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Champlain Valley

HINESBURG, Vt. -  It was a rough ending to an otherwise outstanding season for Champlain Valley Union a year ago.

A league championship and a number one seed in the Division I playoffs were the highlights to a 16-2 campaign that came to an end with a loss in the quarterfinals.

“We had a very good season, we just had a bad game,” explained head coach Tim Albertson. “We ran into a hot pitcher.”

Albertson has had his share of success at Champlain Valley, winning back-to-back state titles in 2012-13. Now in his 16th season overall and 11th at Champlain Valley, Albertson has some big shoes to fill if another state title is to happen in 2019.

The Redhawks lost six players, four that were pitchers including the one-two punch of Liam Reiner, a first-team Metro pitcher now at St. Lawrence, and Hank Caswell, who played third base when not pitching.

“We have a lot back but we lost our core pitching,” noted Albertson, who returns five key seniors.

Ian Parent is expected to be the ace this season after the left-hander fanned 22 in 16 innings a year ago with a 1.10 ERA. An Endicott commit, Parent plays first base when not on the mound.

Third baseman Aden Johnson, a first team all-Metro player a year ago, batted .375 with 16 RBIs and 16 runs scored and is back along with honorable mention Metro players Jacob Murphy and Tyler Skaflestad. Murphy, an outfielder/catcher, averaged .320 with a dozen RBIs last year and led the summer legion team in hits while Skaflestad had a .304 average with 18 runs scored with an on-base percentage better than .500 last spring.

The fifth senior is Brendan Tivan, the 500th-rated 2019 in New England who can help in the outfield and infield.

“Our defense will remain strong and our offensive production should stay good,” Albertson said. “But we lost a lot on the mound and we also will be new at the catcher position, but I think we’ll be alright there.”

Four juniors are being counted on to make an impact in 2019. Jonah Roberts, a second-team Metro player last season, returns in the outfield along with Jacob Boliba. Baker Angstman hit .303 and brings versatility with the ability to catch, play in the infield and pitch while right-hander Storm Rushford is needed to step up as a pitcher this season.

“I think we’ll stay competitive and stay strong,” Albertson said. “We should probably finish in the top eight, maybe higher.”

Sophomore Ryan Eaton, a 5-9 163-pounder, is an up-and-coming player according to Albertson.

“He will help us in the field as well as on the mound,” Albertson pointed out. “He’s a big bat for our lineup.”

With two state titles prior to Albertson’s arrival at Champlain Valley and two since, the Redhawks appear to have a shot at making another run.

“The keys for the season are if we can minimize our mistakes and timely hitting will also be huge,” Albertson said. “If we can throw strikes, we can be successful. I think we’ll hold our own there and if we do that we’ll be a really good team.”