MONROE COUNTY Division 1
FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS (Class AA)
Last season: Finished 15-8 and lost to Webster Schroeder, 5-3 in the Class AA semi-finals.
Coach: Brian Reed (fourth year/37-26).
Top returners: Evan Newkirk (INF .311, 10R, 7RBI), Brian O’Connor (INF .333 OBP), Trevor Pollock (LHP 1-2, 5.62 ERA), Mike Sabatine (OF .333, 13R, 9RBI) and Nick Turturro (OF .224, 3-2B, 1-3B).
Top newcomers: Jake Schuler (Jr. P/INF) and Omar Rosa (Jr. INF).
First game: April 3rd at Hilton.
Outlook: With only five returners, Fairport has a significant number of spots to fill. Limited Varsity experience will be the biggest challenge for these Red Raiders. Newkirk, Sabatine and Turturro lead a group that is excited for the season. They are a roster full of guys that are willing to work hard, not only for themselves but for their teammates as well.
GATES CHILI SPARTANS (Class AA)
Last season: Finished 3-18 and lost to Fairport in the opening round of Class AA.
Coach: John Unson (13th season/117-146 *Did not coach past two seasons).
Top returners: Hunter Greenfield (Sr. P), Connor Hong (Sr. P/3B/OF), Steven Lipka (Sr. OF/3B), Ian Unson (Sr. C) and Sean Zimmerman (Sr. SS).
Top newcomers: Elijah Bedgood (Jr. OF), Bryan Bonilla (So. P), Angelino Torres (So. 2B/P), Vinny Wolkonowski (Jr. P/1B).
First game: Monday, April 3rd at Victor.
Outlook: Gates-Chili doesn’t return much experience and will rely on players improving at their positions throughout the season. Unson and Hong are the most seasoned among the returners. Greenfield started several games on the mound in 2016. Zimmerman is expected to be solid on defense, and the Spartans are hoping for contributions from Lipka following a junior season mending from an injury suffered at last March. Their biggest challenge to overcome this season will be gaining confidence, especially with the underclassmen who battled through a very frustrating 2016 season at the JV level. They are looking to demonstrate that their hardwork in the off-season and the experience will pay off in the month of April help them to be competitive in May and into Sectionals.
HILTON CADETS (Class AA)
Last season: Finished 14-8 and lost to Penfield, 7-5 in AA quarterfinals.
Coach’s name: Jeff Murphy (12th year/177-75).
Top returners: David Stirpe (P/C/INF), Morgan Kunigan (P/INF) and Ryan Schmitt (C/P/INF).
First game: March 31st vs. Churchville-Chili at home (Quest Elem. School), 4:30 pm.
Outlook: Potential is an important word for Hilton. The Cadets graduated 10 seniors last season. How will the returners handle the responsibility of going from role players to producers? Stirpe cemented the defense at shortstop last season. His work at and behind the plate this season could be a difference maker.
PENFIELD PATRIOTS (Class AA)
Last season: Finished 14-6 and lost to top-seeded East, 4-0 in the Class AA semi-finals.
Coach: Nick Marcin (third season/26-18)
Top returners: Ryan Kalbfus (1B/P .302, 17R, 13RBI, 9-2B; 3-1, 2.68 ERA and 21K), Kyle Straube (OF/P .326, 13R, 7SB; 4-1, 2.41 ERA, 30K – 2nd team All County Pitcher), Paul Cullen (OF/1B/P .261, 6R, 5RBI; 2-1, 2.26 ERA), Noah Wulforst (SS .238, 10R, 6RBI, 12BB, .429 OBP), Jack Burke (OF/P .290, 15R; 12 RBI; 1-2, 2.88 ERA and 15K).
Top newcomers: Patrick Bowes (OF), Andrew Ebersol (1B/P).
First game: Monday, April 3rd at Rush-Henrietta.
Outlook: Penfield will win if the Patriots can live in the moment and not get caught looking too far into the future or dwelling on the past. If every player accepts his role and does his job to the best of his ability each day they have a chance to be in every game we play this year.
RUSH-HENRIETTA ROYAL COMETS (Class AA)
Last season: Finished 11-11 and lost to Webster Schroeder, 3-0 in the AA quarter-finals.
Coach: Bill Rasmussen (12th season).
Top returners: Steve Hendrick (3B.373, 4-2B, 21 RBI), Casimer Sobaszek (SS/P .338, 11 RBI, 4-2B. Pitching 6 app., 2.10 ERA, 12K), Mitchell Hoffower (P/1B 7 starts – 3.79 ERA, 23 K), Hunter Barber (P 4W, 2.68 ERA, 20K).
Top newcomers: Andrew Sanchez (So. C 6-0 170 – Expected to split catching duties with Aaron Shoemaker (Sr.), Lucas Haefner (Jr. P/INF 5-foot-8 150 – Expected to help with the pitching and see time in the middle infield), Raymond Specht (Jr. INF/OF 6-foot-1 165 – Expected to be in the mix in both the infield and outfield), AJ Nestler (Jr. OF/P 6-foot, 160 – Expected to help with the pitching and see time in the outfield).
First game: March 31st vs. Spencerport at R-H Roth.
Outlook: Bill Rasmussen can go to the local hunting supply store and buy a stack of bullseye cut outs and affix one to R-H’s home dugout and to each visiting dugout when they go on the road. Why? The Royal Comets have the lineup to challenge for a sectional title and could be wearing a figurative bulls eye come mid-May. With a dozen returning seniors the Royal Comets expect to get production up and down the order and will use a variety of lineups throughout the season. Those seniors will be the ticket to leadership and direction taken by this squad.
VICTOR BLUE DEVILS (Class AA)
Last season: Finished 5-5 Monroe County DI League and 7-14 overall. Lost to Rush-Henrietta, 5-4 in first round of AA sectionals.
Coach: Sean Rucker (21st year/389-127).
Top returners: Nate Hampson (Jr. P/1B), Blake Hildman (Sr. INF), Tommy Ryan (Jr. C), Louie Schafer (Jr. OF) and Andrew Westbrook (Jr. P).
Top newcomer: Santino Rosso (So. SS, 5-foot-7 155. Saw some varsity action last year at 3B and SS).
First game: March 31st vs. Webster-Schroeder at Victor HS 4:30 pm.
Outlook: A year ago, Victor played four teams that won sectional titles. Nine of their games were decided by one run, eight more by two or three. A lineup of mostly juniors with a couple sophomores face the task of turning those tables. How will the Blue Devils youth respond in games decided by the narrowest of margins? Rucker is looking for more offensive production and solid defense behind a young pitching staff.
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