Generals Baseball Wrap Up Fall Season with Youth Movement
Herkimer baseball just wrapped up their fall season and begin off season preparation for the 2017 season. The Generals are looking to replace 6 all conference players and the entire lineup from 2016. Herkimer had a huge measuring stick as they faced off with some of the top four year schools in the state which includes 2016 NCAA post season participants such as Binghamton University, Cortland State, and St. John Fisher.
Leading the lineup with impact this fall was former two time all-state selection freshman catcher Jordan Zeppieri (Norwich, CT). Jordan (photo above) led the team in runs batted in, doubles, and homeruns with a .364 average this fall. Jordan will share catching duties with strong armed catcher Mark Minicozzi, JR (Rome, NY). Sophomore Anthony Yezzo (Schenectady, NY) and freshman Gavin Chambers (Boonville, NY) will provide depth at the catcher position.
The infield provides athletic projectable impact players in all-state selection Vito Castronovo (Utica, NY), two time all-state selection Wilson Jimenez (Chester, NY), Hunter Traver (Friendville, PA), and Justin Emond (Ontario, Canada). First base duties will go to returning sophomores Brandon Hubbard (Potomac, MD) and Patrick Troy (Red Hook, NY). Freshman Jack Aquaviva (Westmoreland, NY) and Jake Terrill (Bayport, NY) provide depth in the lineup with their power stroke that was strong this fall.
Outfield will have will have power hitting all-state selection Dylan Rooney (Bayport, NY) roaming leftfield. Five tool player draft prospect Bobby Lazar (Fairfield, CT) with get plenty of time in the outfield mix in right field. Two time all-state selection Dylan Klock (St. Johnsville, NY) will also see time in the outfield. Matt Santos (Bayside, NY), Joe Ficera (Mahopac, NY), and Aaron Delano (Burnt Hills, NY) will all see time in centerfield. Slugging left-handed hitter Leon Babcock (Bloomfield, CT) will see time at DH.
On the hill the Generals will be looking from leadership from a stable of division one recruited sophomore arms including LHP Chris Henry (Yorktown Height, NY), big RHP Jake Conroy (Windsor, NY), Siena transfer Zack Durant (Verona, NY), and Jon Sell (Burnt Hills, NY). Sell and Durant flash lower 90's fastball with Conroy and Henry flashing upper 80's. The staff will be led by returning All Region selection lefthander Greg Musk (Schenectady, NY) who went 7-1 last season for the Generals. Freshman Kody Kaestle (Baldwinsville, NY) has been the best pitcher this fall with dual player Jack Aquaviva also showing huge upside on the mound. Matt Dallas (Catskill, NY), a member of the basketball team last year and this year, has shown talent on the mound this fall with his 89-90 mph fastball. Big RHP Joe Gagliano (West Milford, NJ) returns to his bullpen role. Other freshman Ariel Luna (Amityville, NY), Jesse Heroth (Fort Plain, NY), Jarret Fortin (East Greenbush, NY), and Logan DeNeuville (Johnstown, NY) all have had strong fall seasons on the mound.