THE SPORTS REPORTS: HORSEHEADS' HOLLOWAY HEADLINES ALL-REGION BASEBALL TEAM AS 'PLAYER OF THE YEAR;' WAVERLY'S PIPHER ALSO LANDS TOP HONOR — VALLEY WELL-REPRESENTED (2024-07-02)

The Sports Reports
There were some incredible performances this season, several newcomers made names for themselves on the diamond, and Wyalusing made a run to the PIAA semifinals, while Corning and Horseheads won Section IV titles, and Owego, Troy, and Canton won league titles.

Horseheads junior Mason Holloway, The Sports Reports’ 2024 All-Region  “Baseball Player of the Year,” was nearly unhittable this season, and that’s not an exaggeration.

Holloway was 6-0 with a 0.16 ERA, and 0.40 WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched). He allowed 15 hits and 1 walk in 43 innings, while striking out 81 batters.

Holloway hit .383, and had a .508 on-base percentage, to go along with 16 runs scored, and 13 RBI.

Waverly senior Jay Pipher, the “Offensive Player of the Year,” capped a six-year varsity career by hitting .457 (37 hits in 81 ABs) with five doubles, two triples and one home run. He also contributed 32 runs, 25 RBI and 23 stolen bases to the Wolverines’ march to the Section IV Class B championship game. He posted a .546 on-base percentage and a .605 slugging percentage for a 1.151 OPS.

Owego junior Conlan Taylor, the “Pitcher of the Year,” also had an incredible season on the mound, posting a 7-0 record with a 0.26 ERA. He allowed 26 hits and 19 walks in 54 innings, while striking out 74 batters. He did not throw a wild pitch and opponents hit just .144 against him.

Newark Valley senior Ryan Rhodes, the “Breakout Player of the Year,” took his game to a new level. Rhodes hit .491 (up from .359 in 2023), going 26-for-53 with 13 extra-base hits, including four home runs. He drove in 40 runs (10 RBI last year) and scored 15 runs. His on-base percentage (.542), slugging percentage (.906) and OPS (1.448) were well above his 2023 numbers (.419, .538 and .957, respectively).

Horseheads freshman Cooper Ball, the “Newcomer of the Year,” made a major impact in his first varsity season. Ball was 3-1 on the  mound with a 1.15 ERA, and a 0.82 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings.

At the plate, Ball hit .373 with a .400 on-base percentage. Had 13 runs scored and 13 RBI with one home run.

Owego senior Ben Rollison, the “Defensive Player of the Year,” was stellar behind the plate for the River Hawks. Owego pitchers threw just five wild pitches in 24 games and a key part of that success falls on Rollison. He committed just one error in 210 chances, and was the backstop for seven pitchers who made a minimum of five appearances each on the hill.

Wyalusing’s Nick Vanderpool, the “Coach of the Year,” turned the Rams around early in the season. After a slow start, Wyalusing found its stride midway through the season, and picked up the pace in the postseason.

When it was win-or-go-home time, the Rams won five straight games to claim a District 4 title, and reach the PIAA semifinals.

2024 ALL-REGION BASEBALL
FIRST TEAM
Mason Holloway, junior Horseheads: See above.

Conlan Taylor, junior, Owego: See above.

Jay Pipher, senior, Waverly: Aside from his exploits at the plate (See above), Pipher was 2-2 with 1 save and a 3.15 ERA on the mound. He allowed 22 hits in 20 innings, with 26 strikeouts and 19 walks. Opponents hit .265 against him.

Dom Russ, senior, Horseheads: Russ hit .412 with a .543 on-base percentage. He had 10 extra base hits,  with five doubles, three triples and two home runs, to go along with 17 RBI and 25  runs scored.

Holden Ward, junior, Canton:  Ward hit .435 with 35 runs scored, 21 RBI, eight doubles, four triples, and a big grand slam. On the mound, he pitched 55 innings with a 2.80 ERA and 71 strikeouts.

