Many of you have debated how the 2008 Hudson Valley club compares to last year’s silver-medalist, a team that nearly ripped through the tournament unbeaten before it ran out of pitching in the gold-medal game vs. Long Island. The ‘07 club was perhaps the best Hudson Valley has ever produced. Sure it didn’t win gold, but check out the numbers: It outscored opponents 72-13, or by an average score of 12-2. Wow.

It is an interesting topic for sure. I’m going to do a breakdown in a second, but I think there are a few truths you must consider:

1) This is now a wood bat tournament. As we saw this season with the CHSAA, it’s a different game with wood bats. The teams with deep pitching staffs, good defense and speed are better prepared to win ballgames.

2) Not every year is made equal. Last year’s middle of the order of Joe Panik, Alex Maruri, Steve Proscia and Dave Ciocchi was a rarity. Many of you have stressed that the middle of the order will be much weaker this year. Well, tell me the last time this area produced position players who went to St. John’s, Elon and Virginia in the same year? Those are all probably, what, Top 50 or Top 75 D-I programs?

3) The pitching is better. I’ll get to this in a bit, but the pitching should be deeper despite allowing just 2.17 runs per game last year. If I’d asked you to name the top three returning Section 1 pitchers in 2009, who among Sean Hagan, Robbie Aviles and Steve Green wouldn’t belong? They are probably the three most talented guys in the section. Agreed?

With all that to consider, here’s the breakdown…

PITCHING — Last year’s club was led by Alex Adami (Binghamton), C.J. Riefenhauser (Iona), Sean Hagan (St. John’s, right), with Josh Herzenberg (Oneonta), Mike Volpe (undecided), Chris O’Grady (George Mason), Donny Pitasi (not sure) and Jeff Freyhagen (Clarkson) rounding out the staff. That staff allowed just 19 runs in six games (3.16 runs/game), but only seven runs in the five round-robin games. Quite frankly, the staff ran out of steam in the gold-medal game, running Riefenhauser and Freyhagen out there on very short rest.

Now, this year’s club will be hard-pressed to match that performance. But I’m not sure the HV staff doesn’t have many of the best available guys. They return Hagan, the ace of the state champions, who has improved since last summer. They also have Robbie Aviles (undecided, but has major D-I potential), Steve Green (same), Andrew Benkwitt (undefeated on state champs), Kevin Fergerson, Joe Connolly, Robert Kirsch, John Swertfager, Zack Graczyk, and Pete Ladis. Swertfager, Graczyk and Ladis, I assume, will be used as utility players who can fill multiple roles. They can pitch, but they can also hit and play the field. Obviously, Aviles, Green and Hagan will earn three of the six starts, and it sounds like Fergerson will earn another. He, along with Connolly and Kirsch, are the X-factors, but everything I hear about them is positive, especially Fergerson. Remember, he lost just two games this year in the brutal catholic league in North Jersey, and both of those losses came against Don Bosco. That gives this year’s club four top-flight starters to go along with much more staff depth (10 pitchers as opposed to eight).

Pitching edge: 2008

CATCHERS — Last year there was a platoon behind the plate between Tim Panetta and Kyle Kalaka, who both hit very well. They were a combined 16 for 35, good for a .457 average. Both obviously did fairly well behind the plate considering the success of the pitching staff.

That said, this year’s team returns Panetta (left), who, alone, batted .529, scored seven runs and had six RBI last year, and replaces Kalaka with Anthony Corona, who had a terrific year for Kennedy, the Class B state champs. Panetta can clearly handle the competition, but Corona, even when he doesn’t catch, should give Steve Greller another bat at DH. Greller may use the two catchers in almost every game, just like he did last year with Panetta and Kalaka, who would DH one game and catch the other.

Even though many of you don’t love the lineup, both Panetta and Corona are good enough to hit at the middle of the order.

