The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Area 2019 Baseball Preview

The Reporter, Times Herald and Montgomery area schools had plenty of success in the 2018 baseball season.

Faith Christian Academy, Dock Mennonite and Lower Moreland won District 1 championships while North Penn, Quakertown and La Salle were among those to bring home league championships.

As the 2019 season get started, every team has hopes for celebrating a championship in a couple short months.

In the Suburban One League Continental Conference, Quakertown returns from the American Conference to try to put an end to North Penn’s back-to-back league championship run. The Knights, led by Zack Miles, will try to match last year’s perfect league record. Souderton, who finished third last year, also promises to contend with a solid group of returning starters.

The SOL American Conference will have a new champion this year with Quakertown leaving. Wissahickon finished second in 2018, when it reached the state playoffs for the first time in school history, and returns much of its core, including pitcher Quinn Rovner and shortstop Eddie Fortescue. Plymouth Whitemarsh finished fourth in the league last year and returns most of its team, including its top two pitchers, Ben Mascio and Brett Bottinger. Hatboro-Horsham will look for success behind a strong pitching staff.

Methacton and Spring-Ford should both be near the top of the always-competitive Pioneer Athletic Conference again while Pope John Paul II, Upper Merion and Norristown look to bounce back in 2019.

The Bicentennial Athletic League features three district champions in Faith Christian, Dock and Lower Moreland. Faith was the only one of the three to advance past the first round of the state tournament, but Dock, behind Liberty-commit Nolan Bolton, is expecting to make a deep postseason run.

The defending Philadelphia Catholic League champions La Salle lost a lot from last year’s squad, including Andrew and Anthony Cossetti and Erik Marasheski. Archbishop Carroll promises to challenge for the top of the league after finishing second last year behind South Carolina-commit Tyler Kehoe. Archbishop Wood, Lansdale Catholic and Bishop McDevitt are looking to improve after down years in 2018.

Abington
Head coach: Jon Morrissette (3rd year)
Last year: 4-16, 1-11 SOL National
Key returners: Joe DiMaria, Griffin Wittenberg, Stephen Vogl, Jordan Grimaldi, Angelo Pearson, Sonny Stevenson
Season outlook: “The Ghosts look to compete for a league championship this year and a spot in the playoffs with a strong senior class and a deep pitching staff. We hope to get key contributions from some new faces this year, including Cam Marrow, Marc Maccione, Connor Hall, Kevin Worek, Justin Cunnane, Jamie Burkhart, Michael Angiolilo, Ryan Daniels, Bobby Curry, Henry Tyler and Ryan Van Buren.”

Archbishop Carroll
Head coach: Joe Liciardello (1st year)
Last year 21-6, 10-2 PCL, lost in state semifinals to Lower Dauphin
Notable losses: Cole Chestnut, Jake Kelchner, Chris Grill
Key returners: Sean Lawley, Tyler Kehoe, Alex Cornell, Max Hitman, Pat Marley
Season outlook: “I’m excited for this season, I think we have opportunity to do something great. I am extremely confident in our returners from last year’s great season, who have done a great job leading our young guys thus far. Cant wait to see what this season brings.”

Archbishop Wood
Head coach: Jim DiGuiseppe, Jr. (8th year)
Last year: 15-5, 8-4 PCL
Notable losses: John Gifford, Mike Ferrara, Robbie Bailey, Kyle McNamee, Dylan Slowinski
Key players: Antonio Rossillo, Sam Reynolds, Bobby Hennessey, Jack Colyar, Ryan DiVergilis, Ryan Morgan
Season outlook: “We plan to keep the program running at a high level of play. We expect to get better with each game we play. Our goal is to be the best at the end.”

Bishop McDevitt
Head coach: Paul Fricker (2nd year)
Last year: 0-18, 0-12 PCL
Key returners: Matt Diffendal, Sean Rock, Eric Wilson, Austin Alcorn, Isaac Carachilo
Season outlook: “This season we hope to build on the experience of the key returning players … Our pitching and fielding should be better. Winning games will depend on how well we can hit and score runs. I am hoping to win a few non-league games and compete with some PCL teams.”

