HIGH HOPES FOR WIZARDS’ BASEBALL TEAM

By JEREMY GUTIERREZ

With the season in full swing, the future's looking bright for Washingtonville’s varsity baseball team.  After a long and snowy preseason, baseball teams all over the county are finally able to take the field for the first of many games.  

The Wizards are looking to bounce back after a less than stellar season last year with a record of 3-17.  The varsity team already has four wins under its belt making the goal of getting to sections for the first time in three years a distinct possibility.

Right out of the gate, the Wizards were challenged with division games.  They won 2 games out of 3 against Minisink Valley, and still have 2 more division series to play against Valley Central and Warwick.  Washingtonville has to win at least 5 division games in order to make sections.  This may be the ticket to the postseason, but there are other solutions that can send them to sections as well.

Almost halfway through the season, the Wizards have a record of 4-5.  With 20 games on the schedule, they have to win at least half of those games in order to make sections.  With these two possibilities, Washingtonville will pose a threat this year on the diamond.

When Jack Wilde, senior co-captain and first baseman of the the team, was asked if he thought the team has a good chance of making sections this year, he replied, “I feel we have a good shot.  Our next few league games we have a good chance of winning.  We also have some winnable regular season games coming up.”  As the team captain, Jack has high hopes for the team this year and will try his best to contribute to the team’s success.

Anthony Felice, senior co-captain and second baseman, is also extremely optimistic about the team’s success.   When asked how they are going to make it to sections, Anthony Felice responded with, “We all have to play as a team, and win the close games.  We have the right group of guys to win, and if we come through clutch, then we could go to the postseason.”   If the Wizards can do exactly what he stated, they are the team to watch out for this year.

The Wizards can use all the support they can get.  It is going to be an exciting second half of the season with 6 home games left.  Don't forget to come out to a game with friends, or family and enjoy the beautiful weather that is sure to come.  After all, the fans are a part of the team, so help the Wizards make sections this year!