Pennsbury baseball’s 11 seniors were recognized during a video interview with coach Joe Pesci. Portions of those interviews are reprinted below. (Photos courtesy of Pennsbury baseball)
Pennsbury baseball team's 11 seniors share a passion for their sport. That love for the game is underscored by the fact that eight will continue playing at the collegiate level.
“There are so many opportunities for kids – the Northeast is saturated with schools, and we always say, ‘If you want to go play somewhere, you can play somewhere, but you have to find the right fit,’” coach Joe Pesci said. “We were just really pleased with the number of kids that did commit.
“We had four that committed at the early signing period. After that, we had kids who had offers, and we were trying to figure out what was right for them. It is a positive for our program because future players/middle school kids can see that we’re consistently sending a large number of kids to play at the next level if that’s what they’re looking for.”
The Falcons were preparing to defend the SOL National Conference title they owned this spring only to see their season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were definitely excited going into the season,” Pesci said. “You look at returning starters with Sam Ruta and Shane Marlin. Drew Hensor was hurt and wasn’t going to play this year - he was a returning starter. Devin Sweeney had some innings on the mound, and he was committed to Delaware, so we had some really good core pieces back, but we also had competition at a lot of position too, which is always healthy for a team to have.
“Then there were kids like Luke Tiroly and Nick Guerieri. Luke was on the jayvee team last year, and Nick was a kid who never made the baseball program, and finally senior year he makes the team, and he was going to be a role player and you lose the season. We felt we had a really good core of older guys with experience but also healthy competition at positions.”
The seniors – socially distanced - returned to their home baseball diamond for a final recognition.
“What’s disappointing – you get to know kids, and obviously, I know kids who have been in the program, but there were a couple kids that haven’t been involved at the varsity level or you haven’t built the firm relationship with,” Pesci said. “It was definitely a hardworking group. You had kids who had been starters for several years and continued to work hard because they wanted to be the best at their positions, and they wanted to go as high as they could level-wise in college. You had kids who may have been role players or didn’t make the team, and they really wanted to get to the point where they could be contributors.
“So you had a really good dynamic of the kids who were pushing the kids in front of you to get better and that’s just making the team better. You had a really good dynamic, and honestly, they’re a pretty loose, light group of kids. They all get along. It was an interesting dynamic because you had very different personalities, but they all came together when it was time to practice. It was nice because to know them individually – I’m not saying they assimilate, but they come together to put together a pretty good team.”
Tyler Babel, #7, RHP/INF, Manhattan College (Baseball)
Major: Finance
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “Hopefully, I’ll have a job in New York City, maybe with the stock market, maybe a financial manager or something like that.”
Hobbies: Video games, hanging out with friends
Favorite fictional character? “I guess James Bond - he’s a real cool dude.”
Real life hero: “Chase Utley – he’s a humble person, and that’s real important to me. He’s just a good role model.”
Most embarrassing moment on a baseball field: “Probably last year when I got that home run hit off me at Holy Ghost – that was bad.”
Favorite Pennsbury baseball memory: “Definitely the Myrtle Beach trip we took last year. That was so fun, and to room with the guys was so fun. We had so many laughs.”
What advice would give an incoming freshman? “High school is a really important time to develop, so you have to know what goals you want to achieve and just work really hard for it because everything is possible.”
Nick Guerieri, #14, RHP, Lebanon Valley College (Baseball)
Major: Physical Therapy
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “I’m going to keep working as hard as I can, and hopefully, I can play in the MLB. Otherwise, I’m going to continue in college and get my doctorate and have a good job.”
Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, playing video games with friends, working with my hands.
Favorite fictional character and why: “Robin Hood – it was just the idea that he was helping the people who really needed it by taking from others who didn’t need it as much.”
Real life hero: “I’m going to go with Bruce Lee. He dedicated himself to what he wanted to do, and that’s an awesome thing.”
Most embarrassing moment on a baseball field: “One of the most embarrassing things – but it’s also pretty funny and it still happens – is when I’m pitching and I’ll go to throw the pitch and I’ll trip and fall while I throw the pitch. Sometimes I’ll still get a strike, and that’s pretty funny.”
Favorite Pennsbury baseball memory: “Probably the exact moment (coach Joe Pesci) told me I was on the team.”
What advice would you give an incoming freshman? “Commit to what it is you want to do, and don’t let anything else stop you – whether that’s school and grades stopping you from where you want to go after school. If it’s for baseball and you’re cut again, don’t let that stop you either – keep working.”
Drew Hensor, #23, OF, Captain, Kutztown University (Football)
Major: Physics Engineering with a minor in Biochemistry
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “In 10 years, the goal is to be a patent attorney hopefully.”
Favorite fictional character and why: “Henry Rowengartner from Rookie of the Year. He got injured and came back and did amazing.”
