Spring Fever 2009

A special supplement to The Cooperstown Crier on April 16, 2009 and The Daily Star on April 17, 2009

SPRING FEVER 2009 BASEBALL, SOFTBALL PREVIEWS

Lesley Harlem looks to take Oneonta softball to the next level in the Southern Tier Athletic Conference.

OHS SOFTBALL PAGE 3

Burns leads a strong South Kortright team that is seeking its third sectional title this academic year.

DELAWARE BASEBALL PAGE 11

SENIOR MATT MARCEWICZ LOOKS TO LEAD ONEONTA TO THE TOP OF THE SOUTHERN TIER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

PAGE 2

Can Jessie Winans lead powerhouse Afton to its 15th straight Section Four Class D crown?

MAC SOFTBALL PAGE 18

ALSO INSIDE

COOPERSTOWN ..................... 4 T-V BASEBALL ..................... 6 T-V SOFTBALL ...................... 8 DELAWARE SOFTBALL ......... 14 MAC BASEBALL ..................16 Cover design by P.J. Harmer Star photo by Brit Worgan

The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star Friday, April 17, 2009

2

ONEONTA HIGH BASEBALL

OHS looking for postseason success Deep pitching staff should aid Yellowjackets By Rob Centorani Staff Writer Over the past two seasons, Oneonta High’s baseball team has won 29 games and lost 15. That includes a 16-6 mark last year, when the Yellowjackets went 12-2 in the Southern Tier Athletic Conference. That’s the good news for OHS. The bad news? For the second straight year the Yellowjackets were upset in their first sectional game. Last year, fifth-seeded Elmira Free Academy downed the fourth-seeded Yellowjackets, 11-9, in the Section Four Class A playoffs. The year before, fourth-seeded OHS lost, 5-4, to fifth-seeded Susquehanna Valley in the Section Four Class B playoffs. OHS’ last sectional victory came May 25, 2004, when the Yellowjackets defeated Chenango Valley, 8-4, in a Section Four Class B semifinal. Senior catcher Matt Marcewicz, a brace adorning the left ankle he dislocated when he shattered his fibula during football season, said this season’s version of the Yellowjackets would very much like to end that skid. “This is my last chance to do it,” said Marcewicz, who has also had three surgeries on his left knee in recent years. “The last couple of years, we got a little too far ahead of ourselves. We started thinking about the game after the game we were playing _ who we were going to play after we played Susquehanna Valley or who we’re going to play after beating (EFA) and that’s the wrong thing to do. I think we have a strong enough team to carry us a long way.” Marcewicz, who said he plans on signing a letter of intent this week to play baseball next season for Division II Mansfield (Pa.) University, added he and

Star photo by Brit Worgan

Oneonta’s Eric Scheer slides safely into second base as Unatego’s Tyler Newman reaches for the ball during Monday’s game at Oneonta High. The Yellowjackets are off to a 2-2 start. his teammates expect better things this season. “Coach (Joe) Hughes always says he has the highest expectations for us, but he’s wrong because the guys in the locker room have higher expectations, especially me and Jeff (Wiltsie),” said Marcewicz, an All-STAC player who hit .391 last season with two home runs and a team-high 27 RBIs. The one area the Yellowjackets seem to feel confident is pitching. Of the 18 players on the roster, Hughes said 14 will see time on the mound this season. That includes returnees Wiltsie, Mike Tietjen, Nate Eastman, Patrick DeAndrea and Eric Scorzafava. Hughes warned that though he sees pitching as a strength, don’t expect the Yellowjackets to send overpowering guys to the mound.

“They can beat anybody but then again, they can get beat by anybody, too,” Hughes said. “They’re just not that power 10-12 strikeout guy like (Tim) Christman was or the Connollys (Mike and Jon) or the Thomases (Ron and Kyle) or the (Clay) Bellinger, who are rare commodities. We’re going to pitch a lot of people and you don’t have to strike out 10-12 to be effective.” Asked to identify the team’s top pitcher, senior Wiltsie said: “I don’t know if we really have an ace. We have three veteran pitchers returning _ myself, Mike Tietjen and Pat DeAndrea, but (Brendan) Wolfanger has come up and he’s throwing just as hard as any of us. An ace, I don’t know if we have one. There’s still room for improvement for all of us. Maybe some are better than others, but ev-

eryone is about equal. It gives us time to develop.” Hughes said returners Wiltsie (6-0, 1.20 ERA last season), Tietjen (3-3, 3.50) and DeAndrea (3-1, 1.47), and Wolfanger will make up the starting rotation. Wolfanger is up from a junior varsity team that won the Central Division championship and lost, 6-5, to Horseheads in a STAC semifinal last season. OHS, off to a 2-2 start this season, graduated four players who earned All-STAC recognition last season, Andy Dickson, who’s playing for Mohawk Valley CC this spring, Lane Potter, Larry Jankowski and Jack Benjamin. But the Yellowjackets return four players who hit better than .300 last season _ Marcewicz, Wiltsie (.328 and a team-high 28 runs scored), DeAndrea (.333), Eric Scorazafava (.344) and

Tietjen (.400). Hughes said Wiltsie _ who’ll play shortstop when he’s not pitching _ and Marcewicz will bat 1-2 in the lineup. “Opposing pitchers will have to get two pretty good hitters out to start the game,” Hughes said. “They’ll try to set the table for guys like Nate Eastman, Dalton Smith, Brendan Wolfanger and Eric Scheer, and others.” Junior Eastman is a first baseman. Smith, a senior who .256 hitter last season, can play first base or catch. Scheer, a senior outfielder, hit .286 a year ago. Wolfanger, a junior, will play in the outfield when he’s not pitching. Left-hander Dave Schulte will see time also see time at first base. Scorzafava, DeAndrea and Marcewicz will share time at second. Wiltsie and DeAndrea are the shortstops. Isiah Fleming, a junior up from the JV team, and DeAndrea are will split time at third base. In the outfield, Wolfanger and Scheer will man two spots, and junior Cory Hunter and senior John Gibson will also compete for playing time, as will juniors Matt Pidgeon, James Carson, Kasey Hogan and Tom Brindley. Hughes said Fleming, Schulte, Carson, Brindley, Scheer and Gibson will also see time on the time on the mound, as will junior right-hander Dan Broe, a utility player. Gibson is coming off arm surgery. “I don’t think the schedule has gotten any easier,” Wiltsie said. “I think it’s gotten tougher. It’s going to be a challenging year.” Added Marcewicz: “We want to walk off the field with no regrets, no what-ifs. If that means a sectional championship _ awesome. If that means a state championship, even better. But if that means a hard-fought game deep into the playoffs and we just don’t make all the way, that’s baseball, You have to love it.” ——— Rob Centorani can be reached at rcentorani@thedailystar,com or 607-432-1000, ext. 209.

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ONEONTA HIGH SOFTBALL

Oneonta coming off 6-14 season

‘We all have that desire to want to win. We’re not going to come up this season and go undefeated, but we’re better.’

