Quakertown Baseball Preview

QUAKERTOWN BASEBALL PREVIEW

Coach:  Jon Pallone (8th year)

Assistant coaches: Bob Helm (8th year), Bob Gallo (3rd year), Gerry Meyle (3rd year), Jake Wooden (3rd year), Aaron Besch (1st year), and Jon Kingcade (5th year)

2019 record: 13-6 (8-6 Continental)

Notable losses:  Cody Barberio (West Chester), Matt Tuley (Ursinus), Cole Mehrman (PSU-Harrisburg), Dennis Pierce (West Chester), Mason Hicks (Hartford CC), Matt Ciarrocchi (Moravian), and Sam Rice (Clarion)

Key returners:  Justin Butler (C/1B/OF- Lehigh), Trevor Hurst (P/INF- Chestnut Hill), and Ty Everitt (SS-UTL)

Others to watch:  Brandon Pierce (C/1B), Anthony Rostick (P/3B-Cabrini), Jack Qualteria (P- Valley Forge University), Ethan Beil (P/1B/OF), Vinny Pellegrini (P/1B), Tyler Neilson (P/OF), and Peyton Kochel (2B)

Strengths/Question Marks:  “Quakertown has a few experienced key bats in the lineup and has many others looking to make an impact. Areas that are without experience have depth for competition. Butler who is one of the best, if not best all-around catchers in the state, anchors the team behind the plate. Hurst, Everitt, Pierce, and Rostick are hungry to make a name for themselves after losing the opportunity last year to COVID. The outfield is an open competition to see who will contribute at bat and in the field. “

Outlook:  “Quakertown returns to familiar foes in the Liberty Division. The last time Quakertown played a similar schedule, they won the American Conference. After COVID, no one knows how each teams’ players will adjust back to high school baseball. 

“The past three completed seasons Quakertown has qualified for District 1 playoffs (twice in the old American Conference and 2019 in the Continental). This season the goal is to qualify for a fourth consecutive time and if fortunate enough to do so, make the push for state playoffs. Hopefully, District 1 and PIAA will keep the spring playoff numbers the same as they have been in previous years to give as many of these athletes the opportunity that many lost last year. So far, Pennsylvania athletics in general has been fortunate to start the spring season mostly unscathed to the schedule unlike other states.”