Rams have new diamond skipper

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – New Roy-Hart varsity baseball coach Dan Budziszewski meets here with the Rams tri-captains Josh Baptiste, John O’Brien and Andy Xapsos.

With a good veteran lineup returning and new Coach Dan Budziszewski at the helm Roy-Hart is prepping for the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League baseball season.

Budziszewski, who had been coaching the JV team, takes over from John Grzymala who has taken a baseball coaching position at Niagara County Community College.

The Rams veteran group is led by tri-captains senior John O’Brien (pitcher/third base/second base), junior Josh Baptiste (catcher/outfield) and sophomore Andy Xapsos (pitcher/shortstop). Xapsos earned first team N-O All-League honors last spring and Baptiste was an honorable mention selection.

The Rams veteran contingent also includes seniors Austin Heschke (outfield), Evan Conley (outfield), Brian Guild (first base), Luke Tyler (second base) along with juniors Cole Gregson (first base) and Aaron Metz (utility).

The Roy-Hart roster also includes juniors CJ Fitch (third base/pitcher), Alex Farewell (infield/pitcher), Andy Jacobs (pitcher/catcher), Sam White (first base/outfield) and sophomore Justin Heschke (third base).

“We have to pitch well but our hurlers are mostly all young,” said Budziszewski. “There will be a lot of moving around with the lineup depending upon who is pitching but it is a pretty versatile group. We should be fairly decent defensively.”

The Rams key losses to graduation include first team N-O honoree Ryan Farewell (outfield) along with second team selections Nick Morse (outfield) and Judd Jamieson (infield).

Roy-Hart went 6-8 in N-O competition last spring.

The Rams are scheduled to open the N-O season April 4 at CSAT.

Roy-Hart’s Schedule is as follows:
April 3 – Maritime , 4:45 p.m.
April 4 – at CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
April 7 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.
April 11 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.
April 14 – Cleve Hill, 12 p.m.
April 15 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
April 21 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
April 23 – at Albion, 4:45 p.m.
April 25 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.
April 30 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
May 2 – CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
May 3 – at Oakfield-Alabama, TBA
May 5 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.
May 7 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.
May 9 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
May 12 – Albion, 4:45 p.m.
May 14 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.
May 15 – at Cleve Hill, 4:30 p.m.
May 17 – Kendall, 11 a.m.