By Rob Centorani Staff Writer The 2008 season ended with a 10-0 sectional quarterfinal loss to eventual Section Four Class A champion Maine-Endwell. Oneonta High’s offense mustered nothing _ not a hit, not a walk _ no one reached base against Nicole Osovsky, whose perfect game included 12 strikeouts. Oneonta High’s defense committed six errors and the Spartans amassed 12 hits off losing pitcher Lesley Harlem. Last season started with four Southern Tier Athletic Conference losses. OHS was outscored, 52-5, during that stretch. Two years ago, the Yellowjackets won three STAC games _ Bredin two against Norwich and a surprising, 4-3, victory over Seton Catholic Central. Last year, they went 6-14 overall and 2-12 in STAC _ both league victories coming against Norwich. Will this season be any different? Perhaps, but don’t expect the Yellowjackets to contend for conference or sectional titles any time soon. “Obviously in the past, we haven’t been a team that’s won a lot of games, but we want it bad this year,” said junior shortstop and third-year varsity starter Katie Bredin, who went 3-for-3 in Oneonta’s seasonopening, 3-1 loss at CobleskillRichmondville on April 2. “We obviously want to get better and win more. We’re all excited about the season. “We all have that desire to want to win,” she continued. “We’re not going to come up this season and go undefeated, but we’re better.” Third-year coach Randy Brockway referred to his program taking baby steps.

— OHS shortstop Katie Bredin

Star photo by Brit Worgan

Oneonta’s Lesley Harlem will be a key part to the Yellowjackets success. The junior went 6-14 for OHS last season. “This core group of girls I have, they played all last season and then the summer,” he said. “I think with our game experience, it should put us ahead. The girls down in Binghamton are playing year-round and it pays off. They have their own travel programs and we’re trying to do our own travel thing here.

“I think we’re closing the gap slowly,” he continued. “We feel we’re a little bit closer than where we’ve been in the past.” So instead of winning championships, some on this year’s squad spoke of surprising one of the conference’s kingpins. Maybe a victory over a Windsor or Chenango Valley or Susquehanna Valley or Maine-

Endwell or Chenango Forks _ teams with rich traditions and softball-savvy rosters. “That would be the best,” Bredin said. “We want a key win like that, a big victory over a team that just thinks they’re to come and walk all over us.” A win or two like that also would help to improve the Yellowjackets’ record. “We haven’t had a record over .500 in a few years, but I think we’re capable. It’s just a matter of confidence,” said third-year starting pitcher Brockway Harlem, who joins catcher Erin Wolstenholme, third baseman Sienna Wisse and Bredin off an OHS basketball team that went 25-1 and advanced to the Class B state final. “We don’t have those building blocks there yet, but we’re Wolstenholme here to do that.” Harlem, a two-time Daily Star First-Team All-Star, is probably the best place to start with these Jackets, who lost Michelle Seeger and Sara Sprague off last year’s roster. In a sport dominated by pitching, it’s likely OHS will need a big season from Harlem to reach its goals. She took the decision in all 20 of Oneonta’s games last season, striking out 123 batters along the way. “Lesley is a good, fundamental pitcher,” Brockway said. “She can hit her spots all day long. It just comes down to pitch selection, making sure

her pitches are moving and getting a little power behind it. “Right now, she’s a little bit behind because of basketball,” he continued. “It’ll take awhile for her to get her zip back she had at the end of last season. To compare her to the other girls in STAC, she’s right there.” Wolstenholme and Wisse, both sophomores, were Second Team Daily Star AllStar selections last season. Wolstenholme hit .340 last spring, when Wisse batted .316. They’ll Wisse hit fourth and second in the order, respectively. Bredin, who batted .314 last season, is the leadoff hitter. Senior center fielder Bridgette Aikens _ a .260 hitter in 2008 _ will bat third. The only other senior on the roster _ Aikens’ twin sister, Andrea _ is the team’s first baseman. The remainder of the starting spots will be manned by junior Kaitlyn O’Connor (second base), freshman Brianna George (left field) and eighthgrader Brianna Haines (right field). Brockway described sophomores Brianna Ferchen and Calla Losie, along with eighthgrader Hayley Dower, as versatile players he can plug into numerous positions this season. “This year is going to be different than years before,” said O’Connor, a second-year varsity player. “We have the talent this year.” ——— Rob Centorani can be reached at [email protected] or 607-432-1000, ext. 209.

The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star, Friday, April 17, 2009

Yellowjackets still looking to turn corner

The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star Friday, April 17, 2009

4

COOPERSTOWN

Redskins look to continue trend of success Pitcher Liner could emerge as next star By Eric Ahlqvist Cooperstown Crier Over the past two seasons, the Cooperstown baseball team has won a Section Three Class C title and produced three Division I players. With catcher/pitcher Philip Pohl playing for Clemson, No. 1 starting pitcher Jim Fort at Niagara University and 2007 graduate Frank Petroskey at Vermont, the Redskins may be hard-pressed to duplicate recent success that included an 18-5 finish last season. Junior Kyle Liner may be the next star for the Redskins, though. Already a two-year starter, Liner can play any position on the field. He will take over

catching duties for Pohl and also will pitch and fill in other spots when needed, said Cooperstown coach Frank Miosek. Along with Liner, seniors Mack Curran and Brad Ashford provide starting pitching depth. Tim Feik, Ryan Davine and Andrew Auriemma also should see time on the mound this season. Last year, Pohl and Fort combined for 13 of Cooperstown’s 18 wins. In all, Cooperstown has seven Liner returning lettermen and also should be helped by the addition of senior Nick Davoulas, who transferred from Edmeston last October.

‘Hopefully, injuries will not be serious, Mother Nature will cooperate and we’ll get our fair share of lucky bounces.’ — Cooperstown coach Frank Miosek Davoulas was a key member of the 2008 Panthers’ baseball team, which won the Tri-Valley League and Section Four Class D titles. A pitcher/infielder, Davoulas is one of four captains, along with Liner, Ashford and Curran. The Redskins won the Center State Conference Division II title last season with a 10-0 record. “In our division, all the teams are expected to be competitive, and all have experienced players back,” said Miosek, who is in his 19th season. “We need to develop pitchers for those weeks

when we play four or five games in a week.” Miosek said sophomore James McCardle and freshman Jarrett Hotaling will battle to start at catcher when Liner pitches or plays elsewhere. Liner, who hit better than .400 last year, will take over for Pohl Miosek in the clean-up spot. Miosek said he is searching for a No. 3 hitter who can help drive in runs.

Tyler Hoke, Bryan Vrooman, Ethan DiLorenzo, Evan Bouton, Andrew Pink, Jimmy Donley and Hotaling are among the top newcomers. Miosek said some of those players will alternate between the junior varsity and varsity during the season. “Hopefully, injuries will not be serious, Mother Nature will cooperate and we’ll get our fair share of lucky bounces,” Miosek said. Cooperstown lost to Pulaski, 1-0, in the Section Three Class C-1 final last season. In 2007, the Redskins won their second Section Three Class C title.