Central Bucks West
Head coach: Brian Weaver (1st Year)
Last year: 3-16, 3-9 SOL Continental
Notable losses: Trevor D’Arcy, Jake Boehm
Key returners: Matt Cooper, Rhys Nicholas, Tyler Dalzell, Brian Gilvary, Tommy Comes
Season outlook: “The Bucks will look to rebound this year. They have plenty of senior leadership and return several starters. They’ll look to be competitive in the Continental Conference this year.”

Dock Mennonite
Head Coach: Jim Smith (2nd year)
Last year: 19-6, 16-2 BAL, District 1 champions
Notable losses: David Keller, Dylan Rush, Harrison Moyer
Key Returners: Nolan Bolton, Mason Keller, Mason Fisher
Season outlook: “The Pioneers look to have an exciting season in 2019, with six returning starters on the field. We look to compete hard in our newly aligned division and make a deep run into the playoffs.”

Hatboro-Horsham
Head coach: Pete Moore (18th year)
Last year: 7-12, 6-8 SOL American
Key returners: Jake Bianchini, Anthony Bruno, Benny Wilson, Sean Gledhill, Eric Thron, Jimmy Tooley
Season outlook: “We return six starting position players and four of our top five pitchers from last year, in addition to several other position players who gained some level of varsity experience. I expect us to compete for a league title and to make a run in the playoffs. We have a rich history of being a program that has produced elite pitchers and this year’s collection of arms, as a staff, is one of the deepest that we have ever produced; and they are all underclassmen. If we hit like I believe that we will this year, we’re going to be a balanced team that puts up runs while limiting our opponents run production.”

Lansdale Catholic
Head Coach: Mark Jackson (1st year)
Last year: 2-16, 1-11 PCL
Notable losses: Pat Dougherty, Pat Pellegrino
Key returners: Matt Horenci, Shane Stewart, Joe Montagna-, Tommy Pistorius, Dan Martinez, Joe Staropoli, Matt Ziff, Sean Duffy, Sean MacKay
Season outlook: “The players are working hard and enthusiastically looking forward to the upcoming 2018 Lansdale Catholic baseball season.”

Lower Moreland
Head Coach: Tony Martino (4th Year)
Last year: 16-5, 12-4 BAL, District 1 champions
Notable losses: James Laurenzi, Bob Cavanaugh, Joe Kennedy, Brock Landes, Jordan Leiber
Key returners: Max Cousins, Coleman Peppelman, John Davies, Connor Duddy, Emmett Cousins
Season outlook: “We expect to compete throughout the season and hope to be competitive throughout.”

Methacton
Head coach: Paul Spiewak (16th year)
Last year: 16-6, 12-4 in the PAC, lost in the 2nd round of District 1 playoffs to Boyertown
Notable losses: Demetrio Rodriguez, Tyler Whitton, Jordan Lukas, Colin Shrader, Mark Engelman, Morgan Heckler, Josh Dubost
Key returners: Ben Christian, Perry Corda, Connor Smith, Kevin Trafford, Zack Griffin
Season outlook: “Given the number of returning starters for this season, we feel very confident in our ability to play strong defense and throw strikes. We feel that we are an experienced team at the Varsity level, and feel that our returning players will be complimented with some exciting young first year players. The 2019 team is very much looking forward to the challenge of proving to ourselves and to our opponents that we can compete at a high level in one of the toughest baseball conferences in the state of Pennsylvania. We hope to compete for a spot in the PAC Final Four playoff, and hopefully earn a District playoff spot and compete for a spot in the PIAA state playoffs. We had a great regular season last year, but we came up short offensively in the postseason. We hope to work towards another great regular season in 2019, but we will look to build off 2018 and prepare ourselves to play our best baseball in May!”

Norristown
Head Coach: Jack Sturgeon (3rd year)
Last year: 2-16, 1-15 PAC
Notable losses: Ben Carty, Matt Bates, Jeremiah Levine
Key Returners: Nick Chiodo, Dom Proietto, Matt Hahn, Pat O’Brien, Tyler Gorman
Season outlook: “Most of our seniors are all three-year starters so we should start some good team progress. Our pitching should be one of our strengths and if we can get our defense to make the routine plays on a consistent basis, we should be in most games. We are working hard to put the ball in play on offense and be aggressive on the base paths to create more scoring opportunities than we have had in the last couple of years.”

