2023 Mercury Baseball Team-By-Team Preview
Boyertown
Coach: Todd Moyer, 30th season
Last year’s record: 4-6 PAC Liberty, 10-6 PAC, 11-10 overall, District 1-6A qualifier
Players to watch: Richard Black, Sr, P; Max Kneidinger, Sr., OF/P; Steve Colucci, Sr., C
Season outlook: The Bears graduated 14 players from a team that lost 3-2 to Downingtown East in the first round of districts. … “We have some things to work out,” said Moyer, who thinks the chance to play four non-league games early in the season will help in that respect. “We’ll find out who’s who and what they can do and hopefully the pieces will come together.”
Daniel Boone
Coach: Jason McCord, 13th season
Last year’s record: 6-6 Berks I, 10-9 overall
Players to watch: Mason Walter, Sr., 2B/SS; Dylan Schueler, Sr., OF/P; Conner McGough, Sr., C; Christian Eckstein, Sr., OF; Eli Rhoads, Sr., 3B/P; Ethan Rissmiller, Sr., 1B/P; Dylan Gass, Sr., OF
Season outlook: Walter was Berks I All-Division and Schueler was Honorable Mention last year. … The Blazers are moving down to Division II, trading places with Muhlenberg. … “The team graduated a lot of production, especially defensively and top of the order bats from last season’s squad that just missed out on the post-season,” said McCord. “While three key starting pitchers return, the team will need to find its footing defensively and offensively to compete in a very talented Berks II featuring Twin Valley, Fleetwood, and Conrad Weiser, who all return virtually their entire lineups from last season.”
Hill School
Coach: Ed Turner, fourth season
Last year’s record: 4-5 MAPL, 6-16 overall
Players to watch: Will Reger, Sr., SS; Collin Mattis, Jr., IF/P; Anthony Grosso, So., P/1B; Daniel Palmieri, So., 2B; Cole White, So., OF/P
Season outlook: Hill graduated All-MAPL selections Kenneth Palmieri (Lebanon Valley) and Gilbert Saunders (Minnesota). … Grosso was Honorable Mention. … The outfield should be a strength, according to Turner, who said, “We are a young team looking to establish an identity.”
Methacton
Coach: Paul Spiewak, 20th season
Last year’s record: 4-6 PAC Liberty, 8-8 PAC, 12-8 overall
Players to watch: Tyler Weil-Kasper, Sr., 3B/1B/P; Michael Christian, Sr., SS; Matthew Christian, Sr., P/1B; Kross Howarth, Jr., P/IF; Robert Kleckner, Sr., OF; Jake Chapman, Sr., OF; Mark Griffith, Sr., P; Tommy Kratz, So., IF; Ty Lohsen, Sr., P/IF
Season outlook: The Warriors just missed the 20-team District 1-6A playoff field last year, finishing 21st in the rankings. … “The Methacton baseball program had a great fall season and a productive January and February off-season at the All Sports Center in Trappe,” said Spiewak. “The hard work leading up to the season has shown throughout the first two weeks. Given the number of returning varsity players, especially on the mound, we have great opportunities for players to be competing with each other for starting positions all over the field. Our seniors have been doing a great job of leading this group to doing the right things towards earning success, and we have a tremendous group of underclassmen that are working hard every day.”
Norristown
Coach: Brett Huston, second season
Last year’s record: 0-10 PAC Liberty, 1-15 PAC and overall.
Players to watch: Matt Leary, So., SS/P; Asher Guarino, Jr., 3B/P; Justin Fryer, So., P; Logan Sigg, Sr., LF
Season outlook: The Eagles were a young team last year, starting six freshmen at one point. This season began with two straight wins, with a combined 27 runs scored. … “We have a very positive feel going into this year,” said Huston. “We’re trying to change the culture and get on the winning track. We’re looking to be very competitive with everybody this year. Our pitching is very strong. Our defense is also very strong. If we are able to put a lot of runs across, we should do very well this year.”