A year of Bliss could be ahead for Cooperstown Pitching could be key to winning season By Eric Ahlqvist Cooperstown Crier

Photo by Cheryl Clough

Cooperstown sophomore pitcher Anna Sams returns to lead the Redskins this season.

With young but experienced and talented group of returning players, Cooperstown softball coach Dave Bliss said he’s hoping 2009 will be a breakthrough season. Eight years ago, Bliss took over a squad that was a perennial loser but has made steady progress since, including an 11-11 mark a year ago and a first-round sectional loss. “We return our entire starting infield and our pitcher, Anna Sams,” Bliss said. “You win with pitching and defense, and we can compete with anyone in those categories.” Sams, a sophomore, went 118 last season and finished with a school-record 189 strikeouts over 132 1/3 innings. The Redskins fell in the opening round of last year’s Section Three Class C-1 Tournament to Port Byron, 5-3. Sawyer Graham, the team’s leading hitter last year, will play first base. Cailin Huggins, also the back-up

‘We return our entire starting infield and our pitcher. ... You win with pitching and defense, and we can compete with anyone in those categories.’ — Cooperstown coach Dave Bliss pitcher, plays second for the Redskins, who feature Miranda Menhinick at shortstop and Stephanie Hascup at third. Hascup was hitting .600 midway through last season but missed the rest of the year after foot surgery. “She’s going to be a big addition to the lineup,” Bliss said. Sophomore Sam Borgstrom will take over for Molly Pearlman at catcher. Pearlman caught last year but did not come out for the team this spring. “Sam worked hard in the offseason and attended a camp,” Bliss said, “so she should be able to step right in.” Bliss also said his team’s hitting should get a boost from volunteer assistant coach Samantha Carr, who played softball in college and worked with the girls in the preseason. “She’s a good role model for

them, and I think she’s going to make a difference for us,” Bliss said of Carr, who works in public relations at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Bliss said the addition of a junior varsity program a couple of years ago and the youth softball league also has helped the program turn the corner. “The JV program allows young players to keep playing instead of sitting on the bench on the Rowley varsity,” Bliss said. Senior Ashley Rowley and Marie DiLorenzo likely will start in the outfield, where junior Erin Henrici and Chile foreign-exchange student Javiera Guajavelo will compete for the other spot.

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The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star, Friday, April 17, 2009

America is Planning on Us

The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star, Friday, April 17, 2009

6

TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE BASEBALL

Road to T-V title should go through Edmeston, CV-S again G-MU, Worcester among top threats By Dean Russin Sports Editor Just because Edmeston has it all doesn’t mean it’s going to win it all this year in the TriValley League. Or does it? “I think we’re going to match up with them,” Cherry ValleySpringfield baseball coach Ed Dubben said of the defending league and Section Four Class D champion Panthers. “But they’re still the team to beat until somebody knocks them off.” True indeed. Despite a couple of notable departures in pitcher Matt Laymon (graduation) and Nick Davoulas (transferred to Cooperstown), the Panthers return the bulk of a team that finished 20Clark 3 overall and 80 in the T-V last season. Their performance, which included a 5-2 T-V crossover defeat of the Patriots, led Mike Clark to 2008 Coach of the Year honors from The Daily Star in his fourth season at Edmeston. Left-hander Laymon went 11-1 with a 1.34 ERA and struck out 12 in a two-hitter that gave Edmeston the sectional title with an 8-1 victory over Hancock. His bat should be missed, too, as Laymon hit .384 with a team-high five home runs last spring. The Panthers also lost big sticks in .300-plus hitters Davoulas and 2008 graduates Cody Calderon and Anthony Wolcott. Still, the Panthers have plenty of strong arms and heavy hitters coming back. Take returning Daily Star First Team All-Stars Alex Stevens and Jordan Williams, for example, who fit both descriptions. Senior catcher Stevens batted a team-best .463 with a teamhigh nine doubles, 25 RBIs and a .522 on-base percentage last season. He also should see

Photo by Cheryl Clough

Edmeston’s Jordan Williams will be a key part for the Panthers this season. Edmeston won the Section Four Class D title last year. some time at first base, at third and on the mound, where Williams has flourished over the last two seasons. The hard-throwing Williams finished 6-1 with a 1.76 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings last season. Of all his accom-

plishments in 2008, which included his second straight Daily Star First Team honor, his performance in a season-ending loss to Rome Catholic may have been the most impressive. Although the Panthers suffered a 6-1 setback in a Class D state

quarterfinal, Williams faced the minimum of seven batters in the last 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. “Any year you’ve got a guy like Jordan Williams to throw, you’re going to be in good shape,” said Jim Johnson, who

is looking to get GilbertsvilleMount Upton back to the crossover for the first time since the Raiders won the league title in 2001. Senior infielders Jake Baulch (.343 batting average in 2008) and Ryan Giordano (.273) are Edmeston’s other top offensive threats. The Panthers also are looking for production from a promising crop of newcomers led by sophomores Blake Vibbard and Blake Pavelka. G-MU appears to be the only team with any shot to dethrone the six-time West Division champion Panthers, who reclaimed the crossover crown last season after losing two straight league finals to CV-S. Edmeston also won three T-V crowns in a row from 2003-05. Johnson said the Raiders have three capable pitchers in senior Cody Hall, classmate Tyler Wildfeir and sophomore Andrew Delmar. “This game Hall takes a little more than just one pitcher,” said Johnson, whose team won the 2001 T-V title with a 4-3 victory over Laurens. “I’m lucky enough to have three guys who can throw pretty well.” A Daily Star honorable mention last season, Hall went 4-3 with a 2.89 ERA and batted .379 with 17 RBIs. Wildfeir went 33 with a 3.90 ERA and hit .302 with 20 RBIs last spring, when Delmar (2-0, 3.89 ERA) batted .340. “Our first goal is to win our side of the league _ we do have some decent talent back,” said Johnson, whose team’s 11-8 record last season included a 5-3 mark in the T-V. “We’re looking to make a little noise if we can.” Morris and Laurens round out the West Division, which will be absent a team from Franklin for the second straight season. First-year coach Kevin Umbach, a 1996 Oneonta High graduate, takes over the Mustangs. Umbach, who coached See T-V on Page 20

