Kendall’s diamond fortunes on the rise

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading the Kendall baseball squad this season will be this quartet of team captains including Mickey Gardner, John Rath, Mason Kuhn and Hunter Menze.

Last spring Kendall made its return to varsity baseball competition after a two year absence with a youthful, inexperienced team which gained plenty of experience while going 2-8 in the league and 3-10 overall.

Now, with virtually the entire team back and a year of varsity competition experience under their belts, the Eagles are taking aim at moving up in the Genesee Region League standings.

“We’ve got a good core unit back. I’m really optimist and really looking forward to the season,” said Coach Tige Noni who notes that after having only varsity and modified teams last year the Eagles will also be fielding a JV squad this spring.  “The Kendall community is really supporting its baseball program.”

The Eagles lineup includes seniors Mickey Gardner (shortstop/pitcher/catcher), Hunter Menze (first base), John Rath (pitcher/shortstop) and Alec Reed (outfield) along with juniors Mason Kuhn (catcher/pitcher), Riley Hirschman (third base/pitcher), Noah Rath (second base/outfield) and Brian Shaw (outfield); sophomores Emmett Blosenhauer (outfield) and Tyler Schmeer (utility) and freshman Jorden Ostrander (outfield/second base).

Kendall’s graduation loss was third baseman/outfielder Jeremy Browe.

Kendall is scheduled to begin G-R competition on April 9 at Oakfield-Alabama.

Schedule
(Games at 4:30 p.m. unless notes)
March: 27 – at Newfane
April:  9 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 11 – Barker, 12 – Lyndonville, 15 – Elba, 19 – Byron-Bergen, 22 – at Pembroke, 23 – Holley, 24 – at Notre Dame, 26 – Oakfield-Alabama, 29 – Attica.
May: 3 – at Elba, 6 – at Alexander, 7 – at Lyndonville, 11 – at Northstar, 1 p.m., 13 – Notre Dame, 15 – Byron-Bergen.