The 2022 Section V High School Baseball season is underway. Here are season previews for Brighton, Churchville-Chili, Gates-Chili, Greece Odyssey/Olympia, Irondequoit and Webster Thomas:
BRIGHTON BRUINS (Class A1)
2021 finish: 5-12, lost to Spencerport in the Class A quarterfinals
Coach: John Feltes (17-21/third season)
Top returners: Ellis Einbinder (Sr. CF), Matt Howe (Sr. P/OF), AJ Marcella (Sr. C), Jackson Heider (Sr. P), Ben Comeau (Sr. 3B/P)
Top newcomers: Nicko Martinez (Jr. OF), Andrew Kotrides (Jr. SS)
Next game: Monday, April 11 at Gates-Chili
Outlook: Many strong seniors returned for their second year on varsity, strong leaders on the field. Strong at the plate, and Brighton is hoping to fill vacancies with up and coming juniors.
CHURCHVILLE-CHILI SAINTS (Class A1)
2021 finish: 7-10, lost in first round of sectionals.
Coach: Guy Puglia (24-34/fifth season)
Top returners: Cooper Romich (Sr. C), Zach Miner (Sr. P/OF), Justin Meister (Jr. P/3B), Anthony Shortino (Jr. 2B/P), Danny Derleth (Sr. P/OF)
Top newcomers: Bradem Reina (So. SS), Mike Sardou (So. 1B/P), Evan Putney (So. P/1B), Josh Campbell (So. OF/P), Kaleb Cieslinski (So. OF)
Next game: Monday, April 11 vs. Greece Odyssey/Olympia
Outlook: The Saints are a young team this season. There could be three to five sophomores in the starting lineup. Looking for a strong season and the leadership of seniors Romich and Miner.
GATES-CHILI SPARTANS (Class A1)
2021 finish: 10-11, lost in quarterfinals to Penfield
Coach: Dean Dingee (11-29/third year)
Top returners: Vincent Lucyszyn (Sr. SS/P, – Houghton commit), Charlie Healey (Sr. IF/P, .311 BA)
Top newcomers: Zac Antinelli (Jr. OF), James Connolly (Jr. P/IF), Angelo Morales (So. C)
Next game: Monday, April 11 vs Brighton
Outlook: After graduating 14 seniors, the Spartans will look to rebuild. Vincent Lucyszyn will anchor a strong infield and provide solid innings on the mound. James Connolly and Charlie Healey will be the backbone of the pitching staff.
GREECE ODYSSEY/OLYMPIA GRIFFINS (Class A1)
2021 finish: 3-16
Coach: Steve Paternico (fifth season)
Top returners: Tommy Rebis (Sr. P/SS), Nolan Krautwurst (Sr. P/IF), Tyson Roundtree (Sr. CF/2B), Dom Braun (Sr. 1B)
Top newcomers: Chris Coriano (Jr. C/P), Ty VanEpps (Jr. OF/IF/P), James Schlueter (Jr. OF/P), Josh Tantalo (Jr. OF), Jesse Rivera (Sr. IF)
Next game: Monday, April 11 at Churchville-Chili
Outlook: The 2022 Griffins bring back a lot of experience. They are all hard working and put a lot of time in the off-season which will hopefully translate on the field. Will rely on senior leadership and varsity experience with Rebis, Krautwurst and Roundtree, along with talented juniors Coriano and VanEpps. Team will rely heavily on a total team effort when it comes to innings logged on the mound. Offense and defense should be a strong point for the Griffins.
IRONDEQUOIT EAGLES (Class A1)
2021 finish: 16-4, lost to Greece Athena in the semifinals.
Coach: Joey Kuhn (32-9/third season)
Top returners: Brody Froman (Jr. IF/OF/P, .457 BA, 22 runs scored – First-Team All County), Connor Gresens (Jr. C/P/IF, .349 BA, 27 RBI – First-Team All County), Brian Tisa (Sr. .333 BA, seven doubles, 19 runs scored – Second-Team All County – Genesee CC commit), Connor Springer (Sr. IF/P/C, .333 BA, 1.30 ERA – Second-Team All County – Keuka College commit)
Top newcomers: Carraig Jones (So. IF/P/OF), Leo Tellier (Jr. P/1B), Kip Bertram (Jr. P/IF), Tino Tiermini (Jr. P/IF)
Next game: Monday, April 11 vs. Webster Titans
Outlook: Irondequoit returns four all county players. The Eagles will have to be solid on the mound and defensively to compete.
WEBSTER THOMAS TITANS (Class A1)
2021 finish: 18-4, beat Greece Athena 11-1 to win the Section V Class A Sectional Title
Coach: Kevin Neenan (92-54/ninth season)
Top returners: Garett Wilson (Sr. 3B/P,.406 BA, 19 RBI, 17 Runs scored – First-Team All County – Erie CC commit), Colby Wilson (Sr. 1B, .380 BA, 14 RBI, 10 Runs scored – Second-Team All County – Erie CC commit), James Bolton (Sr. C, 10 RBI, five runs scored – SUNY Cortland commit), Michael Zicari (Sr. P/OF, .400 BA), Nate Zicari (Sr. P/OF/1B, 17 IP, 1.62 ERA – Niagara County CC commit), Nathan Hill (Jr. 2B/SS).
Top newcomers: Mason Lawyer (Jr. OF/P), Josh Butka (Jr. SS/P), Shane Talbot (So. P/OF), Adam Zlotkus (Jr. OF/3B), Eddie Frusci (Jr. OF/P), Alex Dungey (Jr. P/OF), Nick Olmo (Jr. P/3B), Kyle Zeman (Jr. P/2B), Justin Sykes (Jr. C), Michael Griffin (Jr. P/3B/OF)
Next game: Monday, April 11 at Irondequoit
Outlook: Thomas graduated 10 seniors from a sectional championship team last year. The Titans will look for the six returners to lead the way this year as they look to keep building on the success from last year. Webster Thomas will look to lean on defense and timely hitting, as they continue to gain experience with in the pitching staff in order to be competitive every night in Monroe County, and contend for a division title and sectional title in the end.
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