April 7, 2022

The players who are recruited by the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs are encouraged to play with a chip on their shoulder. The 2022 edition of the team will be no different.

This year’s team is highlighted by a pair of Coastal Carolina teammates coming to Mohawk Valley, third baseman Orlando Pena and pitcher Darin Horn. Pena is rated by Perfect Game as one of the top third basemen in the country, ranked No. 1 in his position in the state of New Jersey and the No. 35 third baseman nationally.

Some more additions on the mound include right-hander Marcus LaBuda (Villanova), Doug Marose (Towson) and Matt Carey (Dartmouth).

“We’ve got some kids coming from all over the country, so we’re really excited about it,” Head Coach Steve Luby said.

Mohawk Valley will also include a number of returners, two of them being on the mound. Chris Palmer (St. Rose) is back for a second season after making 12 appearances last year, including a start. Troy Butler (Binghamton) returns as well after pitching to a 1.20 ERA last year across 15 innings pitched in seven relief appearances. He recorded 19 strikeouts. Luby said he expects the pitchers to have more of a role with the team this summer. Catcher Brady Fureno (Le Moyne) also returns after hitting .282 with a home run and 16 RBIs across 28 games played for Mohawk Valley last summer, along with outfielder/pitcher Evan Berta (Fairfield) and utility man Vincenzo Castronovo (Siena).

“The kids that we recruit are blue-collar kids. We recruit kids that want to work, that want to get better, because our job is to send them back better than they showed up. That’s our goal, is to help mature them and help fine-tune their athleticism and their knowledge of the game,” Luby said. “I think the kids that come to us realize the work they have to put in.”

This blue-collar mentality has helped the team succeed throughout its history, having finished above .500 in nine consecutive seasons. Mohawk Valley finished 23-19 last season, second place in the Central Division.

“It’s the kid that maybe isn’t as flashy as the star, D-1 kid. We get a lot of D-2 kids or small D-1 college kids, so their name isn’t really out there, maybe they’ve been overlooked because of whatever reason, a smaller school in a smaller town or whatnot and so they’ve got something to prove. They’ve got a chip on their shoulder,” Luby said.

Overall, Luby and Mohawk Valley are looking forward to continue a winning culture this summer.

Simply put, Luby enthusiastically added, “We’re stoked about it!”