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8

TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE SOFTBALL

No question: Schenevus is team to beat Plenty of teams in rebuilding mode V East Division champion team fell to 14-time Section Four Class D champion Afton in a sectional The Tri-Valley League semifinal last season. “We seems to be on the same will not look at what we page this softball season. did and what we had.” Schenevus is the team Jeremy Bolton, the to beat. first-year coach of defendLed by two-time Daily ing West Division winner Star Coach of the Year Edmeston, pretty much Jen Pier (2004, 2008), the said the same. Dragons look to repeat as “We’re not looking to Tri-Valley League cham- the past but rather the pions with the bulk of its future,” said Bolton, who roster returning from last takes over for Brian Burseason’s 23-4 finish. gess after coaching last Schenevus routed season at the modified three-time defendlevel. “We will ing champion Edwork hard and give meston, 17-2, in last it all we have every season’s crossover, game.” marking the DragThe Panthers, ons’ first league who went 13-5 last crown since 2004. season, look to re“We’re looking establish themat Laurens and Edselves as a T-V meston as our bigMurphy power with the help gest competition, of six newcomers. but on any given day any- Junior Megan Lawrence thing can happen,” Pier (13-4 in 2008) is the No. 1 said. “We don’t take any- pitcher in a rotation that thing for granted.” will feature classmate SuAlthough Schenevus sanna Johnson and freshlost three to graduation, man Cassie Powers. Lawit returns all three of its rence also will see time at pitchers from last season. shortstop and first base. Pier found success rotatLeadoff batter and ing Kelly Tiderencel (10-4 second baseman Johnson in 2008), Jessica Bentley should provide the youthand Amber Gantner last ful Panthers with muchspring and has added needed leadership, as three other arms in Megan well as seniors Stefanie Pefft, Jessican Kruh and Cornnell and Brittany Sarah Miller. They’ll pitch Martin. to returning Daily Star Cherry Valley-SpringFirst Team All-Star catchfield looks to be competier Marion Murphy, who tive in the East as well as also will play shortstop. much of its starting lineup Murphy batted .520 with 28 RBIs, 28 runs and six returns. “We will be relying on home runs last spring for our offensive power bethe Dragons, who should pile up the offensive sta- hind Morgan VanAlstine, tistics with tough outs Marnieta Nelson, Briana such as Tiderencel, Jes- Ostrander and Savannah sica Bentley, Maura Har- Crowley,” said first-year rington and Karlyn Van- Patriots coach Michelle Schmitt, who has 13 upDeusen. “We’re focusing on perclassmen on her roswhat is in front of us and ter. “The returning startwe’re not going to look ers are helping to make back and make compari- the team function like the sons,” said Pier, whose T- season never ended, and

By Sarah Stalter Contributing Writer

Photo by Cheryl Clough

Gabby Skillen went 14-7 last year and is one of the top players for Milford. the newcomers are slipping right into their positions without any concerns.” Nelson, Alexis Evans and Darcy Duncan will lead the Patriots’ pitching staff. Worcester coach Jim Kenyon is looking for improvement after a down season in 2008. Kenyon said his young team, which features two seniors, is looking to Kim Keever, Tara Fiorentino and Karli Pochkar to lead the Wolverines. “Kathryn Keenan, Holly Ramsey and Jordan

Beverland will all bring strong bats to the plate,” Kenyon said. Milford rounds out the East Division hopefuls. “To be the man you must beat the man ... or in this case woman,” Milford coach Jim Weir said in reference to Schenevus. The Wildcats lost Rachel Schultes, a five-year starter at first base, and third baseman Chynna Pitlock to graduation. But First Team T-V All-Star Gabby Skillen returns to the circle after going 14-7 and averaging 10 strikeouts last season. Skillen,

who also batted .357, will throw to another First Team T-V All-Star in catcher Kayla Thorn. She batted .420 with a teambest 25 RBIs last year. Weir said he expects additional offensive pop from shortstop Mariah Coville. Laurens coach Dean Marble looks to challenge Edmeston in the West. The Leopards went 11-12 overall in 2008, including a 6-6 mark in the T-V. “While it will be hard to replace Dayle (Dutcher) and Leandra (Spoor), there are 10 players with extensive varsity experi-

ence on this team,” Marble said. Mechia Scott (senior center fielder, .470 BA), Melissa Curry (junior infielder/outfielder, .464) and Amy Breuer (senior pitcher/outfielder, 10-10 in the circle) are Laurens’ top returners. Senior Alicia Kane and freshman Katie Piscatello also are expected to pitch. Piscatello is one of five freshmen who “will be see plenty of time in the lineup this season,” Marble said. Franklin went 4-9 last year and brings back Kasmiero Nero, a senior pitcher who went 4-9 last season en route to T-V First Team All-Star honors. Freshman shortstop Jessica Terrano is the top offensive threat. She batted .458 as an eighth-grader for Franklin, which welcomes top newcomers Jordan Beers and Hayley Downin. Seventh-grader Beers, a basketball standout, will play third and eighth-grader Downin is slated to start in center field. First-year Gilbertsville-Mount Upton coach Nancy Estabrook inherits a team that went 5-14-1 last season. The Raiders key returners include Marissa Finch (pitcher), Courtney Hillman (pitcher) and Calli Hill (catcher). G-MU lost first baseman Ashlea Osborne and third baseman Sierra French to graduation, but it may have found some versatility in eighth-grade utility player Lauren Hill. Pitcher Melissa Galbreath, catcher Chrissy Banks and first baseman Alicia Gregory are back for Morris, which went 113 last season. “We are looking to rebuild by allowing some of our talented younger players to regain the needed experience this season,” Morris coach Maria Deysenroth said.

9 The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star, Friday, April 17, 2009

The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star, Friday, April 17, 2009

10

Jefferson, Margaretville look to end Rams’ success in 2008-09 By P.J. Harmer Staff Writer There aren’t many things South Kortright can do for an encore. So far this academic year, the Rams’ boys have won Section Four Class D titles in soccer and basketball. After falling in a soccer state quarterfinal, SK’s basketball team capped a 26-0 season with the Class D state title, marking the school’s first boys state championship. So, how do the Rams top that? If you ask 26th-year coach Bob VanValken- VanValkenburgh burgh, who coached soccer and basketball, SK isn’t thinking that far ahead. “Even with basketball we never really talk about it,” VanValkenburgh said about winning in other sports. “It’s a long road ahead of us. We’re going to be competitive in our league and we’ll see how we are at the end of the year. “The biggest thing is the kids are level-headed,” he continued. “We never looked ahead so far this year and hopefully they continue that.” Still, there’s no arguing with success. Hotaling SK’s core already has experienced the pinnacle of success as 11 of its 16 baseball players suited up for the basketball state championship at the Glens Falls Civic Center in March. “You can’t measure it. It’s really important,” Hunter-Tannersville coach Jeff Friedman said of SK’s experience. “That kind of battle-testing, you can’t teach that experience. You can’t give it without going through it. While I’m not sure

how much it will bear on the overall outcome, it gives them the advantage nobody else has. At this level talent wins out and they are immensely talented.” Although H-T beat the Rams in last year’s Delaware League crossover, 9-8, the Wildcats are rebuilding. The Rams are not. They return the bulk of last year’s team that finished 13-6 overall, including a 9-0 regular-season mark in the Delaware League. SK’s 2008 postseason run ended quickly with a 6-2 loss to Hancock of the Midstate Athletic Conference in the opening Many round of the Section Four Class D Tournament. Senior first baseman Dan Many leads what appears to be a strong pitching staff for SK. He went 5-1 last season and hit .467. Kyle Hotaling, who had a 2.62 ERA last season, is SK’s No. 2 pitcher. Also a third baseman, Hotaling hit .456 last year. “Both of them have experience, so we’ll try and keep people healthy,” VanValkenburgh said. “But with the games backed up (because of poor weather), it will take more than those two.” Senior shortstop Eric Burns (.463, 32 RBIs), senior catcher/ pitcher Josh Palmatier (.379) and junior infielder Tanner Metzko (.371) also return for the Rams. “Every team is going to be shooting for us and it’s a big target on our back,” VanValkenburgh said. “I’m sure we’ll have some tough games. There are going to be teams to give us a stiff challenge.” Jefferson could give the Rams a run in the Mountain Division. Seniors Mike Quagliano (pitcher/shortstop) and Gabe Miller (center field) will lead the way for the J-Hawks, who finished 8-7 last season. Both

