TICONDEROGA - After winning five straight section championships, the Ticonderoga baseball team may face its biggest challenge in 2010.
Coach Dan Dorsett has lost most of his offensive fire power and a trusted adviser, assistant coach Rick McClintock.
"As always we have big goals and are looking for our sixth straight Section VII Class C title but this year may be our biggest test yet," Dorsett said. "The team needs to continue to work hard and not be complacent with past success."
Ticonderoga was 15-1 in winning the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference Division II crown in 2009 and 17-3 overall.
With an untested offense, the Sentinels will rely on pitching this spring. Robert teRiele, Nate Laundree and Tanner Purkey return to the hill. They're joined by rookies Bobby Grey, Tyler Tucker and Kody Whitford.
Laundree and teRiele each posted 5-0 records in 2009.
"Our strong point is that we bring back three pitchers in teRiele, Laundree and Purkey who all did well last year on the varsity," Dorsett said. "Newcomers Grey, Tucker and Whitford will need to pitch this year as well to keep people fresh with our 20 game schedule.
teRiele will play third and first base, Laundree will man third and first, Purkey will play second and short, Grey will roam the outfield, Tucker will be at second and Whitford will play in the infield and catch - when not pitching.
Offensively Ti lost its top hitter (Anthony Barnao .526), leading run producer (Tyler Bush 27 RBI) and scorer (Steven Lenhart).
Ticonderoga will rely on catcher Todd Carr, Laundree and teRiele to spark the offense.
"Our biggest offensive producers have graduated, but we still have Todd Carr in his fourth season on the varsity, along with Nate Laundree and Robert teRiele, who should help carry some of the load offensively," Dorsett said. "This season we will really have to manufacture runs at times."
Rounding out the line up are shortstop Robert Kearns and outfielders Bryant Austin, Miles Genier, Dan Morrison, FRank Jebb and Nate Lenhart. Morrison will also see time behind the plate.
Assisting Dorsett with the coaching duties are Scott Nephew and Nate Yaw.
Sentinel schedule
April 19....at AVCS
April 21....Moriah
April 23....Lake Placid
April 26....at Beekmantown
April 28....NCCS
April 29....at NAC
May 4.......Peru
May 6.......Seton
May 8.......at Plattsburgh
May 11.....AVCS
May 13.....Saranac
May 14.....at Moriah
May 17.....NAC
May 18... at Saranac Lake
May 20...at Lake Placid
May 22...vs Btown @ Cooperstown Doubleday Field
May 25....at Seton
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