Class A1 opens Thursday with a pair of first-round games. The quarter-finals follow on Friday. Here’s the rundown:
No. 1 seed EAST (16-3)
Players to watch: Jordi Agosto (Jr. SS .532, 9-2B, 1-3B, 2 HR, 38 R, 27 RBI, 12 SB, .667 OBP), Eric Maldonado (Sr. C/P .492, 6-2B, 3-3B, 3 HR, 44 R, 36 RBI, 15 SB, .727 OBP), John Segarra (Sr. OF/P .386, 41 R, 20 RBI, 19 SB, .636 OBP), Sam Sheldon (Fr. OF/2B .389, 7-2B, 3-3B, 25 R, 25 RBI, 10 SB, .543 OBP), Joel Alicea (Jr. 3B/P .364, 4-2B, 27 R, 15 RBI, .642 OBP).
What to know: East returns several players who helped the Eagles advance to the Class AA finals last season.
No. 2 seed CANANDAIGUA (15-3)
Players to watch: Matthew Carbary (3W, 18IP, 11K, 1.90 ERA), Tanner Cooper (5W, 38 IP, 59K, 0.93 ERA/ 1 HR, 17 RBI, 2-2B, 2-3B), Cooper Crunick (.295, 4-2B, 7 RBI), Connor Fisher (375, 8 RBI, 11 R), Brian Hoffman (3W, 21IP, 19K, 0.64 ERA/.341, 8R, 4-2B), Michael Sculli (2W, 32IP, 41K, 2.62 ERA) and Seth Vigneri (.351, 15RBI, 5-2B, 1-3B).
What to know: Reigning A1 champions have won nine straight heading into the sectionals with a team batting average of .293, ERA of 1.44 and fielding percentage of .965.
No. 3 seed BRIGHTON (12-7)
Players to watch: Owen Davis (Sr.), Isaac Nelson (Sr., led team in batting average and RBI), Ryan O’Mara (So., 3W), DJ Staszak (Sr.) and Trent Wasserman (So., 3W).
What to know: Brighton will lean on O’Mara and Wasserman for wins in the sectionals. Barons and No. 6 seed Irondequoit will meet in Friday’s quarter-final round.
No. 4 seed BROCKPORT (12-8)
Players to watch: Gordy Fisher (.408), Mike Jamele (.435) and Cole Penders (.443).
What to know: Brockport has won 10 of 12 games entering the sectionals. Blue Devils will take on No. 5 seed Greece Arcadia in Friday’s quarter-finals.
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No. 5 seed GREECE ARCADIA (9-10)
Players to watch: Justin Augustine (Jr.), Kevin Blum (Sr.) and Thomas Finnerty (Sr.).
What to know: Class A1 No. 1 seed a year ago, Arcadia won its last three games to finish the regular season. Titans open against No.4 seed Brockport in the quarter-finals.
No. 6 seed IRONDEQUOIT (8-9)
Players to know: Chris Butler (.333, 12R, 1 HR, 9RBI, 5-2B), AJ Gartland (two-time Division 2 Player of the Week, .373 12R, 9RBI, 4-2B, 1-3B/4-2, 1SV, 39.1IP, 45K, 0.53ERA), Nick Serce (.292, 12R, 4-2B, 1 HR, 11RBI/2-2, 1SV, 27IP, 27K, 4.15 ERA).
What to know: Irondequoit closed the regular season with a win over No. 6 seed (Class AA) Rush-Henrietta.
No. 7 seed SPENCERPORT (8-12)
Players to watch: Nick Bellone (Sr.P/3B 42 IP, 28K, 1.17 ERA – five earned runs allowed/.333), Josh Brase (Sr. RF, .310, 5-2B, 3-3B), Chris Carroll (CF .290, 5 outfield assists) and Aidan Eldridge (Sr. 1B/C Recent Division 2 Co-Player of the Week, .406, 28H, 5-2B, 15RBI).
What to know: Of Spencerport’s 12 losses, three came to teams (Webster Schroeder and Ketcham (I)) which reached the 2016 NYS Class AA Final Four. Three more defeats were by one run, and they dropped close decisions last week to NYS No. 20 (AA) Penfield (5-3) and No. 2-seed (AA) Fairport (5-2). The Rangers open against No. 10 seed Greece Athena. Spencerport took the regular season meeting between the two teams, 4-1.
No. 8 seed PITTSFORD MENDON (8-11)
Players to watch: Jared Petrichick (.318, 21RBI), George Gines (.333, 15R, 2HR), Colin Smith (.345, 16R), Taylor Genier (.333, 1HR) and Sam Cestra (2.69ERA, 32K).
What to know: Mendon has won four of six heading into the sectionals. The Vikings have six one-run losses this season.
No. 9 seed EASTRIDGE (7-12)
Players to watch: Justin Derleth, Ryan Derleth, Mandel Green and Nick Goodrich-Leach (threw a no-hitter earlier this season).
What to know: Eastridge closed the regular season with two wins.
No. 10 seed GREECE ATHENA (5-14)
Players to watch: Ryan Ballard (Jr. C .424, .469OBP, 5-2b, 1-3B, HR), Jake Kimble (Sr. P/1B .368, .400OBP, 11RBI), Mike Ruta (Jr. OF .320, .393OBP, 12RBI), James Sciortino (Jr. SS/P .400, .574OBP, 5-2B, 2-3B, 2HR).
What to know: Athena won three of four to end the regular season.
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