PENNRIDGE BASEBALL PREVIEW
Coach: Craig Whitten (1st Season)
Assistant coaches: Rob Rendler, Cory Landes, Dave Cressman, Riley Hager, Eric Reinbott
Last year’s record: 5-15 overall, 1-11 SOL
Notable losses: Jimmy Petrik, Jon Nase, Hayden Maltby, Jack Goddess
Key returners: Ray Knight (2020) 2B, Paul Croyle (2020) INF/P, Sean Clayton (2020) OF, Kyle Moran (2020) OF, Alex Podraza (2020) P, Nick Christ (2020) 3B/P, Bobby Croyle (2021) 1B/P, Timmy Mastrogiovanni (2021) C, Carson Wells (2021) OF
Others to watch: Sean Lerro (2020) INF/DH, Derek Morgan (2020) C, Ryan McAloon (2020) P, Stephen Nace (2020) OF, Matt Dubyk (2021) 3B/P, Shea Grourke (2021) 1B/DH, Matt Thompson (2021) OF, Nate Manuola (2021) P, Noah Rush (2021) OF, Joey Calabretti (2022) SS/3B, Aiden Fretz (2022) INF/P, Harry Haeflein (2022) P/1B, Ryan Dehaven (2022) OF/P, Jaden Morgan (2022) OF/P, Ashton McClosky (2023) OF, Conor Flynn (2023) OF/P
Outlook: “The team has a solid nucleus of seniors and other players with a lot of Varsity reps. The infield will be led by seniors Ray Knight (Misericordia commit) at 2B, Paul Croyle (Moravian commit) at SS, and Nick Christ at 3B. Knight was first team all league at 2B last year, while Croyle was honorable mention at SS. Bobby Croyle (2021) is a solid defense player at first base and will most likely win the job. Other newcomers in the infield are Matt Dubyk (2021) at 1B/3B and two sophomores who show a lot of promise in Joey Calabretti (SS) and Aiden Fretz (3B).
“The outfield is led by seniors Sean Clayton (Bucks CCC commit) and Kyle Moran. Carson Wells (2021) is another returner in the outfield with two years of varsity experience. Stephen Nace (2020), Matt Thompson (2021), and Ashton McClosky (2023) are also expected to get innings in the outfield and have shown a lot of improvement since November. Behind the plate are Derek Morgan (2020) and Timmy Mastrogiovanni (2021). Both players have varsity experience and have put in a lot of defensive work this winter.
“Seniors Alex Podraza, and Nick Christ will lead our starting rotation. Podraza was an All-League pitcher his sophomore year, and Christ saw innings on the mound last year. Other players expected to contribute on the mound are Paul Croyle, Carson Wells, Bobby Croyle, Ryan McAloon (2020), Matt Dubyk, and Nate Manuola (2021). The sophomore class has a lot promising pitchers in Aiden Fretz, Harry Haeflein, Jaden Morgan, and Ryan Dehaven. Freshman Conor Flynn impressed the coaching staff and upperclassmen this offseason and could see Varsity time. Sean Lerro (2020) and Shea Grourke (2021) are both expected to contribute at the plate in a DH role, and Noah Rush (2021) is a versatile player that can help us at the plate, in the outfield, or on the bases.
“The players have had a busier offseason than they’ve had in the past. The enthusiasm they’ve shown will hopefully turn into a positive season. Players have had a lot of individual work with their position coaches this winter and are ready to show the league that they are a better team than last year’s record shows.”
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