NTL BASEBALL: REDSKINS SET THE BAR HIGH AGAIN IN 2022 (2022-04-01)

BY TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
SAYRE — Sayre has won three of the last four District 4, Class AA baseball titles contested, and with seven starters returning, there’s no reason to think the Redskins won’t be in contention for a fourth in five, but coach Jamie VanDuzer says they have a couple of holes to fill for the 2022 season.

(After twice having their season-opener postponed earlier this week, Sayre is set to open the season Saturday afternoon at South Williamsport.)

“At the end of last year, people were saying you’re only losing two starters, which is true, but it’s difficult to replace a lead-off guy like Jake Burgess, especially one that got on base at a .550 clip,” said VanDuzer. “And, he was solid defensively up the middle.

“And with Zach (Moore), I could put him at a few different positions on the field and count on him defensively, along with the innings he provided.

“Those are two big holes to fill, but I think we have some guys who will step up,” added VanDuzer.”I’m just not exactly sure who that will be yet.”

Sayre returns NTL “Player of the Year” Brayden Horton at catcher, along with fellow senior Kannon VanDuzer at first base, and juniors Zach Garrity at shortstop, and Jackson Hubbard at third base.

Senior Mason Houseknecht will start in left field, with either senior David Northrop or junior Lucas Horton in center field, depending on which one is on the mound. If neither is pitching, one could see time in right field.

At second base and right field, VanDuzer is looking at seniors Dom Fabbri, Josh Arnold, Oakley Gorman, and Joe VanAllen, and junior Kegan Hayford. Hubbard could also see time there.

“We have five kids who having playing there a little bit in practice. It will probably come down to who’s hitting the ball when,” he said. “I think they’re all going to get an opportunity, whether it be at second base, third base, left or right field.”

“I would say my biggest concern right now is second base,” he noted. “It’s a very important position for us because we have four kids throwing in the low 80s, so I think you’ll see a lot of balls put in play by right-handed batters to the right-side of the infield.

“It’s huge for us that our second baseman is solid defensively, and our right fielder as well, and those are the two spots we’re trying to replace,” VanDuzer added.

Returning NTL “Pitcher of the Year” junior Lucas Horton will be joined on the mound by Northrop, Hubbard and VanDuzer, with Housekncecht, Arnold, Harford and Fabbri also expected to work some innings.

“I’m pretty comfortable with at least six of our pitchers at this point,” said VanDuzer. “I think that will be even deeper after they get a few innings under their belt this season.

“I feel good about our pitching, especially with the way the schedule is stacking up, I think we’re at seven game in 10 days and that’s with games against South Williamsport, Muncy, Athens, and Canton — no one we can take lightly.

“Our top four guys have looked good in the gym … and we did some live stuff outside on the couple warm days we had, and I was really impressed,” noted VanDuzer.

“Our catcher, Brayden Horton, said, ‘coach, I don’t know if you saw what I saw, but that was four pretty good pitching performances,” he added.

VanDuzer likes the look of his team heading into the season.

“The way we’ve been hitting the ball, I think we’re going to score a lot of runs again.

“I know we’re going to pitch well — the top three for sure, and I think the rest of the guys will throw strikes,” noted VanDuzer. “So, it comes down to whether we can make the plays defensively, and I think we will because we do have a lot of returning players.

“Really, it comes down to those couple spots we’re still trying to feel our way through,” VanDuzer added.

VanDuzer said his team has high expectations for 2021-22.

“I don’t think it’s a secret to these guys …

“I do a little exercise every year, where I give each guy a 3-by-5 index card, and ask them to write down their personal goals and team goals, so I can get a feel for where their heads are at,” said VanDuzer.

“I can tell you, I didn’t see many that said they want to win the Small School NTL title,” he added. “These guys want to repeat as District 4 champs, and get into the state tournament and make some noise.”

AROUND THE NTL
“Canton is going to be really solid,” said VanDuzer. “I don’t know that Cowanesque Valley lost anybody … they hit ball well last year, and I know they have a couple good pitchers returning.

“In the Large School, Wyalusing is going to be good,” he noted. “Athens returns a lot, I think they’re going to be really good, and Wellsboro brings back a lot.

“I was looking at the all-star teams from last year, and very few of those kids graduated,” added VanDuzer. “I think the league is going to be interesting. I think it will come down to pitching, especially if the games get stacked u with rain outs.”

AROUND DISTRICT 4
“Canton is my biggest concern in the Small School Division, but then you get to the playoffs and Canton and Wyalusing are both Class AA,” said VanDuzer. “With the arms and coaching they have, they’re always going to be a tough out.

“We’ll get a look at South Williamsport and Muncy,” he added. “And, you know Southern Columbia is going to be good.”

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IN PHOTO: Sayre’s Brayden Horton.