Real life hero: “Mike Trout, for sure. He’s just different – he’s got such a different attitude than other players in the MLB. He’s not selfish or thinks he’s better than everybody else even though he is. He’s just so down to earth and just does his thing.”
Most embarrassing moment on the baseball field: “My sophomore year against Truman when I was pinch running and I (kept running) and then ended up scoring somehow when he hit the ball to short and threw it to first.”
Favorite Pennsbury baseball memory: “It’s got to be the South Carolina trip. That was such a great bonding experience with the team and everything.
What advice would you give an incoming freshman? “School-wise – put as much effort in as possible. Start from freshman year and work as hard as you can because it’s going to help when you go to college. Sports-wise – always put the max work in. Always work harder than everybody else because it will pay off.”
Ethan Karel, #3, OF, Albright College (Baseball)
Major: Biology
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “I would love to say the Major Leagues, but I’m hoping I can be out of school with a master’s degree, preferably in genetics or biology, and I hope to be working in a research lab of some sort.”
Hobbies: “Hanging out with my friends and doing whatever, whether it’s a pick-up basketball game, pick-up football game, pick-up kickball game.”
Favorite fictional character and why: "My favorite fictional character would have to be Flash. I always looked up to Flash as a kid. I was always like, ‘Wow, I wish I could be that fast.’”
Real life hero: “That’s the one thing I could never figure out as a kid growing up – who was my one hero - because I looked up to a lot of different people. I looked up to certain sports athletes. Right now my favorite sports athlete is Brett Gardner. He was never the outstanding guy through high school or his college years. I looked up to him for that. I always looked up to my dad because he’s always been a hardworking guy, and he’s pretty much taught me about everything in my entire life and (made) me who I am today and pushed me to be me.”
Most embarrassing moment on the baseball field: “The most embarrassing thing that happened was (last) summer. I was at Diamond Nation playing in a tournament. I was in center field with a man on second, and a line drive was hit straight at me but it was in. I was running in and I laid out for the ball and I took it right between the eyes because I dropped my glove. It sounds awful, but I got up laughing with blood dripping down my face. From that, my AAU teammates called me Ball Face for the rest of the year.”
Favorite Pennsbury baseball memory: “When I hit the walk-off against Truman. After touching first base and realizing I was safe and we just won the game, I turned around and I can still remember RJ running right at me, grinning from ear to ear and everybody following right after him - I thought that was incredible.”
What advice would you give an incoming freshman? “Be open is my best advice. If you’re open to having more friends, be open to going out and doing things because all of my best memories have been with either my team or all my friends. Whether we’re going out to hang out or just talking to each other on the phone – have an open mindset to do just about anything.”
Dylan Lubinski, #2, RHP, Bloomsburg University (Baseball)
Major: Finance
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “Hopefully in 10 years I will be successful with my finance degree or accounting and then probably getting ready to start my family and get my own house.”
Hobbies: Playing video games, listening to music, watching movies, playing other sports – just trying to stay active.
Favorite fictional character and why: “I would have to say Willy Wonka just because of the fact that I love candy, and I think it would be so cool to explore a candy factory. I just thought it was such a cool idea – everlasting gobstoppers because gobstoppers are amazing.”
Real life hero: “I would probably say my dad just because of how he’s always trying to do the best for our family and always trying to provide us with the things we want or need. He’s always doing the best of his ability for whatever we ask for.”
Most embarrassing moment on a baseball field: “When I was younger, the most embarrassing would be hitting and then slipping when running the bases because you never want to slip and lose a base. Also, last year giving up the grand slam – that was pretty embarrassing also.”
Favorite Pennsbury baseball memory: “Last year winning the league and just being able to bond with the guys whenever we had the chance and the laughs that we had.”
What advice would you give an incoming freshman? “Don’t get discouraged. For example, I was cut freshman year. I didn’t give up – I just worked harder, tried harder and then happened to make the team sophomore year. Don’t get too discouraged – always work to do your best and give 100 percent.”
Shane Marlin, #6, Catcher, Captain, Lock Haven University (Baseball)
Major: Education
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “Hopefully, I’m still playing baseball somewhere some way, but if not, I hope to be teaching and hopefully I’ll have a coaching job along with that.”
Hobbies: “Lifting – I got really big into lifting junior year. I saw myself progress even after just a little bit of lifting. This offseason that’s kind of what I put myself into – strictly lifting and making sure my diet was better than it was and trying to up my game as much as I could.”
Favorite fictional character and why: “Superman – who doesn’t like Superman? He can do everything. It’s something to look forward to in all the movies – what can he do next?”
