Oswego County Baseball In Full Swing

The 2013 Section III varsity baseball season is in full-swing. Teams around Oswego County are finding out what they are made of, and if they have at shot at a sectional championship. With the season reaching its midway point, we find the Oswego, Fulton, and Mexico high school ball clubs in very different situations. One team has locked up a playoff spot, and looks to keep building on a strong season. Another has its back against the wall after a slow start and must grind down the stretch for a post season birth. While the third team, loaded with youth, looks to build for the future. Let’s see what Oswego County baseball is all about in 2013.

[gn_spacer size=”20″]

[gn_heading style=”1″]OSWEGO BUCCANEERS [/gn_heading]

[gn_box title=”Oswego Quickfacts ” color=”#333333″]Coach: John Finch (8th season as Head Coach)

Section III Class AA

2012 Final Record: 7-9

2013 Record: 8-3

CNYCL American Division (6-2)

[/gn_box]

The Bucs’ are looking make a deeper run into the Class AA playoffs this year, after getting bounced out in the first round by Syracuse East last season. Oswego has made great progress this season already notching eight wins. Coach Finch’s boys have not won more than seven games in the last four seasons. With the win against Syracuse West on May 1, Oswego has earned a spot in the sectional playoffs.

• Oswego had five returning starters in 2013.
• Oswego has only four seniors on the team, and rely on 3rd-year-varsity players, juniors Ryan Lavner, and Zack Salvador to also step up as leaders.
• The Bucs’ have been using their depth at pitching to help them win games.
• The pitching staff has a combined 1.46 ERA.
• Junior Ryan Lavner and Senior Brandon Schultzkie lead the team offensively batting .438 and .345 respectively.
• Oswego beat rival Fulton 15-0.
• Oswego’s remaining opponents have a 48-40. With the playoff spot already locked up, the stretch run will make the Bucs’ battle tested for the sectional push.

[gn_quote style=”1″]”It’s just a matter of if we get the hits when we need them.”- Coach John Finch, on his team potential this season.[/gn_quote]

[gn_tabs style=”1″]
[gn_tab title=”Video”][youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLWav5C1RMc][/gn_tab]
[gn_tab title=”Schedule”][table]
Oswego Varsity Baseball 2013 Schedule,,
4/4/2013,West Genesee,W 8-0
4/6/2013,@ Notre Dame,W 4-1
4/8/2013,@ Baldwinsville,L 3-0
4/17/2013,@ Auburn,W 3-2
4/18/2013,@ Utica Proctor,L 7-2
4/20/2013,Fulton,W 15-0
4/23/2013,@ Rome Free Academy,L 2-0
4/25/2013,@ Fayetteville-Manlius,W 2-0
4/29/2013,Rome Free Academy,W 9-6
5/1/2013,Syracuse West,W 6-1
5/2/2013,@ West Genesee,4:30 PM
5/3/2013,@ Central Square,4:30 PM
5/6/2013,Cicero-North Syracuse,4:30 PM
5/8/2013,Fayetteville-Manlius,4:30 PM
5/10/2013,Baldwinsville,4:30 PM
5/13/2013,Liverpool,4:30 PM
5/15/2013,@ Mexico,4:00 PM
5/16/2013,Auburn,2:00 PM
5/17/2013,@ Syracuse East,4:30 PM
[/table][/gn_tab]
[gn_tab title=”Standings”][table]
2013 Baseball Standings for CNYCL American Div.,,
Team,Conf. Record,Overall Record
1.) West Genesee,7 – 4,8 – 4
2.) Oswego,6 – 2, 8 – 3
3.) Auburn,5 – 4,8 – 4
4.) Central Square,4 – 4,5 – 5
5.) Fayetteville-Manlius,1 – 6,4 – 9
6.) Rome Free Academy,0 – 7,3 – 8
[/table][/gn_tab][gn_tab title=”Key Players”][table]
Oswego Buccaneers Key Players,,,,
Batting,Runs,RBI,HR,AVG.
“Ryan Lavner, Jr.”,12,7,1,0.438
“Brandon Schultzkie, Sr.”,3,9,1,0.345
“Zack Salvador, Jr.”,6,9,1,0.300
“Dave Culeton, Sr.”,5,7,,0.200
,,,,,
Pitching,Record,IP,Strikeouts,ERA
“Ryan Lavner, Jr.”,3 – 1,30,23,0.93
“Brandon Schulzkie, Sr.”,(Saves: 1),5.2,10,0.00
“Josh Carney, Sr.”,4 – 0,26,21,0.00
[/table][/gn_tab][/gn_tabs]