North Penn
Head coach: Kevin Manero (8th year)
Last year: 16-4, 12-0 SOL Continental, league champs, lost in 2nd round of District 1 playoffs to Conestoga
Key returners: Jake Drelick, Zack Miles, Colby Chan, Kolby Barrow, Joe Valenti
Season outlook: “Graduating seven starters including a 2-year #1 pitcher is never easy, but the 2019 team has a good mix of a veteran core of returning starters and plenty of guys competing for spots around them. As always, the SOL will be very tough and there are some big arms up and down the conference to contend with this season. But this group is a competitive bunch, and working hard to earn their own spots in the lineup should also benefit them in their prep for tough opponents. Jake Morello (1B- 2019) and Connor Ertel (INF/RHP- 2019) both missed the 2018 season due to injury, and their hunger to be back on the field is emblematic of the make-up of the whole team. Talented sophomores Evin Sullivan (C- 2021), Jeff Sabater (OF- 2021), Jason Krause (RHP 2021), and Christian Stevens (RHP 2021) will look to contribute right away as well, offering a very healthy balance of vets and rookies. Depth around the diamond will help in both competition and longevity for this year’s team. The pitching staff is anchored by two returning varsity starters coming off strong seasons in 2019. Added upperclassmen arms Josh Lowe (RHP 2019) and Brandon Drolsbaugh (RHP 2020) will compete for significant innings as well. The league and district will be good this year and every game will be competitive. This year’s team is hungry and aware of what it takes to compete everyday in the SOL.”

Pennridge
Head coach: Tom Nuneviller (17th year)
Last year: 5-12, 3-9 SOL Continental
Notable losses: Evan Freed, Brett Henofer, Michael Simpson, John Konieczny, Eddie Kerrigan, Drew Nace, Ryan Lerro
Key returners: Jimmy Petrik, Jon Nase, Jack Goddess, Anthony Helbling, Alex Podraza, Paul Croyle, Raymond Knight, Jason Petrik, Nick Christ, Carson Wells
Season outlook: “As always if the entire team has a ‘team attitude’ we will have success. If the team plays as expected we should battle every inning of every game.”

Plymouth Whitemarsh
Head coach: Chris Manero (7th year)
Last year: 11-8, 8-6 SOL American. Lost in 1st round of District 1 playoffs at Avon Grove
Notable losses: Stephen Longo, Brad Krenicky, Matt Mitchell
Key returners: Kevin Reilly, Anthony Tomassetti, Jacob Nunez, Mike Orensky, Drew Kliesh, Ben Mascio, Brett Bottinger
Season outlook: “Last year was a big step for us in returning to the district playoffs after a three-year drought. Like any team, our goal now turns back to competing for a conference title. Six of our seniors and two underclassmen have committed to playing baseball at the college level, and we will be counting on them for their leadership and drive throughout the season in a very tough conference. For the 5th straight year, we will open up our season with two games at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL.”

Pope John Paul II
Head coach: Josh Hartline (4th year)
Last year: 8-10, 7-9 PAC
Key returners: John Wagner, CJ Mccafferty, Brett Leighton, Tyler Petery, Jack Cossa
Season outlook: “We will look to bounce back after a disappointing year. We have talent, but not much experience. The league is very difficult, week in and week out, and we hope to be in the hunt at the end.”

Quakertown
Head coach: Jon Pallone (6th year)
Last year: 14-5, 12-2 SOL American, league champs, lost in 2nd round of District 1 playoffs to Souderton
Notable losses: Justin Guidos, JJ Paul, Nathanial Barnes, Brian Robison
Key returners: Dennis Pierce, Mason Hicks, Sean Brennan, Griffen Kelley, Nolan Byrnes, Matt Ciarrocchi
Season outlook: “Our goal is to be competitive each game. Switching from the American back to the Continental will be interesting to see old foes.”

Souderton
Head coach: Mike Childs (14th year)
Last year: 15-8, 8-4 SOL Continental, lost in the third round of District 1 playoffs to Bensalem
Notable losses: Blaise Sclafani, Luke Barnum, Luke Shank, David Gulibon
Key returners: Jordan Morales, Aaron Groller, Andrew Curran, Luke Taylor, Hogan Despain, Dean Shaw, Moses Clemens, Billy Norbeck, Conlan Wall
Season outlook: “We have an experienced group of players lead by 14 seniors that believe we can compete for the league, make playoffs and challenge at states.”

