CHURCHVILLE-CHILI SAINTS (Class AA)
Last season: Finished 10-12 and lost to No. 1-seed East High, 5-2 in the AA quarter-finals.
Coach: Jake Dennstedt (third season/15-27).
Top returners: Christian Montanez (3B/1B/P .246 3HR, 16RBI), Jayson Wallace (IF/OF/P .216 ba), Colin Coykendall (C/SS .261, 4 2B, 12RBI), Ryan DeMitrovic (P/OF 5.25 era, 20Ip, 1-1, 16K).
Top newcomers: Ethan Putney (IF), Amaury Samalot (C).
First game: March 31st vs Hilton at Quest Elementary.
Outlook: The Saints biggest challenge this season will be overcoming the loss of veteran players like Scott Neu, Ben Martin and Billy Sanborn. Churchville will need to replace valuable innings on the mound lost through graduation with youth and inexperience. How that plays out will be critical in C-C’s overall success.
GREECE ARCADIA TITANS (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 19-3 and lost to eventual champion Canandaigua, 10-3 in the A1 semi-finals.
Coach: Chris Ruggieri (19th season/233-175)
Top returners: Thomas Finnerty (SS/P), Zach Southcott, Neal McMullen (P), Justin Augustine (C) and Kevin Blum (Utility – 4 yr. starter).
Top newcomers: Ben Bell (So./CF), Nathen Yantz (So./Utility) and Ray Mineo (Jr./P).
First game: April 1st at Aquinas – noon.
Outlook: The Titans will move up two divisions from Monroe County 4 which should get them ready to compete at A1 come sectional time. Arcadia’s biggest challenge to overcome this season will be the adversity after a 19-3 season. There will be some bumps in the road. The most important teachable moment from last year is that baseball is a great equalizer when compared to basketball and football; the bigger stronger team doesn’t always win. Arcadia will win if they continue to improve and respond to failure with vigor, drive and hard work.
IRONDEQUOIT EAGLES (Class A1)
Last season: Finished: 10-11 overall (7-3 league/Co-Champions Monroe County Division 2), lost to Greece Athena, 6-2 the first round of A1 sectionals.
Coach: Tim Mabb (21st season/192-226)
Top returners: AJ Gartland (Sr. P/1B -1st team All County, 6th team All State), Chad Gartland (So. SS/P 2nd team All County), Jackson DeJohn (So. C/IF/P) and Dan Borg (Sr. C).
Top newcomers: Will Porter (Jr. OF) and Nick Serce (So. P/1B).
First game: April 3rd at Greece Arcadia, 4:30 PM.
Outlook: The Eagles will be looking for senior leadership to build off last year’s division championship. They lost eight seniors and six starters from that team. Also senior 3B/cleanup hitter Matt Brennan was lost for the season with an ACL injury. Mabb’s squad will win if they have solid pitching, solid defense and the six new starters can make the adjustment at the varsity level. The most important teachable moment the Eagles take from last year is to never give up. Play the game for a complete seven innings and build on the fantastic team chemistry that was established last year.
SPENCERPORT RANGERS (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 4-16 and lost in first round of Class A1 at Brighton 4-2.
Coach: Larry Frisa (fourth season/17-45).
Top returners: Jarod Barnard (P/IF), Nick Bellone (P/IF), Nick Dennison (IF) and Aidan Eldridge (C) – all are third-year players at the varsity level.
Top newcomers: Raymond Richards (Jr. 6-foot-1 190lbs/RHP). Joey Carroll (Jr. INF) and
Chris Carroll (Jr. OF).
First game: March 31st at Rush-Henrietta.
Outlook: Spencerport paid its dues with young teams the past two seasons. Ten seniors and five upcoming juniors have the Rangers looking forward to the season. Their biggest challenge will be to learn how to win after not doing much of that the past two years. Developing a winning attitude will be a priority. Bellone started plenty last year and took the Rangers deep into ball games with gutsy performances. Frisa will look for the senior to do the same this year. Spencerport knows nothing comes easy and respect is earned. The Rangers can win if senior experience takes the lead early in the season and helps to maintain a “Next Man Up” attitude.
WEBSTER SCHROEDER WARRIORS (Class AA)
Last season: Finished 20-6, won the Section Five Class AA title and advanced to the state finals before losing to Shenendehowa, 7-6.
Coach: Matt Knight (16th season/200-148).
Top returners: Shane Marshall (Sr. CF/P/IF Regular Season – .429 avg., 24 Runs Scored, 25 RBI, 18 SBs, 5 Wins, 1 Loss, 2 Saves, 1.22 ERA), Josh Simons (Sr. P/OF 3 Wins, 1 Loss, 1 Save, 2.86 ERA), Phil Ferranti (Sr. C .269 avg., 16 RBI), Connor Bisaillon (Sr. 1B/P 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 0.43 ERA), Tyler Candelaria (Sr. 2B/OF), Ben Mulhall (Sr. P), Caleb Punter (Sr. DH/OF .294 Avg) and John Stocum (Sr. 2B/3B/OF).
Top newcomers: Tommy Baxter (Jr. SS 5-foot-10 155 lbs), Michael Masucci (Jr. OF 6-foot 170 lbs) and Tommy Winn (So. 2B/3B/P 5-foot-9 155 lbs).
First game: March 31st at Victor.
Outlook: SUNY Binghamton commit Marshall along with Ferranti in the middle of the lineup can make a lot of noise if role players from last year’s squad step up and produce. The Warriors improved throughout last season and were tough come sectionals. Knight wants to see that trend continue this season. Team chemistry is the key to a successful season. It’s not about having the most talented team, it’s about being the best team. Schroeder will win if they work to improve on a daily basis and place team goals in front of individual goals.
WEBSTER THOMAS TITANS (Class AA)
Last season: Finished 9-12 lost to Churchville-Chili 2-0 in the AA quarter-finals.
Coach: Kevin Neenan (fourth season/38-26).
Top returners: Ryan Mason (Sr. 1B/3B/P .419, 4 2B’s, 1 3B, 14 RBI, Pitching – 1-1, 2.00 ERA -2nd Team All- County), Ryan Carragher (Sr. 3B/SS/2B/P .333, 8 RBI, Pitching 1-2, 3.82 ERA), Damian Wright (Jr. C), Ryan Hill (Jr. SS), Ben Hufland (Sr. P 1-2, 3.98 ERA), Joe Paul (Sr. P,1B), Austin Boehlert (Sr. OF).
Top newcomers: Matt Geckle (Jr. P/INF/OF), Justin LaLoggia (Jr. P/3B), Mateo Lopez (Jr. OF/C), Ethan Maltman (Jr. OF), Jim Marasco (So. 2B/SS/3B/P), Devin Mulcahy (So. P/OF), Steven Minardo (Jr. OF), Derek Ogi (Jr. OF/P) and Ryan Ogi (C,OF)
First game: April 3rd vs. Churchville-Chili 4:30 PM
Outlook: The Thomas lineup will consist of five seniors, nine juniors and two sophomores. An experienced infield will be key for this younger group. A lot of players will be stepping into larger roles on varsity The Titans will look for their offense to step up this year and put more pressure on the defense of other teams by being aggressive and running more. As with most teams, pitching will be a key to success.
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