By Laura Amato
The 2016 high school baseball season is in the books and there was plenty of on-field success all across Queens this spring.
The Bayside baseball team brought back some championship hardware to the borough as the Commodores notched the first city title in program history.
While Bayside was the only squad to win a title, there was still talent on the diamond across Queens this year. Monsignor McClancy once again excelled in the CHSAA, while Archbishop Molloy recorded its own solid season in the league. Cardozo came up short in the PSAL posteason, but the Judges’ offense was among the most dangerous in the entire city.
Here are the players who were among the best during another fantastic baseball season in Queens:
All-Queens Coach of the Year: Pat Torney, Bayside
After a disappointing end to last season, Torney rallied the troops at Bayside this spring and led the Commodores to their first-ever PSAL championship. Torney helped spark a Bayside lineup that was completely dominant during the postseason, while the pitching staff notched back-to-back shutouts in the quarters and semifinals. This may be the start of a strong run for Torney and Bayside as well. He’ll see more than half his roster return next year.
All-Queens Baseball First Team
P Patrick Morrissey, Holy Cross
The junior boasts some serious heat on his pitches, keeping opposing batters off balance with a mix between a fastball and curveball. Morrissey posted an impressive 8-2 record this spring, with 99 strikeouts in 64 innings of work. He rarely let batters make contact, giving up just 29 hits and posting an 0.86 ERA.
P Dimitri Papazoglu, Bayside
A calm presence on the mound, Papazoglu had a 0.48 ERA during the regular season and was nothing short of dominant in the Commodores’ PSAL championship win. The junior gave up just 17 hits this season, notching four complete games and striking out 81.
P Frank Alberico, Monsignor McClancy
The senior wrapped up his final year on the diamond on a high note, earning a Mayor’s Cup selection and a spot on the first-team Brooklyn/Queens all-league squad. McClancy posted a 7-1 record on the mound with a .150 ERA and pair of postseason wins.
C Michael Coletta, Cardozo
On a team where hitting was a baseball way of life, Coletta stood out, boasting a .561 batting average, the second-best number in the Eastern AAA, and a .780 slugging percentage. He drove in 17 runs and struck out just three times in 47 at bats.
1B William Rodriguez, Construction
The junior, who also spent some time on the mound this spring, was an offensive spark for his squad, leading the team with a .400 batting average. Rodriguez was a pure hitter—in fact he didn’t walk once this season—and connected on 17 hits in 44 at bats this season.
Middle Infield Noah Cabrera, Cardozo
Another dominant hitter at ‘Dozo, Cabrera hit .529 during the regular season and then followed it up with a .429 average during the playoffs. He racked up 18 hits, including nine extra base hits, and drove in 11 runs while striking out just four times.
2B/P Alvin Melendez, Cardozo
The Fordham-bound senior sparked Cardozo’s lineup this spring after transferring in from St. Mary’s. He hit .500 with four home runs, 25 RBI and an almost unbelievable 1.068 slugging percentage. As if that wasn’t enough, Meledez also boasted an 8-0 regular season record on the mound, giving up just three runs and striking out 65.
SS Daniel Alfonzo, Bayside
The junior star has grown up around baseball and there are few players who are more comfortable on the field than Alonzo. He showcased that ease when he made the final out that lifted Bayside to its first-ever PSAL championship. He also hit .564 during the regular season, a Queens Class AA East best, and racked up 22 hits with 17 RBI.
SS Ryan Neuweiler, Monsignor McClancy
Despite an injury that limited him to the designated hitter slot for the early part of the season, Neuweiler found his footing as the year went on and established himself as a strong defensive presence on the corner. He also kept hitting. The Long Island University-Brooklyn commit averaged .350 this spring with 23 RBI and was named to the CHSAA Class AA second team Brooklyn/Queens all-league.
OF Quentin Holmes, Monsignor McClancy
A recently named All-American, Holmes’ speed is a big part of what sets him apart. The Mississippi State commit can dash around the basepaths faster than just about anyone else in the city. Holmes hit .380 this season with four triples and is already a Baseball America 2017 draft prospect.
OF Jaybrien Estevez, John Bowne
The senior wrapped up his high school career with a strong effort on the diamond, hitting .404 in 15 games this spring. Estevez connected on 19 hits, including six extra base hits, and drove in 11 runs. He also scored 14 runs and served as the squad’s closer, picking up five saves.
DH John Herring, Archbishop Molloy
The junior broke onto the scene this spring, making a name for himself at the plate in his first varsity season with the Stanners. Herring hit .367 this year with five home runs and a whopping 32 RBI. He was a CHSAAA Brooklyn/Queens all-league selection and a finalist for the Class AA MVP.
Utility Devin Haberstumpf, Cardozo
Perhaps the most feared hitter in the Judges’ incredibly deep lineup, Haberstumpf was an absolute force at the plate this spring. He led the entire PSAL Class AAA with a .682 batting average and posted a team-high 29 RBI and 30 hits, including eight doubles.
Honorable Mention
P Ruben Jiminez, Archbishop Molloy
P Patrick Quinn, Robert F. Kennedy
C Tommy Ng, Francis Lewis
C/3B Eslinyer Marinez Veras, John Bowne
1B Hazel Martinez, John Adams
SS/OF Aldwin Corona, Cardozo
OF/P Fred Ferrante, Construction
OF Edward Madera, Forest Hills
