There wasn't the perfect ending Owen Paino hoped for, the bow on his high school career being a blissful celebration. Instead, the Roy C. Ketcham baseball team came up just a run short, falling in the Class AAA state final. But that heartbreak makes the run that Paino led them on no less impressive, nor was his varsity career any less remarkable.
Paino entered with high expectations, promoted to the varsity as a seventh-grader, and the spotlight brightened when he committed to Ole Miss as a freshman. From there, he met and exceeded the projections, essentially completing an athletic checklist by the 11th grade.
There was a heap of individual awards, a state championship and legitimate buzz about the shortstop being an MLB draft prospect.
And with all that already on his resume, Paino managed to raise the bar this season. With a smooth left-handed swing, he batted .469 and set career highs with five homers, 41 runs and 27 stolen bases. That, along with nine doubles, two triples and 29 RBI, despite being walked 40 times. With a tireless drive and the admiration of teammates, Paino was a leader by example and helped guide Ketcham through a difficult league, section and region.
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The senior was named Gatorade New York Baseball Player of the Year, Dutchess County Large School Player of the Year and Section 1 Player of the Year. It should come as little surprise that he also is the Journal's Baseball Player of the Year for a third time.
Dan Collins, Spackenkill
There are attainable goals and realistic dreams, and then there are fantasies. Dan Collins had the kind of comeback season that not even he would've dared to expect.
Because, after missing the previous year while recovering from Tommy John surgery, just getting back on the field and being effective was a victory. Few would've imagined him being this good, so soon, and helping his team do as well.
But Collins surpassed his own goals and made real the fantasy this spring, leading Spackenkill to its second Class B state championship in three seasons.
The Cortland commit played center field, shortstop and first base and dominated offensively, hitting .507 with a 1.441 OPS, four homers, three triples, 39 runs, 28 RBI and 16 steals. He set a program record with 127 career hits and was voted Dutchess County Small School Player of the Year for a third time.
Perhaps even more impressive was his excellence on the mound, going 4-1 with a 2.19 ERA in his return from a torn UCL in his right elbow, and thriving as a starter in the playoffs. Collins threw five no-hit innings in the regional final and was brilliant in the state final, allowing two runs in a complete game in addition to homering.
His role in crafting that storybook ending earned Collins a share of the Journal's Player of the Year.
Riley Weatherwax, Roy C. Ketcham
Both teams had already secured playoff spots, and this merely was a non-league game to close the regular season. But what it was for Riley Weatherwax was an opportunity to match up with another heralded pitcher and one of the most decorated stars in Section 1.
Sure, Weatherwax already had a lengthy list of achievements and his own Division I college commitment. But this was one of those gather-'round-and-watch showdowns that ups the adrenaline and tests the mettle of competitors.
The Roy C. Ketcham senior further cemented his big-game reputation, pitching a no-hitter in a 1-0 win over Fox Lane and its ace Tyler Renz. That performance was a microcosm of his career, as Weatherwax so often rose to the occassion.
With a well-located fastball and a hard slider, the Penn State-bound standout went 7-0 with a 1.09 ERA and 62 strikeouts this spring. The right-hander was superb, particularly in his final two seasons in which he led a stacked pitching staff and helped Ketcham reach the state final twice.
Weatherwax went 19-3 with a 1.42 ERA in his career and twice was voted all-section and Dutchess County Large School Pitcher of the Year. With that, he is the Journal's Pitcher of the Year for a second time.
First team
Jackson Atwell, Beacon, Senior, Center field: The speedster was a sparkplug, igniting an offense that helped Beacon reach the Section 9 Class A final. Atwell batted .429 with 31 runs, 20 RBI and 28 stolen bases, earning all-section honors.
Tommy Benfer, Marlboro, Junior, First base/Pitcher: Described by coach John Morrissey as a leader in words and action, Benfer's team-first attitude influences the group. He also produced, batting .500 with 28 RBI and 18 runs, helping Marlboro win the Section 9 Class A title.
