Lefty's Sports Academy
840 Bloomfield Avenue ~ Clifton, NJ 07012
973-777-2287
info@leftyssportsacademy.com
Staff
Tim Bausher

Tim played four years at Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, where he earned his B.S. in Sociology. As a senior in 2001, he set a
school record by throwing eleven complete games. That same year he was named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Athlete
of the Year as well as 3rd Team Division II All American. Tim was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2001.

In 2003, he signed with Berkshire of the Independent Northeast League before quickly being signed by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Tim was a member of the Brewers’ major league roster until June of 2004 when he was then claimed by the Colorado Rockies. In
December of 2004, Tim was acquired by the Red Sox and assigned to Pawtucket for his first taste of AAA. He was called up to
Boston on April 29th, 2005 during a series with Texas.

Tim continued his professional baseball career within the Cincinnati Reds Organization (AAA Louisville Bats) and went on to play
with the Nashua Pride Baseball Club. In June of 2007, Tim was acquired by the Kansas City Royals and played with their AA
Wichita Wranglers.

Bausher has been both a starter and a reliever. He has been clocked in the high 90’s and has an excellent curve ball. In addition
to his outstanding pitching, Tim has an incredible knowledge of the game and knack for teaching it.  Lefty’s is proud to have Tim
on our roster of instructors! Tim is available
for pitching and hitting instruction for all levels.
Nick DiGiacomo

For the past fifteen years, Nick has been specializing in batting for those individuals from age 7
through college level, in both baseball and softball. His accomplishments include:

    Five years as a batting instructor for the New Jersey Panthers, one of NJ's top 18 (AAU) teams, and winners of 7 major
    tournaments
    Ten years working with Nutley High School's varsity baseball players
    Specialization in hitting instructions with high school players throughout the state, producing many All-County and All-State
    Players. In 2005, one of Nick's students, formerly of St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, was drafted by the  St.
    Louis Cardinals
    Batting advisor for the "Lefty's Lightning Elite" 16 and 18-year old teams Starting in 2008, Nick will be working as a batting
    instructor for both the North Arlington Boys'
    Varsity Baseball and Nutley High School Girls Varsity Softball Team
Ish Falcon

Ish has specialized in softball training, specifically Fastpitch softball, for over 30 years. He was recognized as the BCSL American
Division coach of the year for 3 years in a row. Ish led Rutherford High School to 3 straight league championships as the girls’
softball coach. Coach Falcon has worked as both an Assistant and Head Coach at Ramapo College for over 5 years and has also
worked as the pitching coach with William Paterson Softball team.  He is currently the Head Softball Coach at Clifton High School.

Ish spends his off-season coaching a travel softball team, the Clifton Cobras 18u Showcase Team.  He participates and leads
numerous softball clinics throughout New Jersey and has helped prepare many of his players to play in Division 1 & 2 colleges. He
works with players of all levels (Grammar School, High School, College and Professionals) throughout New Jersey and New York.
Jamie Figliolino

Jamie is a 2005 Pace University graduate and currently holds a degree in Applied Psychology. She was the starting catcher for
Pace in her Freshman Year. Jamie attended Somerville High School in Somerville, NJ and graduated in 2000. While at Somerville,
Jamie was a 3 year starter and Captain of the Softball Team. She led her team to two Skyland Conference Championships, as well
as, the Somerset County Tournament each year. Some of her achievements during her High School years include: All Area
Honorable Mention Courier News 1998 & 1999; All Somerset County 2nd Team 1998, and All Somerset County 3rd Team 1999 &
2000.

Jamie has both played with and coached the Sparkx Women's’ Fast Pitch Team and has been a counselor at various softball
camps for young girls. Jamie credits her trainer, Cheryl Iaione former Seton Hall University Softball Coach and Hillsborough High
School Head Coach for her successful career as a player and coach. Lefty’s Sports Academy is happy to welcome Jamie to our
staff! She is available for softball catching, hitting and fielding lessons.
Anthony Gomez

