Hatboro-Horsham Baseball Preview

03/12/15 11:41pm Posted by editor

HATBORO-HORSHAM BASEBALL PREVIEW

Coach:  Pete Moore, 14th Season

 

Assistant coaches:  Andy Noga (Varsity Pitching Coach), Mark McCouch (Varsity Assistant), Ken Remaily (JV Head Coach), Bill DeBoer (JV Assistant Coach), Jim Tooley (Freshmen Coach)

 

Last year’s record:  11-10 overall, 8-6 SOL Continental, Lost in 1st Round of Districts

 

Notable losses: David Brown, RHP, Kutztown; Brad Humski, INF, Gwynedd Mercy; Eric Thomas, C; Bryan Johnson, RHP; Collin Fields, 2B

 

Key returners (include grade/position):

  • Kevin Barron, SR, 3B/RHP, Campbell University
  • Chris Crookham, SR, SS/RHP, East Stroudsburg
  • Alex Kleidon, SR, OF/LHP, University of Sciences
  • Eric Lane, SR, OF/LHP, Kutztown
  • Joe Simmons, SR, C, Immaculata
  • Cole Davis, SR, 1B
  • Ryan Murphy, SR, 1B/RHP
  • Colin Kennedy, SO, 1B/RHP
  • Justin Gregorio, SR, 2B/3B
  • Charlie Obrecht, SR, 3B
  • Erik Kleidon, SR, OF/RHP
  • Alec Blyler, SR, OF

Others to watch:

  • Austin Anderson, SR, 2B
  • Chris Horton, SR, RHP
  • Nick Matteo, SR, 3B
  • Kevin Platt, SR, OF
  • Billy Carr, JR, C
  • Kyle Katz, JR, OF/LHP
  • Matt Saunders, JR, RHP
  • Ryan O’Donnell, SO, 2B/RHP
  • Shaun Thomas, SO, C

Outlook:  “This is an experienced group.  Fifteen players who had some level of experience at the varsity level last year will return.  The Hatters will lean on that experience as they compete in the best high school baseball conference in the state, the SOL Continental.  There are a lot of expectations for this group, but this group will focus on the process that it takes to reach those long term goals.  The process will start with the team motto, ‘Respect 90.’  Taken from Cubs manager, Joe Maddon, this means that everything that the team wants to accomplish starts with the first 90 feet out of the batters’ box.  In addition to the returning players, there is a strong group of newcomers who are pushing the returning players for playing time. 

“As has become tradition at HH, the pitching staff will be strength for the Hats on the field.  Senior Kevin Barron, who was a 2nd Team All-League pitcher last year, is coming back from GIRD and will likely not pitch for at least the beginning of the season.  Senior Eric Lane and sophomore Colin Kennedy, who were both Honorable Mention last year will lead the talented staff in 2015.  Senior Ryan Murphy, who started the season opener last year before sitting out much of the year with a back injury, returns to add depth to the pitching staff along with senior Erik Kleidon.  Junior Kyle Katz is coming off of a 1st Team Lower Montco Legion summer and will join sophomore Ryan O’Donnell as new arms for the Hatters.”  Seniors Chris Crookham and Alex Kleidon give the Hatters two hard throwing options to close out games late.  Senior Chris Horton and junior Matt Saunders will also get a chance to earn innings this spring.

“Offensively, the Hatters struggled to score runs last year and hope that another year of experience leads to improvement in that area.  Players have put in the work to make themselves and the team better and that should pay off.  This group is as close with each other as any to come through HH.  It’s a goal of theirs to play as many games together as possible.”

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