Scott Huff features Abington, CB West & Upper Moreland and highlights the top returning players for each team.
By Scott Huff
Oh, the weather outside is frightful…
The 2015 Suburban One League baseball season has been plagued by the dreadful March weather as teams anxiously await the promise of spring.
Council Rock South (SOL National), North Penn (SOL Continental), and Cheltenham (SOL American) will all attempt to repeat as conference champions. The Golden Hawks, Knights, and Panthers will not have an easy path to repeat as all three conferences appear to have a number of contenders.
The SOL will welcome four new head coaches to its fraternity. Tim Monaghan is the new head coach at Truman and will replace Jeff Vitale; Brad Tracy is the new head coach at Central Bucks West and will replace Jim Ertel; John Bernhardt is the new head coach at Cheltenham and will replace Frank Decembrino; and Ken Irwin is the new head coach at Upper Moreland and will replace Ernie Rehr.
And the beat goes on…
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Abington Ghosts
Veteran Abington head coach Dave Torresani has never seen anything like this.
“This is by far the worst start of the season as far as weather goes,” said Torresani – a veteran of nine years as head coach of the Ghosts. “Other than playing at PW the other day (a 6-0 Abington win), all of our time has either been in the gym or on a lumpy practice football field.
“I was thrilled with the way we played against PW considering the way we have had to prepare,” added Torresani. “Our pitching was great – our defense was ridiculously good – and we hit the ball.”
Abington will be led this season by senior catcher Nick Bein.
“Nick has been a three-year starter and is as awesome a player as he is a person,” said Torresani about his Elizabethtown College recruit. “The last two years we have called pitches – but we let him call pitches against PW – and he called a one-hitter.
“Last year he had a great Carpenter Cup experience, and he learned that he could play with the elite players in the area,” continued Torresani. “He is our captain this year – and it is always a plus to have your best player be the hardest working player on the team.
“Our goal is to play hard and have a shot at the district playoffs,” added Torresani. “We have some good players back – and we should have a good shot.”
Who’s Who In the SOL National Conference
Abington Ghosts:
Head Coach: Dave Torresani
Key Returning Players: Nick Bein, Conor Breslin, Brendan Gallagher, Greg Troyer, and Nick Torba.
Bensalem Owls:
Head Coach: Harry Daut
Key Returning Players: Nick Mulvey, Bill Kohler, Joe Benedetti, Brandon Wermuth, and Chris Reyes.
Council Rock North Indians:
Head Coach: Matt Schram
Key Returning Players: Matt Hand, Brandon McIlwain, Noah Hartwell, Cole German, and JR Hicks.
Council Rock South Golden Hawks:
Head Coach: Ted Kirner
Key Returning Players: Connor Macaulay, Jordan Silverman, Nick Ponente, Dean Obarowski, and Nick Fabiano.
Neshaminy Redskins:
Head Coach: Chris Tenaglia
Key Returning Players: Bill Ritchey, Kyle Skeels, and Jordan Angelo.
Pennsbury Falcons:
Head Coach: Joe Pesci
Key Returning Players: Kyle Marshall, Zach Szumigala, Ryan Sheaffer, Brody McFadden, and Sean Maniatis.
Truman Tigers:
Head Coach: Tim Monaghan
Key Returning Players: Matt Helbling, Mark Lopez, Chris Mangold, Evan Miller, and Matt Olsen.
William Tennent Panthers:
Head Coach: Rick Penecale
Key Returning Players: Tim Brodhag, Paul McElroy, Nick Cataldi, and Ryan Lucas.
Remember 2013-2014?
SOL National Conference Final Standings
1. Council Rock South Golden Hawks 11 3
2. Council Rock North Indians 9 5
Pennsbury Falcons 9 5
4. Neshaminy Redskins 8 6
5. Abington Ghosts 6 8
William Tennent 6 8
7. Bensalem Owls 5 9
8. Harry S Truman Tigers 2 12
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks West Bucks
First year Central Bucks West head coach Brad Tracy knows all about the challenges that he and his young Bucks will face this season in the SOL Continental Conference.
“Some of the best baseball in the state is played in the Suburban One League,” said Tracy who has been an assistant coach at both CB West and CB South. “Historic powerhouses like North Penn and Pennridge play in our league, and our goal is to be able to provide healthy competition with those teams.
“So far everything has been great,” added Tracy, who was (and is) an assistant coach for the Doylestown legion team that won a state championship in 2012. “We have had a very positive atmosphere here – and the players have been putting in work in our strength and conditioning program since November.
“The weather obviously hasn’t been great – but everyone is in the same boat,” continued Tracy. “We have been focused on practice and get as much work done as we can in the gym. But we want to get outside – everyone wants to get outside.”
