College baseball fans, get ready to celebrate some serious talent from the Mid-Hudson region. The Region XV Div. II all-star team has been announced, and it's packed with standout players who have been making waves on the diamond this season.
Leading the charge is Freddy Heymach, a sophomore infielder for SUNY Westchester and a Pawling High School graduate, who was named Player of the Year. Heymach has been absolutely on fire at the plate, boasting a staggering .512 batting average (64-for-125) with six home runs and 51 RBIs. His performance has been a key driver for the Vikings, who claimed the regular-season championship with a 24-16-1 record.
Westchester continued their dominance in the regional tournament this past weekend, sweeping through the competition with decisive wins over Orange (8-0), Rockland (18-10), and Ulster (18-6) to capture the championship title. The Vikings now set their sights on the district tournament, scheduled for May 15-17. Meanwhile, Orange closed out their season at 5-21 overall and 4-11 in conference play.
The all-star selections showcase a deep well of local talent. The first team features standouts like Rockland's Steve Barbosa (IF), Abraham Bautista (IF), Lucas Beers (P, Monroe-Woodbury grad), Liam Murphy (C, Beacon grad), Brady Reynolds (relief P, Saugerties grad), and Joseph Rosario (OF). Ulster contributed Austin Blessing (IF), Edwin Bueno (DH), and Chase Rounds (P, Newburgh grad). Joining Heymach on the first team from Westchester were Mercer Jordan (OF, Fr., Beacon grad), Austin Jorgensen (OF, Fr., Lourdes grad), and Christian Peralta (P, Soph.).
The second team also highlights impressive performances, including Orange's Jackson Atwell (OF, Soph., .302, 15 RBI, Beacon grad), Michael Fontaine (C, Soph., .300, 21 RBI, Beacon grad), A.J. Grant (IF, Soph., .333, 16 RBI, Highland grad), and Garrett Srednicki (relief P, Fr., 1-2, 2.76 ERA, Warwick grad). Rockland's Harry Floersheim (OF, Soph.) and Nolan Keenan (P, Soph.) also made the cut, along with Ulster's Sean Gallagher (OF) and Jadin Oneil (IF, Newburgh grad). Westchester rounded out the second team with Oscar Almanzar (DH, Soph.), John Avellino (IF, Fr.), Reilly Denneen (P, Fr.), Jason Jackson (IF, Soph., Arlington grad), and Vasili Kelesidis (P, Soph.).
Defensive excellence was also recognized with the Gold Glove team. Orange's Jackson Atwell (CF, Soph., Beacon grad), Michael Fontaine (C, Soph., Beacon grad), Nik Marerro (SS, Fr., Minisink Valley grad), and Garrett Srednicki (relief P, Fr., Warwick grad) earned spots. Rockland's Harry Florensheim (RF, Soph.) and Ulster's Austin Blessing (1B, Soph.) and Henry Faber (P, Soph.) were also honored. Westchester's Gold Glove recipients included Freddy Heymach (2B, Soph., Pawling grad), Mercer Jordan (LF, Fr., Beacon grad), and Adriel Rodriguez (3B, Fr.).
Finally, the Sportsmanship team recognized players who exemplified class and character on and off the field: Orange's Michael Fontaine (C), Rockland's Liam Murphy (C), and Ulster's Christopher.
Whether you're a fan of local baseball or just love seeing hard work pay off, this all-star roster is a testament to the incredible talent coming out of the Mid-Hudson region. Keep an eye on these players as they continue to shine on the collegiate stage!