‘It’s a long road ahead of us. We’re going to be competitive in our league and we’ll see how we are at the end of the year.’ — SK coach Bob VanValkenburgh are fifth-year varsity players. Quagliano went 4-2 with a 3.62 ERA and Miller hit .460 with 31 runs and 24 stolen bases. Senior Ben Sharib, who pitches and plays shortstop, hit .444 with 22 RBIs last spring. H-T should be hard-pressed to successfully defend its title in the Upper Division, which features a solid Margaretville squad. “Kortright looks head-andshoulders above everyone at this point,” Friedman said. “I expect as the year goes on, we’ll see more out of the kids out of Margaretville. They are older and will be a tough squad as the time goes on. They have the whole package over there. They are the favorite (in the Upper). I never underestimate John Toroni’s (Jefferson) teams, but I really think Kortright is the class of the league and the section right now.” H-T lost eight players from last year’s 14-4 team, which fell, 7-2, to eventual sectional champion Edmeston in the semifinals. Among the departed is pitcher/shortstop Greg Mudge, a Daily Star First Team All-Star who went 8-2 last year. Friedman will look to seniors Derek Legg (pitcher/shortstop/catcher) and Ryan Megnin (outfield/ first base), a Delaware League first-team All-Star last year, for leadership. H-T’s pitching staff entered this season with a combined seven innings of varsity experience. Junior Nick Tripsas, sophomore Kyle Friedman (Jeff’s son) and freshman Remo Romito will see time on the mound. “How are we going to be? I would hope we could make sectionals,” Jeff Friedman said. “I think we’re competitive with a lot of the other teams in our league. We’re going to have to get better, improve, grow and kind of get comfortable quickly at this level. If those things

come together, we could get to .500.” Margaretville, under 25thyear coach Rick Funck, returns a solid nucleus that starts with sophomore pitcher Patrick O’Connell. He threw a perfect game in a 9-0 victory against Windham on April 9. Brian Faulkner, Mitch VanKeuren and Ian Williams round out the Blue Devils’ starting pitchers. “I have four guys I feel completely comfortO’Connell able with going out there and starting,” Funck said. “That’s a luxury I’ve never had. Usually you are happy with two good ones. “I always start the season and tell the kids that my No. 1 goal is to get to the end of the season and have most of the players say I’m a better baseball player,” he continued. “If the majority can say that, then we’ve had a successful season.” Davenport returns three of its top players from last year’s 4-10 team, which went 4-6 in the DL’s Upper Division. Though the Wildcats should produce Ontl runs with players such as Mike Ontl, Kevin Gilley and Alex Poole returning, their pitching is somewhat of a question mark. Ontl, a junior outfielder/ pitcher, hit .348 with 16 RBIs last season, when senior third baseman Poole batted .342 and senior pitcher/shortstop Gilley hit .302. Windham, which went 2-13 last season, returns seniors Mike Iacono (pitcher) and Brandon Terrill (outfield). Juniors Evan Goettsche (catcher)

and Anthony Alesi (infield) and sophomore Steve Sherman (infield) should give the Warriors a boost as well. Stamford finished 5-9 last season under first-year coach Sean Lynch, who returns this season. First-year Downsville coach Tom Rose inherits a team that finished 1-13 last season. Rose, an assistant at Sidney for the past three seasons, will try to rebuild the program with the help of senior second baseman Brett Shellman, a Delaware League honorable mention last season. Senior Donald Jennings (pitcher/infield/outfield) and junior Ronnie MacDonald (pitcher/infield) also return. Freshman Josh Ahearn (pitcher/infield/outfield) is also among the Eagles’ newcomers. Gilboa looks to turn around a 3-10 finish in 2008 with a pitching rotation that includes junior Justin Kovacevich, who also plays shortstop, and sophomores Derek Briggs and Joe Cooper. The trio will pitch to senior catcher Loukas Vogiatzis for the most part. The Wildcats’ 10-player roster features one senior, four juniors, four sophomores and a freshman. Greg Funck, a Roxbury graduate and former Oneonta State reliever, takes over a Rockets team that went 9-7 last season. Though Roxbury lost one of its top players to graduation in pitcher/shortstop Steven Hubbard, the Rockets return seniors Tim Douglas (first base/ pitcher) and Owen Sanford (second base), junior David Clark (shortstop/pitcher) and sophomore outfielder Jacob Liberatore. Freshman Kyle Ciaravino (outfield) and sophomore Garrett Hall (third base) also could be key contributors. ——— P.J. Harmer can be reached at [email protected] or 607-432-1000, ext. 229.

The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star, Friday, April 17, 2009

South Kortright has a shot at three-peat

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DELAWARE LEAGUE BASEBALL

The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star, Friday, April 17, 2009

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14 The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star Friday, April 17, 2009

DELAWARE LEAGUE SOFTBALL

Jefferson, Downsville lead stacked Mountain Division Margaretville looks to repeat in Upper Delaware By Sarah Stalter Contributing Writer Last season, two Delaware League softball players earned honors as Daily Star First-Team All-Stars. Both have returned for 2009, giving their respective teams a head start. At Jefferson, it’s sophomore Jordyn Hillis. She went 11-3 last season, which included a one-hitter in a 7-0 victory over Margaretville in the Delaware League crossover. Hillis finished with a 1.94 ERA and struck out 108 batters for the J-Hawks, who finished 15-3. “We should be very competitive again this year, with a nearly full starting lineup returning for the 2009 season,” said 16th-year Jefferson coach Andi Cammer, whose roster features 21 girls in grades 1012. Additionally, Cammer lost just one player to graduation in four-year third baseman Miranda Blakeslee. The only bad news for the defending Mountain Division champion J-Hawks is the other returning Daily Star First Team All-Star is on the same side of the league. That player also is a pitcher, Downsville sophomore Krista Baxter. She had all the decisions in the Eagles’ 18-4 season, finishing with a 1.42 ERA and striking out 156. “She is throwing harder than she did a year ago and we should able to give her plenty of rest this year,” said Downsville coach Jeff Baier, who also returns 2008 league All-Star Allison Townsend. A senior third baseman, Townsend batted .422 with two home runs 23 RBIs and 16 stolen bases last spring. “Defense, and more importantly pitching, are the name of the game in softball,” Baier continued, “and we have one of the best in Krista Baxter.” Downsville also returns junior

