As far at the 2012 governors, D’Alessandro said he is expecting big things out of senior Hansel Castillo, who will likely be the team’s No. 2 hitter. Jordany Aquino hit a grand slam in last year’s playoffs and the coach is expecting his outfielder to do more damage with the bat in 2012. 

D’Alessandro had a lot to say about the development and importance of pitcher Raul Sweeney. 

“He is tall and he has the right stuff, he just hasn’t been able to put it all together,” said the coach. “But he spent a lot of time in the summer leagues and this year, I see a man, not a boy.”

D’Alessandro said that if Sweeney “can throw strikes, we can go far.”

3/26 Walton Campus 4 p.m.

3/27 Walton Campus 4 p.m.

4/2 Taft Educational Campus 4 p.m.

4/4 Taft Educational Campus 4 p.m.

4/17 Mott Haven Ed. Campus 4 p.m.

4/19 Mott Haven Ed. Campus 4 p.m.    

4/23 Evander Childs 4 p.m.

4/26 Kennedy Campus 4 p.m.

4/27 Herbert H. Lehman 4 p.m.

5/1 Christopher Columbus 4 p.m.

5/3 Samuel Gompers 4 p.m.

5/7 James Monroe Campus 4 p.m.

5/9 James Monroe Campus 4 p.m.

5/11 RKA 4 p.m.

5/14 Morris Educational

Campus 4 p.m.

5/16 Morris Educational

Campus 4 p.m.

IN-Tech Academy Panthers 

Coach: John Spadaccini, second season

Last season’s record: 12-4

Coach John Spadaccini is unabashed. After a 12-4 season in 2011 and with three out of four starting pitchers returning to the roster, Spadaccini said, “I see us making a run for first place in the division.”

“We have a deep enough pitching staff that we have that capability.”

The coach describes senior righty Chris Bernier as a “pitcher not a thrower.”

“He is crafty, he challenges hitters and his experience on the mound shows.”

Senior righty Eric Valdez, another member of the esteemed troika, has used his brutal changeup to confound opposing batters for four years. 

Michael Carrera, another righty, has a good fastball, varies his pitches well and knows how to “hit the spots,” his coach said. 

Spadaccini also praised senior shortstop Bryan Gutierrez as “an excellent hitter and one of our team leaders.”

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