By Leigh Alan Klein
Beacon
Coach: Bobby Atwell
Last season: 11-11
Team to beat: Hendrick Hudson, which was 16-5 last year and seeded No. 1 in the Section 1 tournament.
Outlook: “For us to make a deep run, we know we need to hit better than last year,” Atwell said. “Fans can count on this team to play hard every play, every game. The interest is strong — more than 40 players came out for the team.”
Players to watch:
Alex Callaway (senior), pitcher/3B. A four-year starter, Callaway is the team’s best hitter. He will play next year for Dominican College in Orangeburg.
Lenny Torres (junior), pitcher, shortstop, outfield. See Athlete of the Week.
Haldane
Coach: Tom Virgadamo
Last Season: 6-15
Teams to beat: North Salem, Putnam Valley, Tuckahoe
Outlook: “Our success will depend on the depth of our pitching,” said Virgadamo. “Ideally, we would like to get five innings out of each starter on any given night. Brian Haines, Ryan Duffy, Anthony Sinchi and Devin Siegel should be our starters and Justin Maldonado, Adam Hotaling and Aidan Siegel will come in for middle relief or to close the game out.”
Style of play: “We will rely on aggressive base running and small ball to manufacture runs,” he said. “If we can make all of the routine plays, and keep our opponents to 3 to 4 runs a game, we will be competitive.”
Key performers: Seniors Maldonado, Haines, Duffy; juniors Siegel, Sinchi, Daniel Rotando; sophomores Siegel, Hotaling, Matt Mikalsen and Justin Markey