Catching edge: 2008 (although only slightly)

INFIELD — Last year’s squad had a formidable infield, with 1B Alex Maruri, 2B Yonathan Rodriguez, SS Joe Panik and 3B Steve Proscia. They absolutely killed the ball for three straight days and played excellent defense. They committed just four errors in six games among them, and batted .361 with 32 runs scored (more than five/game) and 21 RBI. Maruri and Proscia each hit a couple homers as well, which means the average doesn’t exactly indicate that what they did do was earn huge hits.

This year’s squad must replace the two-year double play combo of Panik and Y-Rod, who were very slick in the field and hit No. 2 and 3 in the order for most of the Games. Their replacements are Nick Camastro of Arlington, who I know very little about, and Anthony Iacomini of John Jay, who, next to Brendan Hourihan of Lakeland, probably had the best numbers in Section 1 this season. Neither of those players is as decorated or experienced as Panik (Section 1’s all-time hit leader), but they could combine to hit as well combined as Panik and Y-Rod, the latter of who was an excellent second baseman but more of a situation hitter.

The question comes on the corners. Mike Orefice will probably man 1B in place of Maruri, and John Mackey and Robert Kirsch will likely see time at 3B. They are all very good players but will have to be red-hot to match the production of Maruri and Proscia, two of the best position players produced in this area the last few years.

Infield edge: 2007

OUTFIELD —

The ‘07 squad had Matt McGovern (who is back), Joe Pedavellano (who is headed to Duke, and, coincidentally, whose name I spell different in every post), and Dave Ciocchi (a masher headed to Binghamton). McGovern seemed to be on base every at-bat. Pedavellano played a terrific center, and Ciocchi was among the best hitters on the club. He homered in the opening win against Long Island, and batted .500 with eight RBI in six games. That’s a bat HV will miss dearly.

As for this year, a bigger, stronger and more experienced McGovern should be an upgrade over himself. He can definitely play CF. Mike Rosenfeld, the hard-hitting sophomore who had 58 RBI for Mamaroneck, will be asked to match some of the mashing of Ciocchi. He has the ability, it’s just a question of what kind of tournament he has. Then there’s the other spot, which can likely go to Graczyk, Connolly or Kirsch. Graczyk is certainly capable, and could also slide in at CF.

Outfield edge: Push

INTANGIBLES — The 2007 squad played at home, which is a huge factor. However, this year’s club has better depth, especially in the pitching staff.

I like the depth, but it can’t overcome the momentum gained by having so many Westchester guys come out for the first time in the same year Westchester hosted its first ESGs.

Edge: 2007

As you can see, it’s about even. The batteries should be even better this year, but the team will have fewer 10-plus-run performances. They are better built for small-ball, so it’s all about those starters. If Hudson Valley wins gold in Binghamton it’ll be because the likes of Hagan, Aviles, Green, Fergerson and Benkwitt leads it there.

Steve Greller of Dutchess CC (formerly of Lourdes) is back as the head coach of Hudson Valley, which ripped through round-robin play unbeaten last year before falling to Long Island in the gold-medal game. Three players return from that team, but Greller and his staff picked some of the best players in the area to fill pretty large shoes.

The stats: four Mamaroneck players and three John Jay players lead the team; there are nine Westchester guys, two Putnam guys, three Dutchess guys, one Rockland guy, one Orange guy, one Ulster guy and one Sullivan guy.

Here’s the team that will go for gold:

RETURNEES

Sean Hagan, Sr., Mamaroneck — The ace of the reigning Class AA state champs returns after earning a victory in his only start at the ESG’s last year. He wants the ball in the gold medal game, and may play some at 1B.

Matt McGovern, Sr., Mamaroneck — The speedy lefty will return to the outfield. He started in RF and LF last year and batted atop the order. I’d expect the same this year, including a possible shift to CF.

Tim Panetta, Sr., Fox Lane — The only other returnee had an excellent Games last year. He’s a certain D-I prospect.

