Bulldogs bare teeth
BERNE The Berne-Knox-Westerlo baseball team is looking to make a lot of noise this season.
With an experienced and athletic group of players returning, the Bulldogs will be tough to beat in the Southern Division of the Western Athletic Conference.
“We have a nice blend,” BKW baseball coach Jeff Teats said. “We have talented young kids that play really hard. Despite being in the gym, we’ve had some quality practices. The kids are anxious to start the schedule and get going.”
Returning seniors for the Bulldogs are Jeremy Springer, Greg Mulson, Ben Burton, Josh Skinner, and Lance Durham.
Springer will be the starting catcher, Mulson will pitch and play second base, Burton will man center field and pitch, Skinner will play at shortstop and will pitch, and Durham will play in the outfield.
“The seniors, because of our youth, need to be leaders,” Teats said. “They have a lot of experience. It’s their time to step up.”
Juniors on the team are Andrew Cortese, Andrew Liddane, and Pat Stanton. Cortese will play in the outfield, Liddane will be at third base, and Stanton will also play in the outfield.
Sophomores Mike Galgay and Korey Mann are also on the team. Galgay will play first base and Mann will play in the outfield and can pitch.
There are two ninth-graders on the team as well.
Brett Flansburg will see some time in the outfield and at third base and can also pitch. Brendan Galgay can play center field, shortstop, and also pitch.
Pitching will be a deep spot for the Bulldogs this spring.
“We have six guys that can throw,” Teats said. “Burton and Skinner are in the one and two spots.”
“Up for grabs”
Teats said that his team will be one of the teams competing for the Southern Division title in the WAC.
“The Southern Division is up for grabs,” Teats said. “We should compete for Southern Division championship. The North is always strong.
“Canajoharie graduated its entire team,” Teats added. “Schoharie, Middleburgh, and Duanesburg are always competitive and in the hunt. Sharon Springs is back to having a varsity team after three seasons. I have no idea what to expect.”
Teats feels that his team has enough talented athletes to compete for the league title.
“We have decent team speed,” the coach said. “The kids are understanding roles. They know what to do on a day-to-day basis.”
The Bulldogs practiced outdoors a couple of days last week but were forced to go back inside as snow covered the ground on Friday. The Bulldogs are scheduled to play their first game on April 3 at home against Canajoharie.
Before the snow came, Teats was confident that this team will be able to take the field for that game.
“The weather is always interesting,” Teats said last Wednesday. “We’ll deal with it. Our field is ready to go. We could play today if we had to.”