Shea Bailey, junior, Tioga: A slick-fielding shortstop, Bailey hit .500 (30 hits in 60 ABs), with eight doubles, three triples, 16 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. He walked 10 times, was hit by pitches three times, and had a .589 on-base percentage, to go along with a .733 slugging percentage for a 1.322 OPS.

On the mound, Bailey was 1-2 with one save, and a 2.86 ERA. He allowed 12 hits in 22 innings, while striking out 35 and walking 17. Opponents hit .150 against him.

Micah Hays, junior, Horseheads: Hays was 3-1 with a 1.15 ERA, and a 0.82 WHIP. He registered 37 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings. He  hit .326 with a team-best 18 RBI, a team-high 14 walks, four doubles, and 15 runs scored.

Luke Richards, junior, Notre Dame: Richards was 8-3,with 90 strikeouts on the mound. He hit .356, with one home run, 15 RBI, and 21 steals.

Trehnon Hugo, senior, Wyalusing:  Hugo proved to be a clutch defender at shortstop, getting key outs late in big games. He was pretty good at the plate, too, with a .456 average with 10 doubles, three home runs, 30 RBI, and 19 runs scored.

Thomas Cheplick, senior, Edison: Cheplick hit .533, with 27 RBI, 15 walks, 11 extra-base hits, and 20 runs scored. He struck out just once all year.

Brendan Gilliland, sophomore, Troy: Gilliland hit.465 with 32 runs scored, 19 RBI, and four doubles.

Alex Davis, junior, NP-Mansfield: Davis led Mansfield to 5-win improvement (13), hit .391 and .506 OBP, 25 base hits (8 doubles, 3 home runs), 25 runs scored, 12 walks, 11 RBI and 18 stolen bases;

On the mound, he was 4-2 on the season with a pair of saves while striking out 48 batters over 42 innings with an ERA of 2.65.

SECOND TEAM
Alex Daugherty, senior, Notre Dame: Daugherty hit .393, with two triples, two home runs, and 24 steals. On the mound, he was 6-3, with 88 strikeouts.

Ryan Rhodes, senior, Newark Valley: See above.

Cooper Ball, freshman, Horseheads: See above.

Jackson Taylor, senior, Troy: Taylor came on strong this season after seeing limited action a year ago. He hit .491 with 21 runs and 18 RBI and 15 stolen bases.

Jahmeire Keyser, senior Notre Dame: Keyser hit .514, with two triples, 27 runs scored, 28 RBI, and 22 stolen bases.

Karter Green, sophomore, Sayre: Green hit .540 with eight doubles, one triple, one home run, 15 RBI, 13 runs scored, and three stolen bases. He had a .590 on-base percentage, to go along with a .800 slugging percentage for a 1.390 OPS.

On the mound, Green was 1-2 with a 2.44 ERA. He allowed 23 hits in 23 innings, while striking out 29 and walking six. Opponents hit .225 against him.

Reed Palmer, freshman, Troy: Palmer hit .419 in his first varsity season with 27 RBI, 23 runs scored, and 12 doubles. On the mound, he threw 23 2/3 innings with a 2.07 ERA.

Camden Allen, junior, Troy: Allen pitched 57 1/3 innings with 63 strikeouts and a 2.20 ERA. He hit .312 with 25 RBI, and three doubles.

Joey Tomasso, senior, Waverly: An outstanding defensive shortstop, Tomasso hit .453 (34 hits in 75 ABs) with six doubles, two triples, 18 RBI, 25 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases to cap a six-year varsity career. He had a .516 on-base percentage, to go along with a .587 slugging percentage for a 1.103 OPS.

Mason Smith, sophomore, Troy: Smith hit .392 with 29 runs scored, 28 RBI, and six doubles.

Ethan Perry, senior, Waverly: Perry hit .373 (28 hits in 75 ABs) and led the Valley with nine home runs, and 32 RBI, to go along with seven doubles, one triple, 26 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. He had a .478 on-base percentage, to go along with an .853 slugging percentage for a 1.331 OPS.

