Rams return strong veteran diamond group

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – First team All-League pitcher Thomas Russo III heads Roy-Hart’s large veteran contingent.

After finishing in the runner-up spot last year, Roy-Hart boasts a solid nucleus of eight returnees with which to make another strong run at top Niagara-Orleans League baseball honors.

Junior pitcher Thomas Russo III, who earned first team N-O All-League honors, heads the Rams veteran contingent which also includes seniors Ryan Mettler (shortstop/pitcher), John Conley (outfield) and Jay Heideman (outfield) along with sophomores Dawson Draper (third base/outfield/pitcher), Jake Gould (third base/outfield/pitcher), Braydon Hy (infield) and Ethan Kuzma (catcher).

Mettler and Hy earned second team All-League honors while Conley was an Honorable Mention selection.

Up from the JV ranks, sophomore Remington Albee also looks to see playing time for the Rams.

“We’re fortunate to have a lot of kids who can play a lot of positions,” said Coach Jim Heideman. “We’ve got the potential. The big thing is we hope to play good defense.”

The Rams key losses to graduation were Noah Stern, Hunter Babel and Zach Duewiger along with Gavyn Boyle who transferred. Stern and Boyle were both first team All-League honorees and Babel was an Honorable Mention selection.

Roy-Hart, which went 10-2 in N-O action last spring, is scheduled to begin tuning up for the league campaign by hosting Cleveland Hill on April 9.