Scott Huff previews the 2018 SOL baseball season, highlighting the previews of last year’s top squads.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on….
Pennsbury was the elite scholastic 6A baseball team in the entire state of Pennsylvania last season.
The Falcons soared to the 2017 PIAA 6A state championship – the PIAA 6A District One championship – and the Suburban One League National Conference championship.
The 2018 Suburban One League baseball season begins this year with three conference champions – Pennsbury, North Penn, and Hatboro-Horsham – defending their respective conference titles.
The Falcons will compete against Neshaminy, Council Rock South, Council Rock North, Abington, Bensalem, and Harry S Truman in a strong SOL National Conference.
North Penn – which had a fine season and was the runner-up to Pennsbury in the district title game - will defend its title in the SOL Continental Conference.
The Knights will defend their title against excellent conference competition that includes Souderton, Pennridge, William Tennent, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks West, and Central Bucks South.
Hatboro Horsham – which advanced to the state tournament a year ago - will defend its SOL American Conference crown.
The Hatters will face stiff competition from Wissahickon, Cheltenham, Springfield, Upper Moreland, Upper Dublin, Quakertown, and Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Can Pennsbury, North Penn, and Hatboro-Horsham repeat?
Take a closer look at their chances below.
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Defending SOL National Champion
Pennsbury Falcons
Head Coach: Joe Pesci 9th year
Assistant coaches: Tom Pettit, Dave Howe, Kurt Kramp, Dennis Pesci, Matt Caston, Brian Sinkiewicz, Ed Marshall, DJ Endler
Last year’s record: (22-6 OVERALL, 10-2 SOL National, 11-3 District 1 qualifying games)
SOL National Conference Champions
District 1 6A Champions
PIAA 6A State Champions
Players lost to graduation:
Billy Bethel RHP/INF (Chestnut HIll College), Ryan McCarty INF/RHP (Penn State Abington), Tyrone Hodges Jr OF (West Chester University football), Dave Murphy C/1B/DH, Nick Price RHP/INF, Nate Derry RHP, Justin Ward OF/RHP, Vaughn Ward OF/RHP, Alex Ritter 1B (Gwynedd Mercy University), Ben Spadea RHP (Cairn University), Bryan Nagy INF/RHP, Alec Wilson RHP, Alan Wolf OF
Returners:
Josh Arruda-2018-OF
Max Crawn-2018-INF/DH
Kyle Dear-2018-1B
Jake Martell-2018-INF
Gary-Minnes-2018-OF/INF
Josh Tesarck-2018-C
Christian Buchler-2019-LHP/OF
RJ Huth-2019-OF
Justin-Massielo-2019-SS
Shane Ostrowsky-2019-LHP
Others to watch:
Zach Demarchis-2018-OF/LHP
Ricky Palmer-2018-RHP
Jon Papp-2018-RHP
Connor Baptiste-2019-RHP
Nick Cass-2019-LHP
Sean Doherty-2019-INF
Justin Fogel-2019-C
Sean Hochhausler-2019-RHP
Sam Spadea-2019-1B/OF
Shane Marlin-2020-OF/C
Sam Ruta-2020-INF
Devin Sweeney, 2020, LHP/OF
Strengths: Strong defense, Ability to hit for extra bases throughout the lineup
Question Marks: Inexperienced pitching|
Outlook: “After a successful 2017 season, 10 returners including four returning starters and some solid new additions will help to recharge our lineup. The bats look solid early and players have shown the ability to hit for extra bases up and down the order as well as coming off the bench. Our infield defense is solid with depth and we will continue to see competition at the corner OF spots between three seniors and three sophomores. Our pitching staff is unproven at the Varsity level, but we have nine pitchers that will see innings including five LHP. We expect to have a large target on our backs this year, but with the progress we have shown in the offseason and preseason, we feel that we can again make a run at the league title, and compete in district & state playoffs.”
