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Baseball: Meet the 2024 Nine Who Shine and the Poughkeepsie Journal's players to watch

stephen haynes, poughkeepsie journal
·5 min read

For the second straight year, the high school baseball season concluded with a local team hoisting a state championship plaque, showcasing the quality of players and programs in this area.

After surging to its first state title since 2005, Roy C. Ketcham returned the bulk of its core and is again expected to contend. Despite being besieged by injuries last spring during a defense of its state championship, Spackenkill managed to capture another Section 9 crown and has several key players back.

With consideration to past performance and team success, and with potential factored, the Journal selected some of the stars who are expected to shine brightly this spring and several others who should stand out.

2024 Nine Who Shine

Spackenkill's Dan Collins bats during the NYSPHSAA championship baseball game at Binghamton University in Vestal, NY on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
Spackenkill's Dan Collins bats during the NYSPHSAA championship baseball game at Binghamton University in Vestal, NY on Saturday, June 11, 2022.

Dan Collins

School: Spackenkill

Grade: Senior

Position: Centerfielder, shortstop, pitcher

What makes Dan shine? He is an exceptional athlete with a versatile skillset, allowing him to flourish in several roles. The Cortland commit returns after missing last season following elbow surgery, and the Spartans regain a standout who twice has twice earned Journal All-Star honors, twice was voted Dutchess County's Small-Schools Player of the Year, and who dazzled during their 2022 run to a state championship. Collins that season hit .553 with 32 runs, 31 RBI and 14 steals, and pitched to a 1.05 ERA.

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Roy C. Ketcham's Connor Durkin makes a diving catch of a fly ball against Arlington during a May 17, 2023 baseball game.
Roy C. Ketcham's Connor Durkin makes a diving catch of a fly ball against Arlington during a May 17, 2023 baseball game.

Connor Durkin

School: Roy C. Ketcham

Grade: Senior

Position: Centerfielder

What makes Connor shine? He is a consistent force at the plate and a defensive standout whose athleticism contributes to several spectacular plays in the outfield. The Cortland commit was voted Player of the Year by the Dutchess County Coaches Association after hitting .452 with 33 RBI and 14 stolen bases, helping Ketcham win the Class AA state championship.

New Paltz pitcher Jack Maiale delivers a pitch against Red Hook during an April 26, 2023 baseball game.
New Paltz pitcher Jack Maiale delivers a pitch against Red Hook during an April 26, 2023 baseball game.

Jack Maiale

School: New Paltz

Grade: Junior

Position: Shortstop, pitcher

What makes Jack shine? He is a superb athlete who has excelled at multiple positions and in different roles, and he helped lead the Huguenots to a turnaround season last spring. Maiale batted .406 with 20 runs and went 5-1 as a starting pitcher as upstart New Paltz reached the Section 9 Class A quarterfinals.

Ketcham's Ryan Mealy yells excitedly after scoring a run during a Class AA baseball regional final against Elmira on June 3, 2023.
Ketcham's Ryan Mealy yells excitedly after scoring a run during a Class AA baseball regional final against Elmira on June 3, 2023.

Ryan Mealy

School: Roy C. Ketcham

Grade: Senior

Position: Pitcher, first base

What makes Ryan shine? The Monmouth commit was among the better pitchers throughout the season last spring, but he made his imprint with dominant performances in the playoffs as Ketcham went on to win the Class AA state title. The right-hander went 9-0 with a 1.39 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 53 innings.

John Jay-East Fishkill baseball player Spencer Natoli poses for a photo. The sophomore pitched a no-hitter in his first varsity start on March 27, 2023.
John Jay-East Fishkill baseball player Spencer Natoli poses for a photo. The sophomore pitched a no-hitter in his first varsity start on March 27, 2023.

Spencer Natoli

School: John Jay-East Fishkill

Grade: Junior

Position: Pitcher

What makes Spencer shine? He enjoyed a breakout season as a sophomore, 4-1 with a 1.66 ERA, including a no-hitter in his first varsity start. The right-hander helped the Patriots reach the Section 1 Class AA semifinals.

Spackenkill's Linus Oudom readies to deliver a pitch against Albertus Magnus during a Class B baseball subregional on June 1, 2023.
Spackenkill's Linus Oudom readies to deliver a pitch against Albertus Magnus during a Class B baseball subregional on June 1, 2023.

Linus Oudom

School: Spackenkill

Grade: Junior

Position: Pitcher, shortstop

What makes Linus shine? He assumed a significant role as injuries ravaged the roster, and the sophomore delivered, helping lead Spackenkill to a second straight Section 9 Class B championship. The right-hander was voted Dutchess County Small-Schools Pitcher of the Year after going 5-1 with 2.08 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings.

Ketcham's Owen Paino runs toward first base during the Class AA baseball state final against Commack on June 10, 2023. Paino is projected to be selected in the MLB draft this summer.
Ketcham's Owen Paino runs toward first base during the Class AA baseball state final against Commack on June 10, 2023. Paino is projected to be selected in the MLB draft this summer.