Photo by Cheryl Clough

Roxbury senior Jessica Utsler is one of the key returning players for a young Rockets team. catcher Sabra Yancey (.286 BA, 17 RBIs) and shortstop Katelynn Peaster, who will bat leadoff. “I expect Jefferson to be the big competition in our division,” Baier said. “Last year, we tied them for the Delaware Mountain championship. They got to go to the crossovers because they beat us by a run in the regular season.” Jefferson looks to return to the final with the help of senior catcher Katie Bedford. “(Hillis and Bedford) work well together and both are learning what pitches need to be thrown and when,” said Cammer, whose lineup also features outfielder Vanessa Speenburgh, first baseman Alyssa Jonker and outfielder Dove Henry. “Our goal is to go further than we did last year after finishing in the (sectional) quarterfinals against Schenevus,” Cammer

continued. “We will be defending our Delaware League title against tough teams like Downsville and Margaretville.” Gilboa, which went 4-8 last season, looks to challenge with the offense of Jenna Danouski, Jessica Caputo and Heather Cunningham. “Each one of them possess the capability to help the team score runs,” Gilboa coach Dan McGlynn said. Roxbury is returning all but one player this season, meaning it should improve on last spring’s 3-13 record. Although their record was anything but stellar, the Rockets had moderate success with an upset of Margaretville. They also took Jefferson and Hunter-Tannersville to extra innings. “Then we would turn around and struggle with a team of similar caliber and little success,” said Roxbury coach Jane Ware,

who will try to rebuild around Rachel Meckes (.436 BA, 36 stolen bases, 21 runs in 2008) and pitcher Heather Davie (80 strikeouts, .426 BA). “We have the experience and the athletes in key positions to return to Section Four competition.” South Kortright had it tough in 2008 with a 4-12 record but returns power-hitter senior Cassie McMullen (.460 BA) and freshman first baseman Robin Ward (.370). Marcy Sebastian and Renee Craft also are back. In the Upper Division, firstyear Margaretville coach Bill Lonecke is looking for a crossover rematch with Jefferson as the Blue Devils lost only one player to graduation. Jefferson’s lone regular-season DL loss in 2008 was a 6-5 setback to Margaretville, which will be anchored by infielders Brandi Balcom, Emily Kelly and Erica Faulkner. The trio

should make it tough for opponents to rattle pitcher Brittany Hull and batterymate Caitlyn Roberts. Margaretville also should receive a boost from pitcher Rachel Andrews and third baseman Karli Tait, who played for Andes last season. They will compete for the Blue Devils this year as the Mountaineers did not field a team. “We’re looking for a very successful season,” Lonecke said. Davenport and Hunter-Tannersville should be in the mix. Davenport, though, will have to replace the graduated Miranda Zimmerman (teambest 20 RBIs last season) and speedster Chelsea Haight, who returned to the track and field team. But senior catcher Lauren Rider (.317 BA) and junior pitcher Jackie Gilley (6.09 ERA, .379 BA) are back after earning Delaware League All-Star honors last spring. Davenport also returns junior shortstop Samantha Meyerhoff (.368 BA), who led all area girls basketball players in scoring this past winter. “I wish to improve on our record from last year and with a little luck, maybe cause some disruption from the expected,” said Davenport coach Cheryl Butler, whose team went 5-6 last season after winning four straight DL titles. “We lost several games by one run last year. Bottom line is we need to score more runs.” Windham went 6-8 last season and returns seniors Shaina Rion and Shannon McGovern. “After coming off a sectional berth last season, our expectations are to have another strong season,” Windham coach Joel Middleton said. “As always, our goal is to play hard every time we take the field, limit mistakes and be competitive.” Seniors Amy VanEtten, Shelby France and Kristen Davis are back for H-T, which finished 9-5 last season after an early exit in the Section Four Class D Tournament. Stamford (2-10 in 2008) looks to rebound with returning catcher Chelsea Higgins (.363 BA) and third-year starting pitcher Alyssa Melendez.

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MIDSTATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE BASEBALL

Unatego looking to repeat in MAC Afton off to 6-0 start By Courtney A. Erickson Contributing Writer Graduation took a heavy toll on defending Midstate Athletic Conference champion Unatego. The Spartans, who won their fourth title in the league’s seven-year history with an 8-7 victory over Deposit last season, graduated two key players off last season’s 18-6 team. Daily Star First Team All-Star Kyle Palmer, who hit .556 and went 6-2 on the mound, and Daily Star second-teamer Alex Hendrickson graduated in June. “It’s a balancing act,” Spartans coach Frank Microni said of the challenge of repeating as MAC Division I champions. “You lose some key players and hope some returning players can step up. I think every team in the league is like that. The whole league is pretty balanced. I think it’s going to be a dogfight.” Unatego, which went 10-0 in league last season, returns Daily Star second-teamer Chet Davis, a senior first baseman/pitcher who hit .396 last season. Also back are junior catcher/ infielder Cody Komenda (.338 average in 2008), senior outfielder Erik Barber (.292) and senior infielder Tyler Newman (.365). Newman and junior Cody Chambers lead a six-man pitching rotation. Juniors Dale Rifenbark and Jesse Brown, and seniors Cody Renwick and Davis, will also see time on the mound. “These guys don’t have a lot of varsity experience,” said Microni, whose team’s season ended a year ago with a 12-0 loss to eventual champion Chenango Valley in a Section Four Class B semifinal. “This year, we’re working with more guys and we’re more deep. They work hard and they’re very receptive to the coaching and what we’re trying to do.” Unatego started 2-1 this season and returns eight players from its 12-man roster. Sidney finished 15-10-1 thanks in part to four hitters

