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Vol. 32, no. 48
June 22, 2017
What’s inside
Brian Morrell drafted by Philadelphia Phillies
Bench donated to remind SWR kids to be kind A3
By Desirée Keegan Desiree@tbrnewspapers.com
Walk at Heritage Park raises awareness, funds A5
It has been quite a month for Shoreham-Wading River senior Brian Morrell. After the right-handed pitcher helped lead his team to a 24-2 record and Suffolk County title to close out May, he performed in the Blue Chip Grand Slam Challenge, leading Suffolk County to that win, too. Last week, he became the second player ever to receive the Yastrzemski Award twice in the distinction’s 50-year history. The honor is awarded to the top player in Suffolk County, which Morrell also became just the fourth junior to receive. To top it off, now he’s also a Major League Baseball draftee. The small-town star was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 35th round, with the 1,043rd pick, just after 5 p.m. June 14. “An absolute honor to be drafted by the Phillies today,” Morrell posted on Twitter. “Thank you to all of the people who have supported me over my baseball career.” The feared slugger batted .500 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs while scoring 37 runs this season, and had a 10-1 pitching record with 93 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings. His first loss didn’t come until the Long Island championship game against Wantagh. The senior set numerous school records, including hits in a season (44), career home runs (27) and career wins (29). Morrell threw six no-hitters in his varsity career, including three this season. Shoreham-Wading River head coach Kevin Willi had his iPad close by at all times once the draft was underway. He cleaned out his coach’s office at the high school, did chores around the house, and finally, his young sensation’s name came across the screen. He gasped.
Miller Place school district to make changes after audit A7 AAA: Dangers of the 100 deadliest days of driving A8 Nonprofit groups work to Save the Sound A9
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Brian Morrell was selected in the 35th round of the MLB draft. “This is awesome,” he shouted. Willi was supposed to be having a birthday dinner with his family, after foregoing a birthday
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celebration the night before to attend the player awards dinner, but it had to be put off for at least another night. He immediately
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picked up the phone to call all the coaches he knew. “It was a good birthday pres-
MLB DRAFT continued on page A13
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