Hawks eye early diamond start

Photo by Mike Wertman – Getting set to help lead the Holley/Kendall varsity baseball squad this season is this group of Hawk veterans. In front are Zack Trask and Justin Parker. In back are Nick Passarell, Dylan Hillabush, Zach Vaccarelli and Patrick Bower.

Weather permitting the newly merged Holley/Kendall varsity baseball squad will also likely be the first to take to the diamond for a game this spring as the Hawks are scheduled to visit Barker March 30 for a non league contest.

Despite losing four key players to gradation from last year’s Genesee Region League Division 1 and Section V Class CC championship squad, Holley has a good group of five returning regulars including seniors Nick Passarell (centerfield), Justin Parker (third base/pitcher), junior Dylan Hillabush (pitcher/first base) and sophomores Sammy Lammes (second base) and Patrick Bower (catcher).

Seniors Ronnie DeWaal (second base/pither) and Zack Trask (utility) also return as does Zach Vaccarelli (first base) who was injured last year.

The Hawks are also looking for help in the outfield from junior Collin Papaj.

Also looking to play key roles are two Kendall players, Colton Breslawski (shortstop/pitcher) and Cody Spellan (third base/pitcher), both seniors.

“They will certainly help us,” said Coach Jason Cole whose main losses to graduation were Joe DeFelice (shortstop/pitcher), Lucas Silvis (first base/pitcher), Josh Porter (catcher/pitcher) and Jon Bower (third base/pitcher). DeFelice, Porter and Bower were all G-R All-Stars.

“I think we’ve got a pretty good lineup 1 through 9 and that’s a plus for us,” said Cole. “Our pitching is still undecided but we have several options there.”

The Hawks, which went 10-2 to claim the G-R Division 1 title, finished with an overall 18-5 record including a 6-2 victory over East Rochester in the Class CC championship game.

“They are excited and want to get back,” said Cole of the Hawks hopes for another title run.

Interestingly, the Hawks non league schedule includes a rematch with Geneseo, the team which dashed their hopes for a spot in the state playoffs by a 6-3 score in the Class C qualifier contest.

The Hawks are slated to begin their G-R title defense on April 12 at Elba/Byron-Bergen.

Schedule
March 30 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
April 5 – at Medina, 7 p.m.
April 12 – at Elba/Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.
April 15 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.
April 16 – at Geneseo, 12 p.m.
April 18 – at Attica, 4:30 p.m.
April 19 – Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.
April 21 – Bloomfield, 4:30 p.m.
April 23 – at LeRoy Tournament
April 25 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.
April 26 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.
April 28 – at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.
May 3 – at Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.
May 5 – at Northstar, 4:30 p.m.
May 6 – Elba/Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.
May 13 – Attica, 4:30 p.m.