Several Amsterdam High School athletes were recently named to the Foothills Council All-Star teams for softball, baseball and lacrosse.
The Amsterdam Lady Rams varsity softball team had two players earn second team all-star honors. Sophomore Emma Patrei, who also ran for the Amsterdam girls varsity track and field team during the Spring, was at the heart of several AHS wins, picking up the Lady Rams last two victories in 2016 while in the pitcher’s circle. Patrei was key in a comeback win against Canajoharie in the opening round of the Ronald J. Paperniak Memorial Scholarship Tournament in Fonda back in April as she shut down a talented Lady Cougars offense over the last four innings and provided a pair of hits and contributed two runs to the 10-8 win. Patrei also tossed a complete game in Amsterdam’s 8-6 win over Johnstown and pitched both games of a double header including a 7-3 win over Western Athletic Conference division champion Mayfield, handing the Lady Panthers one of only four losses for the year. When not in the pitcher’s circle, Patrei anchored the left side of the Lady Rams infield playing shortstop. Patrei was also named a first team Foothills Council All-Star in track and field for the Lady Rams as a member of the girls 4×800 meter relay team. She may be the first, if not one of the few Amsterdam High School girls athletes to be named to two sports all-star teams in the same season.
Megan Lamont began the 2016 season on the Amsterdam junior varsity softball squad, but after being called up mid season when the team was dealing with injuries, Lamont showed she belonged on varsity and made an immediate impact batting at the top of the AHS lineup. Against Canajoharie, Lamont reached base four times and scored three runs in the Lady Rams 10-8 win to help her team reach the championship game against Fonda-Fultonville. Lamont also broke up a no hit bid against Schuylerville connecting for a lead off double in the bottom of the sixth of that game. The freshman second baseman drove in two runs with three hits, and scored twice in AHS’ win over Johnstown and helped stabilize the Amsterdam infield with her versatility to play both second base and shortstop.
The Amsterdam High School varsity baseball team placed three of its own on the Foothills Council second-team and also had one earn an honorable mention. The Rams finished the 2016 campaign 13-8 overall including a 7-5 victory over Lansingburgh in the NYSPHSAA Section 2 Class A tournament, and an 8-4 win over league rival Scotia-Glenville in April at Shuttleworth Park.
Pitcher/outfielder Dale Stanavich, third baseman Ben Rhodes, and catcher Jake Rodecker all earned second-team honors, while outfielder Max Spagnola was selected for honorable mention status.
Stanavich came up with big game wins consistently while on the mound for the Rams. Against Johnstown on April 21 at Shuttleworth, he hurled four innings of no hit, shutout ball and struck out seven in Amsterdam’s 12-5 victory. Stanavich also contributed at the plate as well connecting for a pair of hits and drove in four runs. Stanavich’s performance was also crucial in a pair of AHS wins over league rival Broadalbin-Pertjh while the team was in the middle of a season best six game win streak.
Rhodes played brilliantly and consistently at third base turning in several highlight-reel worthy plays with his glove. Rhodes was also at the heart of the Rams batting order and often hit in the cleanup position starting several AHS rallies. Rhodes drove in a pair of runs late in a game against Johnstown and came through in Amsterdam’s 9-8 comeback win against Fonda-Fultonville. A three sport athlete, Rhodes also started for both the Section 2 Class A champion Amsterdam Rugged Rams varsity football team, and the Amsterdam Running Rams varsity basketball team.
Rodecker was solid behind-the-plate for Amsterdam, catching for a pitching staff that included Dale Stanavich, Kyle Sherlock and Jordan Graser. Rodecker joined Rhodes in the heart of the Rams batting order, and came up with clutch hits against league rivals Johnstown and Broadalbin-Perth and also local rival Fonda-Fultonville. Max Spagnola’ s quickness in the outfield helped keep opponents off the bases, and made difficult plays look routine.
The Amsterdam varsity lacrosse team placed three seniors on the Foothills Council all-star team. Matt Fedullo was named a second team all-star, and Luigi Iorio and Mark Hughes were named as honorable mentions.
Fedullo, a midfielder, kept the Amsterdam squad focused on offense and defense with his consistent play. Fedullo scored 39 goals and collected 33 assists during the 2016 season helping Amsterdam to a 8-10 record and into the Class A sectionals. Fedullo recorded four goals and three assists in the Rams 16-5 sectional win over Averill Park at Amsterdam’s Lynch Field.
Iorio was Amsterdam’s leading scorer in 2016 with an incredible 60 goals and 41 assists. Playing from the attacker position, Iorio did just that – attack. Iorio also had four goals in the Rams sectional win over Averill Park and dished out a pair of assists. Iorio and Fedullo often complimented each other assisting on each other’s scores. The AHS offense was most effective with the pair on the field. Iorio’s totals in goals and assists were both team highs.
Mark Hughes earned honorable mention status from the face-off position. Hughes often got the Rams started winning face offs at the beginning of a contest or following a goal and was key in several AHS rallies. Hughes won better than fifty percent of his face off challenges and even got into the scoring column at times. Hughes was one of seven Rams to score in the sectional win over Averill Park, and like many of the Rams goals, Hughes took an assist from one of his teammates on the play. That type teamwork was crucial in the success of not only the lacrosse team, but all Amsterdam teams during the season.