SOL National Conference Returning Players Players To Watch with an All-Conference Resume:
Pennsbury: Justin Massielo (Jr./SS); Josh Tesarck (Sr./C); and Kyle Dear (Sr./1B).
Neshaminy: Brian Nicolas (Sr./2B) and Cory Joyce (Jr./SS-P).
Council Rock North: Cavan Tully (Sr./SS) and Eric Hoefer (Sr./P-DH).
Abington: Nick McClay (Sr./2B).
In the Rear View Mirror
2017 SOL National Final Standings
1. Pennsbury Falcons 10 2
2. Neshaminy Redskins 9 3
3. Council Rock South Hawks 7 5
4. Bensalem Owls 6 6
5. Council Rock North Indians 6 6
6. Abington Ghosts 3 9
7. Harry S Truman Tigers 1 11
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Defending SOL Continental Champion
North Penn Knights
Head Coach: Kevin Manero (7th season; 16th season with program)
Assistant Coaches: Frank Yanni, Kevin Harris, Keith Clauss, James Ward
JV Head Coach: Joe Drelick (2nd season)
JV Asst. Coaches: Kevin Harder, Brandon Billetz, Bryan Clayton
2017 Record: 20-5 Overall; 11-3 SOL; Continental Conference Champions; District 1 Runner-Up; Lost to SJP in PIAA 6-A States
Varsity Returners (2017 starters in italics):
Danny Kirwin – RHP, Zack Miles- SS, Tyler Siddal- 3B, Ryan Bealer- OF, Atlee Hasson- OF, Joe Picozzi- OF
Billy Collins- 1B/RHP, Hunter Hamlin- C, Rob Weiss- 2B, AJ Patterson- RHP/INF, Mason Blankenburg- LHP, Colin Brown- C, Connor Mikulski- OFz
Newcomers:
Colby Chan (2020)- 1B/OF, Kolby Barrow (2020)- RHP, Nate Brown (2020)- RHP, Joe Valenti (2019)-LHP,
Griffen Juckniewitz (2019)- INF, Jack Yunaska (2019)- INF, Jake Morello (2019)- RHP,
Jake Drelick (2019)- C, Ethan Weber (2019)- RHP, Connor Ertel (2019)- 2B/RHP, Kyle Schulze (2019)- OF
Starters Graduated in 2017:
Matt Stevenson (RHP- Millersville), Corey Stouffer (1B- Northampton CC), Nate O’Donnell (2B),
Matt Marino (C), Jon Udzinski (RHP), Dan Drop (DH)
2018 OUTLOOK: “Like every year, the Suburban One League will be highly competitive, and there is no game that will not present challenges. We will have to find ways to beat good pitching in our conference and will have to command the strike zone and stay away from free 90’s. If we do those things consistently, we believe we have a strong core of returning players who, since the day our season ended on June 5, 2017, have been determined to get back on the field and play again. We like the progress our returning guys have made since last season, and we are excited about a nice mix of varsity rookies who will compete for playing time right away. The offensive options in our lineup should give us good threats one through nine, and as always defense and pitching with a command will be a top priority.”
SOL Continental Conference Players To Watch with an All-Conference Resume:
North Penn: Zach Miles (Jr./SS); Ryan Bealer (Sr./OF); Danny Kirwin (Sr./P); Billy Collins (Sr./D) and Tyler Siddal (Sr./3B).
Souderton: Luke Barnum (Sr./OF); Blaise Sciafni (Sr./P); Jordan Morales (Jr./P) and Brendan Kregg (Sr./D).
Central Bucks East: Jimmy Parrish (Sr./D) and Grant Meiers (Sr./1B).
Central Bucks South: Joey Loynd (Jr./SS) and Ben Berger (Sr./OF).
William Tennent: Greg Delgado (Sr./3B).
