Season in Review: Lakeland Baseball

Lakeland’s season didn’t end the way anyone expected it to, as the No. 1 Hornets were upset by No. 16 Somers 5-4 in the opening round of the Section 1 Class A tournament.

“It was disappointing the way it ended,” Lakeland senior pitcher/outfielder Jonathan de Marte said. “Nobody wanted to end that way, but the regular season was great. We worked really hard, we put a lot of time into this season.”

That hard work led to an overall record of 16-3 and a league championship. Leading the way was de Marte, who was named 2011 Louisville Slugger All-American.

“It felt great to earn that that award,” de Marte said. “It sets you apart from the all-state winners. It’s quite an honor.”

That added to his list of honors. The Richmond, Virginia-bound Hornet was also named Gatorade New York State Player of the Year for a second year in a row, and in addition was named all-section.

Joining de Marte as an all-section selection were senior first baseman David Judisky, third baseman Brian Wallace, pitcher Nick Caruso and pitcher/designated hitter Joey Arena.

The Lakeland senior hurler said all of the above were key players in the Hornets’ league championship season. He has a special bond with Arena, though, who he has played with since he was in third grade. Arena will play college ball at C.W. Post next season.

“He is the best all-around player I have ever played with,” de Marte said of Arena. “He is the most clutch baseball player I have ever seen or that I have been able to play with. He is going to have a great season next year both pitching and hitting wise. He was always one player you could count on.”

Earning all-league honors was senior second baseman Dom Priore. Juniors Nick Mariani and pitcher Mike Nash were named all-league honorable mentions.

“Most of them, if not all of them, with the amount of the time they put into it, are truly worthy of what they got,” Lakeland co-coach Mike Robinson said of his award winners.