Jake Schuler finished 3-2 with 17 strike outs and a 1.64 ERA for Fairport in 2017. (Photo: SUE KANE)

MONROE COUNTY Division I

FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS (Class AA)

Last Season: Finished 14-5 and lost to Rush-Henrietta, 5-0 in the Class AA semifinals.
Coach: Brian Reed (fifth season/52-32).
Top Returners: Mike Sabatine (Sr. OF .433/22 R/14 SB/ First Team All-County/ 1^st team AGR), Tyler Smith (Sr. P, SS .339/6 2B/5-0/25K/ 1.93 ERA/ First Team All-County), Jake Schuler (Sr. P, SS, 2B .327/12 RBI/3-2/ 17 K/ 1.64 ERA/ Second Team All-County), Omar Rosa (Sr. 3B, 2B, OF, SS .389/18 RBI/6 SB/ Second Team All-County), Tyler Holmes (Jr. C, 3B .333/ 8 RBI), Anthony Roides (Jr. P, 1B .314/ 8 RBI/ 1-1/ 2.54 ERA 8K).
First Game: April 2^nd vs. Apollo HS, Owensboro, KY at The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Outlook: With 15 returners from last year’s team, Fairport will be able to put a significant amount of experience on the field. Expectations are high for the Red Raiders. The Class AA field of competitors will be crowded. A hungry and united Fairport squad figures to be a part of it.

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GATES-CHILI SPARTANS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 2-19 and fell to McQuaid in the first round of Class AA.
Coach: John Unson (14th season/119-165).
Top returners: Angelino Torres (Jr. 2B), Alec Cerasuolo (Sr. P collected one of the Spartans wins last season), Noah Esten (Sr. 3B), Alex Rotmans (Sr. Co-Captain, 3B, SS, OF, C, P),
Top newcomers: Alex Scalone (Jr. P), Andrew Lipka (Jr. C) and Anthony Gersonia (Jr. P).
First game: April 3rd vs. St Charles Prep (OH) at the Disney Sports Training Complex. Home opener vs. Victor on April 9th.
Outlook: Coming off a two-win campaign in 2017, Gates-Chili continues to rebuild. The Spartans are focused on improvement during the regular season and looking for success in the sectionals.

HILTON CADETS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 6-15 and lost to Victor, 10-4 in the Class AA quarterfinals.
Coach: Jeff Murphy (13^th season/183-91).
Top returners: David Stirpe (Sr. SS, P Second Team All-County), Nic Rohloff (Sr. 1B, P Second Team All-County), John Cavallaro (Sr. C, OF), Gavin Moore (Jr. OF, P), Drew HerrNeckar (Jr. 3B), Morgan Kunigan (Sr. INF, P), Josh Battaglia (Jr. OF, P), Robert Oliveri (Sr. P, 1B) and Justin DeVos (Sr. INF, P).
First game: Friday, March 30^th vs. Wheeling HS (IL) at the Disney Sports Training Complex.
Outlook: Hilton will look to rebound from its first losing season in 12 years with pitching depth and the versatility of young players coming up to fill in at skilled positions. Seven starters return from a young, inexperienced 2017 team. The Cadets will need to make up for inconsistent hitting and a lack of power.

David Stirpe is a four-year starter for Hilton. (Photo: SUE KANE)

PENFIELD PATRIOTS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 15-6 and lost to Rush-Henrietta, 4-3 in the Class AA quarterfinals.
Coach: Nick Marcin (41 – 24/fourth season).
Top returners: Patrick Bowes (Sr. CF .346), Andrew Ebersol (Sr. 1B, P .333/11 RBI) and AJ Kimmins (Sr. C).
Top newcomers: Gage Ziehl (Fr. 3B, P 5-foot-11, 190), Brendan Miller (So. SS,P 5-foot-9, 175), Danny Stapleton (So. 2B, P 5-foot-10, 165), Connor Stuewe (Jr. OF, 1B 5-foot-10, 175) and Bobby Bradley (Jr. 3B 5-foot-11, 190).
First game: April 3rd vs. West Seneca East in Myrtle Beach. Home opener April 9 vs. Rush-Henrietta.
Outlook: A young Penfield squad will be in the hunt for a divisional title and look to prepare for the post-season. Keep an eye on Ziehl who could surprise a few fans this season.

RUSH-HENRIETTA ROYAL COMETS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 16-8 lost to McQuaid, 3-2 in the Class AA finals.
Coach: Bill Rasmussen (13th season).
Top returners: Lucas Haefner (Sr. P,INF .348/31H/15 RBI/5 SB), Andrew Sanchez (Jr. C ) and Raymond Specht (Sr. INF .270/12R/12RBI).
Top newcomers: Patrick Sherron (So. P 5-foot-10, 170), Grant Rodriguez Jr. 1B,DH 5-foot-10, 180). First game: April 5th vs. HF-L.
Outlook: Sanchez will step into full-time catching duties and will see an increase in his production at the plate. Specht is an effective top of the lineup guy. With more innings on the mound, Haefner should prove he is among the top hurlers in Section V. Sheron was impressive on last year’s JV squad. Watch for Rodriguez to help fill the gaps in the middle of the lineup created by graduations.

Lucas Haefner is a returning starter for the Rush-Henrietta Royal Comets. (Photo: SUE KANE)

VICTOR BLUE DEVILS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 5-5 in league/13-10 overall and lost to McQuaid, 12-8 in the Class AA semifinal.
Coach: Sean Rucker (402-137/ 22nd season).
Top returners: Chris Varone (Sr. OF,1B .380/ 30H/15 RBI), Tommy Ryan (Sr. C .324/24H/13 RBI), Andrew Westbrook (Sr. P 39IP), Brandon Meeks (Sr. P 20IP/21K/2-1), Nate Hampson (Sr. P, 1B 33IP/ 38K/2.5o ERA), Louie Schafer (Sr. OF .312/24H, 5-2B/12 RBI), Zack Carpin (Sr. 3B,DH .354/ 17H/4-2B/1-3B/11 RBI) and Santino Rosso (Jr. SS .318/21H/10 RBI).
Top newcomers: Sam DiGiacomo (Jr. C/OF) and Hudson Alread (Jr. OF/DH).
First game: April 2nd vs. Eastern HS (KY) at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach SC.
Outlook: With an experienced lineup including Hampson, Meeks and Westbrook in the rotation, Victor should challenge for the DI title. Watch for the Blue Devils to make a run in the sectionals.