NEWCOMERS

Robbie Aviles, Jr., Suffern — The 6-foot-4 righty is one of the youngest players on the team but he was the hardest thrower at tryouts. Expect him to get the ball for a big game.

Andrew Benkwitt, Sr., Mamaroneck — The staff was impressed with the rubber-armed righty, who can hit spots and pitch on back-to-back days with relative ease. He may come out of the bullpen because of his durability.

Nick Camastro, Sr., Arlington — The Admirals’ SS will play somewhere in the middle infield, and will, along with a couple other guys, face the task of replacing two-year cog Joe Panik.

Joe Connolly, Sr., Saugerties — The 6-foot-2 lefty can hit, pitch and play both 1B and OF. He’s the type of versatile player that works well at the jam-packed ESG’s.

Anthony Corona, Sr., Kennedy — The hard-hitting catcher from the Class B state champs will get his chances with Panetta. Both catchers always play at the ESG’s, again because of the schedule.

Kevin Fergerson, Sr., St. Joe’s Regional (Suffern) — I’ve never heard of this guy, but I can tell you one great stat: As a lefty he lost two games all year, both of them to unbeaten 33-0 Don Bosco. Not bad for a guy who can hit, run and play the outfield.

Zack Graczyk, Sr., Carmel — After a big junior year, the CF/P is another versatile type who can pitch, hit and play the outfield.

Stephen Green, Jr., John Jay — The talented lefty is 100 percent healthy after not pitching for several weeks for John Jay, which made the Class AA semifinals without Green pitching an inning. He’s another hard-thrower who should get the ball to start a game.

Anthony Iacomini, Sr., John Jay — The 2B/SS will be another guy pegged to replace the production of Panik. He is a plus-hitter for a middle infielder who is one of the fastest players on the team.

Robert Kirsch, Sr., Liberty — The very rare Sullivan County player can pitch and play catcher and the corner infield spots.

Pete Ladis, Sr., Iona Prep — Ladis is a right-handed control guy who pitched well for the Gaels. He’s also a solid hitter who batted in the middle of the order.

John Mackey, John Jay-East Fishkill — A third baseman with a plus arm and plus power from the League I-C champs.

Mike Orefice, Sr., Ketcham — One of the resident mashers of this year’s club, replacing the trio of Alex Maruri, Steve Proscia and Dave Ciocchi. That middle of the order was terrific last year, so Orefice and a few others will be asked to replace what was a real strong point in ‘07.

Mike Rosenfeld, Jr., Mamaroneck — The versatile Rosenfeld will likely play outfield. Yet again, he wowed coaches with his remarkable ability to hit hard for someone his size.

John Swertfager, outgoing Sr., John Jay — The lefty impressed the coaches with his control on the mound and versatility in the field (can pitch, play 1B and OF). He’s headed to Trinity Pawling next year, but is young enough to be eligible for the Games because of the new rules.

(Note: Joe Panik was also eligible to play, but everyone involved decided it wasn’t best for all.)

So we had a few names missing from the original all-section list, but it is finally 100 percent complete. You can read the list in its entirety here.

I also finally have all the league honors in. So here’s a peek at those:

League I-A
Coach of the year: Joe Mazzella, Mount Vernon
MVP: Matt McGovern, Mamaroneck
Pitcher of the year: Sean Hagan, Mamaroneck
Comeback player of the year: Josh Richardson, Mount Vernon

League I-B
Coach of the year: Ron Gamma, Suffern
MVP: Jim Brennan, Suffern
Pitcher of the year: Robbie Aviles, Suffern
Comeback player of the year: Jordan Kolinsky, Clarkstown South

League I-C
Coach of the year: Tom O’Hare, JJEF
MVP: Joe Panik, JJEF
Pitcher of the year: C.J. Riefenhauser, Mahopac

League I-D
Coach of the year: Mike Anello, Saunders
MVP: Andrickson Zorilla, Saunders
Pitcher of the year: Ruben Reyes, Roosevelt

