Albion diamond squad faces rebuilding task

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – This veteran quartet of Nathan Gibson, Jack Kinter, Josh Bovenzi and Kaiden Froman will lead Albion into the upcoming baseball season.

Four veterans anchor the lineup for the Albion varsity baseball team which faces a bit of a rebuilding task this season after a large number of graduation losses.

That quartet includes seniors Jack Kinter (Pitcher/Infield) and Josh Bovenzi (Outfield) along with sophomores Nathan Gibson (Catcher/Pitcher/Inf) and Kaiden Froman (Inf/Of/C/P).

“It is a rebuilding year for us,” said Coach Bruce Blanchard. “It is a pretty young group but our goal as always is to compete.”

The Purple Eagles lineup also includes juniors Lucas Martin (Inf/P), Lucas Powley (Of/P), Seth Krenning (Inf/Of/P), Andrew Boyce (Inf/P), Aaron Woodroe (Of) and James Harris (Of) along with sophomores Elliott Trapiss (Inf) and Joshua Shoeberlein (Of).

Albion’s graduation losses included first team Niagara-Orleans All-League pitcher/shortstop Amari Jones, second team selection shortstop/pitcher Javon Jones, Honorable Mention picks Jacob Hughson and Dallas Ecker along with Chris Sacco, Jason Conn and Caiden Uderitz.

“We graduated virtually all of our pitching experience so it is going to be pitching by committee for us this season,” said Blanchard.

Albion will prep for the April 15 N-O opener against Newfane with a series of five non league contests beginning at Kenmore East on Monday.

The Purple Eagles went 4-8 in the league and 5-11 overall last spring.