RHS Baseball
Garnets Win First Sectional Playoff Game Since 1995

– By Melanie Cane –

In the fall, boys’ soccer head coach Jared Small led the Garnets to the Sectional Semifinals for the first time since 1984. It was no small feat, considering the team graduated 13 players the year before.

Just a few months later, Small worked his magic again, this time with Rye’s baseball team.

Parlaying home field advantage into their first Sectional playoff win since 1995, the Garnets defeated Dover 8-2 Saturday, May 26. The last time Rye had won a playoff game, Eric Junge was throwing on the mound. Junge went on to pitch 20.3 innings for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2002 and 2003.

“We are proud to have won this game,” said Small. “Not only for ourselves, but also for the community and for the players and coaches who in the past 12 years have put in a lot of hard work. In that span, Rye has had some excellent individual players and some equally excellent coaches.”

Two days after the emotional victory against Dover, the Garnets fell to Putnam Valley in a 12-1 rout. Despite the disheartening loss, hopes are high for Rye, with only two of 17 players graduating come June. The two departing players are co-captains Tim Schaugnessy and Michael Schorr. Schaugnessy finished his year on the mound with a 2-4 record and a 7.00 ERA. Schorr was a force for the Garnets all year, going 5-3 with 41 strikeouts and a 2.54 ERA.

Small was particularly proud of Schorr’s performance against Dover in the playoffs.

“Michael had another excellent outing,” said the head coach. “He scattered just four hits through six shutout innings before getting himself into some trouble in the seventh. After inducing a 4-6-3 double play to get within one out of the complete game, assistant coach Edwin Diaz opted to lift Schorr for two reasons: first, we wanted him to get the ovation he deserved for his outstanding performance and season; second, we wanted to get closer Brendan Turrell into the game.” Small went on, “It is rare that you can get all 17 players into a varsity baseball game, let alone a playoff game. Knowing that we were on the verge of our first playoff win in 12 years, Diaz and I felt strongly about getting everyone a chance to contribute to our very significant achievement.”

Rye finished the regular season 12-13-0 with a 6-4-0 record in league play, earning them a home playoff game. While Small was paramount in the team’s success, he heaped praise upon his players and Diaz.

“Assistant coaches don’t often get credit for the success of high school teams, and I want to be sure that Diaz gets the praise he deserves,” said Small. “He is a guy who could easily be a head coach at another school — a former Port Chester 1st team All-County player and D-I player at LeMoyne.  His contribution to our team is immense and he deserves recognition for the intensity and baseball IQ that he brings to the table.”

Aside from Schorr, Small singled out junior SS James Bonsall and sophomore LF John Santoro as significant players in Rye’s successful season. Bonsall was able to get his average to .350 after spending the majority of the season in the .200’s.

“He made two outstanding plays at short,” said Small of Bonsall’s play against Dover. “The first a backhand in the hole and the second a Jeter-esque play to his glove side. And then he came up big at the plate with a pair of opposite field doubles and a two-run single.  I hope, for James’ sake and our team’s sake, that James decides that he likes the feeling of being the best player on the field as he has been for the past several games.  If he chooses to work hard and lock in as he has recently, he’ll be one of the best players around.”

Santoro was the last Garnet to make the team in the spring, but turned into a solid starting left fielder for Rye. “Although he has a lot to improve upon, he has really started to hit the ball well,” said Small. “His two-run, two-out single in the bottom of the third provided us with a very important 2-0 lead against Dover.”