Diamond Tigers have veteran laden nucleus

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 March 2017 at 10:09 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – Lyndonville’s veteran group includes, in front, Eric Neace, Corey Hydock and Zach Johnson. In back are Jacob Hoffee, Nolan Donald, Michael Wells, Cody Bentley and Dawson Joy.

Anchored by a strong nucleus of eight returning starters, Lyndonville is taking aim at extending its streak of Genesee Region League division title seasons.

The Tigers went 8-2 in the league a year ago (15-5 overall) to claim a third straight G-R Division 2 title.

Lyndonville’s large veteran group includes seniors Jacob Hoffee (pitcher/shortstop), Michael Wells (third base/pitcher), Eric Neace (first base), Corey Hydock (catcher), Cody Bentley (second base), Nolan Donald (outfield), Dawson Joy third base/outfield) and sophomore Zach Johnson (pitcher/outfield).

Hoffee, Wells, Neace and Joy all earned G-R All-Star honors.  Wells also received first team Class D All-Star honors while Neace was a third team honoree.

Hoffee hit .417 with 16 RBIs and had a 1.41 earned run average on the mound. Wells hit .508 with 43 RBIs and an era. of 1.30. Neace hit .525 with 23 RBIs and Joy .422 with 20 RBIs.

“We’ve got a nice nucleus back,” said Coach Shane Price. “Our pitching and our senior leadership are our strengths. The keys will be to stay healthy and for our pitchers to attack the hitters with the new pitch count regulations that are in place.”

The Tigers are scheduled to open the season at Barker on March 31.

Schedule

March: 31 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.

April : 3 – CG Finney, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – Holley, 4:30 p.m.; 6 – Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – Lima Christian, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 18 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 21 – at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – at Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 25 – Pembroke ,4:30 p.m.; 27 – Northstar, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.

May: 1 – Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 2 – at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – Notre Dame ,4:30 p.m.; 8 – Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – at Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – at Holley, 4:30 p.m.; 15 – at CG Finney, 4:30 p.m.