ESPN Radio 104.5 Offseason Athlete Spotlight

Even though the school season’s may be over, the recognition for Capital District athletes continues. Today, our “Offseason Spotlight” focuses on baseball player Justin Yurchak.

Yurchak, one of the most accomplished players in Section II, led Shenendehowa to the New York State Class AA title game this season. The four-year varsity standout is off to play for Wake Forest in the fall.

He was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings High School All-America Third Team this season. This comes on the heels of earning TimesUnion Athlete of the Year and Troy Record Player of the Year in 2013.

Poised with good power and plate discipline from the left side of the plate, Yurchak reminds us of another former Shen shortstop, Branden Cogswell. Cogswell also played in the ACC (Virginia) and is now playing professionally in the Oakland A’s system.

Yurchak figures to contribute his first year in Winston-Salem. This summer, Yurchak is playing for the elite summer program, the South Troy Dodgers. Yurchak enjoyed a solid tournament just a week ago in the Connie Mack World Series Qualifier at South Troy's Geer Field.