IAC BASEBALL: YOUTH COULD BE KEY TO NEWARK VALLEY SUCCESS (10 PHOTOS) (2019-03-20)
BY TIM TAYLORTioga County Sports ReportNEWARK VALLEY - There's a youth movement afoot for the Newark Valley baseball team. The Cardinals will be placing a good portion of their hopes on some talented younger players in the IAC's newly-realigned Division 3.
"A lot of seniors, but led by a lot of underclassmen," NV head coach Tim Pisarczyk said. "Our ace this year is actually a 9th-grader, Mikey Wandell. We've got two 10th-graders starting this year, pitching, and one senior. There's two other seniors who will be coming in in relief."
Pisarczyk likes what he sees among the infield, but the outfield set-up is still questionable.
"Strong infield," he said. "I'm very happy about our infield this year. Moving a couple kids around in the outfield, seeing where things work, and we've got a couple utility players here and there."
NV hasn't spent a lot of time out doors, but has been able to get on its field more than most teams.
"We've still got some work to do," said Pisarczyk. "We open a week from Friday. This is our third or fourth time outside. You kind of get a good look at them outside, but we're cautiously optimistic about this year."
Pisarczyk likes the new league alignment, which includes one other Tioga County team - Waverly. Also in the division are Notre Dame, Whitney Point, Dryden and Odessa-Montour / Watkins Glen, the latter now merged for a third season.
"I like it," he said. "I like where we are in it and we'll kind of see what happens once the season starts."
He expects Notre Dame and Waverly to be tough opponents, but also likes the Cardinals' chances.
"I think we'll be able to compete with anybody on any given day," he said.
NV opens March 29 at Dryden at 4:30 p.m.
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IN PHOTO 1: Newark Valley hopes to be a hit in the IAC's Division 3, part of the league's realignment this year. ... PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
