they can do to attract more spectators for the rest of the season?

“We’ve reached out to the Little League and girl’s softball players by giving them lanyards and laminated cards with their names on it. We’ve reached out to the senior segment and we hope that now that schools out and Little League has stopped… that it will all work out at the end,” Lewis said.

The Colonials, who are currently parked in fifth place, are certainly a team that shouldn’t be overlooked. They’re [14-11] record may not be the most flattering compared to Quebec [19-6] or Brockton [15-10], but overall, they certainly seem determined to win every game on their schedule.

“The team itself, it’s a continuum of last year,” Lewis said. “If you remember the chemistry of this team last year was so great and we have half the kids back and the kids from last year really set the tone… this group is really great. I always tell them, I love [them]. I do, they’re all like sons to me and it’s really fun kind of being with them.”

“Obviously we’d like to have a lot more wins under our belt, but we’re playing pretty good baseball right now, we’re playing hard,” Keefe said. “All you can ask for is give yourself a chance in that last inning. You’ve got to get 27-outs against this team and if you don’t, we’re going to get [you].”

Pittsfield and Quebec will return to the diamond on Wednesday, first pitch is scheduled for 5:00pm eastern.

Aug 16 2010

Chris Torres and Quentin Davis on Noontime Sports the Podcast

Chris Torres and Quentin Davis of the Pittsfield Colonials joined Noontime Sports the Podcast to discuss the current month of August, as well as the team’s up and down performance. In the month of August the Colonials have struggled greatly and at historic Wahconah Park this month they are 4-6.

Also, Kevin Tuve, Director of Player Development for the Pittsfield Colonials joined the conversation to ask the players if their squad will be participating in the 2010 CanAm League playoffs in September.

Aug 6 2010

Chris Torres on Noontime Sports the Podcast

Pittsfield Colonials catcher, utility player and journeyman, Chris Torres, joined Noontime Sports to discuss the current season and if steroids remains an issue not only in the MLB, but also in the minor leagues too.

Torres was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2005 a has spent the current season playing catcher and first base, as well as pitched one inning. His excitement, energy and passion of the game can be noted on and off the field. Torres is one of the go-to-guys on the team and a someone who has veteran experience.