Dylan Boenig, Spackenkill, Junior, Catcher: The two-time All-Star flourished at the plate and behind it, helping the Spartans win a state title. Boenig hit. 417 with 32 RBI, 27 runs and 16 stolen bases, and was proficient at throwing out base-stealers. His two-run single lifted Spackenkill to a dramatic seventh-inning 14-13 win in the Section 9 final.
Connor Durkin, Ketcham, Senior, Center field/Pitcher: He excelled in the outfield, the batter's box and on the mound. The Cortland commit batted .447 with 14 doubles, 34 RBI, 38 runs and 14 steals, and he was 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA.
Alex Jendras, John Jay-East Fishkill, Junior, Second base: An excellent athlete and consistent hitter, he starred during the Patriots' run to the Section 1 Class AAA final. Jendras batted .424 with 10 doubles, a homer and 19 RBI.
Charlie Lyons, Our Lady of Lourdes, Junior, Third base/Pitcher: With good range and a strong arm, he excels defensively and has become an offensive force. The all-Section 9 selection hit .474 with a 1.144 OPS and 14 RBI and pitched to a 2.80 ERA. Lyons helped the rebuilding Warriors close the season on a hot streak.
Cole Mackin, Arlington, Junior, Pitcher: He shined in his first varsity season, quickly emerging as an ace. The right-hander went 6-0 with a 2.07 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP, helping the Admirals make an unexpected run to the Section 1 Class AAA semifinals.
Jack Maiale, New Paltz, Junior, Pitcher/Shortstop: Maiale is a versatile athlete who has dominated on the mound, leading the Huguenots' turnaround. The right-hander went 5-1 with a 0.69 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 40⅔ innings, earning all-Section 9 honors.
Corey Martin, Poughkeepsie, Senior, Pitcher: He was part of a core that helped revive the varsity program, and he dominated in each of the last three seasons. The SUNY Sullivan commit went 7-2 with a 1.01 ERA and 101 strikeouts, leading the Pioneers to the Hudson Valley Independent League final.
Ryan Mealy, Ketcham, Senior, Pitcher/First base: The Monmouth commit was known for his control and guile under pressure, delivering signature wins in the playoffs. The right-hander went 7-1 with a 1.14 ERA, 64 strikeouts and only five walks. He also batted .358 and was solid defensively at first, earning all-Section 1 honors.
Liam Murphy, Beacon, Senior, Catcher: He was voted Section 9 Class A Player of the Year after hitting .463 with a .616 on-base percentage, three triples, 28 runs, 21 RBI and 18 steals, leading the Bulldogs to the Class A section final.
Linus Oudom, Spackenkill, Junior, Pitcher: The two-time All-Star anchored the Spartans rotation, going 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 48⅓ innings. He was voted Dutchess County Small School Pitcher of the Year after helping lead Spackenkill to a state title.
Luke Picone, Ketcham, Senior, Second base: He shined defensively with outstanding range and a strong arm, and became a stalwart in the lineup both as a table-setter and run-producer. The Wagner commit batted .432 with 38 runs, 26 RBI and 12 stolen bases. His success, despite battling Crohn's Disease, inspired teammates.
Karl Russell, Red Hook, Junior, Third base: He excelled in a breakout season, helping lead upstart Red Hook to the Section 9 Class A semifinals. Russell hit .458 with eight doubles, 26 RBI and 16 steals, earning all-section.
Brice Rider, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Junior, Pitcher/Shortstop: His talents inspire confidence in teammates, and his production helped the Presidents reach the Section 9 Class AA semifinals. The all-section pick went 4-0 with a 2.24 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 34⅓ innings.
John Ryder, Marlboro, Senior, Pitcher/Outfield: His strong arm was a weapon in center field and on the mound, where he often overpowered batters while pitching to a 2.00 ERA. Ryder also batted .453 with two homers, helping the Dukes reach the regional final.