Star photo by Brit Worgan

Unatego’s Cody Chambers pitches during Monday’s game at Oneonta High. The Spartans are seeking their fifth Midstate Athletic Conference title in the eight-year history of the league. who batted .400 or better last spring. Fourth-year coach Kyle Vibbard lost all of those hitters _ Travis Fusco, Andy Wood, Aubrey Wood, Markus Dilello _ to graduation, along with the team’s top two pitchers, Andy Wood and Aubrey Wood. Vibbard also lost the services of junior pitcher Aaron Wood, who recently quit the team. Senior first baseman/catcher Zach Finch and sophomore pitcher/shortstop Andy Kozak return from last season. The Warriors also have a pair of new varsity faces _ sophomore pitcher Dylan Umbra and senior Mike Guerriere, a standout for Sidney this academic year in football and basketball. Senior right-hander Tyler Kane joins Kozak and Umbra in Sidney’s three-man starting

rotation. “They are young and inexperienced but capable of doing the job,” said Vibbard, whose team started this season 1-2. “They’re not overpowering, but they all throw multiple pitches for strikes.” Delhi could pose a threat to Unatego in Division I, as 15thyear coach Fred Barkalow boasts three senior pitchers among his 12-player team. Senior Daily Star First Team All-Star Luke Burns hit .494 with 18 extra-base hits and 27 RBIs last season. He also ended the 2008 season with 12 consecutive scoreless innings on the mound for the 12-10 Bulldogs. Burns is joined by classmates Troy Tucker and Chris Skovira. Tucker, an outfielder/pitcher, hit .378 last season and went 21 with a 4.32 ERA. Skovira will

play first base when he’s not pitching. Junior J.J. Darling, an outfielder/pitcher, hit .278 a season ago. “We have a good nucleus coming back,” Barkalow said of his four returnees. “They have at least two years of experience already and we should be able to hit the ball and field it pretty well this year.” The Bulldogs won two of their first three games. Walton coach Gary Backus enters his 19th season with several standouts back from last year’s 13-7 team that lost to Sidney, 14-13, in the Class C quarterfinals. Daily Star Second Team All-Star Chris Mead leads the Warriors. The senior pitcher/infielder is a four-year varsity starter who hit .422 last season. Thirdyear starters Chad Gardepe, a pitcher/infielder who hit .319 last season, Cody Endress, a catcher/first baseman who hit .381, and Phil Hanley, a junior center fielder who hit .407, also return. Junior outfielder Bryant Mead, who missed last season because of a leg injury, is also back. Gardepe, Chris Mead and Kyle Baxley will be the primary pitchers. Unadilla Valley graduated Daily Star honorable mention selection Mike Bluy, who batted .409 with two home runs during the team’s 3-14 season in 2008. Senior Justin Peek (P/INF, .396 batting average, 1 HR) and junior Dylan Webb (P/INF) lead a mostly junior-laden 14-player roster. In Division II, the title could be up for grabs. Afton coach Ron Rapp has his team off to a 6-0 start. “It’s frustrating being a (Class) D school in the MAC because we play the big schools from the other division,” said Rapp, whose Crimson Knights finished 9-10 and lost to eventual sectional champion Edmeston in a Class D quarterfinal last season. “This year we’ve just been playing solid defense and our pitching has rebounded from some tough hits.” Seniors Casey Mohrien

(pitcher/shortstop) and Jacob Arnold (left fielder), junior closer Mike Muller and sophomore Corey Mohrien (first baseman) are the returnees on the 14-man roster. Casey Mohrien won four games last year, Arnold led the team in batting (.350 average) and Corey Mohrien enters his third year on the varsity. “He is a big kid and he is just now growing to his body,” Rapp said of Corey Mohrien. Harpursville transfer Adam Rupakus, a junior pitcher, and Muller will join Casey Mohrien on the mound. There’s new leadership at Bainbridge-Guilford. Pete Mansheffer replaces longtime coach Steve Rice, who retired from the school. Mansheffer, who coached JV baseball for the past three seasons for B-G, inherits six seniors, including pitcher Dustin Rutz who threw 3 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball in the Bobcats’ 2-1, nine-inning victory over Delhi on April 9 to even its record at 1-1. “The pitching was pretty solid tonight,” Mansheffer said after the Delhi victory. “Rutz can throw strikes and he is an outstanding defensive player at first base. He makes our whole infield stronger. That’s as good as I’ve ever seen him.” Rutz returns for his third varsity season along with classmates Garrett Newbauer (infielder/pitcher), Justin Miller (catcher), Patrick Mertz (utility), Andrew Maddalone (outfield) and Shawn Brownell (outfield). Right-hander Rutz also plays first base and shortstop. Sophomore starter Paul Parsons allowed one run over five innings against Delhi. That victory came after a 15-0 season-opening loss to Sidney on March 30. “I think the whole league is strong this year,” Mansheffer said. “We’ve got a mixture of youth and some experienced kids. If our pitchers throw strikes and we play defense, we can (be compeititive).” Oxford and Harpursville round out Division II schools. Both teams went 10-8 last season.

17 The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star, Friday, April 17, 2009

18 The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star Friday, April 17, 2009

MIDSTATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SOFTBALL

Afton once again team to beat in MAC Sidney appears strong in Division I By Courtney A. Erickson Contributing Writer Afton junior Jessie Winans earned Daily Star Player of the Year honors for an unprecedented third straight time last season. But as streaks for the Crimson Knights softball team go, Winans’ is just OK. That’s because this season, Afton will attempt to win its 15th straight Section Four Class D championship, reach the Class D state final for the fifth straight year, and win the Midstate Athletic Conference title for the fifth straight time and seventh in the conference’s eight years of existence. Last season, the Crimson Knights nearly had their quest for a fourth straight MAC title derailed by Sidney. Afton eked out a 5-4 victory in eight innings. “There’s no gimmie that you’re going back,” 21-year Afton coach Cindy Bostelman said. “There are a lot of great teams out there. Deposit has everybody coming back. Oxford came back this year with a good program. It’s going to make it tough (to repeat). It could be an interesting season for all of us.” Especially Winans, who is entering her fifth year as Afton’s starting shortstop. In 2008, Winans hit .447 with four home runs and 27 RBIs last season, numbers that helped earn Class D state Player of the Year honors. She already has more extra base hits than anyone in school history. “She’s just unbelievable,” Bostelman said of Winans. “(She has) knowledge of the game, a tremendous athlete. You’d die to have nine kids like that on my team, but I’m glad I have one.” On the final day last season, Winans homered twice _ the first in a 6-0 state semifinal victory over Argyle and the second, a two-run shot in the first inning of a 4-2 loss to Chapel Field in the state final. That marked the fourth straight season Afton had lost in the state final. Winans’ cousin, Ashley, will

switch from first base to pitcher for her senior season. Ashley Winans, a Daily Star First Team All-Star, could return to first base depending on the development of seventh-grader Payton Cutting. Either one will have big shoes to fill after the graduation of three-year starter Morgan Muller, who now plays for Oneonta State. Muller won 69 games _ 39 by shutout _ and had 691 strikeouts over three years. Ashley Winans hit .329 with 19 runs and 19 RBIs last season. Juniors Stephanie Parsons (second base) and Stephanie Sherman (left field), senior Jennifer Boudreau (center field) and senior Abbie Martin (right field) are also back. Bainbridge-Guilford looks to make sectionals after going 3-14 last season under coach Cindy Cifone, who lost four-year starter Christina Butcher at shortstop and pitcher Rebecca Thomas, both of whom are playing for Broome Community College this season. Returnees Carrie Safford (sr., 1B, .400 batting average, 13 RBIs) and Chelsi Rosa (soph., 3B/OF, .358) along with newcomer Ashley LaMont (jr., pitcher) lead the way for the Bobcats. “Ashley came up the last three games of the season for us and pitched quite well for us,” Cifone said. “We expect a lot from her this year.” Deposit finished 12-8 a year ago and gave Afton all it could handle by taking a three-run lead in the first inning before falling, 4-3, in last season’s Section Four Class D final. Hancock (14-5) lost to Deposit in the sectional semifinals last spring and joins Oxford and Harpursville in rounding out the Division II schools. In Division I, expect Sidney to go as far as junior pitcher Danielle Gravel can take it. Gravel earned Daily Star First Team All-Star honors after going 9-2 with 117 strikeouts in leading the Warriors to a divisional title last spring. “She’s a junior but in her fourth year of varsity experience,” ninth-year Sidney coach

