MONROE COUNTY Division 3
BRIGHTON BARONS (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 11-9 and lost to Pittsford-Sutherland, 2-0 in the A1 semi-finals.
Coach: Jason Wasserman (13th season/165-120 career record).
Top returners: Nico Aagesen (C), Andrew Cook (OF, INF, C), Owen Davis (CF), Jack Falter (Inf), Nick Kemp (P), Isaac Nelson (3B), Trent Wasserman (P) and Andrew Zibuck (RF).
Top newcomers: Brandon LaFountain (1B, P), Ryan O’Mara (P) and DJ Staszack (Inf).
First game: April 3rd at Greece Athena.
Outlook: Brighton has a good nucleus of returners. The line-up will be strong top to bottom both in the field and at bat. The biggest question mark is the pitching staff which is led by a pair of sophomore starters. How that young stacks up against the top line-ups in the league., will be the biggest challenge. The Barons will win if they can consistently put runs on the board this year.
BROCKPORT BLUE DEVILS (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 14-7 and Co-Champs of Division 3 with Hilton. Brockport earned the No. 2 seed in sectionals and lost Brighton, 10-3 in the A1 quarter-finals.
Coach: Matt Davis (third season/32-32 record).
Top returners: Mike Jamele (Sr. SS/P 2nd team All-County), Cole Penders (Jr. 3B/2B 2nd team All-County).
Top newcomers: Ashton Scott (C/OF 6-foot, 165), Bruce Kane (OF 6-foot, 170).
First game: April 3rd at Canandaigua.
Outlook: Brockport will be young in a lot of key positions on the field with only four returning seniors. The first half of the season will be about learning who they and what they can do in the sectionals. The second half of the season will show who they are. There is no hiding from it, Brockport’s inexperience at the varsity level will be the biggest challenge to overcome. There is a lot of parity among the schools in A1, and anything can happen after this team has had a season to mature.
CANANDAIGUA ACADEMY BRAVES (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 14-10 and Class A1 champs, lost to Aquinas 6-0 in the Class A state qualifier game
Coach: Dale Werth (13th season/160-142 overall – 89-64 league).
Top returners: Tanner Cooper (Sr. RHP/SS MVP Class A1 sectionals. Pitching – 7W, 91K in 69IP, 1.11 era. Offensively – .333 BA, 8 2B, 1 3B 2 HR, 22RBI), Brian Hoffman (Sr. RHP/2B, Pitching – 4W, 17K, 21 IP, 3.28 era. Offensively – .324, 5 2b, 14R), Hayden Roeder (Sr. OF/DH .385, 10R, 13 RBI).
Top newcomers: Seth Vigneri (Fr. C 5-foot-9, 190), Cooper Crunick (So. C/3B/RHP 6-foot-1 185), Michael Sculli (So. LHP/OF 5-foot-10, 145), Jordie Johnstone (LHP/OF, 5-foot-8, 145), Matthew Carbary (Sr. RHP/IF 6-foot, 185 *missed all of last year due to injury).
First game: April 3rd vs Brockport at Evans Field, Canandaigua.
Outlook: Cooper is one of the best players in Section Five. He can be dominant on the mound which gives Canandaigua the chance to win any time the right-hander takes the hill. Add in some good newcomers from last year’s JV squad, and the Braves will have a say in the A1 title again this season. Their biggest challenge is replacing seniors who graduated. The most important teachable moment from last year is the belief in themselves and the program.
GREECE ATHENA TROJANS (CLASS A1)
Last season: Finish: 10-12 and lost to No. 1-seed Greece Arcadia, 6-2 in the A1 quarter-finals.
Coach: Jason Bunting (21st season/303/174).
Top returners: Ryan Ballard (Jr. C), Jake Kimble (Sr. 1B/RHP) and James Sciortino (Jr. SS/RHP three-year starter).
Top newcomers: Jorge Oropeza (So. 3B/RHP 5-foot-9, 200), Jayson Russell (So. 1B/RHP 6-foot-2, 210).
First game: Monday, April 3rd vs. Brighton at Athena.
Outlook: With only three seniors in the lineup, Greece Athena will go through some growing pains. The Trojans have a lot of guys who can pitch but none are proven at the varsity level. Goes without saying, inexperience is Athena’s biggest challenge. Having short memories and focusing on the big picture will be a priority as they will need steady improvement.
PITTSFORD MENDON VIKINGS (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 13-8 lost to eventual champion, Canandaigua 4-2.
Coach: Jeff Amoroso (fourth year/49-38).
Top returners: Sam Cestra (RHP 5W, 3.45 ERA), Taylor Genier (OF .323, 2HR), George Gines (OF/ RHP .400, 10SB, 2.67 ERA), Jared Petrichick (OF/LHP .305, 14SB, 24RBI).
Top newcomers: Nic Fereirra (6-foot, 165 RHP).
First game: Monday, April 3rd at Pittsford Sutherland.
Outlook: Vikings return 10 players and the entire pitching staff from last year’s team. They are still a young team as six then-sophomores saw time last season. After a 3–7 start a year ago, the Vikings reeled off 10 wins in a row. If they get out of the gates faster this season, they can compete with the top teams in the area.
PITTSFORD SUTHERLAND KNIGHTS (Class A2)
Last season: Finished 15-8 and lost to Canandaigua in the A1 finals, 7-6.
Coach: Brandon DeRosa (first season).
Top returners: Will Marsh (INF 17H, 20R), Nate Richardson (OF .325, 27R), Graham Schild (P 4-0, 2.07 ERA) and Jack Zielinski (P/OF 4-2, 0.79 ERA, .333 BA).
Top newcomers: Max Carver (P 6-foot, 170) and Jimmy Graham (OF (5-foot-9, 175).
First game: Monday April 3rd 4:30 pm vs. Pittsford Mendon at Sutherland HS – Sargent Field
Outlook: Sutherland lost five to six games last year in the late innings. DeRosa, a former MCC Tribune who finished his college career at SUNY Cortland, will rely on his background to show the Knights the mental toughness needed to grind for those last few outs. Sutherland is a hungry team with a lot of seniors looking for a chance at a sectional title after last year’s loss in the finals.
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