The recent high school baseball season in New York has been marked by a surge of offensive firepower and reliable pitching across a dozen Section IX programs. Coaches have praised the blend of raw talent and disciplined execution that defined the year, noting that each team brought a unique mix of strengths to the diamond.
Offensive standouts
Mason Franklin of Wallkill paced his lineup with a .407 average, 24 hits and eight doubles, while also maintaining a perfect .952 fielding percentage. In Marlboro, Meyer Baker combined a .362 batting mark with 25 hits, five doubles and a triple, and contributed to a staff that reached the NYSPHSAA Final Four in Class A.
New Paltz’s Nick Drewnowski posted a .538 average with 37 hits, including seven doubles and a home run, and added a .523 on‑base percentage, while Ben Cappillino of Highland hit .508 with 30 hits, eight doubles and three triples, driving in 21 runs.
Alex Papaelias from New Paltz added four home runs and 22 RBIs, and Wes Intonti of Highland batted .487 with 23 hits, six doubles, three triples and three homers, posting a .487 on‑base percentage.
Kaden Deibert of Kingston contributed a .439 average with 29 hits, four doubles, a triple and a homer, while Robert Paschal of Red Hook batted .344 with three doubles, two triples and two homers, adding 21 RBIs.
George Roe of Ellenville led the Blue Devils with a .394 average and 13 hits, and Steve Schwartz of Rondout Valley posted a .429 average, a .474 on‑base percentage and a .600 slugging percentage.
These offensive numbers illustrate a depth of talent that extended beyond any single program, with players from Wallkill, Marlboro, Red Hook, Kingston, New Paltz, Highland, Ellenville and Rondout Valley all making significant contributions.
Pitching excellence
On the mound, several pitchers distinguished themselves with durability and precision. Matt Martin of Kingston posted a 6‑3 record, two saves and a 2.21 ERA over 47 1/3 innings, striking out 47 batters. Liam Correa of Marlboro fanned 63 batters in 52 1/3 innings with a 3.44 ERA and just five walks.
Dylan MacDonald of Red Hook finished 5‑2 with a 1.83 ERA and 94 strikeouts, while Nash Byrne of New Paltz went 7‑1 with a 2.10 ERA and 60 strikeouts against 20 walks.
Joseph Valenti of Ellenville recorded a 3.57 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 42 innings, and Alex Papaelias also contributed on the mound with solid outings, complementing the staff’s overall 1.24 WHIP across the league.
The pitching corps also featured standout performances from Jesse Incalcaterra of Saugerties, who threw over 2,200 pitches with only four passed balls, and Kaden Deibert, who threw out 10 runners attempting to steal, underscoring the defensive reliability behind the pitchers.
Team achievements and future outlook
Several teams capitalized on the individual performances to capture division titles and advance deep into state play. The Marlboro squad, bolstered by Baker’s dual‑role contributions, reached the Final Four, while the New Paltz team leveraged its strong infield defense to win the Mid‑Hudson Athletic League championship. Coaches across the section say the blend of offensive fireworks and steady pitching bodes well for the next generation of players, many of whom are already drawing attention from college recruiters.