HATBORO-HORSHAM BASEBALL PREVIEW
Coach: Pete Moore, 12th season
Assistant coaches: Dennis Reilly (Varsity Asst); Brian Sheppard (Varsity Asst); Andy Noga (JV Head Coach); Nick Corper (JV Asst); Justin Wiercinski (Freshmen Coach)
Last year’s record: 22-5 overall, 12-2 SOL Continental, League Championship, 3rd Place District 1, State Semifinalists
Notable losses: Conner Crookham – Old Dominion; Casey Saverio – Monmouth; Chris Hens – Gwynedd Mercy; Casey O’Donnell – Philly U; Zach Crim – Chestnut Hill College; Tyler Zingle
Key returners: Grant Opalisky (SR, 3B); Ryan Kelly (SR, RHP/1B, St. Joe’s); Zach Prendergast (SR, RHP/SS, Seton Hall), Brad Humski (JR, 2B), Tyler Markovic (SR, RHP/1B), John Hlywiak (SR, RHP/OF), Chris Naiberk (SR, C)
Others to watch: Dave Brown (JR, RHP/SS), Eric Lane (SO, OF/LHP), Chris Crookham (SO, SS/OF), Kevin Barron (SO, OF/1B/RHP), Eric Thomas (JR, C), Mike Maimone (SR, OF), Zach Brenner (SR, OF), Bryan Johnson (JR, OF), Thomas Fisher (JR, 1B/OF)
Strengths/Question Marks: Our pitching is deep and we return one of our 3 aces from last year in Prendergast, who signed to play next year at Seton Hall. We have another D1 signee on the mound for us in Ryan Kelly. Hlywiak and Markovic were also on last year’s Varsity pitching staff. Junior David Brown will also be a big part of this year’s staff. All of our infielders return from last year’s team and will be a strength for us. Opalisky has moved in from the OF to play 3B and looks excellent there defensively. Prendergast and Humski will be solid up the middle and Kelly returns at first, where his defense is an asset for the team.
We need to replace our entire outfield and our 1-4 hitters from last year. How quickly the guys replacing those guys can pick up the pace of the game at the varsity level will be a key for us. In addition, the shortstop job when Prendergast pitches and the starting catching position need to be earned. We are having great practices with a lot of competition for jobs.
Outlook: “We have a goal to repeat as SOL Continental Champions. We know that our league is loaded with talent (3 teams ranked in PA Top 25 Pre-Season Rankings and another in the top 45). This group of players is on a mission to leave their own mark after being a part of the 2012 season last year. They want the 2013 team to make their own memories. Each day, we ‘work hard to get better’ and take ‘pride in performance.’ They are what makes this team special on and off the field.”
GAMES TO WATCH: First three games will be played in Florida at Disney’s Wide World of Sports as a part of Disney’s High School Spring Training Baseball event. Any SOL Continental match-up is sure to be filled with high quality baseball and a lot of talented players.
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