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NJ's Cunningham to Play for AAU USA International vs Ireland & Scotland

By AAU Baseball, 04/11/18, 6:45AM CDT

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Middlesex Community College (NJ) Commit (6-5, 180 RHP/IF)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.—New Jersey scholastic baseball’s Ryan Cunningham is taking his baseball talents to Europe this summer.
The right-handed pitcher/first baseman committed this month to play collegiate summer baseball for the AAU USA International Collegiate Summer Team that Coaches Chris Cummings and Mike Graham are assembling for 2018.

Ireland will host the AAU USA International Collegiate Team as part of the Ireland International Baseball Festival at Ashbourne International Baseball Centre, County Meath, July 10-15. Opponents include the Ireland National Team, Irish Baseball League All-Star Team, USA Military Blue Devils, and non-tournament matchups to be announced later.

Scotland will host the AAU USA International Collegiate Team for an international friendly series at Edinburgh and Glasgow July 5-10. Opponents in Scotland include the Scotland National Team and the Edinburgh (Giants, Diamond Devils, Cannons) and Glasgow (Galaxy, Comets) clubs of the Scotland National Baseball League.

Cunningham (6’5”, 180 lbs.), of Laurence Harbor, NJ, is a two-way player for Old Bridge HS in Matawan, NJ, where he led the Knights in RBI’s in 2017. He recently committed to play his college baseball at Middlesex CC (Edison, NJ).

He has played in numerous major events. In 2017, Cunningham showcased with Baseball U. (NJ), one of the premier youth baseball operations in the Mid-Atlantic region, at major events like the Perfect Game WWBA Northeast Qualifier. He also played for the Old Bridge Hitmen in the United States Amateur Baseball League.

In 2016, Cunningham showcased with the AllinBaseballAcademy’s New Jersey Explosion, including at the Perfect Game Super25 17U Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship.
So the rise to becoming a selection for the AAU USA International Collegiate Summer Team isn't anything new. And as an experienced travel player, international amateur competition is a logical progression.

The coaches are excited to have Cunningham on the team and looking forward to him contributing to the program.

“Ryan is an excellent commit for us,” Graham said. “He’s a big, strong type of athlete that makes any team he is on better. The scouting report on him is he can contribute in a bunch of different ways and has experience on big stages. We really look forward to seeing him help us on the field and watching him grow as a young person through world experience.”

The senior said he is ecstatic for this opportunity to compete internationally. 

“AAU USA International Collegiate Baseball is a great summer option,” he said. “This is the third and fourth year for many of the players going over there [to Europe] to play with the international baseball community. It’s going to be great to be out there with those experienced guys.

“Same for the coaching staff—their teams in AAU Baseball have been crazy successful producing college players and winning regional and state championships. It’s going to be a really good summer, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Cunningham will contribute immediately. Although the returning veteran players won a stunning two consecutive Collegiate Baseball League Europe regular season championships in 2017 and 2016, only one quarter of last year’s four-man pitching rotation returns for 2018.

The coaches are really high on Cunningham and they see him doing very well in the program. “It’s not every day you land a 6’5” power-hitting pitcher coming out of high school and already committed to play at the next level, so he is definitely going to help us,” Graham said.

Cunningham joins returners Mac McGrath (Shenandoah University, Va.), Connor Graham (Anne Arundel CC, Md.), Jimmie Gentry (Albright College, Pa.), Daniel Keating (Wellington HS, Fla.), and CJ Cummings (University of Mary Washington, Va.)—also committed to the AAU USA International Collegiate Team. 
In addition to the returners, Cunningham joins newcomers James Sofield (New Jersey Institute of Technology), Max Whisnant (Connecticut College), Drew Ventrelle (University of Chicago, Ill.) and Joe Schipsi (Cabrini University, Pa.), who also have committed to the AAU USA International Collegiate Team. Others are considering.

About the Team
The AAU USA International Collegiate Team is a premier international collegiate summer team followed by college coaches and pro scouts. The roster includes players ages 18-23 representing all college divisions. The experience offers high-level baseball and cultural exposure to the world at the same time.
For more information about the AAU USA International Collegiate Team, visit:https://aauusaict.wixsite.com/aauusabaseball,http://www.playaaubaseball.com/aau-usa-international.
To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan and follow AAU USA International Collegiate Team baseball on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/AAUGlobal and Twitter at:https://twitter.com/AAUGlobal.
The AAU USA International Collegiate Team is recruiting for summer 2018. Apply to play at https://aauusaict.wixsite.com/aauusabaseball.