Kutztown trying to get back to its winning ways

After a long stretch of winning seasons, the Kutztown Area High School baseball team had a .500 Berks League season last year. The Cougars hope to make that season a dim memory by getting back to their winning ways this spring. They will try to do that with a young team, but one that does have some experience.

“I’m looking forward to a winning season, and also one to make a long run in the post season,’ said head coach Todd O’Neill. “We have to get some good defense and avoid making any mental errors. Most of all, we’ve got to get timely hitting.

Weather has put a damper on all of the teams in the county this, with lots of cancellations of preseason games. Most practices are being held indoors which makes it tough for anyone to get into mid-season form. It has been especially tough on the younger teams like Kutztown which needs that extra outdoor practice time.

But nobody is making excuses. O’Neill has his sights sets high, setting his goals at winning the Berks, district and state championships.

The good news is that they Cougars do have some good talent coming back from last year, and several newcomers who show a lot of potential to really make a contribution to this year’s team.

One of the returning seniors is Hunter Mease, who has been a steady defensive player for the Cougars. O’Neil is counting on his bat coming to life this spring. He’s also counting on some quality innings from Mease on the mound.

Behind the plate will be senior Justin Shurr. Not only was he a good defensive catcher for Kutztown, he provided the offense with some pop last year. If he continues to improve as he has done in his high school baseball career, he will be a formidable weapon for Kutztown this year.

Another senior is Kody Reichart. Coming off a state appearance in wrestling, Reichart can cover a lot of room in centerfield and he’s hoping to contribute more with the bat this year.

Kyle Hartman is coming back for his junior season. He is a steady third baseman for the Cougars and will eat up some innings on the mound. He is another one of the Cougar players who needs to get more hits this season if they want to win their division.

Junior Aaron Kulp will be one of top pitchers for the Cougars, and spend the rest of the time in right field. Coach O’Neill said that Kulp is a steady right fielder, but he will be counted on heavily to pitch well this spring.

Wyatt Fritz, another junior, will also be one of the top pitchers on the team. He will also spend some time in left field, but he will contributed mostly with his bat. He was one of the team’s leading hitters last season.

“The strength of this team will be the unity of the team,’ said O’Neill. “They figured it out that you have to play as one in order to win. Team before yourself.’