2018 Mercury-Area Baseball Preview

Perkiomen Valley

Manager: Ryan Hinkle, sixth season.

Last year’s record: 12-4 PAC, 16-9 overall. (PAC runner-up. Lost in quarterfinal round of District 1-6A playoffs, PIAA-6A playoff qualifier).

Players to watch: Seniors: Brock Helverson, P; Joe Gorla, IF; Mike Gama, P/INF/OF. Junior: Tyler Strechay, P.

Outlook: The Vikings made a splash last year, earning the program’s first state playoff berth where they posted a 2-0 win in the opening round. That run was, perhaps, a year earlier than most would have anticipated. Now Perk Valley, loaded with upperclassmen, will look to take it a step even further. West Virginia University recruit Helverson (1.94 ERA) and verbal commit Strechay (1.24 ERA) will be a lethal 1-2 punch in the rotation while Gama should be a steady contributor in relief. Perk Valley’s biggest concentration will be hitting. The Vikings were held to two or fewer runs in 12 games last season yet were 10-3 in games decided by two or fewer runs. “We will have a key group of returning starters from last year’s team to help guide the way for new players at this level,” said Hinkle. “Our pitching staff will remain strong from our experience last year, and we have a depth of young arms who are ready to fill the innings lost from graduation. We have been working hard to stress a more offensive approach this year to help support our pitching staff to allow for greater confidence overall this year. We look to continue our success this year by relying upon strong pitching backed up by solid defense.”