May 26th, 2022
After sending four of its current eight teams to the PGCBL playoffs in 2021, the league’s West Division will be back for more this season with a high level of incoming talent.
With the PGCBL moving from a three-division format in 2021 to a two-division format in 2022, the West Division will be compromised of eight teams this season: the Auburn Doubledays, Batavia Muckdogs, Elmira Pioneers, Geneva Red Wings, Jamestown Tarp Skunks, Newark Pilots, Niagara Power and Utica Blue Sox.
Utica, Auburn, Jamestown and Geneva made the playoffs last season, with both Auburn and Geneva advancing to the semifinals.
Utica and Auburn faced each other in the first round of the playoffs and will have an early season rematch on the second day of the season on June 4, to be played at Utica’s Donovan Stadium.
Both of these teams have re-tooled for 2022. Auburn will bring in outfielder Will Ray (Wake Forest), shortstop Juan Carlos De La Cruz (Virginia) and a trio of Radford teammates in pitchers Jackson Vantassell and Foster Seitz as well as infielder Avery Spencer. Meanwhile, Utica brings in a ton of talent from the nation’s top schools, including three Kentucky Wildcats in catcher Brandyn Durand, outfielder Lukas Schramm and shortstop Carson Applegate. The Blue Sox also bring in third baseman Daedrick Cail (Arkansas State) and outfielder Tim McHugh (St. John’s), all of these players helping anchor what is sure to be one of the best lineups in the league this summer.
Jamestown and Geneva will face-off for the first time on June 19 in another playoff rematch at Geneva’s McDonough Park. The Tarp Skunks re-tooled as well and bring in a pair of brothers, Pad and Braeden O’Shaughnessy, both from Youngstown State, to headline the team. Geneva brings in infielder Jordan Jaffe (Richmond) and catcher Nick Castellena (Niagara) as key lineup pieces. Closer Dom Trippi (Army) will join the pitching staff to anchor the bullpen.
After missing the playoffs by one game last summer, Batavia is hoping to make a step up, building on last year’s foundation. The Muckdogs will be bringing back a core of returners including infielder Jerry Reinhart (Akron), outfielder Abner Benitez (Alabama State) and a pair of important arms in AJ Winger (Texas Southern) and Tyler Prospero (Niagara).
Niagara continues to build a strong brand after joining the PGCBL ahead of the 2021 season and adds a pair of Kansas Jayhawks in outfielder Cadyn Karl and catcher Jadyn Lobliner. They won’t be the only Big 12 players on the roster as they also in Kansas State teammates Griffin Hassall, a pitcher, as well as outfielder Cameron Uselton. Outfielder Zach Scott (Dayton) also comes to Niagara Falls this summer.
Finally, Newark and Elmira will be under new Head Coaches this year in Brian Greisman and Andy Drum, respectively. Elmira will be led by first baseman Bobby Marsh (Florida Atlantic) as well as pitchers Owen Stewart (George Mason) and Landen Burch (Old Dominion). Newark brings in catcher Jake Given (Massachusetts) and a pair of Fairleigh Dickinson teammates in pitcher Ethan Rembish and infielder TJ Werner to lead the roster.
One thing is for sure: the West Division of the PGCBL will be star-studded and will be exciting to watch this summer.