CHSAA Player of the Year:
Kevin Kilpatrick – Holy Cross
Not the ending, he, nor his teammates, would have liked, but Kilpatrick, a 6-foot-1 southpaw, was sensational on the hill. The St. John’s recruit compiled an impressive 4-2 mark with 1.00 ERA and 48 strikeouts.
PSAL Player of the Year:
Ethan Liederman – Francis Lewis
The Minnesota-bound player was everything to the Patriots - their closer, clutch power hitter, unquestioned leader and igniter. He batted .450 with 2 home runs, 17 runs scored, 24 stolen bases, 4-0 record on the mound with 3.70 ERA and 27 strikeouts.
CHSAA Coach of the Year:
Brother
Robert Kent
St. Francis Prep
No coincidence the Terriers were the borough’s only team to qualify for the league’s eight-team double elimination final round. Floundering midway through the season, Kent’s decision to utilize a small ball attack by stacking the top of the lineup with speed followed by power ignited a late-season run and yet another successful campaign in Fresh Meadows.
PSAL Coach of the Year:
Ian Millman
Francis Lewis
Millman transformed a middle-of-the-rung program into Queens-East-A champions and one of top 10 programs in the city. If not for an unfavorable postseason seed, the Patriots could have gone further. Millman instilled accountability and hard work into a team bereft of such qualities. Francis Lewis is now an attractive destination for promising young players.
The Courier’s All-Queens Baseball Team:
Pitcher: James Roubal Monsignor McClancy
The Crusaders’ ace was their rock all spring, going 5-1 with a 2.15 ERA and 2 shutouts, including the 1-0 blanking of Archbishop Molloy in the playoffs.
Pitcher: AJ Boardman St. Francis Prep
The Terriers’ ace and one of their top run producers, he was there for them at every turn. Shining moment was 1-0 shutout victory over Holy Cross and Kilpatrick.
Pitcher: Christian Cardenas John Adams
The most dominant starter, on the public school side, in Queens. Armed with an exploding high 80’s fastball and devastating breaking ball, going 5-2 with a 1.84 ERA and ridiculous 80 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched.
Catcher: Matt Valle Holy Cross
The nephew of three Major Leaguers, Valle proved to be more than a name; he was a focal point of the Knights behind the plate and at bat.
First Base: Phil Stamatis Francis Lewis
His statistics - .346 batting average, 13 runs scored and nine RBIs - do not tell the story of a tireless worker that was as much a factor in the Patriots season as Liederman or sophomore hurler Jonathan Bobea. The inspirational senior, of course, was just as important to their success with his fine defense at first and propensity to get the big two-out hit.
Second Base: Jose Rosado William Bryant
The Aviation transfer led Queens-West-A in batting, hitting .571 with 26 stolen bases and 27 runs scored. In tandem with second baseman Hector Justo, formed the PSAL’s top middle infield in the borough.
Shortstop: Lucas Romeo St. Francis Prep
Unselfish as they come, Romeo, the Adelphi-bound senior, accepted a move down to the sixth spot in the Terriers order when Kent went to the speed-based lineup, and got hot at the right time.
Third Base: Sebastian Grazziani St. Francis Prep
The lone power bat in the Terriers’ lineup, he hit .423 with 32 RBIs, a huge reason for St. Francis Prep’s late-season turnaround.
Outfield: Jorge Ynoa Bayside
The four-year starter capped his career in style, leading Queens East-A with 21 RBIs, three home runs and batted .440 with 22 runs scored.
Outfield: Tom Boggiano Archbishop Molloy
It was a down season for the Stanners, but not for their power-hitting outfielder. Headed to Princeton in the fall, Boggiano shined in the third spot.
Outfield: Greg Downing Christ the King
One of a few bright spots for the Royals, Downing excelled in the outfield and on the mound.
Honorable Mention:
Stephen Cotov McClancy
Tom Cloonen McClancy
Dennis Nover St. Francis Prep
Rob Renzi Holy Cross
Hector Justo William Bryant
Dennis Strawsacker William Bryant
Anthony Koulotouros Bayside
Kevin Brown Bayside
Jonathan D’Angelo Bayside
Jamal Vargas Cardozo
Greg Stramara Cardozo
Jonathan Bobea Francis Lewis
Jesse Friedman Forest Hills
Juan Delacruz Newtown
Elvis Rodriguez Long Island City
