PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH BASEBALL PREVIEW
Coach: Chris Manero (8th Season as Head Coach- 15th year in the program)
Assistant coaches: Anthony Musumeci (5h Season), Mike Reardon (3rd Season), Rob Luthy (7th Season), Tyler DiGiacomo (1st Season), Pete Liccio (1st Season)
Last year’s record: 11-3 SOL; 16-9 Overall. Suburban One American Conference Champions; Lost in Semi-Finals of District One Playoffs; 3rd Seed from District One in PIAA 6A State Playoffs- Defeated Liberty HS in opening round.
Notable losses:
Anthony Tomassetti (3B)- Gwynned Mercy University
Drew Kliesh (OF)- Northampton College
Brett Bottinger (LHP/1B)- Chestnut Hill College
Mike Orensky (OF)- Chestnut Hill College
Steve Gallagher (RHP)
Other starters- Jacob Nunez (2B), Richie Werner (OF), Zach Chandler (LHP)
Key returners:
Kevin Reilly (Sr/ C)
Joe Jaconski (Jr/ SS)
Jesse Jaconski (So/ 3B)
Ben Mascio (Sr/ LHP)
Joe Rauscher (Jr/ RHP)
Dylan Strunk (Sr/ OF, C)
Outlook:
“2018 was an important season for us, as we returned to the PIAA District One Playoffs after a three-year absence. In 2019, we took even bigger steps winning the Suburban One American Conference, advancing to the District One semifinals, and winning our first state playoff game in 25 years. The success of the past few years has made our 2020 team eager to continue in that direction, and despite losing several key pieces from those 2018 and 2019 teams, we return a strong nucleus of talent.
“The ten members of the Class of 2019 demonstrated to a lot of our players how hard work and commitment can help define success, and their leadership by example has instilled a very similar approach to many of our current 13 seniors. The deep senior class is complemented with a wide array of players in grades 9-11 who will look to compete for innings at the varsity level.
“Returning first team all league players Joe Jaconski (SS), Kevin Reilly (C), and Ben Mascio (P) possess the exceptional talent that is needed to compete for postseason success. They are joined by returning starting infielder Jesse Jaconski and several other players with varsity experience including Joe Rauscher and Ethan Suh (Ps), Dylan Strunk (OF), Zach Redican (OF), Tyler Willans (OF), Quin Dye (OF), and Jack Mangan (IF). First baseman Daulton Carlisle also returns but will be shelved with an ACL injury. This mix, along with the other varsity newcomers, will result in several different personalities on the field together and a lot of players competing for spots.
“Our goal as a program is always to compete for a conference title and advance to the postseason. But, building from last season has certainly led to high expectations within and from the outside. These expectations along with a ton of talent across the American Conference will pose some definite challenges to us returning to where we left off in June.”
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