Ben Rollison, senior, Owego: Aside from his defensive accolades (see above), Rollison hit .346 with six doubles, one triple, one home run, 13 RBI, 26 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases. He had a .495 on-base percentage.

THIRD TEAM
Ben Rhode, senior, Elmira: A very good defensive shortstop, Rhode hit .385, with 22 steals, 10 doubles, and 17 runs scored.

Hudson Ward, senior, Canton: Ward hit .356 with 32 runs, 23 RBI, and five doubles.

Caden Smith, senior, Wellsboro: An outstanding defender, Smith hit .371, with 17 runs scored, eight RBI, and a .451 on-base percentage. On the mound, he posted a 3.07 ERA in 27 innings.

Sean Bubniak, senior, Waverly: Bubniak posted a 5-1 record with a 1.58 ERA. He allowed 33 hits in 40 innings, while striking out 28 and walking 18. Opponents hit .214 against him this season. He hit .264 with three doubles, nine RBI, and eight runs scored.

Garrett Godfrey, junior, Tioga: Godfrey hit .426 (23 hits in 54 ABs with six doubles, two triples, 29 RBI, 14 run scored, and one stolen base. He had a .530 on-base percentage, and a .611 slugging percentage for a 1.141 OPS.

On the mound, Godfrey was 2-1 with one save, and a 3.32 ERA. He allowed 11 hits in 19 innings, while striking out 27 and walking 28. Opponents hit .162 against him.

Nick Vanderpool, senior, Wyalusing: Vanderpool hit .344 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored.

Marek Mascho, sophomore, Wellsboro: Mascho hit .375 with 21 hits, 18 runs scored, seven RBO, and a .419 on-base percentage. On the mound, he was 2-3 with a 2.90 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 41 innings.

Karson Dominick, senior, NP-Mansfield: Dominick hit. 358 with 24 hits, 12 runs scored, and 15 RBI. On the mound, he had 28 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings.

Kenny Mapes, junior, Wyalusing: Mapes hit .349 with 10 doubles, three home runs, 30 RBI, and 19 runs scored.

Cameron Sinn, junior, Spencer-Van Etten / Candor: Sinn carried a .552 batting average with 21 hits, 13 runs scored, seven RBI, 16 stolen bases and a .622 on-base percentage.

Hunter House, junior, Wyalusing: House came on strong when it mattered most for the Rams, leading them to a district title and a state playoff win. He  pitched 67 2/3-innings with 81 strikeouts and a 1.966 ERA.

Josh Stout, junior, Horseheads: Along with the elite defense, Stout hit .352 with three extra-base hits, 12 runs and 12 RBI.

FOURTH TEAM
Bryce Mashanic, senior, Elmira: Mashanic posted a 4-2 record with a 2.23 ERA. He struck out 49 in 39 innings.

Brendan Cooke, freshman, Athens: Cooke hit .412 with three doubles, one triple, one home run, 10 RBI, eight runs scored, and one steal. Hehad a .531 on-base percentage, to go along with a .580 slugging percentage for 1.110 OPS.

Elijah Lewis, junior, Owego: Lewis hit .310 with 12 runs, 15 RBI and a team-high 22 stolen bases, and posted a .929 fielding percentage (just two errors in 28 chances). He was 5-2 record in nine starts on the mound with 51 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings with a 2.77 ERA.

Logan Bellis, sophomore, Tioga: Bellis hit .400 with five doubles, two triples, 14 RBI, 29 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. He had a .528 on-base percentage, to go along with a .564 slugging percentage for a 1.091 OPS.

On the mound, Bellis was 3-0 with one save and a 4.38 ERA. He allowed 15 hits in 16 innings, while striking out 23 and walking 11. Opponents hit .231 against him.

Will Craparo, senior, Newark Valley: Craparo batted .474 with 27 runs scored and eight RBI.

