MONROE COUNTY Division 4
BATAVIA BLUE DEVILS (Class A2)
Last season: Finished 17-6 and lost to Aquinas, 2-1 in the Class A2 finals.
Coach: Rick Saunders (18th season/254-138-1) Assistants: Buddy Brasky and James Patric.
Top returners: Jerry Reinhart (Sr. SS 2nd team All-County .403, 27H, 17 RBI), Casey Radka (Sr. P .348, 16H from the plate as a junior), Alex Jones (Sr. P 2-0, 4 saves, 1.02 ERA).
Top newcomers: Hunter Mazur (Jr. P), and Jordyn Schmidt (Jr. P).
First game: April 3rd at East Irondequoit.
Outlook: Batavia’s starting pitching has great depth and will look to be competitive in the league once again. A strong off-season in the cages will have the Blue Devils game ready.
EASTRIDGE LANCERS (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 5-17 and lost to Aquinas, 11-2 in A2 2nd round.
Coach: Mike Screen (third season/14-26 – 2-2 sectionals).
Top returners: Justin Derleth (Sr.P/CF 414, 15 R, 6 RBI) Ryan Derleth (Sr. P/2B .295, 442 OBP, 14R, 7 RBI), Avery Bowens: (So. P/IF .241, .348 OBP, 9RBI, 7R).
Top newcomers: Nick Goodrich-Leach (Sr. P/SS 5-foot-11 -played at Webster Thomas in 2016), Brady Crombach (Sr. P/INF 5-foot-11 160 – did not play in 2016).
First game: Monday, April 3rd vs. Batavia at Ivan Green Primary School ’90
Outlook: The Lancers lost eight games by two runs or less last year. This year’s squad consists of 11 seniors. Three did not play for Eastridge a year ago. Bowens looks to take the next step after a solid freshman season. This year’s team has pitching depth with five solid starters and six who pitched at the varsity level in 2016. Can the Lancers turn close losses into wins this year? Their biggest challenge is learning how to finish games.
GREECE ODYSSEY LEOPARDS (Class B)
Last season: Finished 14-9 and lost to Livonia in the Class B finals.
Coach: Roger Klimek (20th season at Odyssey).
Top returners: Jeff Wilson (Sr. SS 1st team All County committed to LeMoyne), Pat Bigham (Sr. C/P/INF 2nd team All County committed to Fredonia), Vince Alongi (Sr. P/INF), Ray Matos (Sr. P/CF).
First game: Monday, April 3rd vs. Livonia.
Outlook: Odyssey lost its top two pitchers but return the rest of the starting lineup from last year. Can Alongi, Bigham and Matos provide the pitching needed. Odyssey learned last year they can play with anyone. How will that carry over to this year’s lineup?
GREECE OLYMPIA SPARTANS (Class A2)
Last season: Finished 7-13 and lost to Eastridge, 6-5 in the opening round of Class A2.
Coach: Joe Ferrindino (third season/9-29).
Top returners: Ryan Bubel (Sr. C three-year starter) and Johnny Carson (Sr. P/OF three-year starter).
Top newcomers: Joey Alphonse (Fr. SS/P), Colin Avery (So. Utility), Jack Berbert (So. 1B/OF), Mike Matteson (Fr. Utility) and Zac Wright (So. P/2B).
First game: March 29th vs. Franklin.
Outlook: Olympia returns nine players who started 10 or more games a year ago. A handful of underclassmen join the team to compete for starting spots. With the experience, depth and work ethic of this year’s Spartans should compete with Batavia for the division title and make a strong Sectional title run in the A2 classification. Taking the next step of finishing out close games is the biggest challenge for Ferrindino’s squad. The Spartans know a strong work ethic pays dividends in the win column. They will win if they out work opponents and improve on a daily basis.
HONEOYE FALLS-LIMA COUGARS (Class A2)
Last season: Finished 7-14 and lost to Aquinas, 7-4 in the A2 semi-finals.
Coach: Dan Hoyt (sixth season).
Top returners: Carson Correll (P), Matt Worley (SS) and Owen VanNewkirk (C).
Top newcomers: Jack Tvrdik (3B 6-foot 220), Derek Childs (P 6-foot-3 190).
First game: April 3rd vs. Greece Olympia.
Outlook: HF-L’s biggest challenge be getting young players to mature and play key roles.
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