Aaron Brooks and his Rhinebeck High School varsity baseball players are entering the 2025 season with ambitious goals. The Hawks host Millbrook on April 7 and travel to Webutuck on April 10 before the spring recess.
“We’re going to be a lot better this year,” said Brooks, the second-year coach and former pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization. “This year, we should win our division and make a good run in sectionals.”
Rhinebeck are in the Mid-Hudson Athletic League’s Division IV with Millbrook, Webutuck and Pine Plains, and will compete in Class B during the Section IX playoffs.
“There’s a lot of good talent out there right now across the league and it’s going to be a very fun and very competitive season,” said junior Sawyer Giles.
Brooks is optimistic about his club due to a deep pitching staff and improving defense. The Hawks work on defense for at least an hour at each practice and have had two-hour practices where they’ve just worked on defense.
“Defense is the biggest thing I work on,” said Brooks. “My philosophy is the team that makes the least number of errors wins. We’re getting better every day. If we can eliminate the errors, we stand a good chance with our pitching.”
Senior Henry LeHane, Giles and freshman Oscar Clark and Damian Haag anchor the pitching staff.
“I’m very confident with our team,” said LeHane. “Our pitching staff is deeper this year. We have many solid arms. I think we can work through lineups well.”
The Hawks remain a young club after fielding a youthful squad in 2024. The 2025 roster features only four seniors and three juniors. Brooks said junior James Jacox might be the most improved player in camp.
There are nine sophomores and three freshman on the roster. Nick Dentico leads the group of sophomores.
“Last year we had a lot of ninth graders,” said Brooks. “Those guys have gotten bigger and stronger. They’re not overmatched anymore. We also have a couple of ninth graders this year who are big and ready to go as well.”