Ironically – Tracy is a history teacher at rival Central Bucks South.
“My students at CB South get on me a little,” added Tracy. “But it is all in good fun.”
Who’s Who in the SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks East Patriots:
Head Coach: Kyle Dennis
Key Returning Players: David Yanni, Carter Usowski, Tom Prato, Nick Chimera, and Ryan Ernst.
Central Bucks South Titans:
Head Coach: Mike Schaefer
Key Returning Players: Mike Anastasia, Zach Dennis, Steve Trachtenberg, and Danny Klepchick.
Central Bucks West Bucks:
Head Coach: Brad Tracy
Key Returning Players: Robert Philipps, Matt Peralta, Steven Gebre, Tyler Farra, and Nick Evans.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters:
Head Coach: Pete Moore
Key Returning Players: Kevin Barron, Chirs Crookham, Alex Kleidon, Eric Lane, and Cole Davis.
North Penn Knights:
Head Coach: Kevin Manero
Key Returning Players: Jared Melone, Mason Nadeau, Alex Peterson, James Witner, and Collin Healey.
Pennridge Rams:
Head Coach: Tom Nuneviller
Key Returning Players: Danny Shane, David Totoian, Joe Unangst, Joe Molettiere, and Danny Long.
Quakertown Panthers:
Head Coach: Jon Pallone
Key Returning Players: Zack Metz, Jake Reed, John Lilley, Jake Perrine, and Torin Martuartus.
Souderton Indians:
Head Coach: Mike Childs
Key Returning Players: Dylan Morrisette, Nate Luscombe, Aaron Gulibon, Blake Gular, and Tyler Mathe.
Remember 2013-2014?
SOL Continental Conference Final Standings
1. North Penn Knights 10 4
2. Pennridge Rams 9 5
3. Central Bucks East Patriots 8 6
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 8 6
5. Souderton Indians 7 7
6. Central Bucks South Titans 6 8
Central Bucks West Bucks 6 8
8. Quakertown Panthers 2 12
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
First year Upper Moreland head coach Ken Irwin started his tenure with the Golden Bears with just a single returning starter – Colton Hooker. However, that speck of good news didn’t last long as Hooker dislocated his ankle in a pick-up basketball game and will be lost for the season.
“This year is going to be very interesting,” said Irwin. “We graduated most of a team that was very blessed with talent. We have a team this year that is doing its best to be prepared – and a team that has set the bar high with goals for the end of the season.
“The other day we scrimmaged Pennsbury who has an excellent team,” added Irwin. “Now it surely isn’t a game – but we competed well against them and that was encouraging. It was our first – and only – day on the field.
“Every day is going to be a competition,” continued Irwin. “It’s going to be a little like wrestling – if you want playing time – prove it on the field.
“Right now the goal I have for this team is to be able to make the (Class AAA) playoffs at the end of the season,” added Irwin. “If that means we are contending for a league championship – great. This is a very young team and right now I want these kids to get on the field – get some experience – and feel we can win.”
Who’s Who in the SOL American Conference
Cheltenham Panthers:
Head Coach: John Bernhardt
Key Returning Players: Jack Gordon.
Norristown Eagles:
Head Coach: Rich Campbell
Key Returning Players: Tom Detwiler and Tom Piccari.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials:
Head Coach: Chris Manero
Key Returning Players: Dutch Reardon, Brett Highland, Jon Fisher, Zach Metz, and Evan Bischoff.
Springfield Spartans:
Head Coach: Dennis Primavera
Key Returning Players: Chris Binet, Julian Salzer, Deandre Johnson, Mike Johnston, and Alex Caplan.
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals:
Head Coach: Ed Wall
Key Returning Players: Christian Huckfeldt, Matt Thompson, John Lee, Cole Swiger, and Conor McFadden.
Upper Merion Vikings:
Head Coach: Matt Mitchell
Key Returning Players: Troy Thomas, Andrew DelGiudice, Alex DelGiudice, Jarrett Quinn, and Matt Callahan.
Upper Moreland Golden Bears:
Head Coach: Ken Irwin
Key Returning Players: Kyle Bennis, Connor Casey, Joey Bates, Brandon Kohn, and Jaryd Goldstein.
Wissahickon Trojans:
Head Coach: Shannon Gunby
Key Returning Players: Ryan Becker, Jake Segal, Will Brownlowe, Nick Falso, and Julian Osterneck.
Remember 2013-2014?
SOL American Conference Final Standings
1. Cheltenham Panthers 13 1
2. Upper Moreland Golden Bears 11 3
3. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 9 5
4. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 7 7
Wissahickon Trojans 7 7
6. Norristown Eagles 3 11
Springfield Spartans 3 11
Upper Merion Vikings 3 11
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