Baseball district wrap

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

Athens defeats Troy in opener, but falls in district semifinal to Eisenhower

Mike Morris had a very simple idea of the 2009 baseball season before it began.

“I figured with our overall youth and inexperience, this would be a rebuilding year,” said Morris, the Troy Athens skipper. “But looking back on everything, I have to admit, this is probably the year I will take the most pride in as far as coaching is concerned.”

Athens wrapped up the 2009 season May 30 following a 9-3 Division 1 district semifinal loss to Utica Eisenhower. The Red Hawks earned a trip to the semifinal after defeating Troy High 5-2 in the district opener.

They finished the season with a 12-16 overall record.

“These kids really came along as the year went on,” Morris said. “I knew this year would be a lot of work with the youth we had in the starting lineup, but they came together and worked through the difficulties. Over the past couple weeks, when everything started coming together, this was a pretty special team to be around.”

Morris said there are as many as six starters who could return, including sophomore Jake Duzey, who was called up from the junior varsity two weeks ago and slugged five home runs in 36 at bats.

“You hate losing, and you hate giving that final speech to the seniors, but I think the younger guys we have here have learned a lot from this year,” Morris added. “This program is certainly moving in the right direction.”

Colts end up-and-down season

A year ago, Frank DiVito guided his Troy baseball squad to the Division 1 semifinals. So naturally, the first-round exit in this season’s playoff was somewhat of a letdown.

“I think we felt we could have been better,” DiVito said of the year, which ended with an 18-15 record. “Returning five starters from a final four team with a pitching staff that was pretty deep, we felt we had the guys to make another run.”

Troy graduates seven seniors, but could return as many as eight players from this season’s squad.

“We’re keeping things positive right now,” DiVito said. “We’ve got some good, young kids in the program. Our freshman team had a great year, and there are some good players on the junior varsity. I expect us to be pretty good in the future.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.