South needs its younger players stepping up
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

With only five returning players from last year's team, many opponents may think Williamsville South baseball will be an easy win this spring.

"A lot of people may look at us and think, not a lot of experience, huge amount of turnover, they're a team that we can beat," said Williamsville South coach Dave Delisanti. "I disagree."

Four of the five returning players - seniors Andy Esposito and Alex Walkowski and juniors Matt Minervini and Tom LiSacchi - were starters last year. Walkowski and Minervini are back at second and third base, respectively. Esposito and LiSacchi, the team co-captains, will start in center and left field, respectively.

Delisanti said Esposito uses his speed to run down balls in the outfield and steal bases.

"He's also an outstanding leader," said Delisanti. "He makes guys accountable for their actions. He holds them to high expectations."

LiSacchi, a JV call-up last year, led the team in hitting with a .400 batting average. LiSacchi is a left-handed batter and will bat second in the order behind Walkowski.

"Tom is not a flashy player but gets the job done," said Delisanti. "He's very fundamentally sound. He gets a great jump on the ball and can bunt and move runners over."

Delisanti said Walkowski is an aggressive base runner with solid defensive skills that makes things happen in the batting order. Walkowski recorded seven RBIs and scored nine runs last year. He is the team's only returning all-star (ECIC II honorable mention). Junior Joe Ziemecki will back up Walkowski.

Minervini has been on varsity since getting called up at the end of his freshman year.

"The big thing with him is confidence," said Delisanti. "Last year he played like he didn't belong but he has shown the confidence needed this year to secure himself as a solid varsity player."

Minervini is also the only returning pitcher on the staff. Others who can throw are senior Ryan Miller, juniors Zach Murray, Andy Diakun, Christian Kranz and sophomores Daren Powers and Nick Schuh. Delisanti said Kranz, a left-hander, and Schuh should come out of the bullpen.

"We have a lot of depth that is unproven," said Delisanti. "The work ethic is there. It's a matter of the guys stepping up and filling in the roles."

The catching duties will be handled by junior Austin White or senior Tim Braunscheidel. As of press time, White is the starter but Delisanti said Braunscheidel has been pushing him and will see significant playing time.

Delisanti said for White to be successful, he needs to be committed and focused.

"He will be an outstanding catcher if he does those things," said Delisanti. "He has all of the tools."

Braunscheidel has been in the South baseball program for five years and was on varsity last year.

At shortstop, it will either be freshman Phil Stasiak or Schuh. Both can also play in the outfield.

Murray or Powers will play at first base depending on if one is pitching. Powers hit over .400 on JV. Murray will also back up Minervini at third.

The starting right field position is between senior Matt Handley, Schuh and Miller.

Junior Jon Sherman is a backup outfielder. He previously played at third base on JV.

Junior shortstop/second baseman Evan Murphy rounds out the team.

"We have a lot of depth on the bench that we can plug to fill in at different spots," said Delisanti.

Delisanti thinks defense and potentially the team's offense could be team strengths with pitching and inexperience as the biggest question marks.

"Our inexperience is our biggest problem," said Delisanti. "These kids have had good success on modified and JV but now have to take it to the next level."

Delisanti replaces long-time coach Brian Hansen, who died in January. Delisanti served as a varsity coach with the team last year. Previously, he was South's JV coach.

"I hope to keep the same reputation that Brian had with his teams - character, sportsmanship, and class, win or lose," said Delisanti.

The entire South baseball program will wear No. 7 (Hansen's jersey number) on their hats in memory of him. His No. 7 jersey will be retired before South plays Maryvale at South on April 29. Maryvale is coached by Hansen's son, Kurt.

Delisanti will be assisted by Ryan Hayes (work with infield) and South grads Alex DiNunzio (work with outfielders) and C.J. Ahrens (work with pitchers).

South is scheduled to open at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 7 at Amherst.

"We're a talented team but not talented enough to win on talent alone," said Delisanti. "Our expectations are still pretty high. We're going to take it inning by inning and hopefully, we'll have the results at the end of the year."

South finished 10-10 last year and lost in the Section VI Class A semifinals against Dunkirk.

South's new JV coach is Carmen Panaro.
Williamsville South 2008
Schedule
4-7 at Amherst ............. 4:30 p.m.
4-9 Hamburg...................... 5 p.m.
4-21 at Iroquois............ 4:45 p.m.

4-23 W.S. East .............. 4:45 p.m.
4-24 Sweet Home ........ 4:30 p.m.
4-28 East ....................... 4:30 p.m.
4-29 Maryvale ............... 4:30 p.m.
4-30 at Lake Shore ...... 4:45 p.m.
5-2 at Hamburg ............ 4:45 p.m.
5-5 at Sweet Home...... 4:45 p.m.
5-6 at North .................. 4:30 p.m.
5-7 Iroquois................... 4:30 p.m.
5-9 at W.S. East............ 4:45 p.m.
5-13 Lancaster.............. 4:45 p.m.
5-14 at East .................. 4:30 p.m.
5-15 Lake Shore........... 4:30 p.m.
5-19 Amherst ................ 4:30 p.m.
5-20 Cheektowaga ....... 4:30 p.m.
5-22 Starpoint............... 4:30 p.m.