Marian and Tamaqua will be looking to defend their District 11 baseball championships when the 2018 season opens later this week. For the Colts, they will be looking for their third straight D-11 title.

MARIAN

YOUNG BUCKS

… Marian will return a bunch of experienced varsity players, but only a pair of seniors. Max Nolter (Sr./C), Ryan Cappel (Sr.P/1B), Aaron Mason (So./OF), Alex Kubishin (So. /Utility), Matt Doherty (Jr./IF), Quest Wilson (Jr./IF/P), Brandon Cann (Jr.IF/OF/P), and Adam Keslicka (Jr./OF/P) will all be back.

NEW IN TOWN

… Look for Dante Agosti (Fr./IF/OF), Chris Latoff (So.), Seth Derr (So.), Nick Goff (So./OF), Hunter Friitsick (Jr/IF/P), Joe McGinley (Jr./IF), Colin Eisenhower (Jr/IF), Julian Rickert (Fr/C), and Luke Walser (Fr.) to also be in the mix for playing time. “We’re young, and I’m really excited to get out there and coach these kids,” said Marian head coach Tony Radocha. “We can see all we want to see in the gym, but we can’t mimic game situations yet like we want to. We’re just looking forward to getting out there. We only have two seniors, so now the freshmen and sophomores are transitioning up. We might have 20 different lineups, but whatever gets the job done.”

SOUTHPAWS

… Marian has three lefties on its pitching staff in Fritsick, Cann, and Keslicka. “If you get one quality lefty it’s usually a blessing,” said Radocha. “We’re lucky to have three and they’re juniors, so they can keep developing. That’s what it’s all going to come down to when we’re playing six games a week. Most of them either pitched at the varsity or JV level. We have about six varsity pitchers that we feel confident in. We feel we could put Cappel or Kubishin up against anyone.”

SUCCESSFUL

… Radocha enters his fourth season as the Cols’ head coach. He has an overall record of 52-19. Joining his staff as assistants are JR Graver, Pete Radocha, Pete Sanfilipoo IV, Anthony Agosti, and KJ Snerr. “Every year, the most important game on the schedule is the next one,” Radocha said. “It’s a one-game schedule for 20 games. At the end of the day, we want to win the division, make districts, and play meaningful baseball in May. The last two years were great, but now it’s the 2018 season.”

TAMAQUA

A LOT BACK

… A strong core of Casey Rother (Sr.C/P), Thad Zuber (Sr./MI), Isaiah Kupchinsky (Sr./3B), Michael Bonetsky (Jr./OF), Brady Moyer (Jr./P/3B), Nick Breiner (Jr./OF), and Johnny Burns (Sr./C/EH) will be returning. “I said ‘you guys didn’t really have the X on their back last season’.” said Tamaqua head coach Jeff Reading. “Now it’s there after what we accomplished last year. We now have the opportunity to do that again this year and more. “

SUPER SOPHOMORES

… In addition to the upperclassmen, the Raiders have a strong sophomore group in Nate Boyle (So./SS), Michael Minchoff (So./1B/P), Brayden Knoblauch (So./OF), Cody Hamm (So./Utility), and Joe Minehan (So./C), all of whom gained varsity experience a year ago.

GETTING THE NOD

… Brady Moyer will be the opening day starter for the Raiders. Moyer came back from an injury last season and produce at a high level, including a no-hitter against Catasauqua during the district playoffs. “Our biggest plus is that most of our pitching is back,” said Reading. “Other than two guys, all of the other innings are there. Our success relied on pitching last year. We didn’t put up a lot of numbers batting-wise as a team. Our pitching and defense won us games. Knowing that is coming back is our biggest strength. Hopefully this year, the offense picks it up too and we can be the total, complete package. The possibilities are there, you just have to do everything the right way and get better every day”

NEWCOMERS

… Tate Ligenza (Fr.), Matt Gazdick (Jr.), Zach Fannock (Jr.), Gavin Richards (Jr.), and Ryan Frederickson (Sr.) could contribute on varsity this season.

17

… This season marks Reading’s 17th as Tamaqua coach. The Raiders are slated to open up the regular season against Northwestern Lehigh at home on Saturday.

LEHIGHTON

ON THE MOUND

… Lehighton coach Brian Polaha feels the Indians’ strength will rest in the arms of senior pitchers Sean Heery and Noah Sensinger, as well as junior Chris Whiteman. Sensinger had a 3.10 ERA in 22 innings of work last season. Heery recorded 26 strikeouts and a 3.15 ERA in 40 innings. “There is a lot of experience coming back on the mound, which is very important,” Polaha said.

