The Moravia basketball team doesn't need much motivation to do well in this weekend's Cayuga County Baseball Tournament.
Coach Rich Valentino is looking to equal another squad's winning streak. He points to the Union Springs basketball team who, like the Blue Devils, won five straight county titles coming into this year.
Union Springs won its sixth straight title this winter, and Moravia would like to do the same when the tournament kicks off on Friday.
Union Springs plays Weedsport at 5 p.m. on Friday at Falcon Park, while Moravia faces off against Port Byron at 7:30 p.m.
As of Monday, the Blue Devils are 3-4. Justin Stanton has emerged as Moravia's go-to guy. Stanton is the No. 1 pitcher and batting .619.
Taylor Mackey is also capable at the plate, and added a home run to his season stats on Monday against Southern Cayuga.
However, Stanton probably won't be pitching this weekend and if he is it will be in limited action.
Still, Mackey, Jeremy Stewart, Dillon Langtry and Mike Drake - who is back from a separated shoulder on his non-throwing arm this week - are all capable on the mound.
The Blue Devils may have their its hands full with the Panthers, a team that is steadily improving from years past.
Port Byron started the week at 3-3 and has posted a win over Jordan-Elbridge, a team that defeated Moravia.
The Panthers are led by seniors Tab Carmon, Kent Pitcher (both infielders and pitchers) and clean-up hitter and center fielder Tyler Quanbeck.
Coach Felix Mucedola says that he thinks his team has turned the corner thanks to experience and a better attitude.
While Mucedola said that Weedsport is improving, he thinks that Moravia is a tough squad.
“I still think that Moravia is the team to beat,” he said. “I've known Rich Valentino for a long time, and he does a good job with the program.”
Valentino and the Blue Devils are looking forward to the tournament.
“We always enjoy coming there, the kids get really jazzed,” he said.
“One year when they had the tournament at Veterans Memorial Park the kids were kind of disappointed. They really appreciate Falcon Park as a venue. They like being junior Doubledays.”
While the Panthers and the Blue Devils have the night cap, the Wolves and the Warriors will start off the tournament.
Weedsport started the week at 1-2. After blowing out Cato-Meridian to open the season, the Warriors have slipped a bit.
Coach Nick Wilson says that Weedsport is playing well but one bad inning has cost the Warriors.
Jordan Stott has led Weedsport at the plate this season, with shortstop Bryce Leitten contributing as well.
“They're our leaders this year,” Wilson said. “They get everybody going. We're hitting the ball but we've got to do it for seven innings. We can't stop and relax.”
Josh Fatcheric leads Weedsport on the mound. The pitcher has already thrown a no-hitter this season.
Last year's runner-up, Union Springs (1-5), is in the midst of a rebuilding year. The Wolves are paced by pitcher and infielders Jim Burns and Justin Lyndacker.
Dave Wilczek is hitting well, and lead-off man Andy Klock always finds a way to get on base according to coach Mike Jorgensen.
Like Union Springs' other opponents, the Wolves are excited to play at Leo Pinckney Field. Jorgensen has a positive outlook.
“We're trying to be the best we can be,” he said. “Every game is an opportunity for us to try and get better.”
Union Springs won its sixth straight title this winter, and Moravia would like to do the same when the tournament kicks off on Friday.
Union Springs plays Weedsport at 5 p.m. on Friday at Falcon Park, while Moravia faces off against Port Byron at 7:30 p.m.
As of Monday, the Blue Devils are 3-4. Justin Stanton has emerged as Moravia's go-to guy. Stanton is the No. 1 pitcher and batting .619.
Taylor Mackey is also capable at the plate, and added a home run to his season stats on Monday against Southern Cayuga.
However, Stanton probably won't be pitching this weekend and if he is it will be in limited action.
Still, Mackey, Jeremy Stewart, Dillon Langtry and Mike Drake - who is back from a separated shoulder on his non-throwing arm this week - are all capable on the mound.
The Blue Devils may have their its hands full with the Panthers, a team that is steadily improving from years past.
Port Byron started the week at 3-3 and has posted a win over Jordan-Elbridge, a team that defeated Moravia.
The Panthers are led by seniors Tab Carmon, Kent Pitcher (both infielders and pitchers) and clean-up hitter and center fielder Tyler Quanbeck.
Coach Felix Mucedola says that he thinks his team has turned the corner thanks to experience and a better attitude.
While Mucedola said that Weedsport is improving, he thinks that Moravia is a tough squad.
“I still think that Moravia is the team to beat,” he said. “I've known Rich Valentino for a long time, and he does a good job with the program.”
Valentino and the Blue Devils are looking forward to the tournament.
“We always enjoy coming there, the kids get really jazzed,” he said.
“One year when they had the tournament at Veterans Memorial Park the kids were kind of disappointed. They really appreciate Falcon Park as a venue. They like being junior Doubledays.”
While the Panthers and the Blue Devils have the night cap, the Wolves and the Warriors will start off the tournament.
Weedsport started the week at 1-2. After blowing out Cato-Meridian to open the season, the Warriors have slipped a bit.
Coach Nick Wilson says that Weedsport is playing well but one bad inning has cost the Warriors.
Jordan Stott has led Weedsport at the plate this season, with shortstop Bryce Leitten contributing as well.
“They're our leaders this year,” Wilson said. “They get everybody going. We're hitting the ball but we've got to do it for seven innings. We can't stop and relax.”
Josh Fatcheric leads Weedsport on the mound. The pitcher has already thrown a no-hitter this season.
Last year's runner-up, Union Springs (1-5), is in the midst of a rebuilding year. The Wolves are paced by pitcher and infielders Jim Burns and Justin Lyndacker.
Dave Wilczek is hitting well, and lead-off man Andy Klock always finds a way to get on base according to coach Mike Jorgensen.
Like Union Springs' other opponents, the Wolves are excited to play at Leo Pinckney Field. Jorgensen has a positive outlook.
“We're trying to be the best we can be,” he said. “Every game is an opportunity for us to try and get better.”
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