There are some gaping holes in the Newburgh Free Academy baseball team’s lineup in 2023, as the Goldbacks will need to replace their starting catcher, first baseman, shortstop, a top pitcher and others.

Gone are Roberto Reade, Dylan Iorlano, Jake Lanzer, Anthony Manzi, Matt Segali, Liam Connolly and Cody Kenison, who helped lead the Goldbacks to a 12-8 record and an 8-4 mark in the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association.

The Goldbacks had their eyes set on defending their 2021 Section 9 Class AA championship last year but fell short of that goal when they lost to the Kingston Tigers in the semifinals.

This year, they’ll be looking to keep the Pine Bush Bushmen from defending their Section 9 championship with a lineup that features returning players Tyler Martin, Joe Ponesse, Tyler Slaughter, Tyler Voltaire, John Ahearn, Nick Schmidt, D.J. Paron, Tyler Cross, Bryan Merritt, Pat Lennon and Rocco Tammone.

Those players will mix with newcomers Chris Leggett, D.J. Clifford, Jadin, O’Neill, Chase Rounds, Logan Voltaire and Mason Hoover.

Competition starts almost immediately for the Goldbacks as they are scheduled to visit the Minisink Valley Warriors on Thursday to start the season before heading to SUNY Cortland for a two-day invitational on Friday and Saturday.

They’ll pay a visit to the defending champion Bushmen on Tuesday.

“We lost some key players from last year and we have some big shoes to fill, but I like the depth on this team,” Newburgh coach Scott Seabury said. “We have a good mix of senior leadership and youth. There are five sophomores ready to contribute. We expect to be in the mix and compete hard every day.”

2023 Schedule
Thursday, March 30 - at Minisink Valley, 4:15 p.m.

Friday, March 31 - vs. Auburn, 7:30 p.m. (SUNY Cortland)
Saturday, April 1 - vs. TBD, 3:30 p.m. (SUNY Cortland)
Tuesday, April 4 - vs. Cornwall, 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, April 6 - at Pine Bush, 4:15 p.m.
Monday, April 10 - vs. Goshen, 4:15 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12 - vs. Valley Central, 4:15 p.m.
Friday, April 14 - at Washingtonville, 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, April 18 - vs. Kingston, 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, April 20 - at Middletown, 4:15 p.m.
Friday, April 21 - vs. John S. Burke Catholic, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, April 24 - at Monroe-Woodbury, 4:15 p.m.
Wednesday, April 26 - vs. Warwick, 4:15 p.m.
Friday, April 28 - vs. Pine Bush, 4:15 p.m.
Monday, May 1 - at Valley Central, 4:15 p.m.
Wednesday, May 3 - vs. Washingtonville, 4:15 p.m.
Friday, May 5 - at Kingston, 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, May 9 - vs. Middletown, 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, May 11 - vs. Monroe-Woodbury, 4 p.m.
Monday, May 15 - at Warwick, 4:15 p.m.