ECIC I Baseball Conference Preview
School Name: Clarence High School
Head Coach: David Smith
Assistant Coaches: Ed Warnke
2021 Varsity Record: 11-10
Key Players Returning: Garrett White, Scott Raymond, Andrew Cole, Ryan Judd, Travis Unocic
New Players to watch out for: Brady Culhane, Grayson White
Key Losses due to Graduation: Jake Rook, Gage Tumpaloff
Players committed to Playing in College and Where if known? Garrett White – Mercyhurst Andrew Cole – Hilbert
School Name: Frontier
Head Coach: Mike Morlock
Assistant Coaches: Tom Hesketh, Warren Lease, Shawn Berg
2021 Varsity Record: 6-6 league 12-8 overall
Key Players Returning: Nick Schulz, Tyler Hager
New Players to watch out for: Robbie Kibler, Nick Shea
Key Losses due to Graduation: Brad Kellner, Jeff Pienta, Kaleb O’Hara
Any Additional Information: 4 Freshmen, 4 Sophomores on Varsity roster
Players committed to Playing in College and Where if known? Nick Scholz NCCC
School Name: Hamburg Bulldogs
Head Coach: Derek Hill
Assistant Coaches: Adam O’Shei, Austin O’Shei, Ryan Turner
2021 Varsity Record: 13-9
Key Players Returning:
Evan Chaffee – A household name for several years now. Evan is ready to write the final chapter of his high school career and hopefully punctuate it with a long postseason run. Evan is well known for his potential as a pitcher, but what’s been overlooked is the fact that he is an elite hitter and the best baserunner (speed and IQ) that we’ve ever coached. He was 1st Team ALL WNY as a centerfielder last season and will contend for a spot on 1st team as a pitcher this season.
Nolan Smith – Nolan has grown and developed as much as any player around since last season. His 2021 campaign was cut short due to an arm injury, but has worked hard to rehab/heal and is ready to roll. He has committed to the weight room and looks to deposit several balls over the fence this season. Defensively he has developed into an elite first baseman.
Nolan Heavern – Our unsung hero from last season. Nolan was 1st team ECIC II as a pitcher and strung together an incredible run of starts on the mound for us. In 29.1 innings he had a .124 ERA with 41 strikeouts. Nolan was the starting QB for the football team and looks to bring that leadership to the diamond this spring.
Jon Oswald – Jon was 2nd team ECIC II outfielder last spring. Jon brings a lot of toughness and grit to the field. He was a key part to a great soccer season in the fall and looks to bring a little bit of their magic to the diamond this spring.
James Simoncelli – see below
Jacob Reese – see below
New Players to watch out for:
Jacob Reese is a new name to most. He was our starting catcher as a freshman last year. Did a tremendous job of handling our pitching staff while continuously climbing our batting lineup…finishing the season in the 3-hole.
James Simoncelli was 2nd team ECIC II last season as a sophomore. He is our wild card…can play any position. Last season he played 7 different positions, but this season looks to lock down the shortstop position.
David Conklin was Honorable Mention ECIC II last season as a sophomore. He was recognized for his pitching efforts…he advertises as a crafty lefty:) This season he looks to contribute defensively in the outfield in addition to his pitching duties. His bat has been a bright spot and welcome surprise so far this season.
Braeden McGuire was our top pitcher on JV last season and has shown well at some PBR events. We expect him to jump in and contribute immediately.
Key Losses due to Graduation:
Nate Holst was 1st team ECIC II as an infielder and a huge spark not only to our lineup but also in our dugout. Nate was our inspirational leader.
Any Additional Information:
Pitching staff is healthy and progressing nicely so far. As a staff our primary goals are not only to stay healthy throughout the season, but to peak at the right time.
Looking forward to the challenge of competing in ECIC I this season. Arguably one of the most competitive leagues in the state.
Looking forward to playing St. Mary’s at the WNY Athletics Day.
Players committed to Playing in College and Where if known?
Evan Chaffee – University of Alabama
Nolan Heavern – uncommitted (most likely Alfred St)
Nolan Smith – uncommitted
School Name: Lancaster Legends
Head Coach: Mark Dalfonso
Assistant Coaches: Jim Poulos
2021 Varsity Record: 16-6-1
Key Players Returning: Billy Morris, Mason Cisco, Tyler Walker, Pete Skulski
New Players to watch out for: Blaise Kolbert
Key Losses due to Graduation: Jason Mansell, Matt Sell
Players committed to Playing in College and Where if known?
Mason Cisco- Canisius
Billy Morris- D’Youville
Blaise Kolbert- D’Youville
Pete Skulski- NCCC
School Name: Orchard Park
Head Coach: Chuck Senn
Assistant Coaches: Jon Phillips, Shawn Gavigan
2021 Varsity Record: 12-10
Key Players Returning: Sean Becker, Pat Evans, Ben Gocella, Roman Gocella, Scott Hess, and Adam Velasquez
New Players to watch out for: Gabe D’Angelo, Ryan Heraty, Robert Leach, Liam Pytlak
Key Losses due to Graduation: Matt Armstrong, Connor Bowman, Camden Falkner, Jake Hollins, and Sean Riter
Players committed to Playing in College and Where if known?
Sean Becker-Brockport
Pat Evans- NCCC
Scott Hess-ECC
School Name: West Seneca West
Head Coach: Jeff Helmbrecht
Assistant Coaches: Brett Helmbrecht
2021 Varsity Record: 11-10
Key Players Returning: J R Hasfurter, Ethan Jandreau, Tyler Janak,
Ryan Vanderlip
New Players to watch out for: Nate Jachlewski
Key Losses due to Graduation: Mike Lubecki, Max Koller
Any Additional Information: West look to rebuild with a youthful roster holding 6 Sophomores/1 Freshman
Players committed to Playing in College and Where if known?
Tyler Janak- Baldwin Wallace
School Name: Williamsville North
Head Coach: Max Zimmerman
Assistant Coaches: Nathan Zimmerman
2021 Varsity Record: 17-6
Key Players Returning: Andrew Ayers (P), Andrew Damiani (SS, P), Brendan Morse (P), Noah Pohrte (OF), Joey Saia (P), Joey Ruffino (1b, P)
New Players to watch out for: Owen Smith (P, 1b/3b), Cole Schraufstetter (INF)
Key Losses due to Graduation: Conner Hoehman, Kyle Finn, Parker Murray,
Players committed to Playing in College and Where if known?
Ayers – St. Bona
Morse, Damiani – NCCC
Ruffino – Alfred St.
Richie Caito – Keuka College
Noah Pohrte – St. John Fisher
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