The 2022 Section V Baseball is into full swing. Here are the season previews for the Rochester City Athletic Conference teams of Early College/Wilson, East High, Edison Tech, Franklin/World of Inquiry, Leadership, Monroe and School of the Arts…
EAST HIGH EAGLES (Class A2)
Last season record and finish: 9-7, lost in first round of Class A sectionals to Brighton
Coach: Kyle Crandall (20th season, 275-129 career record)
Top returners: Victor Arroyo Sr. SS (.404 BA, .538 OBP, five doubles, three triples, 23 RBI, 12 SB, 25 R, RCAC Player of the Year last season); Michael Conrow Sr. INF/P (.385 BA, .667 OBP, two doubles, five RBI last season); Emille Diaz Fr. 1B (.444 BA, .651 OBP, four doubles, 13 RBI, 20 R last season); Pedro Garcia Jr. OF/P (.318 BA, .449 OBP, two doubles, 12 RBI, 3-5 record, 3.74 earned run average, 33 IP, 43 SO last season); Kyle Markham 8th-G. C (.394 BA, .660 OBP, one double, one triple, six RBI, 21 R last season); Luis Rivera Sr. 2B (.417 BA, .533 OBP, five doubles, two triples, 23 RBI, 22 R last season); JJ Smith Sr. 3B/OF (.346 BA, .606 OBP, 9 SB, 11 R last season)
Top newcomers: Dion Mather Sr. OF/P; Miguel Mathos-Reveron So. 3B/P
Outlook: “East High is returning eight starters and have a few new players who will be looking to compete for starting spots. There are several senior leaders along with some talented underclassmen on a team looking to go to their 17th consecutive RCAC Championship Game. The Eagles have won the tournament 10 times in the last 16 years, but was defeated by School Of The Arts/Monroe last season. The Eagles have lots of experience and depth as they look to be competitive in their non-league games as well.”
Next game: Monday, April 11th at Franklin/World of Inquiry.
EDISON TECH INVENTORS (Class AA)
Last season record and finish: Combined with Early College/Wilson Magnet last season, 3-13, lost in first round of Class AA sectionals to Monroe/School Of The Arts
Coach: Diego Ortiz (First season)
Top returners: Omar Cruz; Michael Cummings
Top newcomers: Michael Alvarez
Outlook: “The Inventors are excited to have Varsity Baseball back at Edison Tech. The Inventors have a few returning players and many newcomers they are very excited about. First-year coach Diego Ortiz has a group of motivated athletes who are willing to learn, work hard and have fun in the process.”
Next game: Monday, April 11th vs. Wilson/Early College at Genesee Valley Park.
FRANKLIN/WORLD OF INQUIRY QUAKERS (Class AA)
Last season record and finish: 7-8, lost in first round of Class AA sectionals to Gates-Chili
Coach: Eddie Lee (34th season, 158-330 career record)
Top returners: Jalen Breedy Sr. C/1B (.447 BA, 12 R last season); Melqui Montalvo Sr. C, INF, OF, P (.512 BA, 17 R last season); Callan Reddington Sr. INF, P
Top newcomers: Kian Dodd Sr. OF
Outlook: “Catching and pitching is always going to be a challenge. Losing the No. 2 and No. 3 underclassmen batters in the lineup to transfers will hurt a lot.”
Next game: Monday, April 11th vs. East High.
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY LIONS (Class A2)
Last season record and finish: 1-14, did not qualify for sectionals
Coach: Brian Cardilli (first season)
Top returners: Rodrigo Colon Sr. 3B, P; Carlos DeJesus Sr. C, P
Top newcomers: Jose Melendez Sr. OF; Jayson Mercado Fr. 2B, OF; Mathew Thomas Sr. SS
Outlook: “Leadership Academy looks to rebound this season under the leadership of seniors Mathew Thomas, Carlos DeJesus and Rodrigo Colon. With a solid work ethic and determination, the Lions are excited to play the role of underdog and surprise some teams this year.”
Next game: Monday, April 11th vs. Monroe at Cobbs Hill.
MONROE REDJACKETS (Class A2)
Last season record and finish: Combined with School Of The Arts last season, 10-9, lost in Class AA sectional quarterfinals to McQuaid
Coach: Dwight Robinson (First season with Monroe, seventh varsity season overall)
Top returners: Sebastian Camargo Sr. OF; Yahir Llanos Sr. P
Outlook: “The RedJackets are happy to be able to play this season.”
Next game: Monday, April 11th vs. Leadership Academy at Cobbs Hill.
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS SILVERHAWKS (Class A2)
Last season record and finish: 10-9, lost in Class AA sectional quarterfinals to McQuaid
Coach: Cameron Scharf (first season)
Top returners: Abel Austin Sr. 3B/P (.389 BA, .542 OBP, three doubles, two triples, 25 R, 3.00 earned run average, 37 1/3 IP, 58 SO, RCAC Player of the Year last season); Dale Janezic Jr. 2B/OF/P (.441 BA, .485 OBP, three doubles, 17 RBI, 14 2/3 IP, 15 SO last season); Justin Rodriguez Sr. SS/P (.413 BA, .554 OBP, three doubles, two triples, one home run, 15 RBI, 19 SB, 17 2/3 IP, 20 SO, RCAC All-League First Team last season)
Top newcomers: Benjamin Barnosky 8th-G. C/INF; Bennie Larson 8th-G. INF, P; Aloysha Lynd So. INF, OF, P
Outlook: “School Of The Arts is looking to continue what they started from last year, winning its first RCAC Championship in 13 years with the help of returning players while growing our young and talented upcoming players. The team hopes to continue where they left off from last year with strong defense and making sure to have their bats swinging hot coming into the month of May.”
Next game: Tuesday, April 12th at Wayne.
WILSON MAGNET/EARLY COLLEGE WILDCATS (Class A1)
Last season record and finish: 3-13, lost in first round of Class AA sectionals to Monroe/School Of The Arts
Coach: Barry Burke (Fifth season)
Top returners: Yaliel Bonilla C, P, OF, SS; Max LaMora C, P, SS
Top newcomers: Joey Baldrich; Jaylen Hardeman; John Rios; Yalier Rivera
Outlook: “The Wildcats are led by senior captains Max LaMora and Yaliel Bonilla and also bring aboard a lot of young talent this season. Despite being young, the Wildcats have many up-and-coming players like Joey Baldrich, Yalier Rivera and John Rios. These young guys bring a ton of baseball experience, knowledge and power. The Wildcats will also have speed this season with players like Jaylen Hardeman, Michael Wiggins and others. Other players that are likely to make an impact this season are Amir Bounasri, Daron Clanton, Samuel Ramos, Nate Rodriguez, Christopher Fair, Quentin Majors-Brown, Yankriel Gonzalez, Malik Key and Ismail Mohamad. This is a team that will help the Wildcats turn the corner this season.”
Next game: Monday, April 11th vs. Edison at Genesee Valley Park at 4:30 p.m.
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