Rochester City Athletic Conference (RCAC) baseball gets into full swing this week. Here is the breakdown with pre-season capsules for East High, Franklin, Leadership Academy, School Of The Arts and Wilson Magnet:
EAST HIGH EAGLES (Class A)
Last season finish: 13-7, lost in Class A2 sectional semifinals to Pittsford Sutherland
Coach: Kyle Crandall (19th season, 266-122 career record)
Top returners: Victor Arroyo Jr. SS/P (.404 OBP, 13 RBI, 11 R, 8 SB last season); Christian Diaz Jr. OF/P (.560 OBP, 8 SB last season); JJ Smith Jr. C/P (.404 OBP, 10 R, 6 SB last season)
Top newcomers: Emille Diaz 8th G. DH/1B; Pedro Garcia So. OF/P; Quentin Gordon-Smith So. OF; Tomas Hernandez Jr. 1B/P; Luis Rivera Jr. INF/P
First game: Monday, May 3rd at Franklin at 4:45 p.m.
Season outlook: East High is returning a mix of young returners and new players to the roster. The team is looking to build upon the leadership of its returning players to return to the RCAC championship game for the 16th year in a row. The Eagles have won the RCAC tournament 10 times in the last 15 years. The Eagles should have a decent lineup. The success of the team will depend upon its pitching depth and defensive output. This is a team that hopes to improve as the season progresses so that they are playing their best baseball during June.
VANGUARD/FRANKLIN/WORLD OF INQUIRY/NE DOUGLASS QUAKERS (Class AA)
Last season finish: 10-7, lost in Class AA quarterfinals to Rush-Henrietta
Coach: Eddie Lee (33rd season, 150-323 career record)
Top returners: Jalen Breedy Jr. OF (.233 BA last season); Callan Reddington Jr. SS/P (.326 BA, 17 R, 10 RBI last season)
Top newcomers: Angel Morales Sr. INF/P; Justus Robinson 7th G. INF/OF; Nextah Vega So. INF/P
First game: Monday, May 3rd vs. East High at 4:45 p.m.
Season outlook: Franklin’s biggest challenge this year will be to overcome pitching and catching. The Quakers are a young team.
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY LIONS (Class A)
Last season finish: 11-11, lost in Class A2 sectional quarterfinals to East High
Coach: Dave Sackett (Ninth season, 63-83 career record)
Top returners: Victor Mercado Sr. 2B/SS/P (.289 career BA)
Top newcomers: Well Carter 2B/OF; Jordan Lindo C/OF
First game: Friday, May 7th vs. Wilson Magnet at 4:45 p.m.
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS/MONROE SILVERHAWKS (Class AA)
Last season finish: 8-9, lost in Class A2 sectional quarterfinals to Eastridge
Coach: Willie S. Mason (Second season)
Top returners: Abel Austin Jr. 3B
Top newcomers: Ruber Diaz Jr. 2B; Sammy Lopez So. C
First game: Monday, May 3rd at Wilson Magnet at 4:30 p.m.
EDISON TECH/WILSON MAGNET/EARLY COLLEGE WILDCATS (Class AA)
Last season finish: 5-11, lost in first round of Class A1 sectionals to Spencerport
Coach: Barry Burke (Fifth season)
Top returners: Yaliel Bonilla C; Omar Cruz C/OF; Michael Cummings 3B/P; Isa Haruna 2B; Max LaMora 1B/P
Top newcomers: Jose Alverez SS/P; Luis Guillen 3B/P; Adrian Ponce OF; Yadiel Ponce OF
First game: Monday, May 3rd vs. School Of The Arts/Monroe at 4:30 p.m.
Season outlook: Due to many of the players having not participated in any baseball in two years, Wilson Magnet is trying to kick the dust off. Head coach Barry Burke believes the team will improve as the season progresses and is really excited to see how his players come together this season.
RCAC Pre-season Coaches’ Poll (First-place votes in parentheses)
1. East (5)
2. Franklin
3. SOTA
4. Wilson
5. Leadership
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