What a twinbill for Josh Kandefer ’26: He is the back-to-back Western New York Pitcher of the Year. The Lancaster native who will play at SUNY Niagara this fall finished the 2026 season with 55 strikeouts, four wins, and led the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association in ERA at 0.63. He was named the Pitcher of the Year and named to the All-WNY Large School team by a panel of area coaches. The Crusaders and eighth-year coach Justin Santonocito won the Monsignor Martin regular season championship for the third straight year after going 9-1 in league play. Kandefer was also named last year’s top pitcher after helping CHS to the Georgetown Cup championship and the Crusaders’ first berth in the Catholic state championship game. He threw a two-hit shutout in a 4-0 victory over Long Island champion Kellenberg in the New York State Catholic High Schools Athletic Association semifinals at St. John's University in Queens. Kandefer was also the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association Pitche...