Whiz Kid: Tuckahoe Varsity Baseball Team

Name: The Tuckahoe Tigers Varsity Baseball Team

School: Tuckahoe High School, Tuckahoe

Accomplishment: Won the Class C state baseball championship.

Key to Awesomeness:
It seems that wherever the Tuckahoe Varsity Baseball team goes, rain follows.  

Earlier this month, the Tigers clinched the Class C state baseball title after winning a marathon 22-hour championship game spanning 2 days due to rain outs and delays, defeating Norwood-Norfolk 9-5 at NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton. Last Friday, when the town and school planned a victory parade in their honor, rain was again not far behind, as players, fans, and family members ducked in and out of torrential downpours.

Not to be outdone, the bad weather also decided to show up at this week's annual Supervisor's Cup held at Haindl Field, where members of the team and coaching staff were recognized by town supervisor Anthony Colavita. Try as it may, however, no amount of rain was going to dampen the moods of those involved in this year's championship run.

“This team is definitely a special group, both on and off the field, both academically and athletically," Tuckahoe Head Coach John D'Arco Sr. said. "We have several members on the national honor’s society. Many of them played on the football or basketball teams in the fall as well. After we won the sectionals, we put 6 wins together and next thing I knew we were in the state championship."

The team's state title this season came despite a jump from Class D to Class C, meaning opponents were tougher and victories harder to come by. Strong senior leadership meant Tuckahoe players never lost focus or confidence, however.

“On our team there are 5 or 6 seniors, and they all are going to be deeply missed," D'Arco said. "Our pitcher Alex Melendez, our center-fielder Paul Luisi, our clean up hitter Jarret Sommer, first baseman Jason Feuer, Lou Bellantoni our outfielder and big hitter, and Peter Costa, they will all be missed.  They all stepped up to the plate to help lead this team to victory."

For senior Jason Feuer, this last year at Tuckahoe High School was about realizing a dream, one that even he admitted seemed a bit lofty when the school year started.  Not only did he receive a state championship ring for baseball in the spring, but he also received one in the fall as a member of the championship football team.

“It's great," Feuer said. "To win one state championship is something to remember, but having two is a great feeling to leave high school with.  I feel very accomplished leaving Tuckahoe."

Senior Jarret Sommer took time out of this week's Supervisor's Cup to look back on a four year Tuckahoe career marked by numerous ups and downs. To Sommer, ending it all on a state championship, however, is just icing on the cake.

"I've played on this team for four years since I was a freshman," Sommer said. "During those years, we've have a few letdowns, but we've played good defense all  year and that definitely helped us in the post-season, specifically with the championship game."