Hornets open up the baseball season with razor-thin non-league victories

HONESDALE — Under the direction of head coach Ernie Griffis, Honesdale’s varsity baseball team enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in program history last spring.

The Hornets powered their way to an 19-6 overall record en route to their first Lackawanna League division title in more than two decades. They also finished as runners-up in the District 2 Class 4A tournament.

And while the Red & Black suffered significant losses to graduation, a talented nucleus of veteran players returns fueling local fans’ hopes of another title run.

“I’ve seen a lot of positive things from our older kids,” Griffis said. “They’re showing good leadership by taking some of their younger teammates aside and helping them. We’re already starting to build really good team morale.”

Following a couple of early scrimmages, Honesdale opened up the regular season slate this week with two non-league games.

More: Honesdale varsity baseball team entering a new era this spring

Also by Kevin Edwards: Western Wayne baseball team will look to challenge for a division title this spring

On Tuesday, the Hornets posted a thrilling 1-0 win over Crestwood. They followed that up with a 4-3 decision against Wilkes Barre Area on Wednesday afternoon.

“We pitched well as I thought we would,” Griffis said. “It’s obviously very early in the season, but I’m definitely pleased that we came away with two wins.”

Weather permitting, Honesdale will begin the Lackawanna League campaign on the road at Dunmore. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Razor-thin wins

Honesdale played its first regular season game on its new artificial turf Tuesday and definitely gave fans their money’s worth against Crestwood.

The Hornets and Comets battled their way through seven scoreless innings thanks to brilliant pitching and sparkling defense.

Peter Modrovsky drew the starting mound assignment for the Hornets. The senior southpaw pitched four innings of shutout ball, allowing just one hit while striking out six and walking three.

“I’m definitely happy with the start,” Modrovsky said. “My fastball velocity and location were good. Just trying to hit my spots and work in my off-speed stuff.”

Modrovsky handed the ball off to Brody Patrisso in relief after 60 pitches. A hard-throwing righty, Patrisso took over in the top of the fifth and immediately began pounding the zone.

Patrisso would go on to work the final four frames en route to the win, surrendering only one hit while walking two and fanning three.

“Brody worked his tail off in the weight room and it shows,” Griffis said. “He throws hard, has good command of his pitches and keeps the ball down.”

Offensively, the Hornets were held in check by Crestwood pitching until the bottom of the eighth inning. Modrovsky got things going by lining a single to center. He moved up on a walk and then sprinted home when catcher Grant Tonkin ripped the game-winner up the alley in right center.

Less than 24 hours later, Honesdale was right back on the turf for another non-league tussle, this one with Wilkes Barre Area.

The Hornets got on the board first with one run in the home half of the fourth. Starting pitcher Bryce Dressler made that stand up, working five scoreless frames and piling up seven strikeouts.

Nate Greene came on to relieve in the top of the sixth and struggled a bit. The fireballing righty was nicked for three unearned runs as the Wolfpack took a 3-1 lead.

Fortunately for Greene, he was given a golden opportunity to atone and made the most of it. The slugging senior battled his way to a full count before launching a towering shot off the right field fence that gave his team a wild 4-3 win.

“I had just given up a couple of runs in the top of the inning so I was just looking to hit something hard,” Greene said. “I fouled off a bunch of pitches and was trying to stay alive. He threw me a fastball up and away and I went with it.”

Eyes on the prize

Honesdale begins defense of its league crown this coming week.

The Hornets will once again be competing in a newly realigned Division II against the likes of Western Wayne, Old Forge, Lakeland, Dunmore, Riverside, Mid Valley and Holy Cross.

Despite losing several key players to graduation, the Hornets figure to be right in the thick of the championship chase.

“To set goals as high as last season would be lofty,” Modrovsky said. “I’m just trying to play the best baseball I can and do everything to try and help us win.”

Greene agrees.

“I think we have a great chance in he league and in the playoffs,” he said. “Our team is really unselfish and we all work together very well.”

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale posts narrow wins in early season baseball action