Real life hero: “My dad. I wouldn’t be in this position baseball-wise or even in life without my dad. He’s taught me so much, not only just from the game but growing me up as a man and progressing me to be a better person. Obviously, on the baseball field, there were plenty of times I didn’t like him, but looking back on it now, he’s definitely loosened up a lot. Just him being that way, it trained me to be what I am now. Don’t take anything lightly. He really progressed me to what I am today.”
Most embarrassing moment on a baseball field: “I think it was last year – I showed up to a legion game, and my coach told me I was playing the outfield. I’m not the best outfielder. If the ball is hit in my direction in front of me, I usually get there. This one was off to my right a little bit, and I completely laid out for it. I miss it big time and full scorpion – my feet were over top of me, touched the back of my head. Everybody is standing there watching me. I have to get up, go chase the ball and then try and get it back in as quick as possible, but it was bad.”
Favorite Pennsbury baseball memory: “A big one for me would definitely be winning the SOL last year. I thought we could have gone farther, but what happened happened. I think the bigger thing is the bond of my three years being on this team, bonding with every group of guys. Obviously, I had my class and some of the kids below me, but seniors of that specific year, last year’s 2019 seniors – all those guys were so cool to be around. Even the year before that – the bond with the seniors and what they know. Just their different year is just so cool to me.”
What advice would you give an incoming freshman? “On and off the field, don’t take anything for granted. Don’t go into anything giving half effort - give it all you’ve got all the time. Somebody is always watching you. Give the best effort you have 24/7, and you’ll be fine.”
Sam Ruta, #17, SS, U.S. Military Academy at West Point (Baseball)
Major: Law
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “In 10 years, I see myself playing professional baseball.”
Hobbies: Work out, hang out with my siblings, play some Madden, Fortnite & MLB, hang out with friends
Favorite fictional character and why: “Dr. Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb. He was always misunderstood, but he was a really good guy.”
Real life hero: “My real life hero would have to be my pop-pop, my grandfather on my mom’s side. He was one of the people I looked up to growing up. If it wasn’t him, it would be my dad.”
Most embarrassing moment on a baseball field: “When I was about 13, I was at a pretty big tryout on a national stage. In the last inning, a line drive was hit to me, and it actually took my glove off with the ball. They both went into the outfield. That was pretty embarrassing – a lot of people, a lot of laughs. It wasn’t good.”
Favorite Pennsbury baseball memory: “The first inning home run against Neshaminy last year. It was pretty cool, but the best thing was coming back into the dugout. Everyone was so hyped, jumping on each other. That’s definitely the most fun I’ve had on a baseball field.”
What advice would you give an incoming freshman? “I would tell them to enjoy (high school). It goes by quick. Once you get to college or whatever you do after high school, it’s business as usual, so enjoy your time in high school. It’s the best years.”
Devin Sweeney, #9, LHP/OF, Captain, University of Delaware (Baseball)
Major: Undecided but possibly business
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “Hopefully still playing baseball, and no matter what, I would still want to be involved even if it was coaching.
Hobbies: “I play a lot of basketball, I like to golf, I snowboard.”
Favorite fictional character and why: “Rocky. Whenever I watch the Rocky movies, it’s really motivational. It makes me feel like I could do anything.”
Real life hero: “I think it’s my whole family. They motivate me to do everything and push me to do my best.”
Most embarrassing moment on a baseball field: “Definitely, the Wood game sophomore year.”
Favorite Pennsbury baseball memory: “Winning the SOL last year. It was a really fun season with all the guys. We all got along, we were all hanging out.”
What advice would you give an incoming freshman? “Play every game like it’s your last because you don’t know when something crazy like this could take a bunch of games away.”
Malik Thomas, #11, OF, Coastal Carolina
Major: Criminal Justice
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “Still around here, I don’t really know yet.”
Hobbies: Fish, Play Xbox, chill with my friends
Favorite fictional character and why: “Scooby-Doo – he’s the GOAT,”
Real life hero: “My grandfather because he kind of raised me over the years. I learned everything I know from him.”
Most embarrassing moment on a baseball field: “It was Falls Junior Legion, and this kid hit a ball in right field. I totally missed it. It was the championship game against Langhorne – he scored, and they won. That was kind of embarrassing.”
Favorite Pennsbury baseball memory: “The whole Myrtle Beach experience was probably my favorite because I got to know a lot of the guys last year from that experience. We had a really good bond, and I still talk to some of the guys that graduated.”
What advice would you give an incoming freshman? “I would tell them to take advantage of everything. They’re going to meet a lot of new people, so make the most out of it.”
Luke Tiroly, #29, 1B/DH/OF, United States Navy
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “I see myself as an active duty Navy Seal, happily married with a couple of kids, overseas somewhere serving my country to the best of my ability.”
Hobbies: “I love working out, I love spending time with my family, I like hiking, fishing, hanging out with friends. I also enjoy reading.”
