Class of 2026 - Selections
Mike Orefice
Mike Orefice started his baseball journey with the Town of Poughkeepsie Little League, where he was able to play for his favorite coach, his father. Little League was filled with great times, district championships, and the beginning of his love for baseball. Mike went on to play 3 years of varsity baseball at Roy C. Ketcham High School from 2007-2009, where he was able to play and learn under the legendary Pat Mealy. During his time at Ketcham, Mike was a two year captain and named all-league, all-county, and all-section twice. Outside of high school baseball, Mike was a member of the 2008 Empire State team which won a gold medal.
Mike went on to play Division 1 baseball at Marist College on a partial baseball scholarship. Mike was a 4-year starter/ 2-year captain at Marist. Mike was named to the All-MAAC Rookie Team as a freshman and was named to the All-MAAC team twice as a junior and senior. Mike had a career batting average of .317 and landed himself in the top 10 in Marist Baseball Program history in numerous offensive categories.
To date, Mike is also the program’s all-time leader in fielding percentage.
After college, Mike went on to play professionally for the San Rafael Pacifics in the Pacific Association, an independent league out in Northern California. In that year, Mike helped lead his team to a championship, batting .318 with 14 doubles, 4 homeruns, 31 RBI’s and 12 stolen bases, to go along with 56 walks to just 27 strikeouts.
After playing professionally, Mike came home to play with the Black Sox in the Hudson Valley NABA from 2013-2023. In HVNABA history, Mike ranks 2nd all-time with 42 home runs, 2nd all-time with a .443 batting average, 2nd all-time with a .781 slugging percentage, 2nd all-time with a 1.330 OPS, and ranks 1st all-time with a .549 on-base percentage while playing in fewer games than other leaders. In 2018, Mike delivered the greatest offensive season in HVNABA history, setting records in home runs (13), hits (48), and RBIs (50), while hitting .565 with a 1.780 OPS. Most importantly, Mike won 4 championships in 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2021.
Dave Benedict
Dave grew up playing in the Town of Wappingers Little League, Senior League & Big League from the ages of 9-18. His team won the New York State Championship as well as the U.S. Eastern Regionals and went on to play in the Big-League World Seriesin Ft. Lauderdale in 1982. Dave was the catcher on the first U.S. Team to beat Taiwan. He was honored to represent Dutchess County at the World Series.
Dave played at John Jay Highschool from 78-81 being named to the 2nd Team All County Catcher in his Senior Year. Dave umpired for Wappingers Little League while in high school. He graduated in 1985 from Flager College in St. Augustine, Florida where he played baseball on a scholarship as a pitcher.
After graduating from college, he moved to St. Petersburg Florida and began playing in 1988 in the MSBL. His MSBL highlights include being featured on the cover of Hardball Magazine in 1995 as MVP for winning the Florida Cup. His team won the Championship 30+ Division playing for the Clearwater Tigers. In 2010 Dave was named to the Clearwater Florida Baseball Hall of Fame.
Dave continued playing over 100 games per year in the MSBL. Including playing in the Holiday Classic in Kissimmee Florida and awarded MVP in 2017 & 2018. Dave also competed once again internationally in 2017 he played in the World Masters in New Zealand with the Boston Wolfpack winning the Gold Medal. In 2018 he played in the Pan Pacific Maters Games in Australia and named MVP for pitching a complete game victory in the Championship game.
His MSBL greatest accomplishment is winning the Championship and the Tournament MVP in Phoenix playing with the Boston Wolfpack. Dave was also inducted to the MSBL Fall Classic Hall of Fame November 13, 2024.
John Crawford
John played City of Poughkeepsie Little League and Junior League baseball from 1973 to 1980, earning All-Star honors in both leagues. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes High School, where he became a varsity starter as a sophomore (P, CF), was named to the All-Mid-Hudson Conference (MHC) Division II Team and helped lead them to a Division II championship, striking out 11 batters in the game. His team also finished as runner-up in the New York State Class AB Championship Game. He finished the season with an 11–1 record as a pitcher. His play also drew the attention of scouts from the Kansas City Royals.
After high school, he attended Bridgton Academy, played baseball and started as a pitcher where he was named the team's Most Valuable Player. Following an injury, he continued his baseball career at Dutchess Community College, earning a starting role as a pitcher and center fielder.
