SUPER SENIORS
Christodulu maintains consistent message to lineup filled with seniors
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. » Building a winning athletic program doesn’t happen overnight.
The coaches at Shenendehowa High School know that first hand and the baseball team has the success to prove it.
In the past seven seasons, Shen’s baseball team has won four Section 2 championships and played in three New York State championship games, winning the state title in 2016.
Head Coach Gregory Christodulu is hoping that the rigorous development program in place for the baseball team will be enough for his players to stay ready during their time off from school and athletic activities, as they will try to build on their state championship run from last season if the season eventually resumes.
“We have reiterated our teaching program, our player development program, which is very extensive in our program. We just went back and outlined the things that they should be doing, which they should already know. If they follow what their training is, that they’ve been exposed to over the years, then they’ll be fine. They just have to stay fo
ciplined,” Christodulu said.
“Our guys love playing in front of large crowds and to do that you have to have success.”
Shen’s 2019 season ended with a 5-0 loss in the NYS AA Championship to McQuaid Jesuit, a Catholic, collegeprep, private high school; it was a team that Christodulu described as a Rochester allstar team. Although their focus is not on this season, getting on the field and eventually taking it game-by-game.
“If we don’t use that experience from last year to our advantage then shame on us. Yes, this group has aspirations to do some great things. We were supposed to open up at Troy. That was our focus, to go down to Troy and try to win on the road against a much improved team. Winning on the road in the Suburban Council is very difficult, so that was our focus, to get the first victory of the season and then move to the next game,” he said.
While the bulk of the 2019 lineup is returning this season, the Plainsmen are going to need their current pitchers to fill some big shoes from last season. Brendan Disonell and Evan Jones, two guys that held down the fort and ate a ton of innings, are no longer in Shen’s starting rotation. Shen also lost Ben Lavery, their starting first baseman.
“We lost two very big pitchers for us last year. Our pitching is developing. We have some arms that we think will be competitive in the league, but that depends on how they continue to develop. This wrinkle of having this time off will be an interesting process because we haven’t had time with them now for a few weeks. I just hope they’re still long-tossing and throwing on flat ground and soforth,” Christodulu explained.
While pitching might be a question mark coming into the season, there is definitely going to be a veteran presence in Shen’s dugout, with a senior potentially starting at every position.
“We have a wonderful group of seniors that are very dedicated and great teammates to one another. They love to come to the ballpark, they love playing baseball and working hard. We’ve been able to create a great culture with this group and the level of expectation is well defined, in terms of their performance and how they go about their business,” Christodulu said.
“We technically could start a senior at every position and I think that’s unique, we’ve never had that happen before.”
The group of seniors includes Tom Krill (Saint Rose commit) at first, Chase Carroll (UAlbany commit) at second, Nick Lemire (St. John Fisher commit) at shortstop, Jake Reinisch (Wake Forest commit) at third, Jack Voce at catcher, Pat McGuire (St. John Fisher commit) in left or pitching, Evan Bean in center and Sam Law (SUNY Brockport commit) in right.
“All those guys are returning from very significant time last year. They’re stronger, they’re bigger, they’re physically and emotionally more mature,” said Christodulu. “Evan has speed that you don’t typically see at our level [and Sam] made some great defensive plays last year, especially in the sectional championship game.”
While the team was able to get outside on the field for tryouts for the first time in nearly a decade, they did so without their entire team. Prior to athletics being suspended, Shen’s basketball team was preparing for their Regional Championship game. Christodulu wanted his multi-sport athletes focused on winning in the basketball state playoffs with Coach Tony Dzikas.
Additionally, a new rule allows for those student-athletes to have four basketball practices count towards the 10 they need to play in baseball games.
The season was cut off before Christodulu was able to decide on their final roster.
“We haven’t even gone through cuts yet. We were on Day 4 of the tryouts and on Friday the 13th, ironically, we got word things were shutting down, so we didn’t practice that day.”
“Our conversations with the boys was that under the uncertain times, we weren’t ready to make any [roster] decisions and we’ll have to see how long this is going to be,” he said. “We’re making sure they’re doing well and staying safe and their families are doing well and healthy. Hopefully they’re getting out individually and getting some workouts in.”
As far as the possibility of the season resuming, Shen doesn’t know anything different than any other program knows; they’re all playing the waiting game. The difference is going to be how prepared they are coming out of this ordeal.
“First, the decision makers will make the best and the right decisions that are safe for everyone in the big picture and we have to accept that. Secondly, if we do get a chance, we’re hoping to at-least get a league schedule played out, so that there’s some integrity to a playoff format for a sectional championship,” Christodulu said on what he hopes the future might hold.
“As far as squeezing in the regionals and state championship, I’m not sure where that’s gonna go. On April 27, the state associations will make a decision on that aspect.”
“I wouldn’t put anything off the table. I think there’s still a lot of uncertainty, but I think everyone is going to try to do their very best to do what’s best for the kids.”