Class 'A' crown appears reachable for Billies
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Scott Steimer is a co-captain and one of two returning All-Western New York players for Williamsville South. Photo by John Rusac Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Some of the players have changed but the goal still remains for the Williamsville South baseball team - win a New York State title.

The Billies lost 1-0 in the Class "A" finals last year to Section I's Our Lady of Lourdes, marking the furthest any Williamsville baseball had ever gone in the postseason.

"We want to get back again and I think we've got the team to do it," said senior co-captain Frank Pieri. "It's the goal and it's reachable."

"We have a lot of guys returning that saw what it takes, not just talent wise but playing together," added senior co-captain Scott Steimer. "I think we'll pull it out this year."

If South, 22-5 last year, is to return to the state final, they have to replace the middle of its defense (catcher, shortstop, second, center field) and compete in a higher ECIC division (III to II).

"We lost some key components so we're going to have to have people step up," said South coach Brian Hansen.

The Billies return 10 seniors, including its outstanding pitching in Pieri, Steimer and Dan Lynch.

Pieri, an All-Western New York first team selection and ECIC Division III's Player of the Year, threw three no-hitters, one of which came in the Billies' 3-0 shutout over Section X's Massena in the state semifinals. He also threw no-hitters against Depew and Maryvale during the regular season. Between the regular season and sectionals, he was 9-0 with a 0.64 ERA. In 55 innings, he threw 62 strikeouts and allowed only 23 hits against 228 batters. His fielding percentage as pitcher and first base was 1.000 with 122 putouts and 90 assists. He also had six completed games.

"He's worked on his fast ball a little bit more and getting movement," said Hansen. "He'll get the ball all of the time in key starts."

Pieri was impressive at the plate last year, hitting .400 with a .513 slugging percentage and leading the team in RBIs (25) and walks (20). He hit .394 in league games. Pieri was also named ECIC first team and South's team MVP.

When Pieri is not pitching, he can play at first base and in the outfield.

Steimer was the team's best hitter during the postseason, hitting .440. He finished with the second highest batting average on the team overall (.411) and in league games (.453). He will be the team's third pitcher this year.

Steimer, an All-WNY honorable mention who was also an ECIC III first team selection, moves from third to shortstop, replacing Joe LaPenna, an All-WNY first team selection, who along with fellow graduate Jon LiSacchi, combined for a school-record 35 double plays.

"I definitely have some big shoes to feel but Joe made sure I got work at shortstop last year because he knew I might be playing it this year," said Steimer.

"He has a strong arm, good range, and hits the ball very well," said Hansen. "I'm expecting a lot out of him."

Lynch, the team's No. 2 thrower, was an ECIC III second team selection and finished with a 1.84 ERA and 53 strikeouts. At the plate, he hit .360. When he's not pitching, he can play at third, short or first.

Sophomore Matt Minervini is the team's No. 4 pitcher and can also play in the infield.

Catching all of these pitches will be senior Greg Reed, who backed up graduate Bryan Karchensky last year.

"He blocks the ball and is an excellent defensive catcher," said Hansen.

Junior Tim Braunscheidel will back up Reed.

Other returning players are seniors Shane Hurley, Chris Couche and Nick Needham in the outfield, and Steve McDermott, who can play at first and will be a designated hitter.

Hurley, who was called up as a sophomore, hit .370 and was an ECIC III second team selection. He replaces James DeVaughn in center field.

"He has a good jump on the ball, a real strong throwing arm and hitting wise, attacks the ball," said Hansen.

Couche and Needham were reserves last year. Junior Andrew Esposito, up from the JV, is challenging for an outfield position.

Alex Walkowski, one of the JV's leading hitters last year, will start at second. Senior P.J. Coppola will back him up.

Senior pitcher Shawn Mooney rounds out the team.

Hansen will be assisted by Dave Delisanti, Bobby Stanko, and Hansen's son, Keith.

South opened its season with a 7-4 win over Lake Shore on Monday. Highlights will appear in the April 11 edition.
        Williamsville South
            2007 Schedule
4-4 Cleveland Hill ........ 4:30 p.m.
4-5 at Albion................. 4:30 p.m.
4-16 at Hamburg .......... 4:30 p.m.
4-17 Maryvale ............... 4:30 p.m.
4-18 at Iroquois............ 4:30 p.m.
4-20 W.S. East ................... 5 p.m.
4-23 at Amherst ........... 4:30 p.m.
4-24 at Batavia ............. 4:30 p.m.
4-25 East ....................... 4:30 p.m.
4-26 Lake Shore........... 4:30 p.m.
4-30 Tonawanda........... 4:30 p.m.
5-2 Hamburg................. 4:45 p.m.
5-3 at Cheektowaga .... 4:30 p.m.
5-4 Iroquois................... 4:30 p.m.
5-7 at W.S. East............ 4:30 p.m.
5-9 Amherst .................. 4:30 p.m.
5-11 at East .................. 4:30 p.m.
5-12 at Hilton Tourn............ TBA
5-14 Sweet Home ........ 4:30 p.m.
5-15 Cheektowaga ....... 4:30 p.m.
5-16 at Maryvale .......... 7:30 p.m.
5-21 at Newfane........... 4:30 p.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com