Gator Baseball Seniors Honored

The Port Allegany Gator Baseball team celebrated their seniors May 13 after the first game of their double header with Northern Potter.  Chad Gaines is pictured in action with Northern Potter.

Honored were:

Hunter Freer, son of Jim and Cheryl Freer, is a catcher for the Gators.  He has played baseball for four years, lettering each year.  He also played football for two years, lettering one year.  In wrestling, he is a four-year letterman, an AMWL All-star, placed third at Districts, was a Regional Qualifier, served as a captain during his senior year and was awarded the Leadership Award.  Hunter served as captain of the baseball team in both his junior and senior years.  He plans to enter SERE (Special Operations) for the United States Air Force.  Hunter is pictured with Jim and Cheryl Freer.

Chad Gaines, son of Tammy Gaines and Ron Gaines, played centerfield and pitcher.  He is a four-year lettermen of the team.  He also played football for three years, lettering two years; is an honor roll student and his future plans are undecided.  Chad is pictured with Tammy Gaines and Ron Gaines.

Chris Lashway, son of Joe and Mary Lashway, played Gator baseball for four years, lettering all four years and also managed the team for two years.  Chris played football for four years and is a three-year letterman; served as captain his senior year and is a two-year AML All-star.  He was selected to participated in the Don Raabe Charity Big 30 Classic.   Chris played basketball for four years and lettered for three years, serving as captain his senior year.  Chris served as captain for the baseball team in both his junior and senior years.  He was selected as a league all-star in his junior year.  Chris is a member of the Student Council, serving as treasurer for two years; has been the treasurer for his class for six years; is a four-year member of the Varsity Club, serving as treasurer for one year; a five-year member of the Peer Helpers, serving as treasurer for one year; is a member of the National Honor Society; is a Big 30 Academic All-Star and has been on the high honor roll each quarter.  Chris was also the recipient of the Big 30 Golf Scramble Scholarship.  He plans to attend Penn State Behrend and major in Industrial Engineering. 

Casey Vollmer, son of Amy Vollmer and Aaron Vollmer, plays third base.  He has played for four years and is a two-year letterman.  Casey is a member of the National Honor Society; has wrestled for four years, lettering each year; two-time District runner up; 2015 District Champion; three-time Regional Qualifier; two-time Regional Place Winner; 2015 State Qualifier; 2014 Port Allegany's Most Outstanding Wrestler; three-time AMWL All-star; two-time Big 30 All-Star and served as captain of the wrestling team in both his junior and senior years.  His future plans include attending Gannon University to major in BioMedical Engineering, and continue his wrestling career.

Coaches for the Gator baseball team are Nate Zitnik, Lance Baker and Rickie Bova.

Coaches Nate Zitnik, Rickie Bova and Lance Baker are pictured congratulating Casey Vollmer as he took a trip around the bases during the 2015 Baseball Senior Day.  Pam Fischer Photos