The Wallkill Panthers finished their most successful season in their history when they were beaten in 10 innings by Section 1 champion Walter Panas in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A regional finals.

Now, they’re lacing up their cleats for another run, as they look for the program’s fourth Section 9 championship.

It won’t be easy as a realignment by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association created a sixth classification - a realignment that sent the Panthers into Class AA.

Their top loss was pitcher and middle-of-the lineup hitter Chase Hermance, along with Brandon Vesely, but with a strong core of returners, the Panthers will look to make a run at a repeat.

Senior Kyle DeGroat set a school record in 2023 with a 0.62 ERA with 95 strikeouts and will look to lead the pitching staff. Senior Kody Best is in line for a starting spot after finishing 2-0 last year with a 2.93 ERA. The Panthers also expect contributions from juniors Ryan Mayer and Connor Griffin; sophomore Mason Franklin, seniors Jake Spindler and Julian Butcher, and juniors Mike Daly and Ryan Rauschenbach.
The Panthers expect to have speed in the outfield with Rauschenbach and Spencer Freer at the corners. Franklin and Nikola Mandich will be up the middle. When not on the mound, DeGroat will man third base. Chris Wager returns behind the plate.

Last year’s team hit .326 and scored a school record 206 runs. The offense is expected to be led by Freer (.311, 26 runs, 12 RBIs and 13 SB), while DeGroat hit .381, scored 33 runs, hit five home runs and drove in 12. He is expected to lead off. Spindler (.308) and Franklin (.333, 17 runs, 26 walks and 10 stolen bases) will follow.

The Panthers started their season with scrimmages at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The only area team to have a better result than the Panthers last year were the Chapel Field Lions, who won their first NYSPHSAA Class D championship after reaching the state championship game in 2022.

However, both runs came behind the arm of Leam Powell, who graduated after last season. The Lions have also lost center fielder and pitcher Bryce Hollo and third baseman Noah Swart.

They will also have a new coach as Mike

Bonagura replaces Shaun Powell.

The Lions will be led by pitcher and shortstop Mikey Bonagura, catcher Logan Garvey and Drew Hollo.

With such big losses, the Lions are looking at short-term goals to start the season. Any run at states begins with a Section 9 Class D championship.

“I’m looking forward to the season,” coach Bonagura said. “It’s a great group of guys.”

Valley Central
The winds of change also will blow through Montgomery as the Valley Central Vikings will have a new coach as former JV coach Matt Lennon, a 2010 Valley Central graduate, takes the reigns from Bob Leonard, who stepped down to possibly coach one of his daughters on the Vikings’ modified softball team.

“First and foremost, this is a dream come true having graduated from Valley Central, played baseball for Coach Leonard and Coach (Eric) Bartle, and brought a Section 9 Class AA championship here my senior year.”

After a lackluster 2022, the Vikings rebounded last year to finish 11-9, and earned the fourth seed in the Section 9 Class AA tournament, where the top-seeded Warwick Wildcats ended their season.

The Vikings have lost John Scotto, Zachary Rometo, Daniel Belo, Evan Johnson and William Treco, but return several three-year varsity players in Jason Murphy (P/1B), William Quinn (SS), Christopher Byrne (OF/1B/3B/P), and Colin Quinn (C). The Vikings also return sophomore Justin Freeman (3B/2B/C) and Trevor Mitchetti (OF/IF).

Junior Caleb Swart (3B/P), sophomore Darren Russo (P/1B/3B and senior John Kelly (2B/P) are new to the Vikings this year. Kelly spent the 2023 season injured.

“We have a solid group of returners with a mix of seniors and underclassmen, as well as a great group of newcomers ready to work hard and earn their way,” Lennon said. “Our goals will be and always are to compete every day and make a run in the playoffs.”

Pine Bush
A year after reaching the NYSPHSAA Class AA championship, the Bushmen were disappointed when they were eliminated in the sectional quarterfinals last year by the eventual champion the Kingston Tigers.

The Bushmen enter this season having lost 10 seniors: Alex Bucolo, Connor Stacklum, Dan Trojahn, John Bandura, Mason Miranowicz, Mike Jacques, Mike Weed, Mike DeSena, Nick Croce and Tyler Thorpe.

However, Pine Bush coach Matt Boffalo said the Bushmen have talented 10th and 11th graders and that he is looking forward to seeing them play this season.

Returning are Marc Cancelliere, Matt Boffalo, Oliver Auryansen, Brady Fandl, Blake Vellenga and Tristan Santos. New to the team will be Robert Lawrence, Lucas Judson, Brian Murtaugh, Alex Price, Jake Pawlowski, Mike Esposito, Brandon Brodala, Shane Torpey and Kaeden Fisher.

“We have a young, untested team with a competitive schedule,” coach Boffalo said. “But they are a great group of young men, so we are excited for the challenge.”