SPRING SPORTS: CANDOR FIRST BASEMAN WAS LOOKING FROWARD TO MERGER WITH S-VE (2020-04-12)

BY TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
CANDOR — Brayden Ferris was looking forward to this year's baseball merger with S-VE, but thanks to the coronavirus the Candor senior may never get the opportunity.

"COVID-19 is affecting my spring sport majorly," said Ferris, who was expected to see time at first base and catcher, and do some pitching as well. "It has suspended my favorite sport and possibly canceled it for my senior year.

"Merging with Spencer has given the team a lot more talent than we had before," "We have a lot of hard-working kids and I hope to be able to hit the diamond and play." 

Ferris was an IAC Division 1 first-team infielder last year and was named the Defensive Player of the Year on the 2019 All-Tioga County Baseball Team.

"Last year, Brayden led the team in both defensive and offensive categories," SVEC co-coach Cliff Pierce said.

Ferris hit .514 (18-for-35) last season with a .614 on-base percentage, .571 slugging average  and 1.185 on-base plus slugging percentage.

This season, he had his sights set on improving on his junior year, even if it meant during an abbreviated season.

"My expectations for myself this spring is grind and have a great year, and do better than my past season," he said. "I am doing workouts at my home to keep my swing in tact and taking a lot of ground balls and pop flies to keep my defense to where it needs to be."

As for the Eagles' inaugural season, his expectations for the team is to "not take anything for granted and play our hardest and never give up."

Ferris is hoping there will still be time to get back on the diamond before graduation.

"I feel like our season will resume after social distancing is dismissed, but not have state tournaments."

The merger created a new realignment of the IAC, the league's second in as many years.

SVEC is in Division 1 with Newark Valley, Waverly, Dryden, O-M / Watkins Glen and Whitney Point. Candor played in D-1 last year and S-VE was supposed to compete in Division 2 before its season was canceled during the preseason due to a shortage of players. Newark Valley, Waverly, Dryden, O-M/WG and Whitney Point were in Division 3 last year.

Ferris has signed to continue his baseball career at Tompkins Cortland Community College.

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IN PHOTO: Candor first baseman Brayden Ferris puts the tag on a Marathon base runner in the Indians' 2019 season opener. ... TCSR STOCK PHOTO.