Photo Courtesy of Richard Cuneo

WAREHAM, Mass. – University of Delaware baseball standouts Ryan Cuneo and Carlos Alonso signed contracts to play in the prestigious Cape Cod Summer Baseball League after showcasing their skills to coaches and scouts during invitational tryouts on Saturday at Spillane Field.

Both Blue Hens competed alongside 90 of the top collegiate players in the nation during the invitation-only scrimmages which are annually held prior to the start of the summer season. Highlighted by their strong performances during the afternoon, Cuneo (at left) and Alonso (at right) were both signed to contracts and will begin competing in the Cape Cod League when the season kicks off next week.

Following the tryouts, Alonso signed with the Bourne Braves, while Cuneo joined the Hyannis Mets. Fittingly, the two standouts will open their seasons against one another on June 12 at 7 p.m. when the Mets host the Braves at McKeon Field.

Alonso and Cuneo both finished successful junior campaigns with Delaware before heading north for the summer. While anchoring the corner infield positions, the two stars helped the Blue Hens earn a berth in the Colonial Athletic Association playoffs.

Alonso garnered second-team All-CAA honors and was named Delaware’s Most Valuable Player while manning third base. Serving as the squad’s lead-off hitter throughout the season, he led the Hens with a .380 batting average, 59 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases.

A native of Los Gatos, California, Alonso ranked fifth in the CAA with 20 doubles, sixth with a .480 on-base percentage, and eighth with 78 hits. He also became the first Blue Hen in program history to reach base safely in every game during an entire season after posting at least one hit or walk in each of the team’s 48 contests.

Along with Alonso, Cuneo gave the Blue Hens a potent 1-2 punch at the top of the batting order. A third-year member of the squad, he garnered preseason All-Conference honors and went on to start all 48 games, including 47 at first base.

During the year, Cuneo posted a .285 batting average and finished tied for second in the CAA with 17 home runs. The left-handed slugger also posted a team-high 56 RBI during the season and tied a single-game program record with three home runs in a 27-2 victory over Hofstra on April 10.

In the Cape Cod Baseball League, Alonso and Cuneo will compete with and against some of the finest collegiate talent in the country. Beginning its 114th season in 2009, the CCBL serves as the nation's premier collegiate summer league.

Last year alone, over 1,000 Cape Cod alumni competed in professional baseball, including 212 at the major league level. Lance Berkman, Todd Helton, Tim Lincecum, Evan Longoria, and Chase Utley are among the more notable active alumni.

Current Cincinnati Reds farmhand Brandon Menchaca, former Major Leaguer Kevin Mench, and Delaware head coach Jim Sherman are some of the Blue Hens who have previously competed in the Cape Cod League.

For more information, including complete schedules for both the Mets and Braves, please visit the CCBL's official website at CapeCodBaseball.org.