Veteran quartet leads Tigers

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 March 2016 at 12:00 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – Lyndonville’s veteran quartet includes, from left, Michael Wells, Jacob Hoffee, Eric Neace and Eddie Schildt.

Anchored by a quartet of returning starters, Lyndonville is prepping to defend its Genesee Region League Division II baseball title.

The Tigers veteran foursome includes juniors Jacob Hoffee (pitcher/infield), Eddie Schildt (pitcher/infield), Michael Wells (catcher/pitcher) and Eric Neace (first base). Hoffee earned first team G-R All-Star honors last year.

Freshman Zach Johnson looks to add depth to the pitching staff for the Tigers whose roster also includes seniors Andrew Dusett and Scott Smith along with juniors Cody Bentley (second base), Corey Hydock (utility), Nolan Donald, Dawson Joy, Josh Tombari and Cole Wilcox.

“Our pitching should be pretty good but it all really falls in the hands of the defense. We have to play good defense,” said Coach Shane Price. “As the defending champs we know we’ll face everyone’s top pitcher so we’ll have to be able to hit. I’m hoping our juniors will step up. Thats a big key.”

Lyndonville’s key losses to graduation include G-R All-Stars Ty Hrovat (pitcher/shortstop) and AJ Buckland (outfield) along with honorable mention selections Brandon Schoolcraft and Trevor Bentley.

The Tigers have seven non league games scheduled before opening the G-R campaign at Oakfield-Alabama on April 18. The season will also be highlighted by a game at Cooperstown on April 24 against Alexander.

Lyndonvlle went 8-3 in the league and 15-6 overall last year as the Tigers reached the Class DD sectional finals.

Tigers Schedule
March 31 – Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
April 2 – Roy-Hart, 1 p.m.
April 4 – at Webster Christian, 4:30 p.m.
April 8 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.
April 11 – Webster Christian, 4:30 p.m.
April 14 – at Northeast, Rochester, 4:30 p.m.
April 15 – Northstar, 4:30 p.m.
April 18 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.
April 19 – at Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.
April 22 – Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.
April 24 – vs. Alexander at Cooperstown, 10 a.m.
April 26 – Elba/Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.
April 28 – Holley, 4:30 p.m.
May 2 – Attica, 4:30 p.m.
May 5 – C.G. Finney, 4:30 p.m.
May 6 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.
May 9 – at Lima Christian, 4:30 p.m.
May 10 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.
May 13 – Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.