CANANDAIGUA BRAVES (Class A1)
Last season: 20-5, Section V Class A champions, lost in the state semifinals to eventual state champ Queensbury
Coach: Dale Werth (198-151/16th year)
Top returners: Michael Sculli (Sr. LHP/CF – First Team All-County, went 7-2 on the mound with a 1.41 ERA and 66 strike outs in 69 innings; led the team with a .421 batting average with one home run, five doubles, and six stolen bases, MCC verbal commit), Cooper Crunick (Sr. RHP/SS – First Team All-County, went 8-0 with a 0.913 ERA and 37 strike outs in 38 innings pitched; .365 batting average with eight doubles and four triples, Binghamton commit), Dylan MacKenzie (Jr. RHP/INF – recorded a .392 average with 10 doubles, one triple, one homer, and 26 RBI), Seth Vigneri (Jr. C – First Team All-County, .350 average with seven doubles, one homer, 16 RBI, and 23 runs), Austin Miller (Sr. RHP – 1-0 on the mound with 12 Ks in 11 innings pitched, planning to play at Cayuga Community College), Joe Brinza (Sr. INF/RHP – .395 batting average, 5 doubles, 15 RBI, and 15 runs scored)
Top newcomers: Luke Pawilicki (Jr. INF/OF – 5-foot-11, 150 lbs), Sam Werth (Jr. INF – 5-foot-9 170 lbs), Zach Wantuck (Jr. RHP – 6-foot-0 210 lbs), Zach Morse (Jr. RHP/OF – 6-foot-1, 160 lbs)
First game: Friday, April 5th vs. Fairport
Outlook: Returning their top two pitchers and top five hitters, including a strong defense up the middle, from last year’s State tournament team and solid additions from last year’s JV squad, will the Braves repeat their successes?
CHURCHVILLE-CHILI SAINTS (Class A1)
Last season: 7-14
Coach: Guy Puglia (7-14/second year)
Top returners: Jake Carroll (Sr. OF – First Team All-County recipient, .480 batting average), Ethan Putney (Sr. P – Second Team All-County, .367 batting average), Amaury Samalot (Sr. C – Second Team All-County, .337 batting average), Wes Colucci (Sr. SS), Jaden Nelomes (Sr. OF), Brandan King (Sr. 3B), Joey Puglia (Jr. P/1B), Johnny Bagley (Jr. 2B/C), Josh Ferris (Jr. 1B/3B)
Top newcomers: Joe Wolke (Jr. P), Gavin Palo (Jr. 2B)
First game: Wednesday, April 3 vs. Frankin
Outlook: With eight starters back on the roster, will the Saints improve from last season?
GATES-CHILI SPARTANS (Class AA)
Last season: 2-19
Coach: Dean Dingee (first year)
Top returners: Darren Peace, Angelino Torres, Alex Scalone (P), Anthony Gersonia (P)
Top newcomers: Devin Georgetti (So. P/SS – 6-foot, 145 lbs), Mike Ribis (So. P/3B – 6-foot-2, 190 lbs)
First game: Wednesday, April 3 against School of the Arts
Outlook: This will be a rebuilding season with two sophomore pitchers ready to lead the rotation alongside starting pitchers Alex Scalone and Anthony Gersonia that are looking to build on their 2018 season. First year head coach Dean Dingee said his squad will “rely heavily on defense and pitching to keep games low scoring,” will the young staff keep opponents off the board?
IRONDEQUOIT EAGLES (Class A1)
Last season: 12-8, lost to Greece Athena in round one of Sectionals
Coach: Joey Kuhn (first year)
Top returners: Jackson DeJohn (Sr. C/P, 6-foot-3 – hit .271 last season with two home runs and 18 RBI, threw out 11 potential base stealers; threw 15 innings and recorded a 0.47 ERA, St. Bonaventure University commit), Nick Serce (Sr. LHP/1B, 6-foot-1 – .377 batting average with three home runs and 18 RBI, .494 on-base percentage; finished 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA, Alfred State commit), Chad Gartland (Sr. SS/P/C, 6-foot-1 – .385 batting average with two home runs and 19 RBI last season; finished 2-1 with a 4.37 ERA, Niagara County CC commit), Jose Morales (Sr. OF, 5-foot-10 – .373 batting average with 11 RBI and a .475 on-base percentage, Houghton College commit).
