2016-2017 Mercury-Area Baseball Preview
Boyertown
Coach: Todd Moyer, 24th season
Last year’s record: 15-3 Pioneer Athletic Conference (league champions); 24-6 (PIAA Class AAAA champions).
Players to watch: Pat Hohlfeld, Sr., P; Tyler Kreitz, Sr., 3B; Michael Raineri, Sr., SS; Grant Fronheiser, Sr., P; Mike Xanthopolous, Jr., P; Anthony Rota, Sr., C; Mitchell Peers, Jr., OF/DH; Quinn Mason, Jr., INF; Mike Hohlfeld, Jr., P.
Outlook: The 2016 season will surely be one tough act to follow. The Bears captured the Pioneer Athletic Conference and PIAA-AAAA championships behind the pitching punch of the graduated Andrew Bauer and Pat Hohlfeld, who went on be named The Mercury’s All-Area Player of the Year. Hohlfeld returns, though Boyertown graduated six starters and a pitcher from last year’s powerhouse. As usual, Moyer knows all eyes are on Bear Stadium, especially this season. “We always have a target on our back, but I guess it’s a little bigger right now,” he said. “Our goals never change. First, we are looking to repeat as PAC champions and have a good run through the district and state playoffs. We have the components to do that providing we stay healthy and the guys perform at maximum efficiency.”
Daniel Boone
Coach: Jason McCord, seventh season
Last year’s record: 6-4 Berks Conference I; 12-8 overall (lost in quarterfinal round of District 3-AAA playoffs).
Players to watch: Zach Brightbill, Sr., P; Brendan Rivoli, Sr., C; Joey Moyer, Sr., SS; Devon Garner, Sr., OF; Ty Esenwein, Sr., 2B/3B; Luke Heffner, Sr., P/OF.
Outlook: For the second consecutive season, the junior-heavy Blazers’ season ended a game short of the PIAA playoffs last spring. On the bright side, those juniors are now seniors as the crux of the lineup returns to Birdsboro including All-Area First Teamers Brightbill and Rivoli (University of Virginia commit). Last season, Boone, Muhlenberg, Gov. Mifflin and Exeter all finished in a four-way tie for the Berks I crown — Muhlenberg being named the conference champion based on tie-break criteria. Expect a similar stack up at the top again this season.
Hill School
Coach: Bowen Borgeson, first season
Last year’s record: 3-7 MAPL; 4-12 overall
Players to watch: Brennan Keil, Sr., INF/P; Danny Monzo, Jr., C; Max Putt, Jr., OF/P; Ethan Andresen, Jr., OF; Luke Allain, Jr., P/OF.
Outlook: The Hill will be without graduates Jack Hogan (Tulane University) and Jeremy Jacobs (Gordon College) as Borgeson takes over for Chris Drowne. The Blues’ roster is loaded with juniors, lending to a bright future at The Hill. “Our core group of juniors should make an impact in all aspects of the game,” said Borgeson.
Methacton
Coach: Paul Spiewak, 14th season
Last year’s record: 8-10 PAC, 9-11 overall.
Players to watch: Patrick O’Neill, Sr., SS; Nick Wheeler, Sr., 3B; Danny Visnov, Sr., C; Demetrio Rodriguez, Jr., 3B, OF; Josh Dubost, Jr., P/INF; Ben Christian, So., P/1B; Jake Morello, So., P/OF; Connor Smith, So., OF/2B.
Outlook: Now in his senior season, O’Neill (Villanova University commit) is the only player left from the Warriors’ 2014 PAC and District One championship team. He’ll be joined by Wheeler (Philadelphia University) and Visnov (Washington University) as the team’s standout seniors while Rodriguez will look to put together another solid season as a junior after hitting above a .340 average the past two springs. Confidence will be key for Methacton’s young pitching staff. “We feel very confident in our ability to play strong defense and throw strikes,” said Spiewak. “After graduating several outstanding seniors from last year’s team, we are inexperienced and unproven at the varsity level. With that said, the 2017 team is very much looking forward to the challenge of proving to ourselves and to our opponents that we will compete at a high level in one of the toughest baseball conferences in the state of Pennsylvania.”
Norristown
Coach: Jack Sturgeon, first season
Last year’s record: 2-12 Suburban One American; 3-13 overall.
Players to watch: Dylan Copestick, Sr., INF; Nick Edling Sr., P/OF; Cole Messics, Sr., P/OF; Tyler Pastella Sr., INF/C.
Outlook: The Eagles will turn to their youth following the departure of Tom Detweiler, Charles Grello and Terrell Dale all lost to graduation. In his debut season, longtime Phoenixville coach Sturgeon boasts plenty of youth, which may bode well as the program turns to a new face in a new division following Norristown’s move from the Suburban One League to the PAC. “We have a core of eight sophomores and 11 freshmen that we are building the program around,” he said. “We will be doing a lot of teaching at both the varsity and junior varsity levels with the hope that we can make progress as the season moves on.”
