Spring Sport Previews: Baseball

Folks, the sun is beginning to shine...well sorta. Spring is almost here, which means the Trumansburg Baseball program is back in full swing, and ready to embark on their campaign.

The JV baseball team looks at development as the major focus this season. Head Coach Jason Hodge has a new group of exciting, passionate players, and will look to mold them into good, young ballplayers. For head coach of the varsity baseball team, Scott Voorhees, winning is something that has been a common occurrence in his 23 year career. Tallying 9 straight .500 or above seasons, he looks to lead his team into another successful season. The Raiders have lost a lot of their talent, including 6 of their starters from last season. They also lose a collection of strong arms, as they will be without ace Trevor Rumsey(pitching at St. John Fisher), and consistent innings from Hunter Ford and Zachary Ives. Trumansburg will also be without Glen Addicott at shorstop, Hunter Lincoln, and Thomas Miller in the outfield. The combination of Addicott, Rumsey, Ford and Ives made up the majority of the offensive last season, leaving a gap that needs to be filled.

Despite the loss of these players, Trumansburg has a hardworking group, that realizes their potential and want to reach it. At the helm of this Raiders team is the mix of Jake Shelley, Hunter Sherwood, Jack English and Owen Baird. Sherwood and English have been on the team for the past two seasons, contributing a lot to the program. Sherwood will most likely be seen wearing his American-flag catchers gear, be a big bat in the lineup, and being the anchor behind the plate for the Raiders. English has been a utility player in his high school baseball career, but will definitely be a key pitcher for Trumansburg throughout the majority of the season, as well as being an offensive threat. For junior Owen Baird, defense is the name of the game. The strong defensive-minded player will definitely be the center piece to the infield, as he will be a key middle-infielder for the Raiders. Junior Jake Shelley missed the greater half of the season last year with a torn hamstring, and looks to come back in a big way. Shelley will be a strong arm for the Raiders, but the switch-hitting 1st baseman will be a decisive part to the Raiders offense. Other players to watch out for is sophomore Liam Reynolds and freshman Conor Baird. Reynolds is a strong pitcher with a collection of pitches that can easily fool hitters. Reynolds also has a sweeping swing that mashes the baseball if contact is made. Scrappy freshman Conor Baird is like his older brother Owen in terms of defensive ability, and has blazing fast speed. Baird is a huge threat when on base, and can be put anywhere in the field.