By Rob Centorani

Staff Writer

Last year, it was somewhat surprising. This year, it’ll be expected.

Cherry Valley-Springfield has all but one player returning from last season’s Tri-Valley League championship team _ the school’s first under 12th-year coach Ed Dubben.

Actually, the Patriots won the first T-V baseball crown in school history with their 9-7 victory over two-time defending league champion Edmeston last spring.

The school districts of Cherry Valley and Springfield merged in 1989, seven years after Dubben led Cherry Valley to the T-V title as a player.

"We’re hoping to be at Oneonta State at the end of the year," Dubben said of what has become the annual site for the T-V title game.

For three consecutive years, Edmeston and CV-S have met to decide the league title; the Panthers followed a 3-0 win in 2004 with a 4-0 victory in 2005.

It appears that the two T-V powers could be back at ot again in 2007.

Outside of Daily Star First Team All-Star Hyde Clarke, the Patriots have everyone back _ including Daily Star second-teamer Steve Herringshaw.

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Edmeston graduated 2005 Daily Star Player of the Year Ryan Laymon, but his brother _ junior Matt Laymon _ returns after earning First Team Daily Star All-Star honors in 2006. Lefty Matt Laymon struck out 13 in a 3-1 loss to Deposit in the Section Four Class D final last year at Damaschke Field in Oneonta.

"You never can tell, but if I had to predict, I’d say we would definitely be the team on our side and (the Patriots) are the team on their side," second-year Edmeston coach Mike Clark said. "We’re both going through a good crop of kids, I guess."

Herringshaw, a senior, leads a CV-S squad that finished 14-4 in 2006, when he went 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA and hit .439 with three home runs and 25 RBIs.

Fellow seniors Ben Halay (.375 BA; 4-2, 1.33 ERA), Mathias VanDerwerker (.415, 20 runs), Shawn Sheldon (1-0, 1.82), Jeremy Hoag (.345, 22 runs) and Ian Hull (.340) are also back. Junior Anthony Brant (.371, three homers, 15 RBIs) also contributed to last season’s success.

VanDerwerker begins his third season behind the plate, and Brant (first base), Sheldon (second), Halay (shortstop) and Herringshaw (third) give the Patriots an experienced infield.

"I’d like to think we’re one of the favorites," Dubben said. "We’re strong in all aspects."

In the East Division, CV-S could be pushed by Schenevus, which returns three junior pitchers from an 8-11 team and upset the Patriots, 4-3, in the opening round of the 2006 sectionals.

Jesse Ward (4-2, 3.51, 57 strikeouts), Corey Hubbard (.344) and Shawn Sperbeck (.395) will see time on the mound for the Dragons. Outfielders Jon Williams, a senior, and Cole Stabler, a junior, also will contribute.

Worcester (9-7 last season) returns six players who saw significant playing time.

Junior Joey Nelson led the team in runs and stolen bases. He also had two pitching victories and a 3.27 ERA. Classmate Zach Clark had a team-high .358 batting average and led the team in RBIs (21) and triples (four).

Sophomore Keegan Althiser and freshman Steve Keever will provide pitching depth, and seniors Scott Lehenbauer (shortstop) and Sean McTaggart (second) return at the middle infield positions.

Milford lost seven seniors from last season’s 7-11 team. The Wildcats return senior catcher Matt Seeley, along with junior pitchers/infielders Logan Griffiths and Scott Seeley.

The West Division has belonged to Edmeston. The Panthers have gone 69-5 over the last three seasons, winning a state championship in 2005 and two Section Four Class D titles.

"Winning the league is nice, but I’d give up a league title to win a sectional title," said Clark, whose team went 19-4 last season.

Matt Laymon finished with a 1.24 ERA and batted .404 in 2006.

"He’s definitely the ace," Clark said. "Toward the end of last year, he moved into that position."

Senior Craig Stanton, sophomores Alex Stevens and Jordan Williams, and newcomer Anthony Wolcott give the Panthers plenty of other options on the mound.

Edmeston’s offense seems solid as well. In addition to Laymon, the Panthers lineup features senior first baseman/outfielder Pat Norton (.472), Stanton (.431), Stevens (.397, 30 RBIs) and Williams (three homers).

Gilbertsville-Mount Upton has five returning with varsity experience, including pitchers Cody Hall, Paul Wildfier and Tim Sloan. The Raiders’ top hitter should be catcher Luke Hall, who batted .435 with three homers and 12 RBIs last season.

Seniors Corey Carr, Mike Coryat and Carter Bailey figure to keep Laurens competitive. Pitcher Carr returns after missing last season because of right shoulder surgery. Catcher Coryat hit .426 last season, and third baseman Bailey batted .283. Sophomore Ryan Carr, who hit .291 last season, will play second base and pitch.

Franklin, under first-year coach Jason Thomson, should have a chance to win when senior Dan Ito is on the mound. Ito, a Second Team Tri-Valley League All-Star last season, also catches. Senior Zach Jordan, who pitches and plays shortstop, also could have an impact.

Matt Joyce is Morris’ top returner. He threw a no-hitter against Franklin last season.