Top newcomers: Colin Fuller (Jr. 3B/P – 5-foot-10, 175 lbs), JP Erbland (Sr. utility – 5-foot-10, 165 lbs), Frankie Fernandes (Jr. IF – 5-foot-8, 155 lbs).
First game: Friday, April 5th at 4:30 p.m. vs. Webster Schroeder
Outlook: With a talented group of versatile returners, the Eagles have their eyes set on a run in sectionals. Can the senior leadership take them there?
SPENCERPORT RANGERS (Class A1)
Last season: 6-14, lost in first round of sectionals to Brighton in Sectionals.
Coach: Larry Frisa (sixth year)
Top returners: Jason Nau (Sr. C/P/IF – First Team All-County – Led the Rangers in every offensive category and amongst the league leaders as well), Greg Ranieri (Jr. IF Second Team All-County and looks to continue his role on the team as a quiet leader who gets on base and anchoring third base), Gino Pellett (Jr. P/IF, three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and soccer), Kiernan Crowley (Sr. P). Nathan Hueber (Sr. OF) and Colton VanBrederode (1B) will make the move from reserve into starting roles as well as Mike LoPresti (Sr. 2B) and Nick LoPresti (Sr. OF).
Top newcomers: Ned LaDuca (Jr. C/2B), Silas Egenlauf (Jr. C/OF), and Mark Neu (Jr. C/3B/OF), Alex Anderson (Jr. SS/2B), Joe Cuddy (Jr. 1B/3B), and Arielis Lora (Jr. OF), Zach Cieslisnski (Jr. OF) and Nathan Heinsler (Jr. 1B/OF).
First game: Versus Eastridge on April 1st
Outlook: Despite a losing record last year, the Rangers hung tough in many games last year. On seven occasions, the Rangers lost in either extra innings or by one run. They were a young team last year, and hopefully those growing pains along with hard work allows them to push through those tough games this year.
WEBSTER THOMAS TITANS (Class AA)
Last season: 12-8, lost to Churchville-Chili 4-3 in quarterfinals
Coach: Kevin Neenan (63-40/sixth season)
Top returners: Devin Mulcahy (Sr. P/3B/OF – Two year All-County recipient, .288 batting average with 15 runs and 10 RBI; finished with a 2.39 ERA and 14 strike outs), Jim Marasco (Sr. SS – .306 batting average in 2018; 3.68 ERA and 12 strike outs, Nichols College commit), Caden Hann (Sr. P/1B – finished 4-0 as a junior with a 1.73 ERA and 25 strike outs), Jake Canfield (Sr. P/OF – batted .357 with three doubles and four triples, Keuka College commit), Jadon Masucci (So. P/INF – recorded a 3.63 ERA and 2-2 record last season with 19 strike outs, Alfred State commit), Matt Stuewe (Sr. 1B/OF – .263 batting average), Sam DeGrace (Sr. C/OF – .250 batting average), Ethan Hagan (Sr. 2B).
Top newcomers: Peter Dennison (Sr. OF/P), Evan Ziegelhofer (Sr. P/1B), Mitchell Kelly (So. OF/P), Greyson McDonnell (So. C), Will VanFleet (Jr. SS/2B), Jake Veniskey (Jr. 3B/P/C), Ian McNabb (So. P/OF/1B), Aidan Thomas (Jr. 2B/P), Tommy Wygal (Jr. OF/P), Ian Henry (Jr. 1B/OF)
First game: Friday, April 5th vs. Hilton
Outlook: The Titans return 10 seniors, while adding five juniors and three sophomores to the mix. With that, a good portion of their pitching staff returns from last year. Will Thomas build on last year’s season to contend in the league and beyond?
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