Favorite fictional character and why: “My favorite fictional character is Batman. I’ve loved him since I was four years old – I loved the movies, video games, comic books. I read it all. He’s just an awesome character. I love his moral compass – I aspire to be like him. Also, his physique in the video games is also very inspiring.”
Real life hero: “My real life heroes are my parents. They’ve always been very supportive of me and whatever I want to do, they’ve always loved me unconditionally even when I make mistakes. I couldn’t ask for two better people to raise me. They are definitely my heroes.”
Most embarrassing moment on a baseball field: “Back in junior year jayvee season, we had a whole week of practice. We focused on just one thing – they would hit ground balls to us all practice, working on not letting the ball go between our legs, just getting our gloves down, keeping the ball in front of us. Next game I was starting left field, and in the first inning a ball was hit to me, a laser in left field I go to get it, and it goes right through my legs. That was awful. It was very embarrassing. I could not believe it.”
Favorite Pennsbury baseball memory: “My favorite moment was definitely after I made the varsity team, and I came out and all my teammates’ and friends’ reaction to it. I went over and gave everyone a big hug. They were all very happy for me, and I was very happy to be there. That was definitely the most memorable moment that I’ll remember the rest of my life.”
What advice would you give an incoming freshman? “The advice I’d give is really focus on your grades freshman year, really take them seriously. They actually matter now, so you should really focus and get good grades. Stay focused, don’t ever get sidetracked. Stay in the right crowd. Surround yourself with people who are better than you in some way, whether they’re more athletic or smarter, and aspire to be as good as them in that way. Surround yourself with people of high moral character because that’s going to be very important because you want to stay out of trouble. Stay focused on what’s important, which is your success, your family and the people you care about and your grades.”
Evan Urglavitch, #22, 1B/DH, Undecided
Major: Business Administration with a minor in communications
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “Whatever I do, I hope I can still keep up with all my hobbies. I’ll probably be self-employed running
my own business. I hope to have a bunch of different sources of income. I hope I have something figured out. I’ll probably be a free agent still. I’ll probably wait longer to start a family. As long as I get everything in check – and that’s if I’m not playing baseball, of course. Who knows? Anything can happen.”
Hobbies: “I like to keep myself in shape. I do a lot of physical activity, biking, mountain biking, I ride dirt bikes, three wheelers. I hunt and I fish. I shoot flintlocks, and I shoot the bow. I play guitar, I sing. I’ve been in a band, and we’re working on something and hoping to have an album released this summer sometime.”
Favorite fictional character and why: “MacGyver from the 80’s. Today if you need a solution, you can just look it up on your phone. Back in the day in that show, he took everyday objects around him and he applied problem-solving skills to find a solution, so I think that’s a pretty good show. Besides that, Charlie Harper from Two and a Half Men because he’s smooth with the ladies.”
Real life hero: “My family in general because there’s a lot of wisdom and guidance that I’ve paid attention to, and I’ve learned a lot of life lessons. In general, they’re older – my parents are older, my brother is eight years older than me, all my uncles are older than my parents, so there are a lot of different facets I can take for asking questions and experience guidance. My grandpop definitely – he’s not with us anymore, but he really inspired me. He started the gun club I’m part of with his friends. They really had me and my brother in mind and all the other families. They really made something great with that. From all the hunting I do, I think it touches into how you perform in athletics. It’s a mindset that really has helped me stay calm. My Grandpop really is one of my heroes.
Most embarrassing moment on a baseball field: “It was an all-star game. I don’t remember how old I was, but I think I had two hits going into (my at-bat), and it was at the end of the game and it was a close game. I hit a double, but on my way to second I tripped. I don’t know if it was my cleats or if the dirt was loose. The next kid up actually hit a double too in the same spot, and I tripped around third again, so everyone was like, ‘This kid can’t even run.’ I scored luckily. Somehow I didn’t get thrown out, but it was pretty embarrassing, and it didn’t cost us the game.”
Favorite Pennsbury baseball memory: “The Myrtle Beach trip last year was a brotherhood thing. My room was a mixture of seniors, juniors and sophomores. We had like seven people in the room, and we had a lot of great moments.
“My favorite moment playing would be in the fall league - my grade when I was a sophomore won the championship against Neshaminy. It was a funny, wild game. I remember the whole game perfectly – it was just a bonding experience. Every player that was on that team – we’re still together now.”
What advice would you give an incoming freshman? “Get involved as much as possible. It goes by quick. There’s a lot of knowledge, there’s a lot of teachers you can ask anything – there’s so much to offer. Besides that, I would recommend doing Sports Night when you’re a junior and doing video production when you’re a junior. It will really make your high school experience better. It’s up to you what you do with your time, and it’s up to you if you want to be in a bad crowd or good crowd.”
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