Published: June 30, 2009 10:20 pm      

HS BASEBALL: Puscheck named to first-team All-NFL

Tonawanda News Baseball Player of the Year Micah Puscheck has another honor to show for his impressive senior season.

The North Tonawanda pitcher was a first-team All-Niagara Frontier League selection as an infielder. His brother, sophomore Jesse Puscheck, made first team as a designated hitter.

Micah Puscheck had the league’s second-best batting average (.457) to go along with 15 runs and 10 RBIs for the Lumberjacks, who finished 9-7 overall. He struck out only once in 51 appearances, and walked 15 times.

Puscheck’s record on the mound was 3-1, with all three victories coming against the NFL’s top teams — Grand Island, Niagara-Wheatfield and Niagara Falls.

Jesse Puscheck hit .455 in 44 at-bats for the Jacks, and had an NFL-best seven doubles and 22 RBIs. He also smacked two home runs.

Another local first team selection was Kenmore East senior catcher Kevin Whitehead, who hit .439 for the Bulldogs with six doubles and a home run.

Niagara Gazette Player of the Year Joel Klock headlined a trio of Grand Island players named to the first team, which included outfielders Nick Kellner and Marv Pawlowski.

For Niagara-Wheatfield, Adam Curyto and Chris Gruarin were first-team picks.

The Tonawanda Warriors landed a pair of first-team ECIC IV picks in senior catcher Tyler Lorich and junior pitcher Jesse Zellner.

Starpoint’s Andy Boyce was a first team all-ECIC II pick.

ALL-NIAGARA FRONTIER LEAGUE

First Team: Adam Curyto (Junior, P, Niagara-Wheatfield), Joel Klock (Junior, P, Grand Island), Kevin Whitehead (Senior, C, Kenmore East), Jake Lysiak (Junior, INF, Niagara Falls), Micah Puscheck (Senior, INF, North Tonawanda), Chris Gruarin (Senior, INF, Niagara-Wheatfield), Tom DiCarlo (Sophomore, INF, Lockport), Nick Kellner (Sophomore, OF, Grand Island), John Lysiak (Senior, OF, Niagara Falls), Marv Pawlowski (Senior, OF, Grand Island), Jesse Puscheck (Sophomore, DH, North Tonawanda).

Second Team: Carl Graff (Senior, P, Niagara-Wheatfield), Scott Whitehead (Senior, P, Kenmore East), Adam Grace (Junior, C, Niagara Falls), Chris Podlucky (Senior, INF, Grand Island), Colton Fago (Senior, INF, Lockport), Ricky Christopher (Senior, INF, Kenmore West), Ricky Grace (Senior, INF, Niagara Falls), Mike Cuddahee (Sophomore, OF, Lewiston-Porter), Joe Montesanti (Sophomore, OF, North Tonawanda), Paul Smith (Senior, OF, Niagara-Wheatfield), Kyle fernandez (Senior, DH, Lockport).

Third Team: Chris Kirkland (Junior, P, Niagara Falls), Jake Janeczko (Sophomore, P, Lewiston-Porter), Joe Oliverio (Senior, C, Grand Island), Alex Nowocien (Sophomore, INF, Lewiston-Porter), Reese Bedient (Junior, INF, Niagara-Wheatfield), Kevin Miller (Senior, INF, North Tonawanda), Matt Paonessa (Senior, INF, Niagara Falls), Ryan Tinkham (Senior, OF, Lockport), Derek Bloomfield (Junior, OF, North Tonawanda), Zach Bouley (Junior, OF, Kenmore West), Kyle McGovern (Junior, DH, Niagara Falls).

ALL-NIAGARA-ORLEANS LEAGUE

First Team: Buddy Keeler (Junior, P, Albion), Rohn Pierce (Sophomore, P, Newfane), Jon Forder (Senior, C, Albion), Brad Rush (Junior, INF, Albion), Andrew Carmer (Sophomore, INF, Barker), Matt Kuhn (Senior, INF, Royalton-Hartland), Ronnie Manella (Junior, INF, Albion), Tyler Gabbey (Senior, OF, Akron), Andy Jones (Senior, OF, Wilson), Matt Monacelli (Junior, OF, Albion), Nate Lester (Junior, DH, Albion), Andy Carroll (Senior, DH, Wilson).

Second Team: Joe Monti (Junior, P, Royalton-Hartland), Kyle Kiebzak (Junior, P, CSAT), Rocco Vaccaro (Senior, C, CSAT), Cody Blackley (Junior, INF, Barker), Collin Flagler (Senior, INF, Newfane), Mike Porter (Sophomore, INF, Royalton-Hartland), Nate Meier (Junior, INF, Wilson), Matt Borning (Junior, OF, Medina), Sean Akin (Senior, OF, Akron), Tom Hicks (Senior, OF, Albion), Ryan Riemer (Junior, DH, Medina).

Honorable Mention: Bob Groff (Akron), Jake Lester (Albion), Russell Craft (Albion), John Stacey (CSAT), Jordan Wansart (CSAT), Jacob Miller (Medina), Stephen Kneeland (Newfane), Garth Seefeldt (Newfane), Bryan Warren (Royalton-Hartland), Jordan Thilk (Wilson), Cameron Sidote (Wilson).

ALL-ECIC II

First Team: Andy Boyce (Junior, 1B, Starpoint)

Second Team: Jon Corbi (Junior, P, Starpoint), Andy Lane (Junior, P, Starpoint).

Honorable Mention: (Joe Delelio (Starpoint), Ryan Austin (Starpoint), Garrett Britton (Starpoint).