Mar 31, 20193 min read

Niagara-Orleans Baseball Preview

Akron Tigers

Head Coach: Greg Bell (15th season)

Assistant Coaches: Jim Holtz, Justin Klodzinski

2018 Varsity Record: 10-7 overall, 8-4 league

Key players returning: Sr. Brandon Orr – P, SS 1st Team All NO P in 2018. Overall record was 6-3 1.17 ERA and 87 SO in 48 IP. Also hit .380 So. Infielder Mitchell Holtz – solid year defensively as a freshman. Will hit leadoff. Sr. OF Jacob Siska – 3 year varsity player, strong arm and good defensive OF So. OF Adam Mietz – good all round athlete moves from LF to center.

New players to watch out for: Freshman Inf/P Jack Klodzinski, So. OF Jacob Mazza

Key losses due to graduation: Jacob Cummings – 1st Team All NO and Hon Mention All WNY Outfielder. Team all time career leader in SB (68) and BA (.369)

Derek Holtz – 1st Team All NO infielder. Now playing at Medaille College

Players committed to playing in college: Orr – ECC

Albion Central School – Purple Eagles

Head Coach: Bruce Blanchard

Assistant Coaches: Bill Dambra

2018 Varsity Record: 8-4 League, 12-5 Overall

Key players returning: 12th grade – Bryce Pritchard – 1st team All- league 1st base, 11th Grade – Thomas Furmanski – 1st team All- League – Pitcher, 11th Grade – Liam Ward – 1st Team All-League – Catcher

New players to watch out for: Michael DiCureia – Outfield (played last year as a 10th grader but expect big things from him this year). Alex Gibson – 10th grade – Outfield.

Any additional information: We have been young at the Varsity level the last few years but now they are juniors and seniors. This gives us a lot of experience and should help us make a good run this year.

Players committed to playing in college: None

Barker

Head Coach: Rob Mucha

Assistant Coaches: Jim Harris and Tyler Evans

2018 Varsity Record: League 0-12, Overall 1-15

Key players returning: Preston Harris (Sr SS, C, RHP), Nick Brandt (3B, RHP)

New players to watch out for: Jaret Black (Fr Utility)

Key losses due to graduation: Collin Webb

Any additional information: Sr RHP Cole Hansenn will be our ace on the mound after missing the 2018 season, bringing stability back to the pitching staff that was sorely missed last year.

Players committed to playing in college: None as of 3/7/19 but Preston Harris will be playing in college.

Medina High School

Head Coach: Jon Sherman

Assistant Coaches: Bryan Fry, Chris Goyette, Tom Robinson

2018 Varsity Record: 13-6

Key players returning: Chris Goyette, Bryan Fry, Trevor Luthart, Nate Sherman, AJ Seefeldt, Zach Fike

New players to watch out for: Xander Payne

Key losses due to graduation: Matt Reimer, Alex Allis

Players committed to playing in college: None

Newfane High School

Head Coach: Chad Gretz

Assistant Coaches: Ryan Keys

2018 Varsity Record: 2-11

Key players returning: Garrett Srock, Matt DiTullio, David Bunn, Tyler Oudette, Cade Littman

Any additional information: Srock & DiTullio were named to the Second Team All-League in 2018.

Players committed to playing in college: None

Royalton-Hartland High School

Head Coach: Mike Tarnowski

Assistant Coaches: Tom Brigham – Bill Bruning

2018 Varsity Record: 19-3

Starters Returning: Gavyn Boyle (OF/P) – Charlie Brigham (INF/P) – Charlie Bruning (INF/P) – Walker Samanka (INF/P) – Noah Hardy (C/INF) – Mike Huntington (OF)

Key losses due to graduation: Alex Xapsos (INF) – Jake Bruning (OF/P) – Ben Schwab (INF/P)

Goals for season: We want to continue to be a competitive program throughout Niagara County. With a versatile group of talented players, we want to set ourselves up to hopefully compete for our fourth league championship title in four years.

Players committed to playing in college: Charlie Bruning – Niagara County Community College