From left, Hornell’s Wyatt Argentieri, Jacob Ponticello, Shawn Rose, Gage Miller and Coach Joe Flint. Photo by John Anderson.
Hornell baseball coach Joe Flint stood before hundreds of people at the Section V baseball banquet at Cobblestone Creek in Victor on Friday morning and explained the resilience of the Red Raiders and the adversity the team has overcome.
Hornell was without a coach just weeks before the season and Flint and his staff took over and won some games. Then, in sectionals, a few games in the bottom of the last inning.
As a result, No. 4 Hornell (13-5) takes on No. 2 Pal-Mac (18-2) today at 4 p.m. at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia.
Pal-Mac has won the last two titles. Hornell is led by Jake Ponticello Sr. C (.353 BA, 18 RBI, 5 2B); Wyatt Argentieri Sr. OF (.328 BA, 10 SB, .500 SLG, 5 3B); Gates Miller Sr. OF (6-1, 1.78 ERA, 51.0 IP, 44 K, 13 BB, .286 BA, .478 OBP, 20 R, .346 SLG); Charlie Oyer Jr. INF, P (3-1, 2.15 ERA, 26.0 IP, 18 K, 3 BB); Shawn Rose Sr. INF (.265 BA, 5 RBI).
See a full game preview HERE by Pickin Splinters.
From left, A-P’s James Forte, Section V Class D1 Player of the Year Haden Abbott, Josiah Stilson, Jamel Crowder and coach Dennie Miles.
Meanwhile in Hornell today at 1 p.m., in the Class D1 finals it’s No. 1 and defending champion Fillmore (17-1) taking on No. 2 Avoca-Prattsburgh (19-3) at 1 p.m. today in Hornell at Maple City Park.
A lot has been made about Fillmore’s incredible offense, scoring 13.6 runs a game and the soccer team winning a state title, going for another in baseball to complete a rare feat.
At the Section V banquet Friday, Avoca-Prattsburgh coach Dennie Miles pointed out the A-P boys have won two straight state titles in basketball, including this season, and this is quite a matchup between two schools with incredible athletes.
Some of Fillmore’s top players are:
Nolan Krzeminski Jr. C (.563 BA, 1.380 OPS, 40 R, 26 SB); Damon Potter So. P/OF (.355 BA, 1.348 OPS, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 30 R, 22 SB); Zach Sisson Jr. P/OF (.387 BA, 1.155 OPS, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 33 R); Mitchell Ward P/OF/SS (.515 BA, 1.410 OPS, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 33 R, 18 SB); Brent Zubikowski Sr. P/SS (.468 BA, 1.348 OPS, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 30 R, 22 SB)
For Avoca-Prattsburgh, some top players are:
Avoca-Prattsburgh: Hadon Abbott Sr. P/SS (8-1, 1.79 ERA, .485 BA, 2 2B, 37 SB) – Class D1 Player of the Year; Jamel Crowder Sr. P/SS (4-1, 1.62 ERA, .459 BA, 26 RBI, 15 SB) – Class D1 All Star; Sawyer Devoe Sr. CF (.327 BA, 14 RBI, 10 SB); McCoy Putnam Jr. C (.386 BA, 20 RBI, 27 SB) – Class D1 All Star; Dan Stilson So. 1B (.370 BA, 18 RBI).
For a complete preview, click HERE for Pickin Splinters.
No. 3 Bath (10-9) takes on No. 4 Penn Yan (10-11) at Hornell at 4 p.m. today at Hornell’s Maple City Park.
For Bath coach Sean Eighmey, some of his top players this season include:
Zachary Musso Sr. SS, 2B, P (4-5, 1.39 ERA, 50.1 IP, 94 K, 21 BB, .375 BA, .500 OBP, 11 SB, .535 SLG, 9 2B); Even Pendle CF, P (.310 BA, 18 RBI, 6 2B, 1 3B); Ethan Brotz Jr. 1B, 3B, P (.308 BA, 14 RBI, 10 R, 7 2B, .464 OBP), Dylan Wenban F. INF, OF, P (.241 BA, 9 RBI, 13 R, .328 OBP, 9 SB)
For a complete preview, click HERE for Pickin Splinters.
