Central Bucks East Baseball Preview

CENTRAL BUCKS EAST BASEBALL PREVIEW

Head coach:  Kyle Dennis (6thyear
)

Last year's record:  7–11 overall, 4-10 SOL


Key players:(alphabetical)

Anthony Barilla – Sr. P
Brandon Birkhead – Jr – P/OF/IF
Vince Careghini – Sr. – OF
Ben Hauser – Sr. – C
Blair Killough – Sr. – P
Ethan Rode – Sr. P/1B
Pat Reilly – Jr. – 2B
Sean Usowski – Sr. OF
Robert Welhaf – Sr. – P/OF 

Notable Losses –  (alphabetical)
Ryan Clow (Kutztown)
Ryan Gilbert
Zach Grace (Carson-Newman)
Craig Lager (Widener)
Clay Sebesky (Kutztown)
Tyler Zeleny (Bloomsburg)

 Others to watch:
Carter Usowski - So. – 3B
David Yanni - So. – SS

Season Outlook and expectations:  “We return our three pitchers from last season including Killough (Sr), Barilla (Sr.) and Welhaf (Sr). All received significant varsity experience and look to gain more success this year. Ethan Rode(Sr) is a 4thyear varsity player and will spend time on the mound and 1stbase. Ben Hauser (Sr. - 3rdyear starter) will transition to his natural position at catcher. Transfer P/OF/IF Brandon Birkhead (Jr) will also see time on the mound. Birkhead and Welhaf will most likely share duties in RF depending on pitching matchups. Newcomers Carter Usowski (So – 3B), David Yanni (So – SS) and Pat Reilly (Jr. – 2B) will look to solidify an inexperienced, but highly skilled IF. Vince Careghini (Sr) will anchor the outfield from center with Sean Usowski (Sr.) along with a few others battling for the last outfield spot in left field.  We have a lot of pieces of the puzzle to have a productive season. Our team will be looking to execute and win every pitch. This will be the key to us having a successful season.
“This is a brutal conference. I have no doubts that it is one of the best in the state. Last year HH finished two wins from a state championship and returns a solid nucleus along with having perennially good pitchers, CB South returns two talented pitchers from a District Championship team. North Penn returns their number one and is always talented and well coached. Souderton returns a good portion of its starters, and Pennridge has everyone back. Quakertown always has great hitters and plays everyone tough. CB West, although losing a lot of starters, has a quality group of young players. In the last few years this conference has produced state champions, District champions and multiple teams making great runs deep into the post season. It is going to be awesome.”

Games to watch:

Any SOL Continental game will be a great game to watch and a difficult game to win. The conference is loaded with talent.

·         4/2 – HH @ CBE – 3:45pm – Opening league game

·         5/13 – CBE @ CBS – 6pm (CBS Senior Night) – Last league game

·         Any game in-between those two.

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