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Leading off

Baseball in the Lower Hudson Valley

Sunday links, May 11th

Josh Thomson
May
11

Here’s a look at today’s notebooks…

NORTHERN WESTCHESTER/PUTNAM — All three notebooks focus on Rye Country Day (players on the team come from all three regions), which faces a playoff dilemma in the coming weeks. Should it try for the Fairchester tournament title or the NYSAIS state title? Should it try for both and risk watering-down its pitching? … Either way, it’s a tough call for the Wildcats, who may have to play five playoffs games (combining the two different tournaments) in a span of five days.

Also, the notebook mentions the college decision of Kennedy RHP Ryan Tatnell, who has been one of the winningest pitchers in the area the last two seasons and now owns the school’s all-time record for career wins.

CENTRAL WESTCHESTER — The same story on RCDS, plus the college decision of Port Chester P/SS Jesse Burba, who made me look good by having a big day at the plate and on the mound in the Rams’ 14-1 win over Sacred Heart yesterday.

SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER — RCDS again, plus Joe Mazzella throws his support behind a former Greeley coach who he believes should be his successor.

ROCKLAND — Nanuet has simply tore the cover off the ball lately, with Rich Kintzing and Dan Diaz lengthening the lineup behind star Steve Prosapio. 

Jake also offers his Rockland power rankings, which still has Suffern a spot ahead of South. The clubs meet tomorrow to decide who’s better on the field.

Posted by Josh Thomson on Sunday, May 11th, 2008 at 1:16 pm | del.icio.us Digg Google
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Playing for Peanuts

Jake Thomases
May
10

An interesting baseball documentary is airing tomorrow on SportsNet NY. Playing for Peanuts follows the independent league South Georgia Peanuts through the weird world of minor league baseball. I got a sneak preview of the pilot and was very entertained. I only meant to watch the first few minutes but ended up sitting through the whole thing. Independent league ball is a unique life. These guys are a thousand miles from home, going everywhere by bus, getting paid diddley. Met fans should be especially interested, because the Peanuts’ manager is none other than Wally Backman. Backman, the former Met fan favorite, managed the Arizona Diamondbacks for four days before details about a potentially criminal past cost him his job. Like the players, he’s looking for a second chance in South Georgia.

Playing for Peanuts airs in several parts, the first of which is tomorrow at 6 p.m. on SNY (home of the Mets). You can watch a commercial for it here.

Posted by Jake Thomases on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 6:00 am | del.icio.us Digg Google
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Rivalry week on tap

Josh Thomson
May
9

I’m sitting here in the office on the heels of another rain-soaked day. With little to do and nothing exciting to see, I just took a quick perusal of next week’s schedule.

south.jpgThe week has an awful lot to offer in the way of league rivalries. On Monday, red-hot Clarkstown South takes on stingy Suffern and Kennedy (right) travels to Putnam Valley, while on Tuesday League II-North rivals Lakeland and Yorktown will meet. The Hornets take a 12-game winning streak into that one (unless, of course, they lose vs. Yorktown tomorrow).

corona.jpgThe action continues on Wednesday with Iona Prep at Stepinac when yet another Bronx-Westchester title is at stake. Bitter rivals Mahopac and Carmel meet in a three-game set that culminates on Thursday at Mahopac. Also on Thursday, League I-B rivals Clarkstown South (above) and North Rockland and League II-South rivals John Jay and Somers clash, although John Jay enters its game with an edge over the slumping Tuskers.

Lastly, Keio and Rye Neck meet in a Friday game that reeks of old Class C championship games. Rye Neck has moved up to B since, but this should still motivate them.

Here are my fearless predictions:

Suffern 2, Clarkstown South 1: Robbie Aviles ends the winning streak.

Kennedy 3, Putnam Valley 1: Pat Considine fares well, but the Tigers can’t beat Kennedy’s pitching.

Lakeland 6, Yorktown 2: One winning streak continues.

Iona Prep 2, Stepinac 1: The Prep turns the tables, and wins another division title.

Mahopac 2, Carmel 1…in the series that is: Mahopac has a deeper pitching staff.

Clarkstown South 5, North Rockland 3: The Vikings bounce back quickly.

John Jay 7, Somers 3: The Indians earn their best win in a while.