[gn_spacer size=”40″]

[gn_heading style=”1″]MEXICO TIGERS [/gn_heading]
[gn_box title=”Mexico Quickfacts ” color=”#333333″]Coach: Joe Meyer (4th season as Head Coach)

Section III Class A

2012 Final Record: 3-17

2013 Record: 2-7

OSHL National Division (2-7)

[/gn_box]

In 2012 the Mexico Varsity Baseball Team failed to make the post season for the first time since 2008. Head coach Joe Meyer believes it was due in large part to his players inexperience playing at the varsity level. Fast forward to 2013, and the Tigers are experiencing much of the same. Sitting at 2-7 Meyer’s team will have to grind down the stretch in earn a spot in the sectional playoffs. The schools poor field conditions early in the season could hurt Mexico as well. They currently have three games that have not been rescheduled yet, and for a team struggling for a post season birth every opportunity to earn a win is important.

•  Senior Short Stop Carlton Loomis seems to be one bright spot for the Tigers this season. Batting over .500, and leading the team in Runs (12), Hits (16), and RBIs (7-tied for lead.)
• With 11 seniors, Mexico, on paper, has a lot of experience. However, coach Meyer claims that only a hand full of players actually had a significate amount of game experience coming into the season.
• The Tigers must find a way to limit runs moving forward. Lacking an ace pitcher on the mound, Mexico has been outscored 101 to 46 this season.
• With three games yet to be rescheduled, Mexico will have to win all of it’s remaining six scheduled games if they want to make the postseason in 2013.

[gn_quote style=”1″]”Going back to sectionals would mean a lot to the community. Baseball has always been a big thing here.” -Senior first baseman Greg Nellis [/gn_quote] 

[gn_tabs style=”1″][gn_tab title=”Coach Meyer”] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGMYj26evs0][/gn_tab]
[gn_tab title=”Players”] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FpTfRyvjcA][/gn_tab]
[gn_tab title=”Schedule”][table]
2013 Mexico Tigers Baseball Schedule ,,
Date,Team ,Result/Time
4/9/2013,@ Cortland ,L 4-6
4/17/2013,@ Jamesville-DeWitt,L 16-2
4/18/2013,@ Christian Brothers Academy,L 22-3
4/23/2013,Mexico,W 10-3
4/24/2013,@ Bishop Ludden,L 9-4
4/25/2013,@ ESM ,L 12-6
4/27/2013,@ Homer,L 14-6
4/29/2013,Hannibal*,–
4/30/2013,Bishop Ludden,L 11-2
5/1/2013,ESM,W 9-8
5/3/2013,Cortland,4:30 PM
5/7/2013,Homer,4:30 PM
5/9/2013,Jamesville-DeWitt,4:30 PM
5/14/2013,Christian Brothers Academy,4:30 PM
5/15/2013,Oswego,4 PM
5/16/2013,Fulton,4:30 PM
*=Reschedule date not set,Pulaski*,–
,@Tully*,–
[/table][/gn_tab]

[gn_tab title=”Standings”][table]
2013 OHSL National Division Standings ,,
Team,Conf. Record,Overall Record
1.) Jamesville-DeWitt,8 – 1,11 – 1
2.) Homer,5 – 2,8 – 4
3.) Cortland,5 – 2 ,7 – 3
4.) Mexico,2 – 7 ,2 – 7[/table][/gn_tab]

[gn_tab title=”Key Players”][table]
Mexico Tigers Key Players,,,,
Batting,Runs,RBI,HR,AVG
“Carlton Loomis, Sr.”,12,7,0,0.516
“Robert Wallace, Sr.”,10,7,1,0.379
“Tyler Murphy, Jr.”,2,3,0,0.278
“Greg Nellis, Sr.”,4,7,0,0.182
,,,,
Pitching,Record,IP,K,ERA
“Robert Wallace, Sr.”,1 – 3,19.2,6,4.63
“Pat Twiss, Sr.”,1 -1,9.1,7,9.00
[/table][/gn_tab][/gn_tabs]

