Photo: Camryn Wilson
JAMESTOWN - It has been 375 since the Jamestown Community College baseball team has taken the field but head coach Jordan Basile and the rest of the Jayhawks are excited for the chance to go out and play this season.
"We're happy to be back out on the field, happy for the guys to get back onto the field," Basile said. "We're glad it's back but once we take the field, we expect to turn some heads."
The Jayhawks are returning 11 players from a year ago, including sophomore infielder/right handed pitcher Roberto Aracena (Miami, FL/Citi Christian Academy). Aracena was an integral part of the Jayhawks success in the 2019 season. Aracena batted .395 in 26 games played. Aracena had 30 hits and a slugging percentage of .513.
"We have some guys that are coming back for their third seasons and the great thing about that is that they are the leaders of our club," said Basile. "We are playing with everything to gain and nothing to lose. We are young but the older guys will be relied upon eary."
The other third year player alongside Aracena is sophomore middle infielder German Nolasco (Spring Hill, FL/Weeki Wachee HS). Nolasco had 19 hits, batting .279. Nolasco also had an onbase percentage of .380.
Basile added, "Having guys like Roberto and German are important to our team as they know the ins and the outs of our conference so they can help guide our team along."
Coach Basile also has three players on the roster that know his style of play and what he expects in sophomore middle infielder Wyatt Hennessy (Mukwonago, WI/Mukwonago HS), sophomore first baseman Nick Rini (Powhatan, VA/Knock HS), and catcher/right handed pitcher Billy Harmon (Racine, OH/Southern Local). These players have familiarity playing for coach Basile at Patrick Henry Community College.
The rest of the returners form a season ago include first baseman Yordangel Gonzalez (Miami, Fl/Miami Jackson Senior HS), outfielder/left handed pitcher Chris Calladine (Andover, NY/Andover Centers Look School), catcher/third baseman Lucas Porpiglia (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk HS), outfielder Steven Garcia (Miami, FL/Breto Miami Private School), Junseok Lee (South Korea/Home Schooled), first baseman/catcher/right handed pitcher Edwin Collado (Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy HS), and right handed pitcher Adonis Collado (Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy HS/Cenapec).
The Jayhawks also bring in five new faces to the team including Jamestown native, right handed pitcher Bryce Jackson (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown HS). Jackson will look to be in the rotation, coming from NCAA Division I Canisius College.
"We know what we are going to get from Bryce," said Basile. "He's been to the Division I level, knowing what it takes to get there. Him being back here at JCC is big as he can help right away."
Freshman utility/right handed pitcher Bryan Gardner (Falconer, NY/Falconer HS) and outfielder/right handed pitcher Ayden Reagle (Bemus Point, NY/Maple Grove HS) will have to be ready to be called upon in the bullpen when needed along with A. Collado, E. Collado and Lee.
"Our guys will have to be ready to go at any moment," said Basile. "Gardner, Reagle, Lee and the Collado brothers will be called upon to give us some solid innings during the games and I have faith in those guys. It's all about throwing strikes and taking care of business out there."
The rest of the newcomers include middle infielder Ethan Abegg (Commerce City, CO/Prarie View HS), and third baseman/outfielder Josh Lupo (Stafford, VA/Brooke Point HS).
The Jayhawks will play 25 games this season including 24 conference games with a majority of the game being played on the weekends.
"The schedule is something that shouldn't throw us off our game that much," Basile said. "Our guys will have plenty of rest during the week and we'll be ready to go when our number is called."
JCC opens the season on Saturday, March 20th, as they travel to Fredonia State University for a 12:30 p.m. game.
Full Schedule:
March 20 - Fredonia State University at 12:30 p.m.
March 27 - Genesee Community College at 1 & 3:30 p.m.
March 28 - at Genesee Community College at 1 & 3:30 p.m.
April 10 - Corning Community College at 1 & 3:30 p.m.
April 11 - at Corning Community College at 1 & 3:30 p.m.
April 17 - at Monroe Community College at 1 & 3:30 p.m.
April 18 - Monroe Community College at 1 & 3:30 p.m.
April 20 - Finger Lakes Community College at 3 & 5:30 p.m.
April 22 - at Finger Lakes Community College at 3 & 5:30 p.m.
April 24 - at Erie Community College at 1 & 3:30 p.m.
April 25 - Erie Community College at 1 & 3:30 p.m.
May 1 - at Niagara County Community College at 1 & 3:30 p.m.
May 2 - Niagara County Community College at 1 & 3:30 p.m.
