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2022-23 Tompkins High School Baseball
INSIDE PITCH: VYPE Baseball Rankings, No. 5 Tompkins Falcons
At a minimum, Tompkins baseball has been an Area Finalist dating back to 2015. Continuing their model of consistency, the Falcons reached the Regional Quarters on the heels of their 28-4 district title season last Spring.
However, a third-round debut won’t suffice for this year’s hungry Tompkins team. Senior SS Drew Markle will be the face of the Falcons’ program prior to joining the 2022 National Champions Ole Miss, following his upcoming graduation.
Other names to watch for include senior C/1B/3B Landon West (Rice), who led the team in RBIs (26). Ty Dagley (Houston Christian) is a versatile piece on the mound and the outfield, and 3B Adam Benavidez lit up the scoreboard last season with 10 extra-base hits and 23 runs.
Could this be the year of the Falcons?
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Drew Markle
VYPE 2022 Baseball Preview: No.2 Tompkins Falcons
With a loaded lineup that is now senior-heavy, this may be the year for Tompkins, after reaching the Regional Semis before falling to Strake Jesuit, to take that next step – State.
The Falcons are loaded. Jace LaViolette is a 6-foot-5 outfielder/pitcher, who can crush the ball. The all-state star has signed to Texas A&M and has some serious talent.
Jack Little (Wichita State) is an all-state, corner defender, while Cash Russell (Temple JC) is a senior leader in the middle-infield. Solomon Rotberg (Erskine College) is a crafty lefty and Michael DeBattista is an ace from the right side, so pitching will be a strength.
Junior Landon West (Rice) will call balls and strikes behind the plate and is strong with the lumber. Up the middle is first-team, all-state junior Drew Markle (Ole Miss), who could carry the team along with LaViolette.
Also, watch out for Trevor Esparza on the mound, who is signed to Tyler JC. The expectations will be high and coach Kyle Humphreys will need to manage all this talent, which can be harder than expected. They are no longer the hunters, but the hunted.