[gn_spacer size=”40″]

[gn_heading style=”1″]FULTON RED RAIDERS[/gn_heading]

[gn_box title=”Fulton Quickfacts ” color=”#333333″]Coach: Kip Harvey (18th season as Head Coach)

Section III Class AA

2012 Final Record: 2-23

2013 Record: 0-12

OSHL American Division (0-8)
[/gn_box]

Coach Kip Harvey has had all kinds of teams in his 18 years as Fulton varsity baseball coach, but being winless this late in the season, 2013 may be the most disappointing. The Red Raiders are 0-12 so far and must win out in order to make the sectional playoffs. Harvey admits that may be an unrealistic goal, but is encouraged for the future of his team. Fulton is starting three sophomores  and two freshman this season. Although their inexperience is hurting them this year. Fulton has five underclassman that are gaining valuable playing time that will only help them grow. The future is bright for Red Raider’s baseball.

• Coach Harvey gave Senior First Baseman, Cody Dick high praise. Claiming that the youth on the team would be lost without Dick’s leadership.
• Fulton is starting freshman in key positons this year at Short Stop and Center field.
• The Red Raiders suffered a big blow early in the season when their ace pitcher Shane Beauregard, took a line drive to the head. Beauregard suffered a concussion and has been out the rest of the spring.
• The team has yet to find a pitcher to fill Beauregard’s roll. Fulton only has one pitcher with an ERA under 4.00.
• The bats haven’t woken up for Fulton either. The team doesn’t have a single starter batting over .300, and no players with double-digit hits, runs, or RBIs.

[gn_quote style=”1″]”They are learning so much everyday…They still have a lot of work to do but it is certainly encouraging to see five of your best nine players are 14 or 15 years old.”- Coach Kip Harvey on Fulton’s young roster.[/gn_quote]

[gn_tabs style=”1″]
[gn_tab title=”Coach Harvey Interview”]
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/90460425″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[/gn_tab]
[gn_tab title=”Schedule”][table]
Fulton Varsity Baseball 2013 Schedule,,
4/6/2013,@ Syracuse West,L 12-0
4/6/2013,Central Square,L 15-8
4/9/2013,@ Bishop Ludden,L 4-8
4/12/2013,@ Pulaski,–
4/16/2013,Cortland,L 7-0
4/18/2013,@ ESM,L 8-0
4/20/2013,@ Oswego,L 15-0
4/22/2013,@ Jamesville-DeWitt,L 11-0
4/23/2013,Mexico,L 10-3
4/25/2013,Jamesville-DeWitt,L 17-4
4/27/2013,Central Square,L 4-0
4/29/2013,@ Christian Brothers Academy,L 7-5
4/30/2013,@ Homer,L 9-2
5/7/2013,Chirstian Brothers Academy,4:30 PM
5/9/2013,@ Cortland,4:30 PM
5/13/2013,Homer,4:30 PM
5/14/2013,ESM,4:45 PM
5/16/2013,@ Mexico,4:30 PM
[/table][/gn_tab]
[gn_tab title=”Standings”][table]
2013 OHSL American Divsion Standings,,
Team,Conf. Record,Overall Record
1.) Christian Brothers Academy ,5 – 2,7 – 2
2.) Bishop Ludden,3 – 4 ,4 – 5
3.) East Syracuse Minoa,3 – 4,3 – 6
4.) Fulton,0 – 8,0 – 12
[/table][/gn_tab]
[gn_tab title=”Key Players”][table]
Fulton Red Raiders Key Players,,,,
Batting,Runs,RBI,HR,AVG.
“Cody Dick, Sr.”,4,2,0,0.235
“Jon Cummins, So.”,1,1,0,0.269
“Michael Bolster, Fr.”,0,1,0,0.235
“Peter Ravesi, So.”,3,3,2,0.171
[/table][/gn_tab][/gn_tabs]