John was later recognized as an inaugural inductee into the first class of the Our Lady of Lourdes Hall of Fame.“
Bill Danek
Bill played for 1974 Town of Poughkeepsie Central NYS LL All Stars Champions along with his brother Dave. The following year, he played for the Moose All-Star champions. He threw a perfect game in the 1974 league championship game prior to all-star competition. He had a 4-year varsity career as a P/3B under Joe Derosa at Arlington High School. He was a 2 time all county player as a 3rd baseman and pitcher. Played with the Poughkeepsie Lasers for several years while in high school.
Bill played at St. John’s University on a full scholarship starting in 1982. John Franco and Frank Viola were just drafted off a team that made the CWS. Bill really started to develop as a pitcher at this time. Played for the LI Nationals in ACBL in 1982 and then the Orleans Cardinals in 1983 in the Cape Cod Summer League. I got the start against Cape Cod All-Stars in 1982 game at Shea stadium where we upset them 5-2. Pitched at Yankee Stadium at a ML Scouting Bureau event. He went on to be drafted in 17th round by Chicago Cubs in 1984.
Danek compiled a 43-26 record with 5 shutouts and 6 saves and a 3.17 ERA across 5 levels of professional ball. After finishing a strong year in 1987, was asked to pitch in the Dominican Republic winter league. Ended up with an arm injury that ended career. Played with HOF’r Greg Maddux for parts of 3 years and roomed with Joe Girardi in A ball. Played against HOF’s Larry Walker & Randy Johnson while they were in the minor leagues.
Pat Mealy
(Manager) Mealy has served as the Varsity Baseball Head Coach at Roy C. Ketcham High School since 2001, establishing one of New York State's premier high school baseball programs. During his tenure, Coach Mealy has compiled an outstanding career record of 518-136, while building a culture centered on excellence, accountability, and player development.
Under his leadership, Roy C. Ketcham Baseball has captured:
· 16 League Championships
· 10 Section I Championships
· 6 Regional Championships
· 6 New York State Final Four Appearances
· 2 New York State Championships
Coach Mealy's success has been recognized throughout his career with numerous coaching honors, including:
· 17 League Coach of the Year Awards
· 12 Dutchess County Coach of the Year Awards
· 4 Section I Coach of the Year Awards
· 5 Poughkeepsie Journal Coach of the Year Awards
· 2 New York State Coach of the Year Awards
While these accomplishments are significant, Coach Mealy is quick to credit the outstanding staff that has helped build the program. Longtime assistant coaches Michael Paino and Walter Gulick have served alongside him for more than two decades, while John Sullivan and Matt Paino have also played integral roles in the program's sustained success. Their dedication, loyalty, and commitment to the student-athletes have been instrumental in establishing the championship tradition at Roy C. Ketcham.
One of Coach Mealy's greatest sources of pride is the development of his players beyond high school. More than 160 student-athletes from the program have continued their baseball careers at the collegiate level, including many who have competed in NCAA Division I baseball.
Away from the field, Coach Mealy has been blessed with the unwavering support of his wife of 27 years, Adrienne, and their two children, Abigail and Ryan. Abigail is a kindergarten teacher, while Ryan is a member of the Rutgers University baseball program. Among Coach Mealy's most cherished memories are the years spent coaching his own children—Abigail in basketball and Ryan in baseball from the time he was old enough to pick up a bat.
Throughout his career, Coach Mealy has remained committed to developing not only successful baseball players, but young men of character, leadership, and integrity. His impact extends far beyond wins and championships, leaving a lasting legacy on generations of student-athletes, their families, and the Roy C. Ketcham community.
Glenn Simmons
From the age of five, baseball has been a defining part of Glenn's life. It all began in the Fishkill Little League Organization and continued through Senior League and Big League. Along the way, Glenn earned All-Star honors at every level of competition. He was a two-year varsity starter at John Jay High School and went on to start at both East Stroudsburg State University and DeKalb Central Junior College in Georgia. Achieving his childhood dream, Glenn was drafted twice in the first round of the 1983 professional baseball drafts—first by the Cleveland Indians in January and later by the Detroit Tigers in June, the organization with which he signed. He spent more than two seasons in the Detroit Tigers organization before an arm injury brought his professional career to an end.
Among some of Glenn's most memorable accomplishments was leading his Big League All-Star team to a fifth-place finish in the Big League World Series in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During the tournament, he batted .444, posted a 5-0 pitching record, led the team in home runs, and earned Most Valuable Player honors. The team also made history by becoming the first U.S. team in more than eight years to defeat Taiwan. As a senior at John Jay High School, Glenn's performances against recognized programs, including victories over Cornwall and previously undefeated Lourdes, drew significant attention from college recruiters and professional scouts. His fastball was clocked at over 90 mph, further solidifying his reputation as one of the area's premier prospects.
