Veteran hurlers to lead Mustangs

Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Medina High varsity baseball team this spring is this group of returning starters including Matt Riemer, Josh Scroger, Sam Crowley, Jason Hellwig and Adam Hoot.

Anchored by a trio of veteran pitchers, Medina is again looking to challenge for top honors in the Niagara-Orleans League baseball title chase this spring.

Medina, which went 10-4 in N-O competition last spring to finish in a tie for second place with Akron behind champion Albion (12-2), returns senior Adam Hoot along with juniors Matt Riemer and Jason Hellwig to the mound. Hoot and Riemer both earned second team N-O All-League honors while Hellwig was an honorable mention selection.

“I am very excited about the amount of talent we have coming back on the mound,” said Coach Eric Hellwig. ” Pitching is the key for every team and I feel real good about our pitching.”

When not on the mound, Hoot and Riemer play first base and Hellwig shortstop or catcher.

The Mustangs also return senior second baseman/outfielder Sam Crowley and junior outfielder/pitcher Josh Scroger to the starting lineup.

The Mustangs losses to graduation include outfielders Tyler Colonna and Jake Cotriss along with infielders Dan Barnes and Zach Newton.

Medina’s underclassmen dominated roster also includes senior outfielder Hayden Allis along with juniors Shane Freeman (outfield/infield), Devonte Howard (catcher/third base), Kyle Herman (catcher/third base), Brennan Zinkievich (outfield/pitcher), Gage Masters (designated hitter/first base), sophomore Justin Morgan (infield/catcher) and freshman Quentin Adkins (outfield).

“Hopefully our offense will be better and I definitely think we will be better and steadier defensively,” said Hellwig of two of the Mustangs biggest problem areas last fall – defense and hitting.

Medina is scheduled to open the N-O campaign at CSAT on April 2. Prior to that the Mustangs have non league home games scheduled against Pembroke on March 28 and Batavia on April 1 as well as a scrimmage against Oakfield-Alabama on March 29.

Medina’s schedule is as follows:
March 28 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.
April 1 – Batavia, 4:30 p.m.
April 2 – at CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
April 3 – Williamsville South, 4:30 p.m.
April 4 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.
April 7 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.
April 10 – at Batavia, 4:30 p.m.
April 11 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
April 14 – Starpoint, 4:30 p.m.
April 19 – Oakfield-Alabama, 2 p.m.
April 21 – Albion, 4:45 p.m.
April 23 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.
April 25 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
April 30 – CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
May 2 – Akron, 7 p.m.
May 5 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.
May 7 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
May 9 – at Albion, 4:45 p.m.
May 12 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.
May 14 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.