NTL BASEBALL: EXPERIENCE, NEW FACES GIVE SAYRE BASEBALL HOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT IN 2026 (March 21, 2026)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
SAYRE — Sayre closed 2025 with its only win of the season, but 2026 brings a host of returning players, several new faces, and hopes for improvement.

"Our keys to success this season will be keeping the team mentality we currently have going, keeping our arms healthy, and keeping injuries to a minimum," said Sayre coach Todd Green. 

"Staying ahead in our pitch counts, being more selective with our strike zones in the box, not missing signs and have a field awareness present this year are also key. 

"I believe in this team of student-athletes and I believe they can be successful this season," added Green.

Sophomorew Riley McGaughey and Tucker Green will see action at catcher, while senior Karter Green, who will likely see action all over the diamond, and freshman Blake Zingeser will see time at first base.

Sophomore Brayden Northrup and junior Rommel Suba will likely see time at second base, with junior Shaine Strickland the main shortstop, and sophomore Paul Potter playing when Strickland pitches, and sophomore Tucker Green, senior Logan Zingeser, andBlake Zingeser seeing time at third base.

Senior Jackson Varner, who played at Tioga last year, will play center field with senior Kyshon Cole in right field and junior Declan Barry will start in left field.

Tucker Green, Logan Zingeser, Suba, junior Jacob Vaupotic, Northrup, and Potter could also see time in the outfield.

Karter Green, McGaughey, Strickland, Logan Zingeser, and Varner are slated to get most of the innings this season, with Barry, Northrup, Potter, and Blake Zingeser also expected to see some time on the mound.

Green said a few of his upper class men will be keys to Sayre's improvement in 2026.

"Logan Zingeser will be one of the key players this season," he said. "He will have to step up this year as a presence on the mound and with his bat.

"Shaine Strickland will be depended on defensively as our shortstop to command the middle infield, along with playing a huge role on the bump for us. 

"Karter Green will have to continue to be a dominant force at the plate and on the mound for us this season, like he has been in years past," said Green.

"Riley McGaughey will have to be a wall behind the plate this year, and be crafty of calling pitches for his pitchers," added Green. "Riley will also have to step up in the box this year with his batting to help lead us to some wins this season."

Green believes a pair of new faces in Varner and Blake Zingeser could also be contributors in 2026.

"Jackson Varner is not new to 'Skins baseball ... he moved on to play for Tioga last season, but came back to Sayre this season. 

"Jackson was a force at the plate for Tioga and also carried his own in the field and on the mound for the Tigers," said Green. "I am hopeful he will bring this dynamic to this 'Skins team this year and help this team achieve its team goals along with gaining some personal goals along the way.

"Blake Zingeser is a reshman coming onto the Varsity scene this year," noted Green. "He will have to play a multitude of roles between first base, pitching, and producing at the plate. 

"I believe he can make a positive impact for the team and for himself in growing for years to come," he added.

Green said there are a few other newcomers who could make an impact.

"Declan Barry will start in left field, Rommel Suba will be sharing time in right field, Jacob Vaupotic will be sharing time in center field, and Paul Potter will be sharing time at shortstop this season, along with some outfield work," said Green.
 
"These newcomers will help shape the dynamic we hope to be a successful season," he added.

Green sees team chemistry as a key component for the Redskins in 2026.

"This year the strength i see for this team is the dynamic of not letting one another get down and stay down. 

"Thus far in the early season, I've seen this team build one another up, instead of break one another down as in years past," said Green. 

"I hope this mentality continues with this group and we can put it together with some skill on the diamond and be successful as a team for ourselves and our community," Green added.

Putting the bat on the ball is Green's biggest concern heading into 2026.

"The biggest question I have is: "Are we going to hit the ball this year," said Green. 

"Last year was an embarrassment of batting compared to years past.

"We have been working hard in the off-season to, hopefully, redeem ourselves this year and finally put some runs across the plate," added Green.

Sayre opens play Saturday afternoon at Canton.

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IN PHOTO: Sayre's Karter Green. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.

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