Owen J. Roberts
Coach: Greg Gilbert, 20th season
Last year’s record: 13-5 PAC, 15-7 overall (lost in opening round of District 1-AAAA playoffs)
Players to watch: Josh Fulmer, INF; Andrew Fisher, OF; Brian Siket, C; Dawson Stuart, P.
Outlook: There’s hardly a way to put it lightly. OJR’s season came to an abrupt finish quicker than it was supposed to. A rain-altered, two-day matchup with Neshaminy turned into a first-round loss for the then-senior-laden Wildcats in the opening round of the District 1 playoffs. Fulmer and Fisher enter their senior seasons off strong junior campaigns and even stronger showings with Norchester’s summer Legion program. “We are hoping the young players will make the most of the opportunity to earn playing time,” said Gilbert. “We have a few key players returning and hope to build on those players and gradually gain experience as the season progresses.
Perkiomen School
Coach: Ken Baker, 27th season
Last year’s record: 21-5 overall (three consecutive Tri-County League championships)
Players to watch: Josh Cruz, Sr., P/CF; Naty Urbine, Jr., C; Nick Guadarrama Jr., P/3B; Sam Glavin, Jr., OF/C; David Smith, So., P/SS
Outlook: Father Time will play a role on the Perk School this season, the Panthers having graduated 13 starters over the course of the past two seasons. Perk only returns three starters from last year’s Tri-County League championship squad, though Perk School has become a program that never falls too far off the pace. “We are young and inexperienced this year and will be gaining experience as the season goes on,” said Baker. “We were unable to string together hits while in Puerto Rico last week so hopefully that aspect of our game will get better.”
Perkiomen Valley
Coach: Ryan Hinkle, fifth season
Last year’s record: 15-3 PAC (conference runner-up); 18-6 overall (lost in District One-AAAA quarterfinals).
Players to watch: Matt Szczesny, Sr., C; Brock Helverson, Jr., P; Tyler Strechay, So., P; Joe Gorla, Jr., IF.
Outlook: Since Hinkle’s arrival at Graterford, the Vikings have consistently gotten stronger each season. This spring should be no exception. Coming off a PAC runner-up finish, PV looks poised to make another run on the shoulders of its pitching staff. West Virginia commit and All-PAC pitcher Helverson returns after a phenomenal sophomore season where he allowed just 13 earned runs in 45.2 innings pitched (1.99 ERA) on his way to a six-win season. Strechay was equally impressive, boasting a 1.37 ERA on nine earned runs in 46 innings pitched. PV vs. Boyertown will be must-see this season — Boyertown having ended the Vikings’ PAC championship chances along with their district run. “We are returning a good majority of our pitching staff this year and look to depend on them to keep us in games,” said Hinkle. “Our offensive side of the game will have to pick up where seniors who graduated left off last season, and we have guys with the right work ethic and demeanor who are poised to take on those roles. We will also need to shore up our defense this year as that was an area that hurt us last season in our run in the playoffs.”
Phoenixville
Coach: Neil Herman, second season
Last year’s record: 7-11 PAC; 7-14 overall (lost opening round of District One-AAA playoffs).
Players to watch: Matt Osisek-Byrne, Sr., P/DH; Zach Masalski, Sr., P/1B; Luke LeBeau, Jr., 2B; Quinn Danna, Jr., P/OF; Nick Opalkowski, Jr., C; Kevin Cushing, Jr., P/3B; Justin Blakey, So., CF; Trip Shoemaker, So., P/CF; Devon Goryl, So., INF.
Outlook: This season’s crop of Phantoms will mix in a core of talented returnees along with a trio of transfers in Shoemaker (Archbishop Carroll), Danna (Bishop Shanahan) and Goryl (Devon Prep). Kutztown University commit Osisek-Byrne returns after earning All-PAC honors along with LeBeau and Opalkowski. “Even though we are young again this season, most of this team logged significant varsity time last year and got valuable playoff experience,” said Herman. “The addition of our three transfers definitely gives us more with pitching depth and defense which will be needed with the new pitch count rule. Our offense should be better as that was our main focus this offseason. We should be very competitive in the division, conference, and the district.”
Pope John Paul II
Coach: Josh Hartline, second season
Last year’s record: 7-11 PAC, 7-11 overall.
Players to watch: Ryan Harvey, Sr., C; Christian Wagner, Sr., CF; Ryan Lynn, Sr., 2B; Ryan Schwab, Jr., 3B/P; Logan Mabry, Jr., P; Matt Brunetti, Sr., P; Colt Narciso, Jr., SS.
Outlook: The Golden Panthers should still be among the contenders for the top spot in the PAC’s Frontier Division, despite the loss of a handful of seniors. Gone is All-Area Honorable Mention catcher Billy Hitman along with three others, but returning are four experienced seniors including Alvernia commit Wagner in center field along with a handful of juniors. “I believe we should finish in the upper-tier in the league and compete for a spot in the Final Four as well as the districts,” said Hartline. “Once again, the PAC will be the strongest league in the state of Pa. If you can compete in our league, you can play with any team in the state.”
Pottsgrove
Coach: Jamie Nash, second season
Last year’s record: 2-16 PAC; 2-18 overall.
