2024 Mercury High School Baseball Team-by-Team Previews

PAC Liberty Division

Boyertown

Coach: Todd Moyer, 31st season
Last year’s record: 7-12 overall, 6-10 PAC, 3-7 PAC Liberty
Players to watch: Easton Albert, Sr., SS; Logan Barndt, Sr., IF/OF; Randy Wynings, Sr., 1B; Connor Moyer, Sr., P/IF, Joe Kerns, Sr., P; Gavin Slaughter, Sr., C; Aidan Myers, Sr., P/OF; Jonah Mayer, Jr., P
Season outlook: The Bears graduated five starters and a starting pitcher, including All-Area players Richard Black and Steven Colucci, from last year’s team that endured an uncharacteristic year for Boyertown. Like last year, the Bears begin the season with inexperience at some key positions. Success will hinge on how well the Bears can execute the fundamentals and build from there.

Methacton

Coach: Paul Spiewak, 21st season
Last year’s record: 18-5 overall, 13-3 PAC, 8-2 PAC Liberty; District 1-6A qualifier
Players to watch: Ben Clark, Sr., C/3B; Anthony Daddazio, Sr., INF; Ayden Fitch, Sr., C/OF; Austin Frank, Sr., P/INF; Will Gottheardt, Sr., INF; Kasey Humes, Sr., C; Ethan Ketterer, Sr., OF; Tripp Shytle, Jr., INF; Tommy Kratz, Jr., INF; Chase McNally, Jr., OF; Evan Jones-Jr., P/OF
Season outlook: The Warriors graduated seven seniors from last year’s 18-win team that earned the No. 3 seed in the District 1-Class 6A bracket but fell in its first postseason game to eventual champion Central Bucks West. The team has been working together all fall and winter, working out at the All Sports Center in Trappe to build chemistry and refine skills. Head coach Paul Spiewak, in his 21st season as Methacton head coach, said the team has had a strong first few weeks to its 2024 season with competition for starting jobs up for grabs across the diamond. Evan Jones, Kross Howarth and Tripp Shytle were all named to the 2023 Mercury All-Area baseball teams. “The 2024 team is very much looking forward to the challenge of proving to ourselves and to our opponents that we can again compete at a high level in one of the toughest baseball conferences in the state of Pennsylvania,” Spiewak said. “We are working towards a great regular season in 2024 and will look to build off of the learning experiences from 2023. We hope to compete first and foremost for a chance to win the PAC championship. Although our division and conference are very strong and that will be a big challenge for us, our goals have not changed from past seasons.”

Methacton’s Anthony Daddazio rounds third base against Pope John Paul II in the Pioneer Athletic Conference semifinals Monday, May 15, 2023. (Evan Wheaton/MediaNews Group)

Norristown

Coach: Brett Huston, third season
Last year’s record: 5-15 overall, 3-13 PAC, 1-9 PAC Liberty
Players to watch: Matt Leary, SS/P; Justin Fryer, Jr., P/CF; Brett Murphy, 1B/P; Andrew Mocarsky, IF/OF/P; Chase Logan, 2B/3B/P; Asher Guarino, OF/IF/P; Johnangelo Salamone, C/IF/OF
Season outlook: The Eagles bring back All-PAC first team selection Matt Leary at shortstop and pitcher, along with second team selections Brett Murphy and Justin Fryer. “This should be a very exciting year for us. I expect the team to take the next step this year and contend for the PAC final four and districts,” Huston said. “As long as we stay healthy I have great expectations for this team.”

Owen J. Roberts’ Tyler Brashear. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)

Owen J. Roberts

Coach: Alex Condello, second season
Last year’s record: 13-8 overall, 11-5 PAC, 7-3 PAC Liberty; District 1-6A qualifier
Players to watch: Tyler Brashear, Sr., OF/P; Lucas Zachesky, Sr., INF; Sam Taylor, Jr., INF
Season outlook: The Wildcats graduated several players from last year’s team that was the 10th seed in districts and lost a first-round game to Quakertown. East Carolina recruit Tyler Brashear leads the way. “We have many starting spots to fill this year,” Condello said. “We will rely on our pitching and defense as our strengths to keep us in games. We look to be competitive and fight for a playoff spot in the PAC and in districts.”

