By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The baseball preview for the Garfield G-Men 2023 season:

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Mike Paes, 8th year, 85-85.

Coaching Staff: Kyle Workman, Scott Eberly, Randy Ward.

2022 Record: 17-7 overall; 12-2 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference.

Returning Lettermen (5): Eric Geddes, jr.; Vinny Grandizio, sr.; Carter Bates, sr.; Jackson Sommer, sr.; Tyler Bortz, jr.

Lettermen Lost (10): Kaidan Spade, Anthony Demma, Brody Swigonski, Ethan Cmunt, Keaton Eberly, Lenny Veccia, Austin Dieringer, Evan Lopez, Anthony Auguitis, Carson Covey.

Team Captains: Eric Geddes, Vinnie Grandizio.

Underclassmen to Watch: Brandyn Bogucki.

TOP RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS

Eric Geddes: .390 average, 25 hits, 7 doubles, 24 RBI, 22 runs, 12 stolen bases.

Vinnie Grandizio: 18 hits, 17 RBI, 22 runs.

Jackson Sommer: 17 runs.

TEAM OUTLOOK

The G-Men from 2022 included 10 seniors that have now graduated, which leaves this year’s squad “very young and inexperienced,” according to head coach Mike Paes.

“We need some players to step up in a lot of important spots,” Paes said.

INFIELD

Though the team’s roster is young, Eric Geddes and Vinnie Grandizio are two seniors any team would love to build around.

Geddes returns after a First Team All-Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference season. He led the G-Men in nearly every offensive category a year ago.

Grandizio also had a nice season offensively and is described by Paes as a “good leader.”

Others around the infield will include Leo Grandizio, Alex Carter, Kade Borrelli and standout freshman Brandyn Bogucki, who is expected to make an immediate impact.

CATCHER

Tyler Bortz and Brock Pesicek, along with Geddes at times, will manage the spot behind the plate.

OUTFIELD

Jackson Sommer and Carter Bates are two seniors that lettered a year ago, while Ian Hunt will fill ou the third spot in the outfield for the G-Men.

PITCHING STAFF

Program record-holder and ace Kaidan Spade has graduated and so has team No. 2 hurler Brody Swigonski, leaving Garfield’s staff inexperienced.

Geddes, both Grandizio brothers, Bogucki and Carter will get the call to answer the call.

REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC

“We have a great group of kids,” Paes said.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We are inexperienced, and we have a lot to prove,” Paes said.

SCHEDULE

March 27: vs. Southeast

March 28: vs. LaBrae

March 30: at LaBrae

April 3: vs. Mogadore

April 5: vs. Waterloo

April 6: at Lowellville

April 8: vs. Bristol (DH)

April 10: vs. Champion

April 11: at Champion

April 15: vs. Newton Falls

April 17: at Campbell Memorial

April 18: vs. Campbell Memorial

April 21: at Newton Falls

April 22: at New Middletown Springfield (DH)

April 24: at Crestview

April 28: at Streetsboro

April 29: at Manchester (DH)

May 1: at Brookfield

May 2: vs. Brookfield

May 4: vs. Beachwood

May 5: at Waterloo

May 8: at Liberty

May 9: vs. Liberty

May 10: vs. Chalker

May 11: vs. Grand Valley