Rams eye another strong diamond title run

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the Roy-Hart lineup this season will be this group of returning regulars. In front are Remington Albee and Dawson Draper. In back are Thomas Russo, Ethan Kuzma and Jake Gould. Missing from the photo is Brayden Hy.

Last spring was a very successful one for the Roy-Hart varsity baseball squad as the Rams earned a share of the Niagara-Orleans League title and advanced to the Section VI Class B2 finals.

Now with two third of their starting lineup back the Rams look to make another strong run at the N-O title and a deep run in the sectional playoffs.

Senior pitcher/shortstop Thomas Russo heads the Rams contingent of returning starters which also includes junior catcher Ethan Kuzma along with junior infielders Brayden Hy, Jake Gould, Dawson Draper and Remington Albee.

Russo, who was named the N-O Player of the Year, Kuzma and Hy all earned first team All-League honors while Albee, Draper and Gould each received Honorable Mention. Hy, Draper and Gould also look to help share in the pitching duties.

Russo registered 136 strikeouts on the mound and hit .417 with 36 RBI at the plate while Hy hit .487 with 33 RBI and Kuzma .452 with 18 RBI.

Returning seniors Zach Walker and Nate Beyer head the outfield candidates.

“We’ve got a good nucleus back,” said Coach Jim Heideman. “Our defense should be solid with our infield back as should our pitching. Right now we’re just working to get our outfield together.”

The Rams graduation losses included the first team All-League trio of John Conley, Jay Heideman and Ryan Mettler.

Roy-Hart, which share the N-O title with Medina at 10-2 last spring, is scheduled to begin tuning up for the April 17 league opener against Wilson by visiting West Seneca West for a non league game on Monday.