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New York State Games Preview: Allegany Region

June 24, 2016

By PAUL GOTHAM
New York staff

If nothing else, Tim Smith’s Allegany Region team may have a chip on its shoulder. Not that Smith’s squad has it out for the other nine teams in Prep Baseball Report’s 2016 New York State Games, but the four Olean Huskies who will lead the Allegany team might have something to prove. 

Bryan Bizzaro (2017), Dell Butler (2017), Justin Retchless (2017) and Joshua Miles (2018) were all part of the Olean High team which fell in the sectional quarter-finals after compiling a 17-2 regular season record. Ranked number one among small schools in Western New York, the Huskies had their designs set on chasing a state championship when their season was short-circuited.

Butler hit .517 (30-58) for Olean. The 5-foot-11 outfielder drove in 11 and stole 12 while compiling an on-base percentage of .582. 

“He was just raking,” Smith said. “He has a great feel at the plate. Great discipline with a really good eye.”

The first team Chautauqua Cattaraugus Athletic Association (CCAA) League All Star played errorless ball for the season and finished with a slugging percentage of .552. 

“He roams the outfield as well as anyone,” Smith added. “He takes away hits out there.”

Bizzaro tossed a 3-hitter in the season-ending game. The 5-foot-10 right-hander struck out nine and walked one, but it was not enough.

“He’s a quality arm,” Smith noted. “He’ll be a tough kid on the mound.” 

Retchless was Olean’s starting catcher. 

“We couldn’t run off him,” Smith said when talking about his own Gowanda team. “He’s as solid a defensive catcher as there is.”

Miles was promoted from junior varsity to varsity for the post-season. Smith mentioned coming from a quality program like Olean has prepared the 6-foot-1, 170-pound second baseman/right-handed pitcher.     

Retchless will split time behind the plate with Ty Syta (2018) from St. Francis. 

“He’s a big-body kid,” Smith said of Syta - the 6-foot-1, 205-pound back stop. “Both are solid behind the plate, and they have pop with the bat.”

Matt Kruzska (2017) hit .469 with five home runs and 31 RBI out of the leadoff spot for Smith’s Goawanda team.

“He’s just a stick,” Smith said. “A kid who can hit and hit and hit. The fact that he did that out of the leadoff spot says a lot.”

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound third baseman/right-handed pitcher also finished 5-0 on the mound. 

“Hopefully that’s something that can continue,” Smith added. 

Wellsville’s Jack Migliore (2019) will turn a few heads. Already clocked under four in his home to first time, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound outfielder has an exit velocity of 85 and position arm velocity of 78. On the mound, the right-hander sits mid-70s and can touch 76. 

“He’s going to follow in his brother’s footsteps, talent-wise,” Smith said referring to Migliore’s recently-graduated brother, Brett, who will attend Canisius in the fall and play baseball. 

McQuaid’s Tyler Cyrus (2017) will get the start when Allegany takes on Southern Tier, Tuesday. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Cyrus came out of the bullpen for Tony Fuller’s Knights. The right-hander sits low 80s, but with his sturdy frame it is easy to see him adding to his velocity over the coming year. 

Readers can view the complete Allegany roster by scrolling down here. Readers can also view Allegany’s pitching matchups here.

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