Rye Neck 8, Keio 5: Does this begin a belated late-season push?

Anyone else have predictions of his/her own?

Posted by Josh Thomson on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 9:34 pm | del.icio.us Digg Google
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North Rockland-Clarkstown South washed out

Jake Thomases
May
9

South, winner of 12 straight, was to play North Rockland under the lights tonight. North Rockland was one of four teams to beat the Vikings at the beginning of the season. I was at that game, a 1-0, eight-inning duel between Ryan Fasano and JJ Giordano.

Today’s affair has been rescheduled for next Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m. That sets up back-to-back tests for the Vikes, as they host Mamaroneck, probably the best team in Section 1, on Saturday night. The May 15 North Rockland game will also be their fourth game in four days.

Expect a fantastic pitching matchup on Monday. Suffern’s Robbie Aviles (6-0, 0.88 ERA, 45 Ks), he of the recent no-hitter, should be facing South’s Jordan Kolinsky (4-1, 1.20 ERA, 3 BB). If so, Kolinsky would be ready for Mamaroneck on Saturday.

That sets up Giordano to face North Rockland on Tuesday. Who he faces is unclear. North Rockland plays Monday vs. Mount Vernon, and ace Fasano (2-2, 1.73 ERA, 7 BB) will be ready to go. But will Coach Lynch use him in a non-league game when South looms? If he’s unavailable, Nick Viohl (4-2, 1.13 ERA), who’s been quietly brilliant, will get the nod.

Posted by Jake Thomases on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 2:07 pm | del.icio.us Digg Google
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Carmel-Mahopac I washed out

Josh Thomson
May
9

The Carmel at Mahopac game was rained out today, delaying the highly anticipated three-game set between rivals until Tuesday.

There is perhaps only one positive stemming from the rain out, but it’s pretty sweet. Barring more inclement weather, Carmel-Mahopac will play a classic series next week. They are scheduled to meet Tuesday at Carmel, followed by games at Mahopac on both Wednesday and Thursday.

This is a total guessing game, but I’d imagine the series will setup like this:

Tuesday — C.J. Riefenhauser (Mahopac) vs. Mike Volpe (Carmel)

Wednesday — Anthony Castellitto (Mahopac) vs. Zack Graczyk (Carmel)

Thursday — Luke Gimarro (Mahopac) vs. Sal Palmiero (Carmel)

If anyone has info on the scheduled starters, please pass it along.

Posted by Josh Thomson on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 12:07 pm | del.icio.us Digg Google
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Some game for Sorine

Josh Thomson
May
8

sorine.jpgSince I was glamming it up on TV, colleague Eric Lebowitz swung down to check out Eastchester vs. Edgemont, two teams we haven’t covered yet this year. The resurgent Eagles won in lopsided fashion, beating Edgemont 16-0.

Eastchester junior Dan Sorine had quite the afternoon — about the best turned in by any Section 1 player all season.

Get this — Sorine swatted three home runs and threw 5 1/3 no-hit innings before allowing a single to pinch-hitter David Rothschild. Sorine was lifted after the hit, but he certainly left an imprint on this one at bat and on the hill.

Eastchester hasn’t faced the best competition of late, but it has won six straight after going 1-8 in its first nine games. I don’t know what it means until the Eagles beat the Ryes and Pearl Rivers of the world, both of which are left on their schedule, but they’re worth watching the next couple weeks. Perhaps they can turn it around yet.

Posted by Josh Thomson on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 8:06 pm | del.icio.us Digg Google
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John Jay stinks (in lacrosse that is)

Jake Thomases
May
8

Yeah yeah, so John Jay still has the best lacrosse team in Section 1. But for a day at least, John Jay lacrosse has fallen behind John Jay baseball. The Indians boys lacrosse team lost to Rye today, 9-8 in double overtime. It was an all-around shocker for a team that hadn’t lost to anyone in Section 1 in two years.

Only the baseball team is perfect against Section 1 now. It’s 11-1 overall (compared to 10-3 for lacrosse). The loss was to Stepinac, and that just barely. Next week’s double header against Somers should tell a lot.

Josh and I are reveling in this turn of events, as it gives us a leg up in our running battle with local sports editor and lacrosse afficionado Joe Lombardi. Hooray!

