SEASON PREVIEW - ICC BASEBALL

Greg Dedrick
ccSCOOP Sports Editor

04-03-09 - Although the Patroon Conference often gets little respect from their Section II compatriots in most sports, the league has staked its claim as an elite-level conference in at least one sport: baseball. Last season, the league had a number of strong teams scattered throughout four classifications. Rensselaer was solid in Class C, Maple Hill was very good in Class CC, Cairo-Durham and Catskill fell one game shy of sectional bids in Class B, and Coxsackie-Athens made it into the first round of the post-season. The four Columbia County teams represented the league well. Although Taconic Hills was a bit down, both Hudson and Chatham were very good in Class B. Chatham was so good, in fact, that they captured the Section II crown and made a run to the State Finals, while Ichabod Crane shocked many as they captured their second straight Section II Class A title. After speaking with some coaches and players from our four Patroon Conference Columbia County teams, we’ll take a look at what they expect from this upcoming season.

ICHABOD CRANE
With new coach Jack Brady at the helm and with returning junior pitchers Derick Horn and Josh Ingham, the Riders are looking for their third straight Section II Class A title this season. Taking over a championship, battle-tested team as a new coach has been an interesting experience for Brady. "It was humbling for both player and coach. They were coming off a sectional run, and I especially had no idea who they were or what positions they played," said Brady via email. "I had to learn the players’ names. It really didn’t take me long. I would have fun with them and call them a different name or a nickname, all in good fun of course."

"I feel like the team is coming along quite well," said Josh Ingham. "It took a couple of practices to learn some new things and adjust to his coaching style, but he is a great guy and a good coach.”

"He [Brady] is keeping us focused and working hard so it will pay off in the end," added Derick Horn.

"We have talent," said Brady. "They have a bull’s-eye on their jerseys."

Looking forward to this season, the talented pitching duo certainly has lofty goals. "We have not won a Patroon [title] since my 8th grade year, so that is a goal we have as a team," said Horn. "We have come up with the same goal we had last year and the year before, and that is to win the last game we play in," said Ingham. "We are excited for a fun season and hopefully another long run in the post season" Ingham added.

Looking toward some important players this season for his Riders, Brady has already figured out who to lean on. "Josh Ingham and Derick Horn are both pitchers and infielders. They have been through the sectional wars, and although they are only juniors, they have been on varsity for a number of years.

"Alex Issler is our senior catcher and has shown great leadership. Seth Williams will have to play third and both middle infield spots. Seth is definitely baseball savvy.

"Bryan Smith, a sophomore, has shown steady improvement the past few weeks, and we’re waiting on our other senior captain, Trevor Zolner, who has an injury," Brady added.

The Riders aren’t about to look past the other teams in the league, and both Ingham and Horn have taken notice of other top players in the league. "Jaime Schultz from Maple Hill is always fun to watch," said Ingham. "Justin Brantley from Hudson is a great pitcher, he has some great stuff, and Brian Gauthier from Chatham has impressive skills." Horn agreed with Ingham’s thoughts keying in on Schultz and Brantley as well. "They have both signed Division I scholarships, which has always been a goal for me. Playing against them makes you want to perform at a higher level."

Humble before the season begins, Brady was quick to point out those who have been helping him along the way. "I have super coaches in Marty Muscatiello and Skip Ingham. They are very knowledgeable of the game and supportive of me. Mr. Paul Thompson, the Athletic Director, has been extremely helpful and supportive. He wanted a veteran coach and he got one. He left this team with a heavy heart. This is his team, actually, and I’m just trying to continue the Riders’ baseball tradition." Ichabod kicks off its league season on Friday when they host Cairo-Durham.