Owen J. Roberts
Coach: Alex Condello, first season
Last year’s record: 9-1 PAC Liberty, 15-1 PAC, 25-2 overall, PAC and District 1-6A champions, PIAA qualifier
Players to watch: Jake Ambrosio, Sr., C; Zach Brockner, Sr., P/OF; Tristan Dietrich, Sr., P/1B; Tyler Brashear, Jr., P/OF
Season outlook: Condello takes over for Greg Gilbert, who coached the Wildcats for 23 years. … OJR won its first PAC title since 2010 and ninth overall with a 2-1 decision over Spring-Ford and its first District 1 title, defeating West Chester Henderson 7-5 in the final. … Pitching and defense will be strengths, with three top pitchers from last year returning. … “We look to be competitive and compete for a playoff spot in an always tough league,” said Condello.
Perkiomen School
Coach: Ken Baker, 33rd season
Last year’s record: 20-2 overall, Penn-Jersey League regular season and tournament champion
Players to watch: Shane Baird, Sr., P; Toren Choudri, Sr., P; Juan Sanchez, Sr., P; Isaac Pena, Sr., IF; C.C. Catania, Sr., OF; Henry Clausell, Jr., P/IF; Erick Diaz, Jr., OF; Cesar Lopez, Jr., IF; Ryan Stubblefield, Jr., IF/P; Avery Smith, So., C
Season outlook: The Panthers, who have won a league championship in 27 consecutive seasons, have dropped out of the Penn-Jersey League to play a more challenging independent schedule. … “We will be strong defensively, we have good speed and quickness and they are experienced,” said Baker. “We need to improve at the plate from a year ago, but we have returning players at each position and expect they will have developed as hitters. Pitching will need to step up with the strength of our schedule. We have the potential to be good if our pitching can handle the upgrade in the schedule.” … Catania had a batting average of .522 last year and Clausell hit six homers and knocked in 29 runs.
Perkiomen Valley
Coach: Ryan Hinkle, 11th season
Last year’s record: 6-4 PAC Liberty, 12-4 PAC, 16-7 overall, PAC semifinals, District 1-6A quarterfinals
Players to watch: Nate Fisher, Sr., P/IF; Chris Gorla, Sr., C; Michael Poruban, Sr., OF; Derek Smith, Jr., P
Season outlook: Perk Valley made its first PAC playoff appearance since 2017, losing 3-0 to champion Owen J. Roberts in the semifinals, and defeated Spring-Ford in district play before losing two in a row. … “The Vikings will look to rebuild a pitching staff that graduated a lot of innings from last season,” said Hinkle. “Additionally, they will look to build upon a district playoff appearance that ended at the hands of Hatboro-Horsham last year. PV looks to be competitive within a strong PAC league and earn a spot in the Final Four again this year.”
Phoenixville
Coach: Geoff Thomas, fourth season
Last year’s record: 10-0 PAC Frontier, 12-4 PAC, 14-5 overall, PAC Frontier Division champion, PAC semifinals, District 1-5A quarterfinals
Players to watch: Avery Schwartz, Sr., P/1B; Hudson Narke, Sr., P/CF; Dylan Antonini, Sr., P/OF; Wade Carruthers, Sr., SS; Colin Bull, Sr., 2B; Lleyton Coupe, Sr., 1B/OF; Nico Nattle, Jr., C; Sam Marsh, Jr., 3B
Season outlook: The Phantoms lost 5-1 to Spring-Ford in the PAC semifinals and fell to Strath Haven in the District 1-5A playoffs. … Schwartz was a Mercury All-Area First team selection. “We have been working very hard this off season and preseason to prepare for the spring campaign,” said Thomas. “Our team is senior driven, and we are very excited for a successful spring. We instill in our players to throw strikes, field the baseball, put the ball in play, and execute on the basepaths. We take pride in playing the game the right way, and truly respecting the game.”
Pope John Paul II
Coach: Charles Deluzio, third season
Last year’s record: 6-4 PAC Frontier, 8-8 PAC, 11-10 overall, District 1-4A quarterfinals
Players to watch: Frank Dimaio, Sr., IF/P; Dylan Simeone, Jr., C/P; Blake High, Jr., P; Brendan Kenning, Sr., 1B/P; Chase Frantz, So., 3B; Brendan Chycota, Sr., C; Noah Brandt, Jr., OF; Aidan Sgarra, Jr., P/3B; T.J. Boccella, Jr., P/OF; A.J. DiAddezio, Jr., IF/P
Season outlook: The Golden Panthers lost 6-5 to New Hope-Solebury in the district semifinals. … “We have a really good lineup and need to play good defense,” said Deluzio. “We’re looking to have a successful season and get into the playoffs.”