Posted by Jake Thomases on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 7:22 pm | del.icio.us Digg Google
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On TV tonight, May 8th

Josh Thomson
May
8

We’re back on RNN between 6:30-7 p.m. tonight. We have the following things scheduled:

— Reaction from the Mamaroneck-Bosco game and what this means going forward

— A look at what other teams have best tested in Class AA

— I’ll answer whether or not I think anyone can challenge Kennedy in Class B

— And more…

Tune in tonight (Channel 6, 19 or 20). You can call in with comments and questions at 1-888-RNN-CHAT. We had a nice response last week, so I hope more of you call in.

Talk to you then…

Posted by Josh Thomson on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 10:44 am | del.icio.us Digg Google
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Fordham-Mount? Not for me

Josh Thomson
May
7

Well, I made a mistake today. Fordham Prep and Mount didn’t start until 7 p.m., which I found out when I arrived at Fordham around 4, only to see the Fordham U. guys on the field. It was a bummer.

In search of a game and with no time to spare, I hiked it up to Hastings to see the two-time Class B champs (at least what’s left of them) take on Sleepy Hollow. The game was won, surprisingly, by the Headless Horsemen, who took their fourth of the season behind a complete game from ace lefty Matt Vallo. The senior southpaw went the distance, stranding the bases loaded in the seventh to preserve a 4-3 win.

Before I go write my story, here’s quite the stat: Vallo has now won all four games for Sleepy this year.

Posted by Josh Thomson on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pm | del.icio.us Digg Google
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Fordham-Mount on tap at 4 p.m.

Josh Thomson
May
7

fordham.jpg Most days as a sportswriter are quite fun, but some are even better than others. This is one of them.

I’m headed down to Fordham’s Coffey Field — a great facility — to see Fordham Prep against rival Mount St. Michael. These are two teams I don’t get to see enough of, and the field is one I don’t visit enough.

The Rams are fresh off a perfect game and looking to reenter the Bronx-Westchester division race. Mount’s in the same position, but first must overcome Fordham, which won at the Mount 9-7 two weeks ago.

If you’re not at the game — Iona and Stepinac fans, I’m looking in your direction — I’ll check in with some live updates.

Posted by Josh Thomson on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 12:00 pm | del.icio.us Digg Google
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About this blog
Josh Thomson and Jake Thomases tell you who's safe and who's out as they follow baseball in the Lower Hudson Valley.

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About the authors
Jay GallagherJosh Thomson has done some of everything since joining The Journal News in March 2003. He began working for the Gannett weeklies during the winter of 2002 as a freelance writer. He joined the daily staff soon after and has since covered various high school and pro sports. Away from sportswriting, Josh lives in Westchester and spends his free time either with his fiancee, Sarah, or expertly managing his various championship-winning fantasy sports teams. He's visited 21 major-league baseball stadiums and insists that Fenway Park and Wrigley Field are the best by far. Josh graduated from Carmel High School in 1998, then went to Boston University, where, in 2002, he received a degree in communications with a minor in history.
Jake Thomases Jake Thomases has covered baseball, hockey, girls basketball, and girls soccer for the Journal News since arriving in 2003. He previously interned at The Poughkeepsie Journal while attending Vassar College. He is socking money away under his mattress to buy the Knicks, at which time he will trade Jerome James to Cleveland for a ham sandwich.

Recent Comments
  • Rivalry week on tap (15)
    • I-C: League I-C competition strikes again. If JJEF didn’t make multiple errors in the first couple of innings,...
    • jjef: JJEF has been better than anyone has thought,….and now giving Ketcham a 2nd loss, wonder how far they...
    • jk: The Stepinac Iona game is most likely going to be a close one but Stepinac is rolling and i know a few kids on...
    • sec1 fan: Pelham-15 straight as they beat Gorton 11-2. Bratone, Szymanski and Sigelbaum all hit homeruns. Vetrano...

  • Fordham-Mount? Not for me (11)
    • curve ball: I don’t think talking to the school will shed any light on the situation at Sleepy Hollow...