TAKING A HIT

… Among the graduation losses the Indians suffered were Collin Haupt (.318 batting average, 21 hits, 14 RBIs); Gabe Wagner (15 hits, 10 RBIs); and Kyle Strohl. On the other hand, the Indians do return starters Zac Crum (Jr., OF, 21 hits, 13 runs, nine RBIs), Mike Bozilesky (Jr., INF), Logan Pagotto (Jr., SS) and Whiteman (OF). Pogotto is currently injured.

NUMBERS TAKE A DIP

… With numbers at an all-time low (a combined 25 players on the varsity and JVs), and a lot of inexperience at the varsity level, the Indians are just hoping to be competitive and survive a very difficult Schuylkill League Division 1 schedule. “Inexperience and lack of depth, are a real concern for us,” said Polaha

YOUTH MOVEMENT

… Junior Mason Barndt (2B) and sophomores Logan Wentz (C/1B), Ethan Lutz (OF) and Lucas Sanguliano (SS) are varsity newcomers that Polaha feels could make an impact. The four Indians are looking to make a name for themselves in their transition into varsity play. “The hope is that the pitching is able to keep us in the game until some of the young guys get some experience and gain some confidence,” Polaha said. “There will be some young, inexperienced players, playing important defensive positions. They will need to develop quickly, if we are going to be any kind of factor this year.”

PANTHER VALLEY

BATTING 1.000

… Head coach Rich Evanko is entering his third year at the helm, having made district playoff appearances in both of his first two seasons. The Panthers are 22-20 overall under his watch. “There’s a sense of excitement, with what the basketball team did, Evanko said. “You have some basketball players who got a taste of the postseason. Those seniors had a chance to get to the state playoffs, and they did some things that haven’t been done for PV in a while. They want to go out with making the postseason in baseball too. The No. 1 goal isn’t going to change. It’s still to get to the postseason. That never changes whether you’re experienced or young.”

WHOLE SQUAD BACK

… Tristan Blasko (Sr./1B), Aaron Miller (Jr./SS/P), Mason Goida (Jr./C/P), Ronnie Distler (Sr./OF), John Hafer (Sr./IF/P), Bradley Buzzard (Jr./OF), Mark Kokinda (Jr./OF), Wyatt Zimmerman (Jr./3B), and Zach Kint (Sr./Utility) are all returning with varsity experience. “We only graduated one player,” Evanko said. “These seniors have had two winning seasons and have made it to the postseason both times. Getting a taste of that and coming up short, you always want to take that next step. With experience, we’re hoping we can take that step. “

BIG ONE

… The Panthers’ lone graduate was pitching ace Anthony Michalik, who will be tough to replace. “Anthony was a great leader,” said Evakno. “These kids have to step up now whether it’s on the field or vocally, and they have to carry that into this season.”

REMEMBER ME?

… Former productive Panther, and brother to Mason Goida, Darren, will be joining Evanko’s coaching staff as an assistant this year. Mike Turrano, Mike Pascoe, and Joel Rivera fill out the rest of the coaching staff. “It’s one thing for us to tell them, but the kids need to go out and execute and believe in it,” Evanko said. “They need to become a family.”

JIM THORPE

FIRST BUT FAMILIAR

… The new Jim Thorpe varsity head coach is Joe Marykwas. Although he is just taking over the program, Marykwas knows most of his roster from having coached in various summer leagues. The rest of his staff includes varsity assistants Brian Schwartz, Tim Hubbard and T.J. Garritano, as well as JV head coach Pat Joyce and assistant Mike Wagner. “I’ve worked with pretty much all of the players before,” said Marykwas. “There wasn’t as much of a learning process going in with the kids. It’s not like I had to go in and not know anything and start evaluating.”

BACK FOR MORE

… Returning with varsity experience from last year are Justin Marykwas (Sr./P), Jacob Schwartz (Jr./C/P), Justin Mahmde, (3B/P) and Noah Snisky (So./SS/P). “I have a great group of kids,” Marykwas said. “Despite being indoors, it could be tedious doing the same kind of stuff. But the kids work hard. The senior group of six are all solid workers that set a great example for the younger kids. It’s huge when you have senior leadership. They’re really good kids, and they set the right example to get the program going in the right direction.”

