WILMINGTON — When the Twin Valley baseball season begins this year, the Wildcats will be looking to build off some of the work they put in last season.
Last year marked the return of varsity baseball to the school after five years of dormancy. At the start, there was some uncertainty as to whether Twin Valley would be able to field a team. As a result, the team had to scramble to find opponents and could only put together a nine-game schedule, according to previous reports. This year the Wildcats have 14 players, an increase from last season, and will be playing a full 16-game schedule beginning with Poultney, which was the No. 12 seed in Division 4 last year.
“We have to build the program back up. I can see with the numbers, the kids are getting interested and eventually the talent and the results will come through,” said Twin Valley head coach Greg Nido.
Out of the 14 players on the roster, Nido said there are three who haven’t played since sixth grade.
One of the main starting pitchers for the team last year, Joey Crafts, graduated along with the team’s number two option Luke Wrathall. Nido said Halen Ranslow, Max Nido, and Cash Garno will be among the leading candidates that will likely see some time on the mound this season.
“We’re trying to figure out some pitchers right now. We’re trying to make some,” Nido said. “We’re trying to get six or seven pitchers. A few kids are trying … We’ve got to work on pitching. That was my one mistake last year. I didn’t have enough pitching.”
With some new players this season, Nido said on March 28, the fourth day of practice, that some positions had yet to be solidified. Senior Garrett Ryan will return this year as the team’s third baseman, Seth Wrathall will likely be the team’s starting shortstop and Max Nido will likely see time at first base. Garno will probably see some time at second base when he is not catching, but Bradley Tirrell and Braden Corasky are also among the candidates to see time at second base.
The rest of the roster includes junior Adam Gatti, sophomores Gage Ryan, Ari Bronson and Kaelyn Lackey, and freshmen Jude Myska, Bashtian Moorhead and Atticus Cutler.
As of the last week in March, the outfield had yet to be determined. The team had not been able to practice outdoors as a winter storm near the end of March left a significant amount of snow on the ground. With more snow falling this week, Nido indicated it was unclear when the team would be able to practice outdoors, which he said makes it difficult to prepare for in-game situations as well as practice catching fly balls in the outfield.
When it comes to hitting, Nido said he isn’t entirely sure what the team looks like, as the practice on March 28 was largely focused on that aspect of the game.
“Some of the more experienced players are doing well,” said Nido. “It’s a work in progress like anything.”
Twin Valley’s first three games of the season will be on the road, with the Wildcats' first home game not scheduled to take place until April 29 when the team hosts Mill River.
Twin Valley is scheduled to open the season at Poultney on April 9 at 4:30 p.m., though that could be pushed back because of recent weather conditions.
