Baseball
Team News
Tryouts - Fall 2009
Tryouts for the fall 2009 semester begin Saturday, August 29 at 11:00am. The team will meet in room D-214 before practice begins. All players wishing to try out must have a completed physical form turned into the athletic trainer BEFORE the first day of practice. Players should report to practice in baseball pants, hat, socks and a T-shirt WITH sleeves. Contact Coach Greer with any questions."
2009 Post Season Updates & Awards
Canandaigua – Post season awards were announced this week in Region III baseball. The Mid-State Athletic Conference Champion Lakers had the most players chosen to the all-conference team. In all, 5 Lakers were selected to the team. Captains Sean Loomis (Mexico/Mexico Academy) and Jeff Jones (Mendon/Honeoye Falls-Lima) were both selected to the all-conference team as infielders. Sophomore Jordan Bergado (Penfield/Penfield) was selected as an outfielder. Two Freshman Ben Ward (Honeoye/Honeoye) and Brett Havens (Bath/Bath Haverling) were each selected at catcher and designated hitter, respectively.
“We were extremely pleased with the seasons that each of these young men put together for us.” Said coach Patrick Greer, who was selected as the Mid-State Coach of the Year for the 4th consecutive season. “These guys all work hard in practice, in the weight room and on gameday. It’s great that they were recognized for all their hard work.”
Additionally, Jordan Bergado has been named to the Region III first team as an outfielder while Loomis has been named to the Region III second team as an infielder. “We’re really proud to see two outstanding sophomores finish off their career here with a great honor like this.” Said Greer, “Jordan and Sean both hit the ball really well for us all year. Their bats carried us through some tough stretches of the season.” Loomis will be attending Coastal Carolina University in the fall, while Bergado is still choosing between several NCAA Division II programs.
Jimmy Dale ('07) Signs Professional Contract
Canandaigua – Finger Lakes Community College Head Baseball Coach Patrick Greer is pleased to announce that former Laker pitcher Jimmy Dale (Nunda/Keshequa) has signed a professional contract with the Texarkana Gunslingers of the Continental Baseball League.
Dale left Keshequa high school as Section V’s all time strikeout leader before attending FLCC in 2006 and 2007. Jimmy earned all conference and all region honors at Finger Lakes. Upon graduation he transferred to NCAA division II Minnesota State University at Mankato where he went 4-0 with 7 no-decision’s in his senior season.
“I’m very excited that Jimmy has the opportunity to pitch professionally.” Said Greer, “It’s always been Jimmy’s goal and for him to be able to realize his dream of being a pro ball player is something that I’m really proud of him for accomplishing.”
Follow the Gunslingers at www.texarkanaprobaseball.com.
The NJCAA announced the 2008 All-America team this week. Sophomore outfielder Zach Eason (Oswego/Oswego) has been named to the All-American 3rd team. Eason compiled a .448 batting avg. with 10 home runs and 37 RBI as a sophomore. “Zach really hit the ball hard for us all year and this is a nice honor to be recognized as one of the 36 best players in Division 3 JUCO,” said head coach Patrick Greer “We’re really going to miss his bat next year, but we’ll look forward to following what we hope is a long career for Zach.” Eason has accepted a scholarship to attend NCAA division II institution Alderson-Broadus College, in Philippi, WV. The Battlers are coached by Milan Rasic.
Several former Lakers have been honored recently. Wes O'Connor '07 (Clyde Savannah/ Savannah) was named to the All-SUNYAC First-Team for Coach Frank Paino at Oswego. Khyle Dimino '07 (Brighton/Lima) and his brother Adam Dimino '07 (HFL/Lima) were both named to the All-SUNYAC Second team for Coach Joe Brown at Cortland. Cortland will be playing for a national championship this week in Appleton, Wisconsin. Sebastian Fratto '06 (Geneva/ Geneva) was named to the NEAC First team for Coach Pete Way at Cazenovia College.
2008 Season Outlook
The 2008 version of the Lakers will be very different from the version that took the field over the last two campaigns. The 2007 season ended with a sub-regional loss to the Herkimer Generals who would eventually finish 3rd in the nation. “We took our shot with that group last year and just came up short. Now it’s time to reload and start building toward a regional championship with a new group,” says head coach Patrick Greer, now in his third season. “We have to replace a lot of offense and basically our whole pitching staff, but I think this group is up to the challenge.”
The 2008 Lakers will look to a few established members to provide leadership both on and off the field. Aaron Hallett (Caledonia-Mumford/Caledonia), returns behind the plate after an All-Region and All-Conference freshman campaign. “We have to ask Aaron to help bring young pitching along as well as be the standout offensive performer he’s always been,” says Greer. “Aaron has really had a great career here, and I think when it’s all over that he could go down as possibly the best all around catcher that we’ve ever had here.”
Strength up the middle is always a positive in baseball and the Lakers will have that with Hallett and returning starting shortstop Damon Arnold (Wellsville/Wellsville). “Damon could always play outstanding defense, but I think an entire summer in the New York Collegiate Baseball League has really helped him develop as an offensive threat. He’s a much different hitter than he was one year ago.” Nate Eaton (Maple Hill/Castleton) will pair up with Arnold in the middle infield while Chris Taylor (East Irondequoit/ Rochester) will get the initial nod in centerfield. “Both of these guys showed flashes for us last year when they were healthy, and we think they’ll be ready to perform this spring. We think we have some exciting freshman that are going to play there way into the mix as well,” Greer says.
On the corners the Lakers will have more options than they’ve had in the past few seasons. Zach Eason (Oswego/Oswego) returns after a All-Region and All-Conference year that resulted in a .378 batting avg. and 5 home runs. “We think that Zach is obviously an offensive threat, so he’ll be in the lineup everyday,” says Greer. “We’ve worked to give Zach the ability to play a couple positions in order to give us lineup flexibility. I think that with Zach, Corey Ernisse (East Irondequoit/Rochester), Jordan Bergado (Penfield/Penfield) and Jeff Jones (Honeoye Falls-Lima/Mendon) we should have some excitement in the middle of the lineup.” Jared Wigden (Penn Yan Academy/Penn Yan) and Sean Loomis (Mexico Academy/Mexico) will vie for playing time at third base. “I’m excited about having the ability to move guys in and out of the lineup to try and maximize our offense based on who’s hot at the time,” Greer says “We haven’t been able to do that the past few years.”
On the mound, the Lakers have to replace nearly the entire staff from 2007. With Jimmy Dale pitching at Minnesota State-Mankato, the Lakers need someone to step up and take the #1 spot in the rotation. “We’ve got a few guys that could step up and be the guy on the mound,” Greer says “It will be interesting to see who wants the ball in his hand during the big games.” Joey Albee (Wayland-Cohocton/Cohocton) returns to the rotation after a solid freshman year. Josh Gascon (Livonia/Livonia), Keagan Smith (Madison/Madison) and transfer Billy Harvey (Honeoye Falls-Lima/Honeoye Falls) should all push to be in the rotation along with six other freshmen. “These guys are all going to have to learn on the job,” Greer said “We’ve done it before, (in 2006), with an entirely freshman pitching staff. There were definitely times when we took our lumps, but it made the group better for having to compete. In the end, we’re really happy with this group’s makeup, its character and its work ethic. I can promise you that this team will work hard right to the end, and I’m excited to see where that takes them.” The Lakers will open the season on March 15 at the University of Maryland.