League II-North
Coach of the year: Sean Kennedy, Yorktown
MVP: Brendan Hourihan, Lakeland
Pitcher of the year: Joe Malouf, Beacon

League II-South
Coach of the year: Geoff Curtis, John Jay
MVP: Anthony Iacomini, John Jay
Pitcher of the year: Steve Green, John Jay
Comeback player of the year: John Swertfager, John Jay

League III-A
Coach of the year: Bob Fletcher, Kennedy
MVP: Anthony Corona, Kennedy
Pitcher of the year: Jordan Sacks, Briarcliff
Comeback player of the year: Joe Humphrey, Kennedy

League III-B
Coach of the year: Jack Plunkett, Pelham
MVP: Dan Sorine, Eastchester
Pitcher of the year: Kiyota Gomi, Ardsley

League III-C
Coach of the year: Bruce Miller, Pearl River
MVP: Steve Putnick, Pearl River
Pitcher of the year: Dan Diaz, Nanuet
Comeback player of the year: Steve Prosapio, Nanuet

League IV-A
Coach of the year: Greg Blake, North Salem
MVP: Chris Krisa, North Salem
Pitcher of the year: Matt Mackenzie, North Salem

League IV-B
Coach of the year: Tyler Slater, Rye Neck
MVP: Jack Newton, Rye Neck
Pitcher of the year: Kevin McQuade, Rye Neck
Comeback player of the year: Rob Magliano, Blind Brook

League IV-C
Coach of the year: John D’Arco, Tuckahoe
MVP: Matt Strickrodt, Tuckahoe
Pitcher of the year: Zack Avalos, Dobbs Ferry
Comeback player of the year: Gary Riefenhauser, Dobbs Ferry

The catholic schools choose their all-league players much differently than the publics. Each coach votes on the top 10 players citywide, then certain players are selected. This year there were eight in the group, including six from the Bronx-Westchester division.

Here are the guys who were picked. The top three were all-Archdiocesan, the last five were all-league:

All-Archdiocesan:

Alex Maruri, Sr., Stepinac

Alex Adami, Sr., Iona Prep

Luis Alicea, Sr., Mount St. Michael

All-division:

Thomas Cardona, Sr., Mount St. Michael

Anthony Muccio, Jr., Stepinac

Jesus Jaile, Jr. Fordham Prep

John Stine, Jr., Fordham Prep

Michael McCann, Sr., Salesian

In case you were wondering if the Chappy prom went off as scheduled, it did…and Mamaroneck coach Mike Chiapparelli set a new standard for formalwear.

I won’t try to describe the ensamble because I don’t know if words do it proper justice. Luckily, the above image shot by photographer Rory Glaeseman captured it nicely.

Let’s just say Chap’s influences were Armani and Nike. Not many people have ever made that claim.

I pose the question to the right because it’s a fun question. Obviously, there were many players who had great seasons, but my question is who had the best.

I’ve listed the credentials next to each player’s name. There are many factors involved: stats, competition, performance in the clutch.

Please vote in the poll, then, if you’d like, tell us here why you voted the way you did.

The Journal News will announce its Westchester/Putnam all-star team and its Rockland all-county team early next month. I, of course, will be honeymooning in the Caribbean, so you’ll have to send all criticisms to my Inbox. In the meantime, I finally have the all-section picks as given out by Section 1.

Sorry for the delay. There were a number of reasons, but No. 1 was that I didn’t have a complete list. (Not to mention that I finished this post yesterday afternoon and forgot to publish it.)

Anyway, here are the teams. I will follow with the award-winners for each league, as well as the all-league players in the CHSAA.