HELP IS ON THE WAY

… Look for newcomers Zach Searfoss (Jr./2B/P), Evan Dart (Jr./1B), Louis Valdez (OF/2B), and Dale Edwards (Sr./OF/P) to make a splash with the varsity team. The Olympians will aim to improve on last season’s 7-13 record. “Goal one is to try and get into the league tournament and make districts,” the Jim Thorpe coach said. “I want to see improvement from the first practice until the end of the season. Out of my 28 kids (JV and varsity), I only have 10 seniors and juniors. Overall, we’re young, and I’m looking for improvement day in and day out.”

OPENING DAY STARTER

… Senior hurler Justin Marykwas is slated to be the team’s No. 1 starter. The Olympians are scheduled to open the season on Friday at home in a non-league affair with Northern Lehigh. “It’s nice to have some returning arms,” said the Olympians’ coach. “I think our pitching will be a strength. Justin is the most experienced returning starter, and Dale Edwards has thrown a few varsity innings last year.”

WEATHERLY

PITCHERS PAVING THE WAY

… The Wreckers have a wealth of pitching experience as Jeremy Moser (Jr.), Gary Buck (Sr.), Zak Moon (Sr.), Fernando Palanco, and Ryan Fairchild will take the ball on the mound.

GETTING BETTER

… Weatherly head coach Mike Baran says the defense will improve this year. “Defense should be fortified with Mason Gerhard in center field and Antonio Callessio at shortstop,” he said.

BRING THE THUNDER

… Baran is optimistic that his lineup will make some noise this year. “Our lineup should be potent,” said the Weatherly coach. “Everyone has had a significant amount of at bats. Leading the way at the plate will be Moser, Palanco, Buck, Steph Yurchak, AJ Knepper, Kevin Osifat, Moon, and Fairchild.

PALMERTON

NEW SKIPPER

… Brian Taschler knows the pride of Bombers’ baseball. He served as a junior varsity coach in 2015 and 2016. Plus, Taschler has led an area summer league team (Towamensing Joe’s) to consecutive Keystone Senior Babe Ruth championships. Now, Taschler and his coaching staff will guide the Bombers’ squad in their first season with the varsity program. Taschler takes over for Mike Svetik, who stepped down after leading the Bombers (11-11 overall; 9-9 in Colonial League) into districts a year ago.

BIG CLEATS TO FILL

… Garrett Perschy, Jared Mooney and Ian Silfies all have graduated. Perschy led with his bat, as well as his arm (6-2 on the mound, 1.43 ERA; .276 batting average, 14 RBIs, two home runs), while Mooney sported a .308 batting average and had 11 RBIs.

WAITING THEIR TURN

… Devyn Rehrig (C/OF), Ryan King (P/INF/OF), and Tyler Roe (P/INF/OF) have caught the eye of their head coach. King and Roe will join Zach Silfies and Brody Boehler to comprise the Bombers’ pitching staff. “Both Ryan and Tyler throw hard and have excellent control of their pitches,” Taschler said.

UP AND DOWN THE LADDER

… From Ben Serfass leading off to Tanner Burnett returning behind home plate to call the game, the Blue Bombers see some experience back in their lineup. Serfass is also back to man shortstop, while Silfies (OF), Jake Taschler (1B), Boehler (OF), Tekoah Guedes (3B) return to their spots in the Bombers’ lineup. “We’re solid up and down the lineup from one to nine,” Taschler said. “We have an extremely deep and talented bench to back our starting lineup.”

HIGH HOPES

… Taschler thinks the Bombers can be a playoff contender this season. “Our minimal goals for the season are to qualify for the Colonial League and District 11 playoffs,” Taschler said. “Hopefully, we can build on it from there.”

NORTHERN LEHIGH

MOUND SERVICE

… Northern Lehigh coach Greg King has three capable starting pitchers in senior Gio Colon (3-5, 2.21 ERA), junior Luke Eitner (2-4, 2.97, 29 strikeouts) and junior Brandon Hess (1-1, 1.13). The trio of Bulldog hurlers handled the majority of the starts last season and will do so once again this year. The Bulldogs have the added bonus of returning experienced catcher in Aaron Rudolph to handle the mound staff. “We return three of our top four pitchers from last season, and we will be relying heavily on them,” King said. “If we get good pitching and play good defense, we should be competitive in every game.”

EYEING TIME

… Senior Mason Long and juniors Zach Long, Daulton Lorrah and Scott Schaeffer will look to rejuvenate the Bulldogs’ outfield this season. In the infield, Bulldog senior Nate Horn and junior Caleb Wanamaker should play big innings.