Eric Santaella, Arlington, Senior, Shortstop: Described by coach John Biasotti as "a true five-tool player," Santaella is an excellent contact hitter with great speed. The two-time All-Star batted .537 with 20 walks, 38 runs and 24 stolen bases, earning all-Section 1.
Austin Seipp, John Jay-East Fishkill, Sophomore, Right field: He dazzled in his first varsity season, hitting .400 with two homers, two triples and 15 RBI, and was stellar defensively.
Landon Seipp, John Jay-East Fishkill, Junior, Pitcher: The left-hander earned all-Section 1 after going 5-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 45 innings, despite pitching in a high-powered league.
Second team
OF/P ― Sean Cleary, Lourdes, Sr.
P ― Dan Conrad, Marlboro, Sr.
DH ― Jason Due, Ketcham, Sr.
P/OF ― Tyler Durkin, Ketcham, So.
P ― Mikey Fontaine, Beacon, Sr.
UT ― Connor Gemmell, Highland, Sr.
CF ― Brady Giorgio, Red Hook, Sr.
2B ― AJ Grant, Highland, Sr.
1B ― Bryan Hoyt, Spackenkill, Jr.
3B ― Jason Jackson, Arlington, Sr.
C ― Trajan McCarthy, Haldane, Sr.
OF ― Nick Mondesando, Ketcham, So.
OF ― Robert Paschal, Red Hook, So.
P/OF ― Brodie Rathjen, Pine Plains, Jr.
P ― Joe Ribaudo, Arlington, Sr.
1B/P ― Brendan Rusnack, New Paltz, Sr.
CF ― Dylan Updike, Spackenkill, Sr.
C/OF ― Dom Wisniewski, Pine Plains, Sr.
Honorable mention
Arlington: Logan Pulitano, Sr., P; Tristan Rivera, So., 2B
Beacon: Derrick Heaton, P/SS, Jr.; Ryan Landisi, So., P; Ryan Smith, Jr., INF
Dover: James Escaravarge, Sr., 2B; Mike Ladusch, Sr., P/1B; Billy Sedor, Jr., SS
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Aidan Hartwell, Sr., P/OF; Braydon VanDeWater, Jr., P/1B
Haldane: Jake Hotaling, Jr., INF
Highland: Connor Elliot, So., C; Logan Ellisson, So., 3B; Bradley Gatto, Jr., 1B; James Gesheidle, Sr., OF; Hunter Tomlin, So., P
John Jay: Shane Driscoll, Jr., SS; Landon Stichbury, C, Jr.
Marlboro: Matt Ciarimboli, Jr., 2B; Mitch Neer, Sr., SS; Justin Piscopo, Sr., C; Cooper Vogel, Sr., OF
Millbrook: Andrew Szostak, Sr., OF
New Paltz: Justin Coiteux, Sr., SS/P; Peter Dillehay, Sr., OF
Our Lady of Lourdes: Dylan Conte, Sr., P/OF; Joe Davenport, Sr., C
Pine Plains: Warren Lounsbury, So., SS; Matt Mielich, Sr., 2B; Richard Starzyk, Sr., 1B
Poughkeepsie: Will Matias, Jr., C/P
Rhinebeck: Griffin Giles, Sr., 1B
Red Hook: Dylan Dibble, Jr., 2B; Luca Friedman, So., P; Caden Heeney, So., INF/P; Dylan MacDonald, So., P; Jack Neese, Sr., C
Roy C. Ketcham: Evan Kelly, Jr., INF
Spackenkill: Martin McQuade, So., 3B/P; Ryan Wilsey, Sr., 2B/P
Webutuck: Joe Ferrari, Sr., P; Brennan Laundry, Sr., SS
Coach of the Year
Don Neise, Spackenkill: A season that began with modest expectations ended with the Spartans celebrating a state championship for the second time in three seasons. Under Neise's leadership, Spackenkill overachieved and showed resilience, exemplified by a four-run rally, while down to its last out, to win the section final.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
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