WAYNE COUNTY PREVIEW

CLYDE-SAVANNAH GOLDEN EAGLES (Class C2)

Last season: Finished 11-10 and lost to East Rochester, 4-3 in Class C1 quarter-finals.

Coach: Dan Bonafede (10th season/ 63-97 overall – 37-39 in four years at Clyde-Savannah. 26-58 in five years at Marion).  

Top returners: Jaret Murray (C/3B/P .329  7 extra-base hits, 15 RBI. 4-6 2.86 ERA, 57K, 56.1 IP), Dylan Ufholz (C/SS/P.284, 9RBI, 10 SB. 3-2, 3.50 ERA 58K  44 IP), Tre Kanaley (CF .360, 16 RBI and 7 SB), Ray Williams (RF .215 6 RBI), Zac Montes (3B/P .215 6 RBI) and Nick Ramos (1B/P .227, 6 RBI).

Top newcomers: Tyler Ufholz (SS/P), Pat Marchitell (2B/LF/P) and Klayton Green (LF/2B/P).

First game: Thursday, April 6^th vs. Lyons.

Outlook: The Golden Eagles lost some significant offensive and defensive contributors from last year’s team, but return their top pitchers and hope for some growth from returning hitters.  Finishing in the top half of the league while making a run at the title is within this group’s reach.  Clyde-Savannah’s biggest challenge to overcome this season will be replacing the depth of last year’s lineup and having some guys take the next step to fill those spots.

EAST ROCHESTER BOMBERS (Class C2)

Last season: Finished 14–6 and lost to Sodus 8-3 in the Class C1 semi-finals.

Coach: Patrick Walsh (17th season/244-103).

Top returners: Andrew Chilelli (SS/P 8W, .354), Dimitri Georgantonis (OF .477) and Tanner Swagler (OF .375).

First game: Monday, April 3rd vs. Sodus.  

Outlook: East Rochester won last year with only two seniors starters. The Bombers, like many teams teams in the Wayne County league, have a young squad with talented underclassmen. A difficult league schedule presents East Rochester with its biggest challenge. ER will win if its pitching holds up, and they do not take any opponent for granted.

GANANADA PANTHERS  (Class C1)

Last season: Finished 8-12 and lost to Pembroke in first round of Class C1.

Coach: Bill McClare (fourth season at Gananda).

Top returners: Cody Hill (Jr. 1B .475, 6-2B, 1 HR, 18 RBI), Tim McClare (So. SS/P .437, 31H, 4-2B, 2-3B, 24RBI, 55K, 29.1 IP 4.23ERA), Jourdan Plaisted (Sr. C .441, 2-2B, 10RBI),  Jayden Castrechini (So. 3B/P/SS .372, 19R, 9SB) and Drew Miale (Jr. CF/P .422, 8-2B, 14R).

Top newcomers:  Ryan Colbert (Sr. 3B/OF/P 5-foot-10, 170).

First game: Monday April 3rd vs. Lyons.

Outlook: Gananda will look to build off its successes from last year when they were young hoping the quality experience will pay off. The Panthers proved they can hit last year. If that continues as well as an improved defensive effort behind a young pitching staff, Gananda will win.

LYONS LIONS (Class C2)

Last season: Finished 2-13 and lost to Oakfield-Alabama in the opening round of Class C2. 

Coach: Dean Schott II (fifth season).

Top returners: Brenden Bantel (P/1B), Duncan Dobbins (C) and Hunter Bastian (SS/P).

Top newcomers: Casey Lead (DH/3B), Kyle Evans (P/3B) and Scott Norris (2B).

Outlook: Lyons is looking to see the fruits of their off-season labor. Like many schools facing pitch count restrictions for the first time their biggest challenge will be whether they have enough pitching or not. Throwing strikes and not giving away extra outs will be a key this season. 

NORTH ROSE-WOLCOTT COUGARS (Class C1)

Last season: Finished 15-5 and defeated Mynderse, 4-2 to win Class B2.

Coach: Erik Pentycofe (third season/22-14)

Top returners: Cody Welkley (P/1B .312, 2.53 ERA) and Jordan Brown (C .291, 3-2B, 1-3B, 7SB).

First game: Tuesday, April 4th at Lyons.  

Outlook: North Rose-Wolcott lost seven seniors from last year’s team which won the first sectional title in program history. Only 12 guys came out this year. The Cougars are a fairly young team with players learning new positions and/or pitching for the first time.

RED CREEK RAMS (Class C1)