Owen Paino

School: Roy C. Ketcham

Grade: Senior

Position: Shortstop

What makes Owen shine? Regarded among the top high school players in the country, Paino is an Ole Miss commit whom some scouts believe will be selected early in the MLB draft. With a compact left-handed swing, he hit .425 with 35 RBI last season in addition to smooth defensive play, earning himself Journal Player of the Year honors for the second time. Paino also pitched to a 1.05 ERA.

Arlington's Eric Santaella connects with a pitch against Ketcham during a Section 1 Class AA baseball quarterfinal on May 17, 2023.
Arlington's Eric Santaella connects with a pitch against Ketcham during a Section 1 Class AA baseball quarterfinal on May 17, 2023.

Eric Santaella

School: Arlington

Grade: Senior

Position: Shortstop

What makes Eric shine? A contact hitter with excellent speed and base-running instincts, he was a sparkplug for a retooled Admirals offense and helped lead them to the Section 1 Class AA quarterfinals. Santaella batted .421 with 21 runs and 10 steals.

Riley Weatherwax went the distance on the mound for Ketcham in a 2-1 win over Commack in the NYSPHSAA Class AA baseball final June 10, 2023 at Mirabito Stadium in Binghamton.
Riley Weatherwax went the distance on the mound for Ketcham in a 2-1 win over Commack in the NYSPHSAA Class AA baseball final June 10, 2023 at Mirabito Stadium in Binghamton.

Riley Weatherwax

School: Roy C. Ketcham

Grade: Senior

Position: Pitcher

What makes Riley shine? The Penn State commit flourished last season, improving as the season continued, and eventually pitched a three-hitter in the state final, leading Ketcham to the Class AA crown. With a changeup and hard slider complementing a power fastball, he went 9-0 with a 0.79 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 52 innings last season.

Others to watch

Jackson Atwell, Beacon, OF, Sr.; Michael Barratt, Red Hook, OF/P, Sr.; Thomas Benfer, Marlboro, P/OF, Jr.; Owen Brink, Roosevelt, CF, Sr.; Sean Cleary, Lourdes, P, Sr.; Justin Coiteux, New Paltz, CF/P, Sr.; Dylan Conte, Lourdes, OF/P, Sr.; Austin DiGregorio, Roosevelt, Utility, Sr.; Peter Dillehay, New Paltz, 1B/P, Sr.; Shane Driscoll, John Jay, SS, Jr.; Tyler Durkin, Ketcham, P/OF, So.; Brady Feliciotto, John Jay, OF, Sr.; Joe Ferrari, Webutuck, P, Sr.; Mikey Fontaine, Beacon, 3B, Sr.; Camron Fried, Millbrook, SS, Jr.; Aidan Gallagher, John Jay, OF, Sr.; James Gescheidle, Highland, CF, Sr.; Griffin Giles, Rhinebeck, 1B/OF, Sr.; Brady Giorgio, Red Hook, OF, Sr.; Jeremy Hall, Haldane, OF/1B, Sr.; Derrick Heaton, Beacon, P/SS, Jr.; Jake Hotaling, Haldane, 1B, Jr.; Bryan Hoyt, Spackenkill, 1B/P, Jr.; Jason Jackson, Arlington, 3B, Sr.; Mike Ladusch, Dover, 1B/P, Sr.; Ryan Landisi, Beacon, P, So.;  Brennan Laundry, Webutuck, P, Sr.; Warren Lounsbury, Pine Plains, SS/P, So.; Charlie Luecke, Red Hook, 1B, Sr.; Charlie Lyons, Lourdes, P/INF, Sr.; Corey Martin, Poughkeepsie, P, Sr.; Will Matias, Poughkeepsie, C/P, Jr.; Trajan McCarthy, Haldane, INF, Sr.; Tim McCormack, Arlington, Utility, Jr.; Nick Mondesando, Ketcham, OF, Sr.; Liam Murphy, Beacon, C, Sr.; Tyler Nolan, Roosevelt, P/2B, Jr.; Mitch Neer, Marlboro, INF, Sr.; Luke Picone, Ketcham, 2B/SS, Sr.; Brodie Rathjen, Pine Plains, P/Utility, Jr.; Brice Rider, Roosevelt, SS/P, Jr.; John Ryder, Marlboro, P/SS, Sr.; Brendan Rusnack, New Paltz, 1B/P, Sr.; Collin Russell, Dover, SS/P/C, So.; Michael Secor, Highland, P, Jr.; Billy Sedor, Dover, SS/CF/P, Jr.; Landon Seipp, John Jay, P/1B, Jr.; Andrew Szostak, Millbrook, OF/IF, Sr.; Hunter Tomlin, Highland, P, So.; Dylan Updike, Spackenkill, OF, Sr.; Griffin White, Arlington, 1B, Jr.; Dom Wisniewski, Pine Plains, C, Sr.

Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Baseball: The Journal's 2024 Nine Who Shine and players to watch