Spring-Ford
Head coach: Jamie Scheck (3rd year)
Last year: 19-4, 14-2 PAC, lost in 2nd round of District 1 playoffs vs. Avon Grove
Notable losses: Grant Calvarese, Brandon Ernst, Nate Campbell, Patrick Jucker, Coy Walters
Key returners: Chase Simmons, Ben Wilchacky, Mark McNelly, Jake Skrocki, Hunter Curley, David McCurry, Cooper Webb, Jake Romeu
Season outlook: “We lost a lot of offense from last year’s senior group as well as one of our top pitchers. We need some players to fill in key spots that haven’t seen much Varsity time. We have great team speed and a lot of depth and numerous positions including pitching. We feel our defensive is improved from last year.”

Upper Dublin
Head coach: Ed Wall (13th year)
Last year: 4-13, 3-11 SOL American
Notable losses: Ryan Besachio, Garrett C. Breslin, Riley Brink, Julian Gimbel, Jack Jamison, Garrett M Breslin
Key returners: Brian McPeak, Alex Goldenberg, Elijah Peck, Jake Womelsdorf
Season outlook: “This season, we are looking to dust ourselves off and start rebuilding this program one game at a time. Our guys are working hard and, now we have to go out and compete every practice, every pitch, every inning of every game. This group has a great opportunity to be the ones to get it done. We are excited about the season ahead and welcome the challenge ahead of us.”

Upper Merion
Head coach: Matt Mitchell (8th year)
Last year: 8-8, 8-8 PAC
Notable losses: Mike Hutchinson, Luke Hutchinson, Jon Eyer, Eric Moore, Sam Griffin
Key returners: Matt Choi, Nick Marino, Sal Costello, Anthony Swenda, Geoffrey Draayer, Zach Hooven, Marc Clayton, Justin Tornetta
Season outlook: “We will pride ourselves on playing solid, fundamental defense this season. We have several guys that should also have very successful seasons at the dish and have a solid core of senior leaders. Our pitching staff after Matt Choi is relatively young and inexperienced but shows potential. Success in HS baseball starts with solid pitching and defense and our success as a team will largely be a result of our ability to do those two things well.”

Upper Moreland
Head coach: Dan Heiland (3rd year)
Last year: 6-13, 4-10 SOL American
Notable losses: Kevin Walder, Dawson Ruggles, Cole Kitchen
Key returners: Ryan Gibbs, Jack Dombrowski, Colin Bates, Thomas Longstreth, Connor O’Donnell, Mike Burns, Tyler Arnold
Season Outlook: “The Golden Bears bring back five key contributors from a season ago. Behind senior catcher and captain Ryan Gibbs leadership and gamesmanship, we will look to him to set the tone both defensively and offensively. The outfield has speed, strong and accurate arms and is as steady as they come, this group is lead by senior captain Jack Dombrowski (2nd team all-league), captain Thomas Longstreth (3rd team all-league) as well as Connor O’Donnell who lead the team in batting average last season. The Bears return a strong and experienced senior lead pitching staff behind captain Colin Bates, Mike Burns, Tyler Arnold and Connor O’Donnell heading into the 2019 season. The infield will have a mix a new faces this season, the group is young and talented but still needs to gain varsity experience and confidence. Behind a strong senior pitching staff and defense we look to make a push for the American Conference title, while getting back into the district playoffs and making a run for a district championship.”

Wissahickon
Head coach: Andy Noga (2nd year)
Last year: 14-8-1, 10-3 SOL American, lost in District 1 semifinals vs. Marple Newtown, qualified for state tournament
Notable losses: Michael Steitz
Key returners: Bobby McFarland, JT Culp, Quinn Rovner, Eddie Fortescue, Andrew Booth, Brian Hynes, Brian Menhardt, Mike Gorman, Joe Hornig, Jackson Tappen
Season outlook: “The Trojans are coming off a very successful 2018 season that saw them qualify for the state tournament for the 1st time in school history. This year, led by captains Eddie Fortescue and Bobby McFarland, the Trojans return six starters in the starting lineup, as well as starting pitchers Quinn Rovner and Mike Gorman. The Trojans are looking to build off of their success last year and are eager to compete in the tough SOL American conference.”