Perkiomen Valley

Coach: Ryan Hinkle, 12th season
Last year’s record: 9-11 overall, 6-10 PAC, 2-8 PAC Liberty
Players to watch: Conner Fitzpatrick, Sr., P; Liam McNeill, Jr., SS/P; Michael Strechay, Jr., OF/P
Season outlook: It’s another rebuilding year for the Vikings after managing two division wins and nine overall a year ago. “The Vikings will be very young this year with juniors looking to gain varsity experience quickly in a competitive PAC,” Hinkle said. “Our pitchers will need to be crafty and execute in key spots. Our bats will need to execute with runners in scoring position, as we lost key pieces due to injuries.”

Spring-Ford second baseman Nick Flores throws to first on the run for an out against Central during a PIAA 6A first round game on June 5 at Spring-Ford. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)

Spring-Ford

Coach: Rick Harrison, fifth season
Last year’s record: 22-5 overall, 15-1 PAC, 9-1 PAC Liberty; District 1-6A finalist; PIAA 6A quarterfinalist
Players to watch: Nick Flores, Sr., IF; Ryan Cecconi, Sr., C; David Ruckman, Sr., OF; Brennan McVey, Sr., OF; Jake Witmer, Jr., 1B; Micah Seitzinger, Sr., Utility; Ryan Fields, Jr., INF; Aidan Dunleavy, So., INF; Brett Wescott, Jr., OF; TJ Shultz, Jr., OF; Ethan Freed, Jr., P; Dominic Ruggiero, Jr., P; Andrew Wible, Jr., P; Austin Ludwig, Sr., P
Season outlook: The Rams will have a difficult act to follow in 2024 as the team won 22 games last season and lost in the district championship game to Central Bucks West. Spring-Ford also won a game in states before bowing out in the quarterfinals. All-Mercury pitchers Dylan Broderick (First Team) and Mike deHaan (Second Team) graduated, opening the door for new faces to step up on the mound. “We are looking to replace the majority of our innings on the mound from last season,” Harrison said. “The team will be leaning on an inexperienced pitching staff but has some key returning positional players in Nick Flores, Ryan Cecconi and David Ruckman. We will need to throw strikes and play defense to compete in the PAC this season.” Flores and Ruckman are Mercury All-Area First Team returners.

PAC Frontier Division

Phoenixville

Coach: Geoff Thomas, fifth season
Last year’s record: 15-8 overall, 11-5 PAC, 8-2 PAC Frontier; PAC champions; District 1-5A qualifier
Players to watch: Christian Cervino, Sr., P/OF/IF; Sam Marsh, Sr., SS/P; Nico Nattle, Sr., P/1B/3B; Kevin Kingsbury, Jr., CF/P; Chris Mull, Jr., OF/P; Tommy Whitesel, Jr., 2B/SS/P
Season outlook: The Phantoms are coming off an excellent 2023 season in which they defeated Methacton in the PAC title game and entered the District 1-5A Tournament as the No. 6 seed. Phoenixville beat Harriton in the first round before falling to eventual champion Strath Haven in the quarterfinals. After graduating a large senior class last year, including All-Area picks Hudson Narke, Wade Carruthers, Dylan Antonini and Colin Bull, the team will have to regroup if it is going to embark on another deep postseason run. “We had an amazing run as PAC champions last year,” Thomas said. “It was an exciting season, and one that will always be remembered. We have been working very hard this off season and preseason to prepare for the spring campaign. 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.”

