Champions Night at the Ballpark

8/14/2025 8:21:00 PM | By: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)

Bearcats honored by Rumble Ponies for Success in 2024-25

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Before the Binghamton Rumble Ponies - the AA affiliate of the New York Mets - took the field for their game on Thursday night at Mirabito Field, the pitcher's mound was occupied by members of the Bearcats' Division of Athletics. It was part of the Rumble Ponies' way of honoring Binghamton University for their athletic successes during the 2024-25 academic year.

Representing the Bearcats were head coaches Tim Sinicki (baseball), Jess Bump (softball), Jerry Cummiskey (swimming & diving), Nick Zieziula (men's tennis) and Mike Thomson (track & field), each of were recognized during a pre-game first pitch ceremony The Rumble Ponies then faced the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Also on hand from the Binghamton Division of Athletics was Director of Athletics Gene Marshall. After the Bearcat coaches delivered their first pitches, Marshall thanked the Rumble Ponies - and the fans - for their warm welcome.

"I would like to thank the Rumble Ponies organization for honoring our outstanding coaches," Marshall said. "These outstanding leaders have successfully navigated their respective teams through the conference competition in super fashion by winning in the classroom, in their competition and in the community. I am so proud of these outstanding individuals for all of their accomplishments."

Sinicki, who was recently inducted into the Binghamton Baseball Shrine, led the Bearcats to their sixth America East title since 2009. Bump, who grew up in nearby Windsor and played for the Bearcats from 2011-14, guided the softball squad to its first-ever sweep of both the America East regular-season and tournament titles.

Cummiskey and Zieziula's teams won their second straight conference titles - men's swimming in the America East and men's tennis in the Northeast Conference (NEC). Thompson, meanwhile, headed up a Bearcats track & field program that posted Marcus Johnson as an All-American in the 400 hurdles.

"This is a great night to celebrate our success in 2024-25," Bump said. "This was my first First Pitch and it was special for me because I grew up in this community so it was a really cool thing to do. We had our first (Division of Athletics) staff meeting this morning and we are all excited for this year."

"It was great to have our athletic department recognized," Cummiskey said. "To be out here in front of the community was terrific. This is a local area where the teams support each other and you saw that tonight."

The 2025-26 athletic year starts for Binghamton this Sunday when the women's soccer team travels to Lehigh for a 1 p.m. game.

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Bearcats honored by Rumble Ponies for Success in 2024-25

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