Jamestown CC To Open Baseball Season Today At SUNY Fredonia

Head coach Jordan Basile and the Jamestown Community College baseball team will have the opportunity to begin their 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association spring season today in a matchup with SUNY Fredonia.

Basile, a 2005 Jamestown High School graduate, was a standout baseball player during his playing career at SUNY Fredonia. In fact, he is the Blue Devils' record holder for hits and runs scored.

After his playing career at SUNY Fredonia ended, he became an assistant coach for the Blue Devils. He worked for the Detroit Tigers in player development during the 2011 season and was later an assistant coach at the University at Buffalo and Lake Erie College. Prior to his appointment as the head man at Jamestown CC, he held the same position for Patrick Henry (Virginia) CC, where he compiled a 64-32 record and coached 22 players who moved on to NCAA Division I or II programs. He was hired by Jamestown CC in 2019.

Now, the Jamestown native is looking forward to leading the Jayhawks into a matchup with his alma mater and moving forward this spring, especially after the NJCAA canceled spring competition in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I mean, it was definitely disappointing," Basile said when asked about last year. "Especially for the guys. They were getting excited to go. But at the same time, you know, you have to realize everybody is dealing with the same thing. As disappointed as we were, we have another chance this year. We cannot wait. The guys are excited. There has been a lot of talk during practice. We just cannot wait to be back on the field. It is almost like you cannot believe that it is happening again. … It feels good right now. But it will feel even better when we get the chance (to take the field)."

The pitching staff for the 2021 Jayhawks will partially consist of redshirt freshman and Jamestown native Bryce Jackson (Jamestown/Jamestown High School) and sophomore Adonis Collado (Perth Amboy, New Jersey/Perth Amboy High School/Cenapec), who are predominantly just pitchers only. That combination is expected to see plenty of innings on the mound.

Sophomore Junseok Lee (South Korea/home schooled) will also be an option on the hill while two-way players who could see action include sophomore Chris Calladine (Andover/Andover Centers Look School), sophomore Roberto Aracena (Miami, Florida/Citi Christian Academy) and freshman Bryan Gardner (Falconer/Falconer Central School).

"We are asking these guys to do several things," Basile said. "Whether it is to move around (at different positions), whether it is to have to step up on the mound, it has been great because these kids have come in and worked no matter what they are doing. And everybody has one common goal of winning."

Basile pointed out sophomore and Dunkirk native Lucas Porpiglia (Dunkirk/Dunkirk High School), sophomore Billy Harmon (Racine, Ohio/Southern Local), and sophomore Edwin Collado (Perth Amboy, New Jersey/Perth Amboy High School) as catchers. The trio will most likely all see a good amount of time behind the plate as the season goes on.

"You will (rarely) see a guy who is catching back-to-back games of a doubleheader," Basile explained. "Catchers are kind of the backbone of the team. They see it all. They have the opportunity to be behind home plate and see everything that is going on. … Not only are you the guy who oversees everything, but it is a position that not everybody can do. You really learn to become a leader."

When it comes to the infield, Aracena will see time at third base and will mix in at other positions, too. Aracena returns to Jamestown CC for his third season after missing out on last year due to the COVID-19 cancellation. In 2019, his freshman campaign, he was a WNYAC First-Team selection after he hit .395 in 26 games, drove in 23 runs and collected 30 total hits, including three doubles and three triples.

Sophomore German Nolasco (Spring Hill, Florida/Weeki Wachee High School), freshman Ethan Abegg (Commerce City, Colorado/Prairie View High School) and sophomore Wyatt Hennessy (Mukwonago, Wisconsin/Mukwonago High School) were all listed as potential middle infield choices while redshirt freshman Yordangel Gonzalez (Miami, Florida/Miami Jackson Senior High School) and sophomore Nick Rini (Powhatan, Virginia/Knock High School) will likely man first base. Freshman Josh Lupo (Stafford, Virginia/Brooke Point High School) can play both third and first base.

Freshman Ayden Reagle (Bemus Point/Maple Grove Junior-Senior High School) and sophomore Steven Garcia (Miami, Florida/Breto Miami Private School) are potential options in the outfield while other players mentioned in the previous position groups will most likely find themselves in the outfield as well.

"If we make the plays that we need to make and if we do the little things right, that is what is going to be the difference between winning and losing a baseball game," Basile stated. " … It is not always easy being inside of a gym (early in the season) … but it is so important to do."

In terms of his team's approach offensively at the plate, Basile said that could very well depend on several factors.

"Every day is different," Basile said. "It just kind of depends on who we are seeing that day. There are some days you are going to see (an opposing pitcher) who lacks some command and we are going to be a little bit more patient with him, make him come to us, make him throw strikes. Then there are some days when (the opposing pitcher) is going to get ahead, he is going to work quick and he is going to throw a lot of strikes. Our approach will change. Nonetheless, any time you get in there, it is a new at bat. That is the biggest thing you have to remember no matter who you are facing."

This spring and moving forward, Basile expects his team to be extremely competitive.

"Whether it is one step at a time, or we go out and win this year, (our goal) is to make it be known that this is a place to be proud of," Basile emphasized. " … It is a great place to be. Our expectations are that you come here, you have a great two years and then we move you on to somewhere where you want to be at your four-year school. … We all work hard for each other. No matter your results, more importantly, it is what did you get out of your experience? That is the most important thing."

March

Sat. 20 at Fredonia State University, 12:30 p.m.

Sat. 27 Genesee Community College*, 1 p.m.

Genesee Community College*, 3:30 p.m.

Sun. 28 at Genesee Community College*, 1 p.m.

at Genesee Community College*, 3:30 p.m.

April

Sat. 10 Corning Community College, 1 p.m.

Corning Community College, 3:30 p.m.

Sun. 11 at Corning Community College, noon

at Corning Community College, 3 p.m.

Sat. 17 at Monroe Community College*, 1 p.m.

at Monroe Community College*, 3 p.m.

Sun. 18 Monroe Community College*, 1 p.m.

Monroe Community College*, 3:30 p.m.

Tue. 20 Finger Lakes Community College, 3 p.m.

Finger Lakes Community College, 5:30 p.m.

Thu. 22 at Finger Lakes Community College, 3 p.m.

at Finger Lakes Community College, 5:30 p.m.

Sat. 24 at Erie Community College*, 1 p.m.

at Erie Community College*, 3:30 p.m.

Sun. 25 Erie Community College*, 1 p.m.

Erie Community College*, 3:30 p.m.

May

Sat. 1 at Niagara County Community College*, 1 p.m.

at Niagara County Community College*, 3:30 p.m.

Sun. 2 Niagara County Community College*, 1 p.m.

Niagara County Community College*, 3:30 p.m.