FINDING HOME (PLATE)

… A year ago, Northern Lehigh struggled to score runs, leading to a 6-14 overall record. Eitner was tied for the Bulldog lead with 11 runs scored last season, while Hess followed with 10. Offensive production will need to improve this season. “My main concern for the upcoming season is going to be run production,” King said. “In order to be successful, we will need some of the newcomers to step up.”

REPLACING TALENT

… The Bulldogs lose some key players from last year’s squad in Jake Kistler, Austin Hemingway, Ryan Hoffer, Anthony Evangelist and Michael Berger. The losses are magnified by low numbers in the program. Between varsity and junior varsity, only 26 players are out for the team. “Our numbers are low again, but we are working hard in practice and are focused on improving every day,” King said. “Still, our goal this season, like every season, is to qualify for the district tournament.”

NORTHWESTERN

ARM STRENGTH

… Northwestern head coach Duran Porrino, who returns to the helm after a year off, will look to senior pitchers Mason Vogwill and Drew White to guide the Tigers this season. Vogwill (1.80 ERA, 47 strikeouts), a two-year All-Colonial League selection, and White give the Tigers quite the 1-2 combination at the top of the rotation. Junior Noah Russo adds some depth to the pitching staff. “Mason and Drew should form one of the best pitching staffs in the league,” Porrino said. “Drew has started two straight league title games and Mason has started district playoff games each of the past two seasons. In addition, we return Tyler Wiik at catcher who has started every single game at the position since his freshman year.”

ALL-LEAGUE RETURNEES

… The Tigers may have taken a hit with the graduation of team MVP Tyler Schreiner, who is now playing at Lehigh University. But there are plenty of talented players returning, including Trevor Schreiner (.434 batting average, 28 RBIs, 34 hits, 16 extra base hits, three home runs), Wiik (.314 batting average), and outfielder Jacob Haas. Schreiner and Wiik were all Colonial League All-Star team members a year ago.

HMMMM

… Porrino does have some concerns. He feels there are some “question marks” hanging around the Tigers since there will be some players adjusting to new positions and some first-year starters in their lineup. Austin Stasko (infield), Derek Holmes (third base), Brandon Mengel (second base), Nathan Goodolf (outfield) and Rafe Perich (shortstop) should see time in the starting lineup. “Defensively, almost every single starter will be new at their position,” Porrino said. “Schreiner will move from first base to center field and we are breaking in a new middle infield. Rafe Perich (a freshman) will be our starting shortstop, and we have very high expectations for him the next four years.”

MINDSET

… The Tigers have been a Colonial League power each of the last three years, and expectations are high again. “We have been in three straight league championship games and have lost all three by a combined four runs,” Purrino said. “We return a ton of talent from those teams, and the expectations are to be competing for league and district titles. We haven’t won a title of any kind in 15 years, and our goal is to finally break that this season.” The Tigers lost to Notre Dame of Green Pond (1-0 in 2017), Bangor (4-2 in 2016) and Saucon Valley (3-2 in 2015).

PLEASANT VALLEY

MISSING LINKS

... The Bears have some missing links out on the field and in their lineup. Keiran Kearns, Brett Hardy and Dakota George have graduated. The Bears’ coaching staff has to fill those voids. They already have taken the steps to do so. “There will be a lot of in-team competition to break the starting lineup on any given day,” Bears’ coach Jeff Lazowski said.

RESPECT YOUR SENIORS

... Several Bears are ready to join the final campaign with the baseball program. Among the returnees are Brent Beck (OF), Nick Gattuso (OF), Justin Stasiak (Utility), Christian Guzman (P/IF), Evan Bond (OF/P) and Colin Stivala.

CRACK AT IT

... There is some young talent ready to get its chance with the varsity program. Several have already caught the eyes of the Bears’ coaching staff. Sophomores Danny McEvoy (P/IF) and Matt Burnett (P/IF), and juniors Tyler Horton (P/IF), Trevor Knappenberger, (P/IF) and Nick Ciszak (IF/P), are ready to lace up the cleats, put on the gloves and take the field.

READY TO COMPETE

... The mixture of experience and youth are ready to put last season’s 9-11 overall record behind them and improve on it. “We have a group of guys that are hungry to play,” Lazowski said. “We are looking forward to battling every game and giving ourselves a chance to win.”