SEASON IN REVIEW: TACONIC HILLS BASEBALL

Greg Dedrick
ccSCOOP Sports Editor

07-02-09 - It was a rough year for Taconic Hills baseball as they struggled to string together victories and could not close out some games. At times the Titans’ pitching and defense was solid, but they could not get the runs; at other times their offense was potent, but they couldn’t slow down their opponents.
 
Nearly half the Titans’ roster this season was made up of seniors, but that was not enough to change the course of their season, although having so many upperclassmen on the team will surely help the younger players who are returning next year.
 
Third basemen Scott Decker was one of the better players at the "hot corner" in the Patroon Conference this year. His ability to play defense and hit the ball at the plate helped him to be a leader. Tucker McNamee, another senior, roamed centerfield and also hit at the top of the order. Those two seniors were named to the Patroon Conference Exceptional Senior All-Star game against the Central Hudson Valley All Stars.
 
The Titans will also lose some other crucial pieces, including infielder Dylan Hotaling and pitchers Josh Weisner and Nick Warren. Warren was also the short stop for the Titans, always a difficult position to replace.
 
Eyeing next year, the Titans will not return a ton of bodies but will return some serious talent, including Mike Jacobsen. The tall lefty manned both first base and the mound for Taconic Hills this year while being named to the Second Team All Conference. Returning for his senior year, Jacobsen will be counted on heavily as the team’s top pitcher and hitter on a young squad.
 
Other returnees are expected to include versatile athlete Pat Lydon, who can pitch, play first base, and the outfield along with being a weapon at the plate. One spot the Titans won’t have to worry about replacing is catcher, where Dylan Nardin can play there, or replace Hotaling at second. Senior to be Ben Saunders has the ability to play in the outfield but will more than likely be looked at to replace Decker at third.