Anthony Gomez was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 6th Round of the 2012 MLB Draft. After 3 years of playing for the
Vanderbilt University Commodores, he stands in fourth place all-time in career hits, with 267. In 2012, he led the team in batting
average (.353), at bats (255), hits (90), RBI’s (57), total bases (109) and had the least amount of strikeouts (15) than anyone who
had over 41 at bats that season. Through his first 8 games with the Marlins’ organization, Anthony had 8 hits, a .308 batting
average, four RBI’s, two doubles, 10 total bases, three walks, three runs, and a stolen base. Anthony is a Nutley NJ native who
had an impressive High School career at Don Bosco Prep which included being selected to 1st Team All-State as a Senior, and
1st Team All-County selection in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, his team finished their season 33—0 and was ranked #1 in the country.
As a senior at Don Bosco, Anthony was named MVP and helped lead his team to another state championship before heading off
to start his college baseball career at Vanderbilt University. In the words of his college baseball coach, Coach Corbin: “The best
word that sums him up is, gamer. He loves to compete, has a great feel for the game and is fearless”. Anthony loves to share his
knowledge of the game with players of all ages and is available for instruction in hitting and fielding.
Kim Higgins De-Jianne

Kim Higgins De-Jianne joined the Seton Hall University softball staff in the fall of 2001. A former standout pitcher at Caldwell
College, Higgins brings a gift for teaching and an unmatched enthusiasm for the sport.  She has years of coaching experience on
numerous staffs, including Seton Hall University, Nutley High School and the Clifton Cobras Club team. Kim also played for the
Cobras and was the first player inducted into their Hall of Fame.

Kim graduated from Caldwell College in 1997 with a degree in education and psychology. She was a three-time all-conference
performer and was twice named to the league's all-tournament team. She was an Academic All-American as a junior and a
member of the Kappa Delta Epsilon Education Honor Society. Kim is currently a professional healthcare representative and
resides in Nutley, NJ
Matt LoCarro

Matt is a graduate of perennial powerhouse Seton Hall Prep where in 2004 and 2005 he was a member of the New Jersey State
Championship Baseball squad. Matt is known for his speed on the bases: he has a career stolen base percentage of .947. Matt
graduated from Marist College in 2009 with a BS in Business Management.

Matt specializes in all areas of baseball training including Pitching, Hitting and Catching. He uses many techniques in teaching the
game including video analysis. Matt has coached at the High School Level and is currently Head Coach of one of our Lefty’s
Lighting Teams. He helps to plan and run many of the Camps and Clinics held at Lefty’s. His passion for the game of baseball is
unmistakably demonstrated through his effective coaching and training of ball players of all ages and levels.
Steve Markovich

Steve Markovich is a professional MLB Scout. He started his scouting career working for the Kansas City Royals and was with
them for more than 15 years. For the past 6 years, he has been the NY Yankees’ Scout for the New Jersey area. Steve is currently
a Scout with the Seattle Mariners. As a coach, Markovich specializes in the art of Catching and Game Management. Steve has led
many programs in the tri-state area sharing his tremendous wealth of knowledge and skill with young catchers eager to learn the
details behind the sport and position they want to be the best in.
J.J. Newman

J.J. started at shortstop at the largest high school in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference, Wheeling Park (West Virginia) High
School which is also the largest high school conference in the U.S. He earned All-State honors and was selected for the Ohio
Valley All-Conference team 3 years. Newman was highly recruited in high school and accepted a full scholarship to D-1
Youngstown State University in Ohio. As a freshman, J.J. was the starting Short Stop. J.J. transferred to Erskine College (South
Carolina) and had an outstanding 3 years at second base. In his senior year, J.J. ‘s batting average was .390 as he led the team
and league with 15 home runs, 47 RBI’s, 18 doubles and was named 1st Team All-CVAC and 2nd Team All South Atlantic Region.

J.J. was drafted by the NY Mets on June 7, 2006 and finished his first year of professional baseball with the Gulf Coast League, St.
Lucie Mets, in Florida. He earned a starting position at second base at the beginning of the season and had a great season going
until it was cut short by injury. After a summer of rehabilitation, J.J. earned his spot back in the lineup. In just his first 12 games, he
had 42 At-Bats, 11 hits, four runs scored, a .262 batting average and an on-base percentage of .354!

J.J. is an enthusiastic player who truly enjoys sharing his knowledge and love of the game with ball players of all ages. In addition
to coaching the Lefty's Lightning 18U team, he is also available at Lefty’s for instruction in hitting, fielding, base running, and all-
around training.
Mon-Fri:  2:00—9:00pm
Sat-Sun: 9:30am-5:00pm
* Lefty's will be CLOSED on Sundays between July 4th & Oct 1st