After returning to the Hudson Valley, Glenn continued his baseball career with the Hopewell Ions for more than 15 years. During that time, he earned Rookie League Best Pitcher honors in 1982 with a 1.60 ERA and captured the league batting title in 1986 with an outstanding .564 batting average. He also earned All-Star recognition in the competitive New Jersey Met Wood Bat League and competed in both the Pioneer League and the Twilight League. Following his playing career, Glenn remained committed to the game by coaching in Wappingers Little League, where his team captured a District Championship, and by serving as an assistant coach with RCK Varsity Baseball Program. Baseball has shaped Glenn's life as a player, teammate, mentor, and coach, and he takes great pride in the lasting contributions he has made to the game and to the Dutchess County baseball community.
Ben Albright
Ben Albright played varsity baseball at Arlington High School from 1995–1998 under head coach Dave Goddard where he was All-League Player and Captain. He attended St. Bonaventure University from the fall of 1998 through the fall of 1999, where he continued his baseball career.
While at St. Bonaventure, he met his wife, Abbey, an accomplished collegiate soccer player. He later transferred to SUNY Cortland, where he played from 2000–2003. In 2021, he was inducted into the SUNY Cortland Baseball Hall of Fame (Legends Club). During his collegiate career, he earned First Team All-Region honors in 2002, was named the NCAA New York Regional Most Valuable Player in 2001, led the Red Dragons in batting average in consecutive seasons (.407 in 2001 and .404 in 2002), competed internationally in Russia during the summer of 2002, and helped lead Cortland to NCAA Division III College World Series appearances in 2000 and 2001, with both teams finishing fifth in the nation.
Coach Albright has served as the varsity baseball coach at Cortland High School since 2011. During his tenure, he has compiled a 203–100 career record while leading the program to six league championships, seven Section III Final Four appearances, the school's first-ever Section III Baseball Championship in 2013, and a second sectional title in 2022. A five-time OHSL/SCAC Coach of the Year, Albright has guided 37 players to the collegiate level, including three who advanced to professional baseball, while his program has also produced four Academic All-Americans.
Beyond coaching at Cortland, Albright serves as the OHSL and SCAC League Chair and is a longtime member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), where he serves as the New York State Ambassador. During the summer, he coaches National-level teams for the Northeast Pride Travel Organization. His Cortland teams have earned both the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award and the New York State Team Academic Excellence Award every year of his tenure. He has also helped raise more than $10,000 for the Syracuse ALS Chapter through participation in the ALS Baseball Classic. In addition to coaching, he teaches Physical Education at Cortland High School.
Ben and Abbey reside in Virgil, New York, with their three sons, Caden, Calin, and Camden and dog Shea. Caden is a sophomore at Binghamton University, where he studies and competes in NCAA Division I baseball. Cal will continue both his academic and baseball career at Division I Hofstra University following his senior year at Cortland High School. Cam will be entering eighth grade in the Cortland City School District and aspires to be a college baseball player as well.
Chuck Cooper
(Umpire) Chuck Cooper umpired throughout the Hudson Valley for the better part of five decades. He was an avid golfer and proudly achieved three holes-in-one, often playing at McCann Golf Course and Winding Brook. Chuck was a devoted family man, always found on the sidelines supporting his children and later his grandchildren. He enjoyed tending to his yard, loved dogs, and liked to stay active and busy outdoors.
A passionate sports fan, he especially enjoyed following New York teams, particularly the Yankees. He was also deeply involved in local sports, he referred and umpired into his 80's, after serving 40 + years on the local high school sports fields.
High School Players of the Year:
Shane Finnigan
Shane Finnigan
Shane Finnigan
Large High School Player of the Year
Ketcham
Pitching: 6-0, 0.19 ERA, 38.3 IP, 0.38 WHIP, 1 ER, 44 strikeouts, 5 walks
Will be at Manhattanville University
Zach Schetter
Shane Finnigan
Shane Finnigan
Small High School Player of the Year
Beacon High School
Offensive Stats: .435 Avg., .482 OBP, .646 SLG., 30 hits, 12 doubles, 2 HR, 33 RBI
Pitching: 2-1, 3 saves, 14.1 IP, 29 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA with a .128 BA against.
Will be playing at Wilkes University next year