Rangers' baseball team plays above final record

HAMBURG — It’s been said in the sports world that a team is what their record states. In that case, the 2015 Wallkill Valley High School baseball program would be a .500 squad. Which, given the strong competition that they faced throughout the season, is a pretty credible feat in its own right.

But, when one takes a closer glance, it becomes readily apparent that the Rangers, who had an overall record of 12-12 played much better than a .500 team at various times this spring.

Besides finishing in a three-way tie for first place in the challenging Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Colonial Division along with Newton and North Warren, Wallkill Valley also advanced to the NJSIAA North I Group II sectional tournament quarterfinal round before losing a 4-2 contest to top seeded Lakeland. The Rangers’ seeded ninth in the North I Group II sectional tournament bracket, toppled eighth seeded Lenape Valley, 7-1, in the opening round of the tournament.

Rangers’ coach Kevin Lukich has pinpointed the Lenape Valley win as one certain game which showed the determination and dedication of the student-athlete’s who comprised his team this spring.

“Our (NJSIAA North I Group II Sectional Tournament) game versus Lenape Valley in the first round [was a very strong team effort]," Lukich said. “We played an all-around team game, had good defense, great pitching by Joe Colosimo and timely hitting. Colosimo emerged as our leader throughout the year by his performance and consistency on the mound."

When asked which athlete found ways to improve himself day by day, game by game, Lukich had a ready answer.

“Cameron Blake," Lukich said. “He never played varsity before this year and carved out a constant starting role on the team by playing solid defense and performing well at the plate."

The 6-2 mark that Wallkill Valley posted in the Northwest Jersey Conference Colonial Division was indeed impressive and Lukich believes that the Rangers will be well prepared to compete well throughout the 2016 season.

"We will be very young, but very talented [next year]," Lukich said. “We also bring back one of the best returning pitchers in the area, Wes Walton."