Pottsgrove
Coach: Jamie Nash, ninth season.
Last year’s record: 6-4 PAC Frontier, 8-8 PAC, 11-10 overall
Players to watch: Ryan Van Bramer, Sr., P/3B; Zach Tyson, Sr., P/OF; Nick Freese, Sr., P/SS; Glenwood Pysher, Sr., C
Season outlook: The Falcons expect to have a deep lineup with speed and an ability to produce runs. … “With a good mix of returning starters and talented up and coming young players, Pottsgrove is looking to continue to grow and battle in the always tough PAC,” said Nash. “All three phases, hitting, pitching, and fielding, should be good to solid. Getting off to a fast start will be key to a successful season.”
Pottstown
Coach: Chris Petro, fourth season
Last year’s record: 0-10 PAC Frontier, 0-16 PAC, 2-18 overall
Players to watch: Gabe Hicks, Sr., P/LF; David Mackewicz, Sr., P/3B; Gage Colvin, So., P/3B
Season outlook: The Trojans look to pick up where they left off last season. After 34 straight losses over a two-year span, they won their final two games of the season (against Renaissance Academy and Collegium Charter School) in dramatic fashion. Petro expects pitching depth to be a strong point, with enough offense to back the pitching and consistent defense being keys to continued improvement.
Spring-Ford
Coach: Rick Harrison, fourth season
Last year’s record: 7-3 PAC Liberty, 12-4 PAC, 15-7 overall, PAC runner-up, District 1-6A qualifier
Players to watch: Nick Moyer, Sr., SS; Dylan Broderick, Sr., P/IF; Brian Korchok, Sr., IF; Mike deHaan, Sr., P; Gage Swanger, Sr., OF; Nick Flores, Jr. IF; Ryan Cecconi, Jr., C; David Ruck, Jr., OF; Jared Leighton, Sr., OF
Season outlook: The Rams made it to the PAC championship game, losing 2-1 to Owen J. Roberts, and then dropped their first district outing to Perkiomen Valley. … “We’re looking to rebound from last season’s PAC and district losses with some experienced players in the middle of the line-up and pitching rotation, and also replace the offensive output lost from last season’s graduating seniors,” said Harrison. “We will need to throw strikes and play defense to compete in the PAC this season.”
Upper Merion
Coach: Matt Mitchell, 12th season
Last year’s record: 3-7 PAC Frontier, 4-12 PAC, 7-12 overall
Players to watch: Jimmy Good, Sr., P; Vincent Lindelow, Sr., 1B; Quintin Sarne, Jr., P; John Tomsho, So., OF/P
Season outlook: The Vikings’ pitching should be strong, but consistent quality at bats will be needed to make up for the loss of last year’s run producers. … “The focus is on competing on a daily basis in a very talented PAC conference,” said Mitchell. “The focus will be on pitching and defense providing an opportunity for the offense to manufacture runs necessary to win games. The goal is to build towards returning to the district playoffs.”
Upper Perkiomen
Coach: Frank Mercon, 13th season
Last year’s record: 5-5 PAC Frontier, 6-10 PAC, 9-11 overall
Players to watch: Evan Wittig, Sr., P; Devlin Krannich, Sr., C; Ian Ferrero, Sr., 2B; Peyton Borchelt, Sr., P/OF; Tyler Forrest, Sr., OF; Zack Silver, Sr., P; Mike Boyle, Sr., P/2B; Braden Rieg, Jr., P/1B; Jack Schramm, Jr., P/1B; Isaac Bugman, Jr., SS; Evan Sands, Jr., P/SS; Drew Graf, Jr., 3B; Sam Zematis, Jr., P/3B; Brandon Godshall, Jr., P/OF; Hunter Henry, Jr., P/OF; Kyle Mazzie, P/OF; Owen Williams, Jr., P/OF; Gavin Weiss, Jr., P; Cole Pierce, So., P/IF; Brody Weiss. Fr., C
Season outlook: The Indians have pitching depth, but will need to hit in order to win close games. … “We were a very young team and lost a number of very close games last season,” said Mercon. “The goal is that this year some of those games become wins with the maturity of our players. We play one game at a time and our goal is always the team in front of us. This league is tough. We dropped from 5A to 4A this season, therefore the challenge is real in school size comparison. We, however, have never backed down from that challenge. Our players work hard and love the game. We expect to be competitive no matter the competition.”
