Baseball: Riley Weatherwax, Owen Paino headline the Journal's 2023 All-Stars
Player of the Year
Owen Paino
School: Roy C. Ketcham
Grade: Junior
Position: Shortstop, pitcher
Vital stats: A heralded talent whom some experts project as a MLB draft prospect next spring, Paino put forth another remarkable season and added the only thing missing from his high school resume: a state championship. The Ole Miss commit again excelled as a hitter and pitcher, leading Ketcham to its first Class AA state title since 2005. Paino batted .425 with 35 RBI, showed range and a strong arm at short, and went 4-0 with a 1.05 ERA. That performance earned him Journal Player of the Year honors for a second straight season.
Pitcher of the Year
Riley Weatherwax
School: Roy C. Ketcham
Grade: Junior
Position: Pitcher, third base
Vital stats: Described by his coach Pat Mealy as having "electric stuff," Weatherwax blossomed into an ace and became more dominant down the stretch. The right-hander complements a hard fastball with an excellent slider and changeup, and that arsenal befuddled offenses in the playoffs. He pitched six scoreless innings in the Section 1 final and threw a three-hitter in the state final, stifling high-powered Commack. Weatherwax went 9-0 with a 0.79 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 52 innings and was voted all-Section 1 and Dutchess County's Large School Pitcher of the Year.
No hits, no problem: Ketcham edges Commack for Class AA baseball state title
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The rest of the first team
Dylan Boenig, Spackenkill, So., C: Thrust into a challenging role as the starting catcher, the sophomore proved to be a burgeoning star. Boenig hit .415 with a 1.008 OPS and 16 RBI and was solid defensively, throwing out six base runners and directing a strong pitching staff.
Kevin Camacho, Ketcham, Sr., C: He was stellar defensively, instinctive and athletic behind the plate, and helped guide a dominant pitching staff en route to the state title. Camacho also is an excellent contact hitter who lashed line drives, batting .414 and striking out only once.
Tony Drewnowski, New Paltz, Sr., SS: A superb athlete who earned Journal All-Star honors in three sports, Drewnowski dazzled defensively and batted .450 with 12 steals, leading the Huguenots in a turnaround season.
Connor Durkin, Ketcham, Jr., CF: An excellent athlete whose speed often is displayed in the outfield and on the bases, Durkin also enjoyed a breakout season at the plate. He batted .452 with 33 RBI and 14 steals, starred in the playoffs, and was voted all-Section 1 and the Dutchess County Player of the Year.
Vinny Fusco, John Jay-East Fishkill, Sr., P: The New Haven commit excelled on the mound and at the plate, leading the Patriots to the Section 1 Class AA semifinals. The left-hander went 5-1 with a 1.29 ERA and 80 strikeouts, and posted a 1.001 OPS with a homer and 17 RBI, earned League 1-A Pitcher of the Year and all-section honors.
Derrick Heaton, Beacon, So., P/SS: He went 5-2 with a 3.22 ERA and delivered in pressure situations while leading the Bulldogs to the Section 9 Class A semifinals. The all-Dutchess selection has poise and excellent control, which bodes well for his future.
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James Gescheidle, Highland, Jr., CF: His excellent contact skills allowed him to put his speed to use. Gescheidle hit .463 with 30 runs and was successful on all 35 stolen base attempts, helping upstart Highland reach the Section 9 Class B semifinals.
Brady Giorgio, Red Hook, Jr., CF: An all-Dutchess County pick, he flashed his athleticism and led a Raiders revival, getting them to the Section 9 Class B playoffs. Giorgio hit .375 with a .500 OBP and 11 steals.
Nick Huchro, Arlington, Sr., P: The Pace University commit went 5-2 with a 2.20 ERA, anchoring the pitching staff as the rebuilding offense found its footing. Huchro also dominated in his playoff start, leading the Admirals to the Section 1 Class AA quarterfinals.
Richie Lamping, Pine Plains, Sr., C: He was excellent behind the plate, clutch offensively, and brought leadership. Lamping's five-year varsity tenure bridged the Bombers' sectional dynasty run, their rebuilding years, and this resurgent season. The all-Dutchess County selection helped Pine Plains reach the Section 9 Class C final.
Jack Maiale, New Paltz, So., 3B/P: He already has assumed a leadership role, in words and performance, leading New Paltz to the Section 9 Class A quarterfinals. Maiale hit .406 with 20 runs and went 5-1.
Ryan Mealy, Ketcham, Jr., P: The right-hander was solid throughout, but stellar in the postseason, delivering signature performances in the subregional and state semifinals. Mealy went 9-0 with a 1.39 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 53 innings, earning all-Section 1 honors.
Spencer Natoli, John Jay-East Fishkill, So., P: The right-hander tossing a no-hitter in his first varsity start was a harbinger of things to come. The sophomore emerged as a standout, going 4-1 with a 1.66 ERA and showing his poise in the playoffs.
Linus Oudom, Spackenkill, So., P: On a team with championship expectations, the 10th-grader stepped into an important role and thrived. The right-hander went 5-1 with 2.08 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 43⅓ innings. He was voted the Dutchess County Small School Pitcher of the Year.