Nick West, senior, Cowanesque Valley: West hit .429 with 24 hits, including four double, 17 runs scored, and five RBI. He had a .536 on-base percentage.

Riley Cobb, senior, Edison: Cobb posted a 4-0 record with a 2.34 ERA. He recorded 54 strikeouts in 39 innings.

Logan Meisner, senior, Notre Dame: Meisner hit .338, with eight doubles, four triples, three home runs, 31 RBI and 14 stolen bases.

Connor Monroe, junior, Corning: Monroe hit .377, with six doubles, one home run, 15 RBI, 11 runs scored, and a .500 on-base percentage.

Carter Rosno, senior, Corning: Rosno hit .404 with 10 steals, six doubles, one triple, 16 runs scored, and a .523 on-base percentage.

Cooper Shaw, junior NP-Mansfield: Shaw was 4-3 with two saves on the mound, striking out 47 batters in 53 innings. At the plate, he hit .268 with 19 hits, including two doubles and one home run, 14 RBI, and 14 runs scored.

Zach Colton, junior, Canton: Colton had 24 RBI and scored 15 runs for the Warriors. On the mound, he posted a 2.08 ERA in 37 innings.

Nolan Terwilliger, senior, Corning: Terwilliger was 4-3 with a 3.55 ERA, and 21 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings, pitching against most of the Hawks’ best opponents.

2024 ALL-REGION NEWCOMERS
Cooper Ball, freshman, Horseheads: See above.

Reed Palmer, freshman, Troy: See above.

Brendan Cooke: See above.

Jace Shiller, freshman, Edison:  Shiller hit .412, with 15 RBI, 13 walks, 17 runs scored, five doubles, one triple, and 10 stolen bases.

Danny Smith, junior, Williamson: Smith hit .424 with a .525 on-base percentage. He had 14 hits, including five doubles, and scored 11 runs.

Elijah Lewis, junior, Owego:  See above.

Logan Aman, sophomore, SVEC: Aman hit .409 with a.422 on-base percentage. He had 18 hits, with one double, nine runs scored, and 22 stolen bases.

Jon Apgar, senior, Sayre: Apgar hit .341, with four doubles, one triple, five RBI, and eight runs scored. He had a .442 on-base percentage, to go along with a .477 slugging percentage for a .920 OPS.

Connor Davidson, freshman, Athens: An excellent defender, Davidson hit .300 with three doubles, nine RBI, 17 runs scored, and four stolen bases. He also walked 11 times and had a .390 on-base percentage.

Zach Mumbulo, sophomore, Tioga: Mumbulo hit .346, with six doubles, two triples, 13 RBI, 11 runs scored, and five stolen bases. He had a .452 on-base percentage, to go along with a .538 slugging percentage for a .990 OPS.

Lucas Hamilton, senior, Cowanesque Valley: Hamilton hit .333 BA, and had a  .390 on-base percentage, to go along with 12 hits, including four doubles, 14 runs scored, and eight RBI.

Bailey Gardner, freshman, Canton: Gardner hit .259 with six doubles, 23 RBI, 16 runs scored. He had a .974 fielding percentage as a catcher.

Quinn Hanrahan, junior, Elmira: Hanrahan contributed on the mound, and at the plate for the Express.

Drew Slaven, junior, Edison: Slaven put together a nice season on the mound for the Spartans.

GOLD GLOVES
Ben Rollison, senior, Owego: See above.
Shea Bailey, junior, Tioga
C.J. Carr, senior, Wyalusing
Brandon Enyon, junior, Newark Valley
Trehnon Hugo, senior, Wyalusing
Jammier Keyser, senior, Notre Dame
Connor Kotski, junior, Owego
Brady Morrell, junior, Emira
Joseph Palladino, junior, Owego.
Jay Pipher, senior, Waverly
Ben Rhode, senior, Elmira
Dom Russ, senior, Horseheads
Caden Smith, senior, Wellsboro
Josh Stout, senior, Horseheads
Joey Tomasso, senior, Waverly

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