By Eric Ahlqvist

Cooperstown Crier

With a shortstop who is headed to play Division I baseball next fall, a catcher who is a Division I prospect and five other returning players from last year’s 16-6 team, expectations have never been higher for the Cooperstown baseball team.

Senior shortstop Frank Petroskey hit .506 last year, then signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Vermont on a partial baseball scholarship in November. Petroskey had a 17-game hitting streak last season and finished with 20 stolen bases, nine doubles, six triples and two home runs.

Star photo by Anita Briggs Cooperstown’s Josh Pearlman takes a cut during the Redskins’ season opener against visiting Milford on April 2.

"Frank is like having a coach on the field," Cooperstown coach Frank Miosek said. "I’ve never heard him say a negative word to any of his teammates _ or anyone else for that matter. He always plays with a competitive edge. He’s a great athlete and a better citizen."

Junior catcher Philip Pohl earned MVP honors from the Center State Conference last season, when he batted a team-best .508. Pohl, who drove in 18 runs and stole 17 bases, is a gifted defensive catcher with a strong right arm. He threw out five runners who tried to steal second and picked off five more who wandered a little too far off the bag at first.

"After a while, his reputation precedes him, and runners don’t really take too many chances on him," Miosek said of Pohl, who allowed two passed balls and committed three errors in 2006. "The great thing about Philip is that not only is he a very good baseball player who loves the game, but he has a great disposition, too. He’s easy to coach, he listens and works hard. He’s just a tremendous young man."

Petroskey and Pohl played for the Central scholastic baseball team during the Empire States Games last summer and have attended several baseball showcases. But they’re not all the Redskins have to offer this year.

Senior Luke Banner returns as the No. 1 pitcher on the staff, following a 7-1 record that included a no-hitter and led to CSC First Team All-Star honors last spring. Banner, who also four-hit Beaver River in a sectional shutout last season, struck out 49 in 52 innings as a junior. Also the Redskins’ leadoff hitter and third baseman, Banner hit .429 and stole 22 bases.

Zack Sittler, another senior, is likely to fill the No. 2 spot in the rotation. He went 2-2 last year with 24 strikeouts in 26 innings. Sittler, who also plays second base, batted .393 as a junior.[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Brian Segit also returns for his senior season. He batted .361 and had eight assists from center field last spring.

Tyler Combs, lefty Jim Fort, Doug Kline and Mac Curran are expected to see time on the mound as well.

"To be successful this season, we need to have strong pitching in a league that features solid defenses and pitching," Miosek said. "I’d like to get early leads on teams and make them play catch-up."