Section 1 MVP: Brendan Hourihan, Lakeland

Section 1 Pitcher of the Year: Robbie Aviles, Suffern

All-section: Kioyta Gomi, Ardsley; Joe Gatewood, Arlington; Joey Malouf, Beacon; Ryan Carter, Brewster; Joe Lombardi, Briarcliff; Jordan Sacks, Briarcliff; John Naso, Bronxville; John Kiechle, Carmel; Jordan Kolinsky, Clarkstown South; Joe Ferrera, Clarkstown North; Sean Lafaye, Dobbs Ferry; Frank Scattaretico, Dobbs Ferry; Mickey Abbatiello, Eastchester; Dan Sorine, Eastchester; Adonis Germosen, East Ramapo; Tim Panetta, Fox Lane; Mike Impellittere, Haldane; Seth Snyder, Hastings; T.J. Olesczuk, Hen Hud; Ryan Mitchell, John Jay; Anthony Iacomini, John Jay; Steve Green, John Jay; Dave Ciocchi, JJEF; Joe Panik, JJEF; Nick Modico, Kennedy; Mike Mercurio, Kennedy; Ryan Tatnell, Kennedy; Anthony Corona, Kennedy; Brendan Hourihan, Lakeland; Chris Telesco, Lakeland; Jon Cosenza, Lakeland; Pete DiResta, Mahopac; C.J. Riefenhauser, Mahopac; Mike Rosenfeld, Mamaroneck; Sean Hagan, Mamaroneck; Matt McGovern, Mamaroneck; Andrew Benkwitt, Mamaroneck; Ed Tamarez, Mount Vernon; Chris Krisa, North Salem; Ryan Fasano, North Rockland; George Wargo, North Rockland; Nick Albero, New Rochelle; Steve Prosapio, Nanuet; Dan Diaz, Nanuet; Rich Kintzung, Nanuet; Takaho Chubachi, Keio; Paul Casumuno, Lourdes; Jake Seelig, Ossining; Jon Broderick, Pawling; Frank Fiumara, Port Chester; Jesse Burba, Port Chester; Pat Considine, Putnam Valley; Calvin Siegelbaum, Pelham; Zack Small, Pelham; Greg Bratone, Pelham; Stephen Putnick, Pearl River; Kyle Kalaka, Ketcham; Kevin McQuade, Rye Neck; Jack Newton, Rye Neck; Nick Leiningen, Blind Brook; Kyle Woltersdorf, Somers; Dan Zlotnick, Somers; Andrickson Zorilla, Saunders; Jim Brennan, Suffern; Robbie Aviles, Suffern; Matt Vallo, Sleepy Hollow; Mike Parish, Panas; Patrick Siciliano, Tuckahoe; Matt Strickrodt, Tuckahoe; Joe Annunziata, Valhalla; Brian Seliber, Yorktown.

All-section honorable mention: Juan Urbaez, Roosevelt; Mark Clayton, Gorton; Chris Dearwester, Mamaroneck; Ken Frawley, White Plains; Mike Morris, Scarsdale; Andrew Bruzzese, New Rochelle; Zack Baker, Pelham; Chris Triano, Rye; Dave Perlleshi, Eastchester; Ed Sheehan, Dover; Bill Campbell, Haldane; Tyler Hart, Arlington; Chris Jackson, Ketcham; Zack Graczyk, Carmel; Anthony Carpentieri, Valhalla; Ryan Pennell, Rye Neck; Paul Lindner, Valhalla; Casey Friedricks, Byram Hills; James DeAlto, Briarcliff; Mike Marrone, Pleasantville; Joe Watters, Westlake; Steven Gitlitz, Clarkstown North; Ian Baker, Clarkstown South; Frankie Salerno, Clarkstown South; Kyle Eliasuf, Suffern; Matt DeSilva, Hen Hud; Nick Rodriguez, Yorktown; Dan Mason, Yorktown; Darien Brown, Panas; Joe Pedevellano, Lourdes; Jon Holguin, Fox Lane; Tyler Rorick, Tappan Zee; John Swertfager, John Jay; Ryan Blicker, Hastings; Joseph Melendez, Tuckahoe; Zack Avalos, Dobbs Ferry; Ben Warbit, Solomon Schechter.