Eric Santaella, Arlington, Jr., SS: A sparkplug who hit for average, got on base consistently and was a constant threat when there, Santaella enjoyed a breakout season. He batted .421 with 21 runs and 10 stolen bases, earning all-Section 1 honors.
Michael Schiavone, Ketcham, Sr., LF: The consummate leadoff hitter, Schiavone was disciplined at the plate, typically worked long counts and got himself on base. His .515 OBP provided a consistent spark atop this explosive lineup.
Andrew Speranza, Spackenkill, Sr., P/OF: The Spartans' defense of their state championship was hampered by major injuries, but Speranza remained the constant. The lefty excelled, going 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 39⅓ innings, leading an undermanned squad to the Section 9 Class B title. The St. Thomas Aquinas commit also posted a 1.021 OPS with 26 RBI and 20 runs, and was voted Dutchess County Small School Player of the Year.
Ian Warren, Highland, Sr., C: He was an offensive force at a position not typically known for that. Warren hit .524 with two homers and 28 RBI and drew 22 walks, leading the Huskies' breakout season.
Second team
OF ― Tommy Benfer, Marlboro, So.
P/2B ― Aidan Damon, Pine Plains, Sr.
UT/P ― Matt Dubois, Highland, Sr.
2B ― Andrew Farina, John Jay, Sr.
RF/P ― Tyler Durkin, Ketcham, Fr.
3B ― Mikey Fontaine, Beacon, Jr.
SS ― Freddy Heymach, Pawling, Sr.
SS/P ― Carter Hines, Rhinebeck, Sr.
CF ― Mike Lynn, New Paltz, Sr.
P/1B ― Charlie Lyons, Lourdes, Jr.
OF ― Jake Manco, Arlington, Sr.
C ― Trajan McCarthy, Haldane, Jr.
3B ― Mitch Neer, Marlboro, Jr.
C ― Jack Neese, Red Hook, Jr.
2B ― Luke Picone, Ketcham, Jr.
SS/P ― Brice Rider, Franklin D. Roosevelt, So.
P ― Michael Secor, Highland, So.
P ― Eric Servellon, Arlington, P, Sr.
OF/P ― Joey Vollaro, Beacon, Sr.
OF ― Dylan Updike, Spackenkill, Jr.
3B ― Carter Usher, Spackenkill, Sr.
Coach of the Year
Pat Mealy, Ketcham: The team fulfilled its potential and even exceeded the lofty expectations, crafting for itself a season for the ages. Mealy didn't permit complacency, demanding excellence and emphasizing even the minute details, and the group responded. Ketcham (28-2) rebound from a loss in the double-elimination Section 1 semifinals, then surged to capture the Class AA state championship.
Honorable mention
Arlington: Jack Davis, P, Sr.; Joe Ruppert, C, Sr.
Beacon: Jackson Atwell, CF, Jr.; Liam Murphy, C, Jr.; Ryan Smith, 2B, So.
Dover: Collin Russell, P, Fr.; David Torrance, 2B, Sr.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Tyler Nolan, 2B/P, So.
Haldane: Jake Hotaling, 1B, So.
Highland: Leland Dubois, SS, So.; Logan Ellison, 3B, Fr.; Bradley Gatto, 1B, So.; A.J. Grant, 2B, Jr.; Hunter Tomlin, P, Fr.
John Jay: Shane Driscoll, SS, So.; Brady Feliciotto, CF, Jr.; Aidan Gallagher, LF, Jr.; Dante Mandile, RF, Sr.; Landon Stichbury, C, So.; Hayden Tarsia, P, Sr.
Marlboro: Nick Gephard, P, Sr.; Justin Piscopo, C, Jr.; John Ryder, P, Jr.; Jack Schlagler, Utility, Sr.
Millbrook: Dominic Lapine, CF, Sr.
New Paltz: Justin Coiteux, 2B/P, Jr.; Peter Dillehay, 1B, Jr.; Brendan Rusnack, DH/P, Jr.
Our Lady of Lourdes: Richie Bosser, C, Sr.; Anthony Darrow, 2B/OF, Sr.
Pawling: Jack Barrett, C, Sr.
Pine Plains: Brodie Rathjen, OF, Sr.; Rich Starzyk, 1B/P, Jr.
Red Hook: Michael Barratt, P/OF, Jr.; Dylan Dibble, P/2B, So.; Austin Litton, SS/P, Jr.; Charlie Lueck, 1B, Jr.; Karl Russell, INF/P, So.;
Rhinebeck: Richie Dentico, OF/P/C, Sr.; Griffin Giles, 1B/OF/P, Jr.; Alex Kemnitzer, OF, Sr.
Roy C. Ketcham: Keaton Blackwood, P, Sr.; Jason Due, INF/P, Jr.
Spackenkill: Bryan Hoyt, 1B, So.
Webutuck: Brennan Laundry, INF/P, Jr.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Baseball: Paino, Weatherwax are among the Journal's 2023 All-Stars