If the last four years are any indication, Morris will be playing deep into June, possibly getting all the way to the PSAL Class A semifinals. At least, that’s how coach Rich Corbo sees it.
“We’re looking to make a dent in the playoffs,” he said.
Morris has dramatically improved each of the last four years, from reaching the ‘B’ quarters to winning the ‘B’ crown to making the playoffs its first year in the ‘A’ and going 14-2 and falling to eventual champion Tottenville in the ‘A’ quarterfinals last spring.
The Warriors did graduate key players – such as ace Arismendy Nunez, right fielder Argelis Merejo and Joe Ortiz – but Corbo feels he has adequate replacements for them. Closer Jose Quelix will move the mound, Luis Sterling will take over in right and Darlyn Veloz and Bryan Moran will battle it out at second and see time on the mound as well. Quelix, a hard-throwing right-hander with swing-and-miss off-speed stuff, had five saves and 33 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched a year ago.
Kendall Rodriguez
Morris and Raiky Ortiz are looking to challenge for a Bronx A East title this spring.
Third baseman Raiky Ortiz leads what should be a potent lineup which also features catcher Smailit Feliz (19 RBIs), Yoan Delarosa (16 SB, 15 runs scored) and speedy leadoff man Jose Luis Batista.
“The attitude for the most part on the team is good,” Corbo said. “I have five captains who are seniors and they are looking forward to play college baseball. They all want to do something special and leave with good memories. They are putting in the work. That’s the most encouraging part.”
It’s rare to see a sophomore names a captain. Then again, catcher Larry Campusano is no ordinary sophomore.
“It’s very unusual,” Walton coach Jason Norman said. “But he’s a great leader, great hitter and his catching is improving.”
Campuzano, who batted .340 with 11 RBIs as a freshman, is one of many position players Norman is excited about. Ace and starting shortstop Joshua Ciprian is back and will be counted on to take on a leading role. Newcomer Edinson Batista, a power-hitting sophomore first baseman/third baseman, will add pop and junior varsity call-up Bruce Valentin and Jesus Gill bring pitching depth. The loss of last year’s ace and top hitter Jose Cruz (transfer) and possible loss of Rileymar Klaber (personal reasons) weakens the rotation.
“I still have a great team, a lot of experience, a lot of new guys and a lot of depth,” Norman said. “It really depends on how fast our [new pitchers] develop. They throw hard and they throw strikes, which is encouraging. If they can improve, I think we’re right up there with everybody.”
Taft coach Charis Britt said he didn’t have a say in the Golden Eagles moving up to Bronx A East, but the third-year coach is excited about the opportunity to see the likes of James Monroe, DeWitt Clinton and Walton twice a year.
“It will be better competition and you get to see where your players stand,” he said. “If we play fundamentally sound, we should be able to compete, win some baseball games and make the postseason.”
Britt is optimistic, in part, because he returns most of last year’s Bronx B South championship team, which lost in the second round of the city playoffs. Starters Manny DeLeon, Pedro Pereyra, Anthony Ferrer and Johnny Garcia are all back, in addition to pitchers Hermany Pereyra and Brian Vidal.
There may not have been a more deceptive 8-8 record than the one South Bronx compiled last spring. In arguably the best division in the city, the Phoenix dropped four one-run contests and showed their mettle by upsetting McKee/Staten Island Tech in the opening round of the playoffs and pushing runner-up Lehman. Senior ace Genesis Milian (2.39 ERA) and junior outfielder Kevin Victoriano look to build on that success.
zbraziller@nypost.com
raiky, third baseman, jason norman, joe ortiz, campusano, corbo, darlyn, leadoff man, delarosa, campuzano, tottenville, college baseball, right fielder, rbis, right hander, last spring, batista, jose luis, kendall, replacements
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário