By JOHN LIKANJE
Justin Morales paced the Leadership Academy Lions in every offensive statistical category this season.
The senior was named the Player of the Year as announced by the Rochester City Athletic Conference (RCAC).
Morales compiled a .566 batting average in 17 games for the Lions. The senior also hit one home run, three triples, nine doubles, stole 18 bases, had 24 RBI and scored 25 runs. On the mound, the senior right-hander compiled a 3-2 record, 2.42 earned run average and 88 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings. Morales hurled a no-hitter on April 23 in a 7-1 victory over Monroe. The senior right-hander threw five innings of one-run ball, allowed three walks and fanned nine batters.
Teammate Byron Bounds joined Morales on the All-League team. Bounds went 18-for-54 (.333 batting average) with a pair of RBI, three doubles, 13 stolen bases and 17 runs scored.
Michael Conrow, Alex Figueroa, Tyrone Roundtree and Angel Silva represented the RCAC champion, East High Eagles. Silva had a .350 batting average with 17 RBI, seven doubles and a .448 on-base percentage. On the mound, the junior right-hander pitched a 5-4 record, including three complete games and 59 strikeouts in 58 innings. Roundtree batted .271 with 18 runs scored, 17 stolen bases, four doubles, two triples and a .556 on-base percentage.
Abel Austin, Reece Correa and Ross Janezic made the All-League team for School of the Arts (SOTA). Janezic led the team in slugging percentage (.800), on-base percentage (.623), batting average (.540), hits (27), runs scored (22), stolen bases (14) doubles (five) and triples (four). On the mound, the junior struck out 47 batters in 34 innings. Correa recorded a .481 batting average with two home runs, 28 RBI, two triples, four doubles, 12 stolen bases and 21 runs scored. Morales fanned 43 hitters in 21 2/3 frames of work on the rubber. Austin had a .324 batting average and 12 runs scored.
Franklin’s Julian Cotto, Nomar Quinones and Greiram Ramos were awarded All-League honors. Cotto compiled a team-high .388 batting average, 21 stolen bases, 14 RBI and six doubles. Quinones went 16-for-46 (.348 batting average) with five doubles and 13 RBI. On the mound, the junior pitched to a 4-1 record, 1.50 earned run average and 85 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings. Ramos had a .311 batting average with 21 runs scored, 13 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. The junior fanned 35 hitters in 24 2/3 frames of work.
Joaquin Diaz, Joaquin Farina Pimentel and Greg Romero were named to the All-League team for Monroe. Romero led the team in batting average (.362), hits (25), runs batted in (22), doubles (nine), stolen bases (eight), triples (seven), slugging percentage (.739) and on-base percentage (.463). On the mound, the senior fanned 73 batters in 39 2/3 innings. Pimentel compiled a .305 batting average with seven doubles. Diaz struck out 41 hitters in 24 1/3 frames.
Edison Tech’s Yadiel Cruz made the All-League First team. The junior had a team-high .594 batting average with two home runs, three triples, four doubles, 16 RBI, 16 stolen bases and 17 runs scored.
Jose Gonzalez (Wilson Magnet) and Angel Morales (NE Douglass) rounded out the All-League Second Team.
Jason Cronberger (School of the Arts) was named Coach of the Year. Cronberger led the Silverhawks to an 8-4 league record, the No. 3 seed in the RCAC city championship playoffs and a title game berth.
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