Knolles Law-RealEstate Tioga State Bank GUTHRIE SPORTS MED Tioga County Sports ReportDANDY MINI MARTS BX Williams Auto GroupLounsbury Agency


TAYLOR MADE: MORE SENIOR STANDOUTS MISSING OUT ON OPPORTUNITIES (2020-04-10)

During the course of the past six days, I've touched on some of the Tioga County senior athletes who are missing out on their final spring sports season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last, but certainly not least, are the baseball players. We had several juniors who helped lead their teams to successful seasons in 2019 and were hoping for an encore this season. Unfortunately, it does not look like it will happen.

Candor and S-VE were going to combine to become the SVEC Eagles this year. Now, it looks like the players from S-VE will go another year without varsity baseball. The Panthers' 2019 season was canceled due to a shortage of players, prompting this year's merger.

SVEC would have IAC Division 1 first-team infielder Brayden Ferris and honorable mention infielder Brandon Hoyt, both from Candor, back for a final season while S-VE senior rookie Noah Mack adds a threat in the outfield. Ferris batted .514, Hoyt hit. 409 and Mack had impressed the coaching staff with his ability to track down balls.

Newark Valley has one key contributor back for a final campaign in second baseman Riley Malone. Should NV get back on the field, he would need to be a leader to a group of young, but potentially-talented players.

Owego has several final-year players back from a team that showed occasional spurts of greatness last spring. They include Nate Bennett, Joe Higgins, Kyle Koprevich and Karson Tofte. The Class B Indians play a schedule which includes teams from Class AA and Class A.

Tioga was going to boast the best battery in the IAC, and possibly Section IV Class C in my opinion, in senior pitcher Brady Worthing and senior catcher Mason Booser. Classmate Thomas Cook would offer a solid glove whether playing infield or outfield.

The Tigers didn't even win IAC Division 2 or get the wild card last year, but they flexed their muscles to win the sectional title for the third time in five years.

Waverly won the IAC Division 3 crown, then went on to take the overall league championship. The Wolverines had a promising nucleus coming back this season, led by seniors Jalen McCarty, a first-team shortstop, and Ethan Stotler, an honorable mention pitcher / outfielder.

——————

NOTE: If you missed out on the other sports I highlighted this week, check them out at the links below.

Track & Field

Lacrosse

Tennis

Golf

Softball

You've asked about helping ...
here's your chance. Click HERE