The Pope John Paul II baseball team poses with championship medals at home plate after defeating Upper Perkiomen, 5-3 in the District 1-4A final at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth on May 26. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)

Pope John Paul II

Coach: Charles Deluzio, fifth season
Last year’s record: 17-6 overall, 13-3 PAC, 9-1 PAC Frontier; District 1-4A champions; PIAA state qualifier
Players to watch: Dylan Simeone, Sr., C; Blake High, Sr., P; Luke Terlesky, JR., OF/P; Chase Frantz, Jr., 1B/3B; Noah Brandt, Sr., OF; Aidan Sgarra, Sr., P/3B; T.J. Boccella, Sr., P/OF; A.J. DiAddezio, Jr., IF/P; Carson Glose, Fr., 3B/P; Tyler Tindall, Fr., IF/OF; Luca DiMaio, Jr., INF
Season outlook: The Golden Panthers lost two key players to graduation — All-Area picks Brendan Kenning and Frank DiMaio — following last year’s district championship, but they bring back a strong group that should be one of the PAC frontrunners. AJ DiAddezio, Luke Terlesky, Dylan Simeone, Chase Frantz and Noah Brandt were Mercury All-Area selections in 2023, with PJP’s season extending to the PIAA tournament in a first-round loss to eventual state champ Archbishop Wood. “The Golden Panthers had a very successful season,” Deluzio said. “We are looking forward to the 2024 season, adding a few new faces to the lineup. Our goal is to win the PAC, repeat as district champions and make a long run in the state playoffs. We have unfinished business.”

Pottsgrove

Coach: Jamie Nash, 10th season
Last year’s record: 6-14 overall, 4-12 PAC, 3-7 PAC Frontier
Players to watch: Zayd Rogers, Sr., P/IF; Ricky Scott, Sr., CF/1B/P; Carter Burg, Jr., P/IF; Blayne Bainbridge, Sr., P; Luke Tyson, So., C
Season outlook: “The team has come together quite quickly this season,” Nash said. “The group enjoys being around each other and has worked hard this offseason and to start the season. Pitching, defense and timely hitting will be keys to success this upcoming season. Continuing to grow and work hard will be keys to making this a successful season. Building confidence early in the season will pave the way to achieving our goals.”

Pottstown

Coach: Chris Petro, fifth season
Last year’s record: 2-18 overall, 0-16 PAC, 0-10 PAC Frontier
Players to watch: Reece Murphy, Jr., 3B/1B/P; Evan Draucker, Jr., SS/P; Shawn Pallay, Jr., C/SS/P; Gina Fleming, Sr., 3B/2B/P
Season outlook: The Trojans ended the 2023 season on a 17-game losing streak after a promising 2-1 start. The team is seeking its first PAC win since prior to the 2020 season that was lost due to the pandemic. Pottstown flirted with victories at Norristown and Upper Merion but came up just short. The team lost six players to graduation but returns a solid core of juniors that gives fifth-year head coach Chris Petro some optimism his squad can pick up that elusive league victory in 2024. “This is a good group that continues to work hard and compete every time out there,” Petro said. “While the wins have been hard to come by, we continue to see progress. Pottstown again got off to a good start in 2024 with non-conference wins over Antietam and Renaissance Academy. With the PAC schedule about to get underway, Pottstown aims to not only compete but learn to finish this season. Staying aggressive offensively and avoiding mental mistakes and the big inning defensively will be keys to the Trojans’ success in 2024.”

Upper Merion

Coach: Matt Mitchell, 13th season
Last year’s record: 10-10 overall, 7-9 PAC, 5-5 PAC Frontier
Players to watch: John Tomsho, Jr., OF/P; Dylan Roberts, Sr., IF/P; Andrew Prendergast, Sr., P/OF; Quintin Sarne, Sr., P; Carmen Pascale, Sr., OF
Season outlook: “Pitching and defense are the foundation of any program,” Mitchell said. “We’re going to strive to be strong in both of those areas. We’ve got some bats in the middle of the lineup that are returning this year, but are going to need some guys to step up offensively if we want to compete in what is one of the best conferences in PA. As always, putting pressure on our opponents by doing the little things right will also help build toward the goal of earning a district playoff bid.”

