Talented Trio Leads Finley Baseball

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School baseball team played its hearts out this spring. The squad was led by eighth grade captains Will Donaghy, Graham Gooch and Joseph Perotti.

Coached by Jarrad Richeter, the 18 player squad never lost hope, even in the face of losses. The highlight of the season was a well-played 2-0 victory over visiting Oldfield in the final game of the season.

“We entered the season with a mindset that can be summed up with one word; improvement,” Richter said. “I believe we made good on that mindset.”

Donaghy starred in centerfield and as a pitcher. “Will followed up a solid seventh grade season with an even better eighth grade season, both in the outfield and on the mound,” Donaghy said. “He made some timely and spectacular catches in center and contributed multiple solid starts on the mound throughout the season.”

Gooch excelled at third base and on the mound. “Graham was our offensive MVP this season, especially after registering three multi-hit efforts in our last four games and he was a reliable defensive anchor at the hot corner,” Donaghy said.

Perotti was a top shortstop and pitcher. “Joey played a smooth and steady shortstop for us all season and he was our table-setter in the top third of the order, reaching base safely in seven out of 10 games,” Richter said.

Donaghy tossed six shutout innings against Oldfield in the season finale. Gooch and Nick Martinez scored Finley’s two runs early in the game. Timely defensive plays were turned in by Gooch, Perotti, Emmet Cocoman and Jory Morgan-Page. Catcher Jesse Blohm threw out a runner attempting to steal second base late in the game. Perotti took the mound for the seventh inning and slammed the door shut to secure a save and the win.

Finley will return numerous players next spring led by Blohm, who can pitch, catch and play the infield.