FINGER LAKES East

GENEVA PANTHERS (Class A2)

Last season: Finished 7-9 (7-7 in league) an lost to top-seeded Batavia, 3-2 in the Class A2 quarter-finals.

Coach: Darrell Carey (fifth season). Assistant coaches: Jay Lamson and Scott Urbano.

Next game: Saturday, April 8th at Newark.

Top returners: Mike Baroody (Sr. 2B .358 19R, 11SB, .493OBP), Sean Hessler (Sr. 1B .409, 10R, 9RBI, .469OBP) and Jake Perry (Sr. .292, 7RBI).

Top newcomers: Jason Wheatley (Jr. C), Matt Tierney (Jr. 3B/DH) and Rashakim Hudson (Jr. 3B/OF/P).

Outlook: Losing by one run to Batavia (No. 1 seed) in the A2 quarter-finals showed Geneva how close they are to being contenders, and the Panthers believe they can make some noise this year in the league and sectionals. Their biggest challenge will be consistency. Can they make the routine plays: throw strikes, play defense and put the ball in play at the plate.

MIDLAKES SCREAMING EAGLES (Class B)

Last season: Finished 5-15 and lost to Pal-Mac, 6-2 in first round of Class B1.

Coach’s name: Jeff Maher (15^th season)

Top returner: Austin Avanzato (Sr. led the team in batting average and extra-base hits last season. Committed to play at FLCC in 2018).

Next game: April 7th vs. Clyde-Savannah.

Outlook: Red Creek returns eight starters from a very young 2016 squad which had three juniors, seven sophomores and two freshmen. Getting the best players committed to team success will be an important piece of the puzzle.

MYNDERSE BLUE DEVILS (Class B)

Last season: Finished 14-6 and lost to North-Rose Wolcott, 4-2 in the Class B2 final.

Coach: Charlie Foster

Next game: Saturday, April 8th at Wayne.

NEWARK REDS (Class B)

Last season: Finished 12-10 and lost to Livonia, 7-0 in B1 semifinal.

Coach: Mike McGavisk

Next game: Saturday, April 8th vs. Geneva.

PALMYRA-MACEDON RED RAIDERS (Class B)

Last season: Finished 5-16 and lost to Livonia, 8-1 in Class B1 quarterfinals.

Coach: Bryan Rodman (second season/5-16).

Top Returners: Nick Sapienza (So.), Alex Wahl (Jr.), Nate Tuper (Jr.), Bradon Carlson (Sr.), Grant LaDue (Sr.), Jack Miller (Sr.), CJ Wahl (Jr.), Brad Miller (Sr.) and Sam Meli (Sr.).

Top Newcomers: Jarred Camp (So.), Liam Doyle (So.) and Mitchell Stopp (So.).

Next game: Saturday, April 8th at Midlakes.

Outlook: With plenty of returners from a year ago, the Red Raiders look to compete in Finger Lakes East and improve on last year’s record.

PENN YAN MUSTANGS (Class B)

Last season: Finished 13-6 and Finger Lakes East co-champions. Lost to Hornell, 7-1 in B1 quarter-finals.

Coach: Willy Hillberg (first full season/took over part way through 2016 and finished 6-1).

Next game: Friday, April 7th at Wayne.

Top returners: Derrick Riviello (Jr. P/OF) Donny McMahon (Jr. P/OF), Peyton Schuck (So. C), Bryce Johnson (Sr. P/1B) and Robbie Wigsten (Sr. IF).

Top newcomer: Noah Detar (So. IF).

Outlook: Penn Yan’s pitching expects to be strong. Solid defense behind that staff will determine wins and losses. Can the Mustangs manufacture enough runs to support the arms? Team chemistry will be key.

WATERLOO INDIANS (Class B)

Last season: Finished 8-13 and lost to Greece Odyssey, 8-2 in B1 quarter-finals.

Coaches: Chip Andrews and Dan McGuane.

Next game: April 8th at Penn Yan.

WAYNE EAGLES (Class A2)

Last season: Finished 12-9 and lost to top-seeded Batavia, 11-5 in A2 semi-finals.

Coach: Andrew Struzik (13th season/137-137).

Top returners: Sean Flannery (Jr. .373, 17SB, 4-2B, 12RBI) and Tom Bolt (Jr. .323, 11SB, 12RBI, 4-1, 1.78ERA).

Top newcomers: Tanner Clark (2B/3B/P), Logan Holgado (2B/3B/OF/P) and Jaiden Burlee (OF/P/Utility).

Next game: April 7th vs. Penn Yan.

Outlook: Tyler Lane and Ben Blakely are the only two returning seniors. Wayne’s biggest challenge will be to find starting pitching after Bolt. The Eagles will look to juniors Tanner Clark and Nick Morrill along with Holgado and Burlee to pitch quality innings. Wayne lost seven games by three runs or less last season. They learned that hard work beats talent. They were a talented team a season ago but were outworked in those close games. They will win if they find some consistent hitters after Flannery and Bolt.