Diamond 9 (all-academic): Joe Lombardi, Briarcliff; Frank Nagel, Carmel; Joe Panik, JJEF; Chris Dearwester, Mamaroneck; Steve Prosapio, Nanuet; Christian Federico, Ossining; Calvin Siegelbaum, Pelham; Ron Stenz, Somers; Brian Seliber, Yorktown; Kevin Treanor, Yorktown.

Diamond 9 honorable mention: Zack Small, Pelham; Mickey Abbatiello, Eastchester; Michael Regan, Mamaroneck; Joe Hogan, Eastchester; Dave Ciocchi, JJEF.

Bad news for former Rockland Athlete of the Season Sean Giblin. The former Pearl River hurler underwent shoulder surgery last Wednesday, according to Pearl River coach Bruce Miller, and will be out until at least September. This effectively ends his short-season 2008 in the Pittsburgh minor league season. He probably would have been at State College in the New York-Penn League. Which means he might have started locally against the Hudson Valley Renegades. Now he’ll be out of commission.

Giblin had shoulder pain at the end of last year, contributing to his poor performance in his first season of pro ball. The Pirates expected him to be healed after offseason rest, but he kept hurting. It ended with him on the table of Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.

Obviously it’s a disappointing turn for the kid with the killer curveball. As Miller pointed out though, he’s still only 18 and saves a year on his arm.

The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin wrote a story this morning saying the public-school state baseball final four will remain in the Binghamton area through 2010. As you can read in the story here, final-four play started there in 2003. The city’s bid ran uncontested this year.

I have to say, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed covering games in Binghamton the last four years. All fields are within 10-15 minutes of one another and you never have to worry about hotel rooms (except for ‘07 when Billy Graham spoke at SUNY Binghamton the day of the games).

This year, I:

A) Didn’t even book a hotel. B) Watched three games and was so close that I had something to eat during both breaks. C) Had a traffic-free ride up and back.

My only contention with the current setup is that the tournament should be played over two days. There are rumors they may change it, and I’m 100 percent sure they should. The teams are dog-tired, both physically and emotionally, by the end of the final. I believe the biggest game of the year shouldn’t be decided, in part, by stamina.

Thoughts?

As we’re eating dinner in Binghamton on Saturday night, Josh and Alex and I start filling each other in on our respective games. Each of us has a story to tell—stories about clutch hits and pitchers coming back on short rest and ultimately, victory celebrations. It occured to me how unusual that was, to have three reporters talking about three different victory marches. Just sending three reporters upstate was rare enough. But to have all of us come away with state championship stories—well, that’s so rare it’s never happened before.

I thought it was cool when I could say I saw the first Class B champion ever from Section 1. Then I find out the section has never owned three title winners before. Top to bottom I don’t know if this is the best year Section 1 baseball has ever had. But at the top it obviously is. And it all started with Somers, a defending sectional champ making it back to states, losing in the first round. I took that as a bad sign for the section (except for Mamaroneck, which seemed invulnerable).

These state title runs weren’t flukes either. Mamaroneck was elite all year. That lineup was probably the best New York State has seen in a few years. Kennedy was also a top 10 team all year. Coming from Class B that’s saying something. It got one late sac fly from Luiz Gonzalez in regionals and one comeback from 3-0 down in the championship, but otherwise handled the competition. Keio, the least expected of all because of a losing record entering the playoffs, used one miracle seventh-inning rally against Millbrook in regionals but otherwise consistently outpitched and outgloved opponents.

Some of you may remember early in the season I mentioned how Josh and I have a rivalry with local sports editor Joe Lombardi over which sport is better in Section 1, baseball or lacrosse. Now that the season’s over, let’s take a quick tally of the results:

Baseball—3 championship appearances. Lacrosse—0 championship appearances. Baseball—3 state titles. Lacrosse—0 state titles.

Now I’m no mathemagician, but the numbers suggest baseball has a slight advantage. Methinks this debate is over.