Players to watch: Adam Girafalco, Sr., OF, INF; Spencer Mitchell, Sr., OF; Nick DeCurtis, Sr., 1B/3B/P; Alex Stump, Jr., P, 2B/SS; Bailey Delp, Sr., P/OF.
Outlook: Nash’s first year at the helm last season was no easy ride as the Falcons were tagged for nearly eight runs against per game. Once again, they’ll have their work cut out for them with some key pieces now graduated, but have plenty of glimpses of hope. All-Area Honorable Mention Stump batted .275 last season while sporting a 3.50 ERA while Girafalco returns after hitting .270 last year. “With seven players last year who received significant varsity time, we are hoping to use that experience to continue to build the program in the right direction,” said Nash. “The team has worked hard all off season and into the season, and looks forward to the results on the field.”
Pottstown
Coach: Jeff Evans, sixth season
Last year’s record: 2-16 PAC; 3-17 overall.
Players to watch: Josh Gery, Sr., C; Nate Camacho, Sr., OF; Chris Stone, Sr., OF/P; Ron Fausnaught, Sr., OF; Seth Yergey, Jr., P; Timmy Dobbs, Jr., P/1B; Owen Morton, Jr., P/INF; Austin Andrews, Jr., INF/OF.
Outlook: Don’t be fooled by their record. The Trojans lost eight games last season by two runs or less, including one-run losses against Perkiomen Valley and Boyertown. The biggest feat will be replacing standout twins and All-League Honorable Mentions Mason and Logan Pennypacker as Pottstown tries to earn its first District One playoff berth since 2013. “We are looking to be competitive in the PAC,” said Evans, “and hope to return to the District 1 playoffs.”
Spring-Ford
Coach: Jamie Scheck, first season
Last year’s record: 14-4 PAC; 19-7 overall (lost in quarterfinal round of District One-AAAA playoffs).
Players to watch: Quinn McKenna, Sr., OF; Sean McHugh, Sr., IF; Conor Larkin, Sr., P/1B; Jake Zoller, Sr., P; Ryne Moore, Sr., P/SS.
Outlook: After serving at the helm of the JV team since 2001, Scheck, who also guides the Spring City Legion team, takes over for longtime head coach Bruce Brobst with a stacked lineup sheet. Boasting four Division I college recruits in Larkin (Penn State), McKenna (Lehigh), Zoller (Wofford) and Moore (Old Dominion), the Rams certainly thrust themselves into this year’s conversation after falling just short of a PIAA berth last spring. The bats shouldn’t be an issue as McKenna hit .425 last season with three homers, three triples and eight doubles while McHugh hit .380 with 12 doubles. Spring-Ford boasts similar dominance on the mound as Larkin posted a 1.01 ERA last season and Zoller looks primed for a strong spring. “We are returning a lot of players from last year’s team and have a strong group of senior leaders,” said Scheck. “We are looking to improve from last year’s third-place finish in what will be a very strong and competitive league.”
Upper Merion
Coach: Matt Mitchell, fifth season
Last year’s record: 5-9 Suburban One American Conference, 5-14 overall.
Players to watch: Mike Hutchinson, Jr., OF/3B/SP; Matt Choi, So., 2B/P; Jon Eyer, Jr., 3B/P; Ryan Foster, Sr., P; Jake McGrath Sr., C; Ray Scheier Sr., SS.
Outlook: A change could be just what the Vikings need as they make the switch from the Suburban One League to the PAC with just 16 conference wins gained over the previous five seasons. UM returns a pair of all-conference selections from last year’s squad including Hutchinson (.327 BA, 3.59 ERA) and Choi (3.09 ERA), but will look to replace the team’s ace in Jarrett Quinn. Hitting will be the key, notes Mitchell. “Upper Merion pitched and fielded its way to a competitive season in its final year in the Suburban One American division,” he said. With a team ERA of 3.16 and fielding percentage of .941, the Vikings gave themselves a shot to win each time they took the diamond. In their first season in the PAC, they look to continue this trend, with a renewed focus on productive at-bats and manufacturing runs.
Upper Perkiomen
Coach: Frank Mercon, seventh season
Last year’s record: 7-11 PAC; 8-12 overall (lost in opening round of District One-AAA playoffs).
Players to watch: Bryan Pijanowski, Sr., P/CF; Nolan Graber, Sr., P/3B/1B; Brett Fullerton, Sr., SS; Trey Livingstone, Jr., P/2B/OF.
Outlook: The Tribe turned some heads with impressive wins against traditional PAC contenders including Methacton, Perkiomen Valley and Owen J. Roberts. Now, they boast a lineup filled with seniors, which shows plenty of promise as the league shifts to a two-division format. “It gives us a legitimate shot at making the Final Four every year,” said Mercon. “If healthy we can be very competitive this year; however we don’t have the depth of past seasons. We’ve started off with a few injuries that will have an impact but as they heal we should only get stronger.” All-Area Honorable Mention Pijanowski (Flagler University commit) returns after hitting .279 last season with six doubles and 10 runs scored while Livingstone returns boasting a .280 batting average from his sophomore season.
