2/24: Redwood Baseball has been on the field since February 5th and wrapped up their practice schedule with a scrimmage against Riordan in the bitter cold on Saturday.
Coach Firenzi gets the ground rules at Riordan on a sunny but bitter cold day
All three clubs walked away with wins, with the Freshman squad claiming the largest margin of victory in their respective un-scored, non-league, unofficial final tune-up shutting out Riordan 16-0. “I think we are going to see a lot of scores like that this year from our younger guys, both the Freshman and the Junior Varsity teams are going to be very good this year”, Head Coach Mike Firenzi said.
The Varsity Team will also be strong in 2018 with fifteen returning players and six new additions filling out their twenty-one man roster. Returning starting catcher Mackie Skall along with Juniors Jake Nordstrom and Sam Warren will drop the signs to a strong pitching staff. Seniors Oliver Pearson, Josh Cohen, Blake Cusick, Andreas Gleckman along with Juniors Kyle Felder, Robbie Wilson, Jackson Bender and Sophomore Nick Welch round out a very deep pitching core.
2017 First Team All-MCAL Dane Goodman adjusts to a ball to center at Riordan
Returning players Michael Connors, Genki LeClair, Pascal Brassey, Jackson Barry, two-time All-MCAL Anthony Pomilia, and Dio Cornet (who transferred from the Dominican Republic to Redwood for his senior year), along with Wilson will represent the Giants in the infield. Returners Jack Morkin, Drew Jacks, and 2017 First Team All-MCAL Dane Goodman, along with Warren, Wilson and Cohen will patrol the expanses of the outfield.
When asked about how he felt about how the Varsity team played on Saturday and his outlook for the season Firenzi’s face lit up with excitement. “I think we gave up just one hit and threatened on offense just about every inning today. We played defense and only made a few mistakes. We are deep in all positions. We have all the pieces to the puzzle, we are still figuring out where everything fit…but we are close. As long as we stay healthy, we will compete this year.
The Varsity Giants open their pre-season campaign at Moody on Tuesday, 2/27 at 3:30. They will turn-around and face off against Casa Grande on Wednesday, 2/28 at 3:30 and round out the week with game against Bishop O’Dowd at Moody on Friday, 3/2 at 3:30. The Junior Varsity will face off against Casa Grande on Wednesday, 2/28 at 3:30 at Casa Grande and finish the week on the road against Bishop O’Dowd on Friday 3/2, at 3:30. The Freshman play Casa Grande at Endriss Field on Wednesday, 2/28 at 3:30 and close out the week at Endriss Field on Friday, 3/2 against Bishop O’Dowd at 3:30.
Come out and support your Redwood Giants!