SPORTS

Gershkoff juniors set for postseason

Posted 8/4/21

By ALEX SPONSELLER The Gershkoff Auto junior American Legion baseball team recently wrapped up its regular season, finishing with a 5-7 record and qualifying for this week's state playoffs. After a shaky start to the season, Gershkoff would turn things

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SPORTS

Gershkoff juniors set for postseason

WINDING UP: Gershkoff pitcher Tyler Skorski winds up to deliver a pitch in a recent game against Warwick Tree Post. The Gershkoff junior team has overcome a shaky start to the summer and is ready to compete in this week’s playoffs against top-seeded Howard Rogers. Gershkoff finished the regular season with a 5- 7 record.

(Photos by Alex Sponseller)

PLAYOFF READY: Gershkoff’s Jayven Alexandre makes a play.

AROUND THE HORN: Gershkoff’s Kennedy Arias throws to first base.

Posted Wednesday, August 4, 2021 10:32 am

By ALEX SPONSELLER The Gershkoff Auto junior American Legion baseball team recently wrapped up its regular season, finishing with a 5-7 record and qualifying for this week’s state playoffs.

After a shaky start to the season, Gershkoff would turn things around and surge in the final six games to qualify for the postseason.

“It’s been great, especially after coming back after everything that happened last year. The kids have played some pretty good baseball which is good,” said Gershkoff juniors manager Don Ceseretti. “We have a big roster, we have 18 kids on the roster and were able to keep them all. We started off a little shaky in the beginning, but were able to pull it together in the end. We really saw improvement over the last six games and we are able to make the playoffs which is good.”

That improvement stemmed from the team chemistry building throughout the year as well as some of the younger kids stepping up in big spots down the stretch.

“I think it is the combination of ages. We have kids that are 15, 16, and 17 (years old). We have a younger team, so we have a few of the older kids that have been paired up with them to help mentor them. I think towards the end, the improvement came from that collaboration and bonding,” said Ceseretti.

Gershkoff is slated against top-seeded Howard Rogers in the opening round of the tournament, which was set to begin on Monday but was postponed until Tuesday. The results of the first game were not available at press time.

Although Gershkoff will be entering the playoffs as the underdog, Ceseretti and company are relaxed and ready for battle.

“It will be tough coming out of the gate, our plan is just to do our best and to play our best. We drew the No. 1 team, so we’re going to have to navigate through that. It is what it is. The kids are ready, they are mature young men at this point. They are just happy to have a chance to play,” said Ceseretti.

Members of the Gershkoff juniors team are: Alex Ceseretti, Ryan Zarrella, Tyler Skorski, Ethan White, Nick Masse, Nick Williams, Aidan Royal, Nick St. Jean, Jake Snowling, Mike Smith, John Devine, Nathan Lopes, David Miller, David Viera, Jayven Alexander and Kennedy Arias.