By Steven Roumeliotis
Round Table reporter
Middletown High School baseball slides into a new season as tryouts end, and players are picked for their positions.
Tryouts lasted a couple weeks, and players have been lining up at Extra Innings in the off season to prepare themselves for the season.
With Coach Andy Baker and Assistant Coach Mike Desimone leading the team, they hope to regain their composure and take a shot at the State Championship.
More than 60 players tried out this year, and the team looks as promising as ever.
“The success of this year’s team in the wins and losses category will be dependent upon our pitching. We are relying on a “committee of pitchers”, at various age levels, including freshman. We have plenty of experience and a nice mix of sophomores, juniors, and seniors, on the varsity team. If we continue to focus on throwing the ball, catching the ball, and putting the ball in play, we will be competitive in a lot of ballgames,” said Baker.
Starting positions include seniors Koby Cavanagh at first base, Chase Main on second, Justin Boyer at short, and sophomore Chase Lebedda at third.
Starting on the mound will be senior Colin Maye who looks very promising, as well as secondary starter, senior Cody Strawsburg.
“In the pitching department, we expect good outings from our senior duo of Colin Maye and Cody Strawsburg,” said Baker.
Junior Robby Tucker will be looked to as the main relief pitcher, and senior Kyle Watkins will be catcher for the Knights this season.
“I think were going to have a pretty good season,” said senior Evan Moser.
Moser tore his ACL earlier this year and hopes to recover from his injury to aid the team for the season ahead.
In fact, Moser’s injury hasn’t been the only unfortunate case this year. Senior Taylor Drake is suffering from a broken arm and hopes to rejoin his teammates later on this season as well.
The season looks promising, with a strong offensive lineup starting with Boyer, Main, and Cavanagh to start off every game strong. Great things are expected of the Knights this year.
Come show your support and cheer them onto the State Championship.