Upper Perkiomen

Coach: Bobby Saeger, first season
Last year’s record: 11-11 overall, 7-9 PAC, 5-5 PAC Frontier
Players to watch: Braden Rieg, Sr., P/1B; Jack Schramm, Sr., P/1B; Isaac Bugman, Sr., SS; Evan Sands, Sr., P/2B; Drew Graf, Sr., OF; Kyle Mazzie, Sr., P/OF; Owen Williams, Sr., P/OF; Cole Pierce, Jr., P/IF; Zane Saeger, So., P/INF; Brody Weiss. So., C
Season outlook: The Indians have both experience and pitching depth, with this year’s team expected to be strong with a very experienced core group of 10 seniors. “The collective group has played together for several years and competed at extremely high levels of competition and pressure-filled situations,” first-year head coach Bobby Saeger said. “With a new staff, an expectation to win and a work ethic to get better in all aspects every day has the future for Upper Perk baseball looking bright. We’re expecting to compete at a high level instantly.”

Others

Daniel Boone

Coach: Jason McCord, 14th season
Last year’s record: 12-10 overall, 4-7 Berks II, District 3-5A qualifier
Players to watch: Nico Gualtieri, Sr., 2B; Anthony Cizmarik, Sr., 1B; Maddox Roy, So., 3B
Season outlook: The Blazers lost seven seniors to graduation, many of whom were key contributors to last season’s county and district playoff team. The losses included 129 of the 149 innings thrown last season, leaving plenty of opportunities for players to step up on the mound. The team’s infield looks strong, with seniors Nico Gualtieri and Anthony Cizmarik holding down the right side of the infield, while sophomore Maddox Roy mans the hot corner after hitting .462 as a freshman. “This season we will be challenged to replace innings, as well as two-year starting catcher Conner McGough and offensive MVP Mason Walter,” McCord said. “This year’s team will be young and inexperienced but filled with hungry, young talent.

Hill School

Coach: Ed Turner, fifth season
Last year’s record: 6-14 overall, 5-5 MAPL
Players to watch: Derek Boyd-Volz, Sr., P/1B; Collin Mattis, Sr., P; Anthony Grosso, Jr., P/OF; Daniel Palmieri, Jr., INF; Liam Sheward, Jr., INF; Cole White, Jr., OF; Charlie Winston, Jr., C; Robert Pavlek, Jr., P/OF
Season outlook: Hill’s top returners are junior pitcher/outfielder Anthony Grosso, who was All-Area second team as a sophomore, and junior infielder Daniel Palmieri. “A strong core group of experienced players and a few newcomers look to lead our program forward towards excellence and pride,” Turner said. “Our pitchers want to throw strike one, our fielders want to make the routine play and our hitters want to make hard contact consistently.”

Perkiomen School

Coach: Ken Baker, 34th season
Last year’s record: 15-3-1; lost in PAISAA championship game
Players to watch: Henry Clausell, Sr., P/IF; Erick Diaz, Sr., OF; Cesar Lopez, Sr., IF; Kross Howarth, Sr., P/IF; Sammy Laux, PG, C/IF; Bobby Kleckner, PG, OF; Avery Smith, Jr., C/IF
Season outlook: Perkiomen won 15 of its 19 games in 2023 playing a completely independent schedule, one of the team’s better seasons over the past couple of years. The Panthers made it to the PAISAA title game, losing 6-4 to eventual champion Malvern Prep. Longtime head coach Ken Baker brings back three First Team All-Area selections in Avery Smith, Cesar Lopez and Henry Clausell. “We have returned the core of last year’s team that really developed the second half of last season,” Baker said. “Our pitching should be improved over last year and we feel we should be a solid hitting team if we cut back on strikeouts. It will be important for our infield defense to continue to get better. We play a challenging, competitive schedule which should get us ready for the PAISAA tournament.”