Central Bucks West: Daniel Clayton (Jr./OF); Trevor D’Arcy (Sr./OF); Rhys Nicholas (Jr./2B); and Matt Cooper (Jr./3B).
In the Rear View Mirror
2017 SOL Continental Final Standings
1. North Penn Knights 9 3
2. Souderton Indians 8 4
3. Central Bucks East Patriots 7 5
4. Central Bucks South Titans 5 7
5. William Tennent Panthers 5 7
6. Central Bucks West Bucks 4 8
7. Pennridge Rams 4 8
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Defending SOL American Champion
Hatboro Horsham Hatters
Coach: Pete Moore – 17th year
Assistant coaches: Chris Hens (Varsity Assistant), Brett Reynolds (Varsity Assistant), Vince Elsier (Varsity Hitting Coach), Seth Greene (Varsity Pitching Coach), Bill DeBoer (Head JV Coach)
Last year’s record: 18-7 Overall, 12-2 SOL American Champions; Lost in first round of the state tournament
Notable losses: Brian Edgington – Saint Joe’s; Colin Kennedy – LaSalle; Shaun Thomas – Mercer; Eric Jester – Neumann; Eddie Schultz; Ryan O’Donnell; Drew Passerini; Ryan Long; Kyle Krall; Kyle Cappuccio
Key returners: Alex Crim, SR, RHP, Rider commit; Jake Bianchini, SO, SS; Jake Mayson, SR, OF; Shane Carpenter, SR OF; Matt Johnson, SR, C/OF; Drew Margerum, JR, 1B; Josh Heebner, JR, 2B
Others to watch: Eric Thron, SO, 3B/RHP; Jackson Treski, SO, LHP; Benny Wilson, SO, C/1B/RHP; AJ Vegas, JR, 2B/OF
Strengths/Question Marks: “Losing eight seniors from our starting line-up and two D1 pitchers is a lot to replace. However, we have a hungry group of players that are looking forward to competing for playing time. We replace our two aces from last year, with one of the best pitchers in the area in Rider commit, Alex Crim. Crim will lead a staff that will also include sophomores Eric Thron, Jackson Treski, and Benny Wilson, as well as fellow seniors Matt Brown and Kevin Fleischut. Offensively, we’re looking forward to getting on a field and letting our players compete to earn playing time.”
Outlook: “We look forward to competing against some very strong teams in our league this year. Our sophomore class is going to be one of our strongest to come through HH. They’ll combine with our juniors and seniors to give us a chance to compete for a league title this year. I believe that the work ethic last year’s seniors instilled in the returning players will pay dividends for us on the field this year.”
SOL American Conference Players To Watch with an All-Conference Resume:
Quakertown: Brian Robinson (Sr/2B) and Dennis Pierce (Sr/3B).
Hatboro-Horsham: Alex Crim (SR.P).
Springfield: Tim Dahme (Sr/DH): Nick Pave (Sr./P); Jake Welsh (Sr/OF) and Macleod Farley (Sr./SS).
Cheltenham: Kieran Versaw-Barnes (Jr./2B).
Upper Dublin: JT Breslin (Jr/OF); Ryan Besachio (Sr/P); Joey Monaghan (Sr/DH) and Jack Jamison (Sr/OF).
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Brad Krenicky (Sr./DH); Brett Bottinger (Jr/P); Kevin Reilly (So./C) and Justin Gelfand (Sr/DH).
Wissahickon: Steve Loden (Jr/2B).
Upper Moreland: Kevin Walder (Sr./3B)
In the Rear View Mirror
2017 SOL American Final Standings
1. Hatboro Horsham Hatters 12 2
2. Quakertown Panthers 11 3
3. Upper Moreland Bears 9 5
4. Wissahickon Trojans 8 6
5. Springfield Spartans 6 8
6. Upper Dublin Cardinals 4 10
7. Cheltenham Panthers 3 11
8. Plymouth Whitemarsh 3 11
-30-
- Log in to post comments
