By Scott Huff
Difficult.
That term best describes attempting to predict the outcome of scholastic baseball. In both football and basketball, a high school team can always put its best players in the game.
But not in baseball.
Your best pitcher cannot pitch in every game, and depending on pitching depth it is difficult to decide the order of finish in any given season.
But it’s always fun to try – here goes.
Predicted Order of finish in the SOL American
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
2. Wissahickon Trojans
3. Cheltenham Panthers
4. Norristown Eagles
5. Upper Dublin Cardinals
6. Upper Merion Vikings
7. Upper Moreland Bears
8. Springfield Spartans
Suburban One American Conference
There was never any confusion between the Norristown basketball and baseball programs.
The Eagle cagers are competing for PIAA Quad-A state basketball titles – the Eagle baseball players are competing for an interest within the walls of Norristown Area High School.
“Last year we won four games and we were overpowered by the teams in our league,” said Norristown coach Jim Teeter as the Birds competed in the SOL Continental Conference. “Those teams had a far greater interest in baseball than the kids around here, and it was tough for us to compete.
“The change in conference is really going to help us,” added Teeter as the Eagles join Cheltenham, Wissahickon, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Upper Dublin, Upper Merion, Upper Moreland and Springfield in the SOL American Conference. “The players are really excited, and we’re even talking about playoffs. We had 65 players come out for our high school program, and that is a great sign.”
Another great sign is that the Eagles won their first game of the season in thrilling fashion with a two run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat William Tennent, 6-5.
The star of the game for Norristown was senior Matt Martello who drove home the tying run in the last of the seventh on an RBI single. Martello – who also homered and doubled and drove home three runs – had three hits in four at-bats.
“Matt is the first one at practice and the last one to leave,” said Teeter. “I wish I had a whole lot of players like Matt Martello.”
Norristown will count on Mark Pinchok, Ian Hammer, Ryan Moore, Roddy Vaughn, and Dave Lovecchio to carry the load as the Eagles hope to make a name for themselves in their new conference.
Lovecchio – who started the game as the Eagle catcher – pitched the final two innings to record the win over Tennent. Martello – who began the game in the outfield – caught the final two frames.
“Matt will do anything we need him to do,” said Teeter. “And we may need him to do a lot.”
Predicted Order of finish in the SOL National
1. Council Rock South Hawks
2. Harry S Truman Tigers
3. Pennsbury Falcons
4. Council Rock North Indians
5. Neshaminy Redskins
6. Bensalem Owls
7. Abington Ghosts
8. William Tennent Panthers
Suburban One National Conference
Pennsbury was very impressive as it opened the season with a 14-0 non league win over Father Judge.
“I was really happy with our patience at the plate,” said Pennsbury coach Steve Nielson. “That surprised me a little. We were able to wait on some pitches and go the other way with them.”
The Falcons pounded out 13 hits over the course of the game and scored nine runs in the first inning. They received huge extra base hits in the opening inning from senior John Kobal and junior John Sibel.
“We scored a lot of runs in that first inning with two outs,” said Neilson. “And that was great to see.
“Plus we had a nice game thrown by our number one starter – Chris Rupprecht,” added Neilson. “He threw strikes, spotted his fast ball, and threw a good slider in the four innings he pitched. I was also impressed with his temperament and poise.”
Pennsbury may get a better idea of what type of team they have this week when the Falcons host both Souderton and Germantown Academy in a pair of tough non league contests.
“Souderton always has a good baseball program, and so does GA,” said Neilson. “I have some young guys that I’m thinking about throwing in those games, and we’ll see where we stand after next week.”
The season opens the following week for Pennsbury in the revamped SOL National Conference.
“I really like the new conference,” said Neilson. “We renew those rivalries with the Council Rock schools, and even though we liked playing North Penn and Pennridge, those bus rides were long.
“Our conference should be very competitive,” added Neilson. “We’re looking forward to a good season.”
Predicted Order of finish in the SOL Continental
1. North Penn Knights
2. Central Bucks East Patriots
3. Central Bucks South Titans
4. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
5. Pennridge Rams
6. Souderton Indians
7. Quakertown Panthers
8. Central Bucks West Bucks
Suburban One Continental Conference
Central Bucks East should be among the contenders in the SOL Continental Conference. The Patriots feature two of the best pitchers in the conference in seniors Matt Tenaglia and Tim Wessel.
“We really have two #1 pitchers in Matt and Tim,” said Central Bucks East coach Kyle Dennis. “Matt may have a little more velocity on his fast ball, and both are very smart pitchers who can spot the fast ball and throw change ups.
“Both of them have worked very hard in practice,” added Dennis. “They are both ready to go at full throttle.”
Last season the Patriot duo was caught by junior Ryan Sparks – but not this season. Junior Mike DiVona will handle Tenaglia and Wessel this year.
“Mike played junior varsity last year, but he has the leadership qualities needed to handle the pitchers,” said Dennis. “Plus we had a hole to fill at second base and Ryan has done a great job in making that transition.
“We have an interesting mix of key players returning and players with really no varsity experience,” added Dennis. “We are going to have to play at our best every game.”
Some of those key players include senior centerfielder Mike Damm, senior designated hitter Joe Hoy, and sophomore first baseman Chris Zikmund.
“We have a lot of talent, but so does almost every team in our conference,” said Dennis. “Our goal is to be able to make a run and be near the top at the end of the season.”
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