Photo by Cheryl Clough

Afton’s Jessie Winans catches a pop up during a game last season. Winans, who has won three straight Daily Star Player of the Year awards, is looking to lead the Crimson Knights to their 15th straight Section Four Class D championship. Mike Brazee said of Gravel. “She’s getting stronger physically and also her mental aspect of the game has gotten better. She’s mentally tougher and knows what she has to do to stay in control.” The Warriors lost first baseman and Daily Star honorable mention pick Alecia Clark (transfer to Windsor) from last year’s 14-8 team that lost in the Class C sectional quarterfinals. Still, Sidney has nine players back, including team leaders Nicole Rowe (sr., 3B, .375 batting average), Rachel Ward (sr., C, .323), Chris Houck (sr., SS, .339) and Darien Schalk (jr., OF, .428). Houck, Stephanie Meno (sr., 2B) and Amanda Ojeda (jr., CF) are also back.

Unadilla Valley will look to improve upon last season’s 7-11 finish. One challenge for coach Brandi Backus is replacing four-year starter and Daily Star honorable mention pick Kristen Elliott, who struck out 103 batters in 107 innings last season for the Storm. Breanne White replaced Elliott in the circle for UV. Shortstop Hannah Johnson (.333 batting average) and sophomore third baseman Charlee Wiedman return for the Storm, who also return catcher Kara Collins (.319). Unatego coach Sue Herodes graduated all but two players from last season’s 7-10 team. Rachel Mugford (sr., C) and Stephanie Havens (jr., 2B) look to provide leadership to a team with 11 new players.

Right-hander Ashley Mannina, up from Unatego’s JV team, will be in the circle for the Spartans, who dropped their first two games this season. Havens, Kayla Wong (jr., SS), Sarah Mannina (3B) and Alex Mowers (jr., 1B/OF) round out the infield. “I can put her wherever I need her,” Herodes said of Mowers’ flexibility. “She reads the ball off the bat real well in the outfield.” Delhi has the similar burden of replacing its starting pitcher from last season’s 2-18 team. Josie Elwell moved from first base to pitcher and will work with teammate Mary Davis inside the circle, taking over for graduated senior Christin Salerno, who is now playing softball at Springfield College. Coach Bob Currie said Elwell and Davis are new to pitching at the varsity level. The Bulldogs have 10 players on the roster after sophomore pitcher Sarah Henkle separated her shoulder in volleyball this past winter and will be unavailable this season. Henkle pitched JV softball last spring. Walton returns two players (senior OF Erin Boyd and junior SS Holley Reynolds) from last season’s 10-9 team that lost in the opening round of sectionals. Reynolds hit .344 and led the Warriors in RBIs (15), runs scored (22), stolen bases (15) and triples (three) last season. Boyd’s .217 bating average last season included a home run, eight RBIS, nine runs scored and three steals. Freshman Ali Forkey and junior Jackie Yamber lead the pitching staff. Fifth-year coach Burt Reed said whoever pitches will benefit from the range and armstrength of Reynolds at shortstop. “We want to make sectionals again and improve,” Reed said. “We have only one senior, there’s lots of good athletes and finding a spot for each one of them is the tough part. Once I find that lineup, we’ll improve.” Greene (11-9 last season) rounds out the Division I teams.

19 The Cooperstown Crier, Thursday, April 16, 2009 / The Daily Star, Friday, April 17, 2009

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T-V Continued from Page 6 Morris’ modified squad to a 7-2 finish last season, replaces former BainbridgeGuilford and Oneonta State standout pitcher Erik Weber. Pitcher Eric Smith and infielder Justin Utter _ both juniors _ look to lead the Mustangs, along with senior catcher Matt Tracy. “We’re going to try get to sectionals,” UmTracy bach said, “but on top of that, Morris hasn’t been in the Tri-Valley championship game in 13-14 years. It’d be nice if we could get some more games in because we have the talent to (reach the T-V final) if we go out there with our ‘A’ game. If we play average, though, we’re going to get rocked.” Laurens returns to the T-V West Division after failing to field a team last Adams season and will be led by coach Andy Carr. Not surprisingly, his top three players _ son Ryan, Jordon Davis and Matt Struckle _ were part of a Leopards

‘We’re going to be like every other team this season. If our pitchers throw strikes, we’ll be competitive.’ — Worcester coach Corey Pier basketball team that dominated the TriValley League and gave Class D state champion South Kortright two of its closest games this past winter. Andy Carr will rely on all three of his key returners to pitch. The Leopards’ return to varsity baseball could be a brief one, though, as its 12-player roster includes five seniors. Three of his seven underclassmen are freshmen. Halay Cherry Valley-Springfield’s stiffest competition in the T-V East Division should come from Worcester and Milford. The Patriots, who have won six of the last seven division crowns (Schenevus won in 2003), return 2008 Daily Star honorable mentions David Adams and

Adam Halay. Each hit .300 or better last season and will join senior classmate Spencer Staley (.450 BA last season) and Dubben’s sophomore son, Sam, in the pitching rotation. “All-around, Spencer is one of the better players in the league or area this year,” Ed Dubben said of Staley, who will share catching duties with Sam Dubben. “He stole four bases against (Cooperstown pitcher) Staley Kyle Liner the other day. We have a lot more speed this year than last.” CV-S went 9-9 last season and 6-3 in the T-V. Worcester should be led by returners Keegan Althiser and Ryan Sklenka. Senior pitcher/first baseman Althiser went

3-1 on the mound and drive in 14 runs last season for the Wolverines, who got 16 RBIs and a .356 batting average from Sklenka, a sophomore pitcher/third baseman this season. “We’re going to be like every other team this season,” Worcester coach Corey Pier said. “If our pitchers throw strikes, we’ll be competitive.” Milford coach Andrew Kosturock Griffiths lost his top player to graduation in his son, Daily Star honorable mention Logan Griffiths. Pitcher Terrence Harrison and catcher Trevor Kosturock seem primed to lead the Wildcats, who also should get solid play from returning starter Gideon Powers. Schenevus looks to outfielder David Miller, first baseman/catcher Seth Jory and catcher/pitcher Roger Dixon for support this season. The Dragons went 0-15 last spring under coach Dan Lynch, who returns in 2009 for his second season. ——— Dean Russin can be reached at [email protected] or 607-4321000, ext. 215.