Recent Comments
  • Rivalry week on tap (15)
    • I-C: League I-C competition strikes again. If JJEF didn’t make multiple errors in the first couple of innings,...
    • jjef: JJEF has been better than anyone has thought,….and now giving Ketcham a 2nd loss, wonder how far they...
    • jk: The Stepinac Iona game is most likely going to be a close one but Stepinac is rolling and i know a few kids on...
    • sec1 fan: Pelham-15 straight as they beat Gorton 11-2. Bratone, Szymanski and Sigelbaum all hit homeruns. Vetrano...

  • Fordham-Mount? Not for me (11)
    • curve ball: I don’t think talking to the school will shed any light on the situation at Sleepy Hollow...

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Other recent entries

Recent photos (More)
Eastchester's Mike Satriale takes third base on a wild pitch as Edgemont third baseman Taylor Ortega reaches for the wide throw during a varsity baseball game at Eastchester High School May 8, 2008.  Satriale scored on the play as the ball went into left field. Eastchester defeated Edgemont 16-0.   ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
Eastchester's Dan Sorine approaches home plate after one of his three home-runs against Edgemont during a varsity baseball game at Eastchester High School May 8, 2008.  Sorine,who also was the starting pitcher, gave up one hit in five and one-third innings as Eastchester defeated Edgemont 16-0.  ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
Edgemont's  Taylor Ortega dives safely back to second base after Eastchester shortstop MIke Satriale caught a line-drive during a varsity baseball game at Eastchester High School May 8, 2008.  Eastchester defeated Edgemont 16-0.   ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
Eastchester pitcher Dan Sorine pitches against Edgemont during a varsity baseball game at Eastchester High School May 8, 2008.  Sorine gave up one hit in five and one-third innings as Eastchester defeated Edgemont 16-0.  Sorine also hit three home-runs in the game. ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
Eastchester's Tony Panio steals third as Edgemont third baseman Taylor Ortega takes the late throw during a varsity baseball game at Eastchester High School May 8, 2008.  Eastchester defeated Edgemont 16-0.   ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
Eastchester's Vince Ricciardi swings during a varsity baseball game at Eastchester High School May 8, 2008. Eastchester defeated Edgemont 16-0.  ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
Eastchester pitcher Dan Sorine pitches against Edgemont during a varsity baseball game at Eastchester High School May 8, 2008.  Sorine gave up one hit in five and one-third innings as Eastchester defeated Edgemont 16-0.  Sorine also hit three home-runs in the game. ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
 Sleepy Hollow defeated Hastings 4-3 in a varsity baseball game at Hastings High School May 7, 2008. .( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
Seth Snyder of Hastings steals third base as Sleepy Hollow's Eric Treutler takes the late throw in the third inning of a varsity baseball game at Hastings High School May 7, 2008.  Sleepy Hollow defeated Hastings 4-3. ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
Sleepy Hollow third baseman Eric Treutler throws over shortstop Aydan Ellman after fielding a slow roller by Hastings' Seth Snyder in the third inning of a varsity baseball game at Hastings High School May 7, 2008.  Snyder beat the throw for an infield single. Sleepy Hollow defeated Hastings 4-3. ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
 Sleepy Hollow defeated Hastings 4-3 in a varsity baseball game at Hastings High School May 7, 2008. .( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
 Sleepy Hollow defeated Hastings 4-3 in a varsity baseball game at Hastings High School May 7, 2008. .( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
 Sleepy Hollow defeated Hastings 4-3 in a varsity baseball game at Hastings High School May 7, 2008. .( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )
From left, Albertus Magnus' catcher Tyler Fiorillo, head coach Mike Paravati and pitcher Vin Migliano (21) hold a conference on the mound during a baseball game against Pearl River at Albertus Magnus High School in Bardonia May 6, 2008. Paravati draws from his experience as as strength and conditioning coach with the Chicago White Sox. ( Angela Gaul / The Journal News )
Albertus Magnus' Vin Migliano (21) pitches in a baseball game against Pearl River at Albertus Magnus High School in Bardonia May 6, 2008. ( Angela Gaul / The Journal News )
From left, Albertus Magnus' head coach  Mike Paravati walks back to the dugout after a conference on the mound with pitcher Vin Migliano (21) during a baseball game against Pearl River at Albertus Magnus High School in Bardonia May 6, 2008. Paravati draws from his experience as as strength and conditioning coach with the Chicago White Sox. ( Angela Gaul / The Journal News )




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