Special Team Hours Can Always Be Arranged!
Giuseppe Papaccio

Giuseppe Papaccio was drafted in 2013 by the Chicago Cubs and is currently playing with their Minor League affiliate. He is a
2009 graduate of Nutley High School where he is the all-time career hits leader (113) along with being the single season slugging
percentage leader (1.169).  As a senior at Nutley, Giuseppe was named the Worrall Community Player of the Year, first team All
Essex County, First team All-NNJIL, First Team All Group 3 and Second Team All-State.  Papaccio went on to attend Seton Hall
University and helped the 2011 team win the Big East Championship.  In 2013 Giuseppe lead Seton Hall in batting average (.365),
at bats (233), hits (85), doubles (24), RBIs (53), total bases (129) and slugging percentage (.554)... Finished the season ranked
third in the BIG EAST in batting average, fourth in slugging percentage, third in hits, tied for fifth in RBIs, first in doubles and third
in total bases. He broke Seton Hall’s career record for doubles (56) and tied the single season doubles record with 24 while also
finishing his career ranked third with 211 games played, second with 807 at bats and fourth with 237 hits.  Papaccio was named
the 2013 New Jersey College Player of the Year, earning First Team All-Big East, First Team All East Region, and 3rd team All-
America honors by Louisville Slugger and Collegiate Baseball.

Giuseppe is currently an assistant coach for the Seton Hall University Baseball Team.  Giuseppe is available for hitting, fielding
and throwing instruction.
Sat-Sun: 9:30am-5:00pm
* Lefty's will be CLOSED on Sundays between July 4th & Oct 1st

Special Team Hours Can Always Be Arranged!
Amanda Jones

Amanda is a graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey and is currently teaching in Secaucus, New Jersey. Amanda was a
member of the Ramapo College Women’s Softball team from 2004-2006. During those years, Ramapo participated in the Division
III Women’s College World Series and won the Atlantic Regional Championship in 2006. As a member of the New Jersey Athletic
Conference (NJAC) Amanda was named Ramapo’s Rookie of the year in 2004.

For the past five years Amanda has coached softball at Secaucus High School, and was named head coach in 2013. The Lady
Patriots won the Hudson County Softball Championship in 2013 as well as the North II Group I Section. As a member of the NJIC
Conference, the Lady Patriots have won league championships 3 of the last 5 years.

Amanda is also an alumnus of and has coached club softball for the Clifton Cobras in 2008-2010.
Melissa Gushue

Melissa is currently a Physical Education and Health Teacher at Clifton High School, and has recently taught grades K-8 as well.
Originally from Metuchen, NJ, Melissa was a 4 year Varsity letter winner and starting pitcher for Metuchen High School. There she
had a great high school career, earning All–Division  recognition and has a career batting average of .380.  Melissa is a 2010
graduate of Montclair State University and has been coaching, giving private lessons and running camps/clinics for girls ages 6-
18 ever since.  Melissa has a love for the game and for coaching.  She has coached at various high schools in central NJ, and
has worked with summer ball programs as well as Little Leagues.  She is an expert on teaching the correct fundamentals and is
passionate about developing top-notch softball players.

Melissa is available for pitching, hitting, and fielding lessons and is looking forward to sharing her teaching experience,
enthusiasm and love for the game with both new and experienced players.
Stacey Ferry (Johansen)

Stacey has been involved in sports and fitness her entire life.  Stacey graduated from Belleville high school where she was a 4-
year All-League, All-County, and All-State pitcher and shortstop.  She also led her team to a County championship, league
championship and, and sectional championship.  Stacey then continued on to Brown University where she graduated with a BA in
Health Care and Business Management.  She was a 4-year varsity Pitcher/shortstop at Brown where she was named "All Ivy
League" 3 years and an "Academic All American" 4 years.

Stacey’s love of sports lead her to a successful career with Reebok where she worked in several marketing and management
capacities.  She has been involved with softball camps, clinics, and private lessons for years and continues to work with players to
strengthen their abilities in pitching, hitting and fielding.
Eileen is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University where she majored in Exercise Science.  She was a starting
shortstop for four years, where she helped to bring her team two North East Conference Championships in 2011 and 2013.  
During her senior year, Eileen hit .329 and led her team in hits with 47.  She totaled nine doubles, a triple, and three home runs.  
She also posted a .953 fielding percentage.  These stats helped in getting Eileen named Second Team All-NEC in 2016.

Eileen graduated from Nutley High School in 2012 where she was the starting shortstop all four years for the varsity softball
team.  While at Nutley, Eileen was named First Team All Essex County in 2010, ’11, and ’12; First Team All Group 3 in 2011, and  
’12; and Second Team All-State in 2011, and ’12.

Eileen is currently the Assistant Coach for the Rutgers University Newark Softball Team. Eileen is available for hitting and fielding
lessons.