The 2022 Section V Baseball season is into full swing. Here are the team previews for Fairport, Hilton, Penfield, Rush-Henrietta, Victor and Webster Schroeder:
FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS (Class AA)
2021 finish: 10-9, lost 3-2 to Hilton in sectionals.
Coach: Tom Caputo (10-9/second season).
Top returners: Julien Mendoza (Sr. OF – .449 BA, First-Team AGR), Cameron Kingsley (Sr. P/3B, 1.40 ERA, .300 BA, Second-Team AGR), Dylan Norton (Sr. 2B, .358 BA, Second-Team AGR), Braden Consaul (Sr. P/3B/USC Upstate commit), Connor Sackett (Sr. C, .302 BA).
Top newcomers: Mason Broncatello (Jr. 3B), Antonio Jorge (Jr. P/OF), Matthew Lindquist (Jr. P/OF), Nathan Mathis (Jr. P/IF), Stephen Rizzolo (Jr. C/IF), Will Stanek (So. P/IF), Scott Thompson (Jr. C/UTIL).
First game: Friday, April 1 vs Gates-Chili
Outlook: Fairport returns six starters to the field including All Greater Rochester performer, Julien Mendoza, a pair of hurlers in Cameron Kingsley and Braden Consaul, and a solid lineup to provide them some offense. Fairport looks to build on last year’s youth movement and be a strong, mature team that can make a run at the sectional title.
VIEW MORE DENNIS JOYCE PHOTOS HERE.
HILTON CADETS (Class AA)
2021 finish: 13-8, lost in sectional final.
Coach: Kevin Whelehan (third season)
Top returners: James Capellupo (Jr. P/IF, All-County, UMass-Lowell commit), Carter Clark (Sr. P/IF, AGR), Preston Prince (Sr. P/OF, All-County, Niagara University commit), Michael Whelehan (Jr. P/SS, All-County)
Top newcomers: Steven Kraus (So. IF/OF/C/P), Brady Gerig (So. IF), Jeffery Broadnax (Jr. OF)
First game: Friday, April 1 at home against Brighton
PENFIELD PATRIOTS (Class AA)
2021 finish: 20-3, Class AA Champions.
Coach: Nick Marcin (92-40/eighth year)
Top returners: Tommy DiFranco (Sr. SS/2B/P, .365 BA, 13 RBI, 2-0, 1.29 ERA – Clarkson commit), Chase Playfair (Sr. P/OF – St. Bonaventure commit), Robbie Wing (Sr. OF/3B, .310 BA, 11 RBI), Jake Weiss (Sr. P/1B)
Top newcomers: Aiden Cook (Jr. 1B/P ), Alex Young (Jr. C)
First game: Monday, April 4 at Webster Schroeder
Outlook: Penfield has a lot of new players after graduating 14 seniors. Plenty of opportunities for guys to step up and fill important roles. Will they be able to repeat as Class AA champions?
RUSH-HENRIETTA ROYAL COMETS (Class AA)
2021 finish: 10-12, lost to Webster Schroeder in Class AA quarterfinals
Coach: Bill Rasmussen (17th season as head coach)
Top returners: Tobey Wright (Sr. P/INF, .381 BA, 16 innings pitched and 27 strikeouts), Evan Brock (Jr. P/INF, .309 BA, seven XBH), Joe Grzeskowiak (Sr. CF, .343 BA and seven doubles).
Top newcomers: Charles Sobaszek (P), Kyle VanAuker (INF).
First game: Friday, April 1 against Churchville-Chili at home.
Outlook: Henrietta is looking forward to seeing the seniors step up into leadership roles. The Royal Comets have a veteran team that is ready to build on the experience they gained last season. Rush-Henrietta should be solid defensively and will have to be versatile since all of the pitchers are regular position players.
VICTOR BLUE DEVILS (Class AA)
2021 finish: 10-11, lost in Class AA first round to Rush-Henrietta
Coach: Sean Rucker (442-164/26 seasons at Victor)
Top returners: Andrew Haugh (Sr. OF, .436 BA, led team in hits, triples, and total bases last season), Max Friedlander (Sr P/3B), Zach Prior (Sr. C, 6 RBI)
Top newcomers: Matt Brady (Sr. INF), Carter Fink (Jr. P/INF/OF), Weston Elkovitch (So. P/DH/OF), Connor Cronin (Sr. 1B/P), Cooper Loyal (Jr. SS), Peter Eygabroad (Sr. OF), Timmy Buck (Jr. P/OF/1B)
First game: Friday, April 1 vs Webster Thomas
Outlook: Victor has many players that can play multiple positions and pitch. The Blue Devils have scheduled the max 20 games vs the best competition in the area and out of state teams. Victor hopes to gain experience throughout the season, competing in the tough D1 Monroe County league and AA Sectional Tournament.
WEBSTER SCHROEDER WARRIORS (Class A1)
2021 finish: 14-3, lost in 11 innings to Hilton in Class AA semifinals.
Coach: Matt Knight (257-172/21st season)
Top returners: Mike Salina (Sr. P/DH/OF – .350 BA, 14 RBI, 12 Runs Scored, 9 SB, 4-0, 1.02 ERA, First-Team All County and AGR), Matt Salina (Sr. 3B/P – .333 BA), Tyler Stack (Sr. CF – .387 BA, 7 XBH, First-Team All County), Luke Kelly (Sr. LF), Nick Liberti (Sr. C)
Top newcomers: Jack Cannon (Jr. P/RF/1B), Peyton Sanfilippo (Jr. DH/1B), Luke Pagano (Jr. SS), Kaleb Juliano (P/UTL), Zach Touloupas (Jr. C).
First game: Friday, April 1 vs Irondequoit
Outlook: Schroeder has a good mix of seniors and juniors as the Warriors make the move from Class AA to A1.
Where is the high school softball preview?