Tamaqua will look to defend its Schuylkill League championship this season, and have plenty of talent returning to try and pull off a repeat.

Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Baseball Player of the Year Mason Ligenza is back as the Blue Raiders attempt to win back-to-back titles.

Preview capsules of all 10 area teams follow below:

TAMAQUA

Head coach: Jeff Reading

Last year’s record: 15-8 (8-4 league)

Key players lost: Wyatt Steigerwalt, Lucas Kamant

Returning starters/letterwinners: The Blue Raiders return a bevy of players from last season’s Schuylkill League championship team, including five seniors. Times News Player of the Year and Pitt outfield recruit, Mason Ligenza, will be the ace of the staff. Last year, the southpaw struck out 75 batters and pitched to an ERA of 0.96. At the plate, Ligenza batted .500 with 36 hits, 19 RBIs and eight home runs. “Mason will bat leadoff so we can get him as many at-bats as possible,” said Reading. “He’s also fast on the bases, having 19 steals last year.” Luke Kane will be behind the plate where Reading calls him a “wall.” Kane batted .447 with 23 RBIs. Pitching and playing shortstop is Cooper Ansbach. The cleanup hitter stroked a .343 average and swatted 24 base knocks a season ago. Noah Mateyak returns to the Raiders and will play first base, the outfield and he’ll also pitch. “Noah has been showing a good bat, and he’ll hit in the middle of the lineup.” Max Najarro will be the designated hitter who Reading said was “clutch” in big spots last year. Juniors Luke Frohnheiser and Logan Morgans will add defense and small ball to the offense. Sophomores Jake Yenser and Landon Kamant bring athleticism and good gloves with their games, while Gavan Hess adds another arm to the deep pitching staff depth.

Others to watch: Sophomore Brayden Witkowski could see time on the mound or behind the plate, and Noah Steigerwalt adds another piece to the team’s potent offensive abilities.

Strengths: This year’s edition of Reading’s Raiders is loaded with bats, arms and gloves plus one more asset that all good teams need. “Our team has great chemistry. The players pull for each other on the field and are friends with each other off the field.”

Weakness: More of a question to be answered rather than a weakness is Reading is not sure yet who will be his closer in close games.

Outlook: The Raiders are setting big goals that include winning their second consecutive league title and winning districts after a poorly played first round exit. “We know what’s at stake,” said Reading, who begins his 24th year at steering the Raiders’ ship, “but we will focus on staying in the moment of every pitch of every game and if we can, we can be very successful.” - Tamaqua head coach Jeff Reading

JIM THORPE

Head coach: Joe Marykwas

Last year’s record: 6-14

Players lost: Jack Edwards, Matt Domski, Owen Hubbard

Returning starters: Nikolas Schwatz (IF/P), Tanner MoDavis (C), Cole Lazorick (IF/P), Michael Antignani (IF/OF/P), Josh Louk (OF/P), Brody Schrantz (IF/P).

Others to watch: Noah Pastor (OF-P), Kaden Hess (IF-P), Lee Edwards (OF-IF-P), Mason Domski (OF-IF-P).

Strengths: Thorpe returns six starters from a season ago. Antignani (14 RBIs), Schrantz (13 RBIs), Lazorick (10 RBIs) and Schwartz (nine RBIs) will bring back some offense for the Olympians. Thorpe also returns a good chunk of its pitching from last season as well. Schrantz (34 Ks), Schwartz (23 Ks) and Lazorick (12 Ks) combined to pitch over 77 innings last season.

Weakness: Thorpe will enter Colonial League play this season, so feeling out the new league setup could be challenging. Thorpe still only has two seniors starting, so it will once again be depending on younger players to step up.

Outlook: “I feel like with the guys we have coming back that we can be competitive this season. Our pitching and our defense will be the key to our success.” - Jim Thorpe head coach Joe Marykwas

LEHIGHTON

Head coach: J.C. Dietz

Last year’s record: 13-8

Key players lost: Noah Barndt, Adam Bastone, Carter Birnbaum, Dawson Keiser, Brady O’Donnell, Aiden Rarick, Michael Yeakel

Returning starters/letterwinners: Senior John Light hit .254 with 16 hits. “This will be John’s fourth year as our starting catcher. He continues to get better behind the plate and was named our defensive player of the year last year. His leadership skills have grown helping out our pitching staff. John is a very tough out in the batter’s box and does a great job moving runners and putting the ball in play.” Senior Jake Lewis pitched 28 innings and struck out 18. “Jake pitched in most of our big games and we are expecting him to do the same this year. Jake is one of the hardest workers I have coached during my tenure in this program. He is a tremendous leader in our baseball program guiding the younger players.” Junior Cole Dietz went 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA while pitching 29 innings and striking out 19. He also had 14 hits and a .269 average. “Cole was one of our best pitchers last year. He has excellent control and pounds the strike zone with three different pitches. He is a tough out in the batter’s box and puts the ball in play. Cole is also one of our best defensive infielders.” Junior Jayse Lawrence hit .346 with 18 hits and stole 25 bases. “Jayse is a team-first player and will play wherever the team needs him. He was one of our best hitters last year and had some huge hits during the season. He is very fast on the bases.” Senior Aidan Albert pitched 21 innings and struck out 12. “Aidan has pitched since his freshman year. We are expecting him to be a part of our pitching staff as a starter or in relief.”

Others to watch: Derek Behler (senior P/OF), Keyden Ahner (senior 3B), Aiden Solt (junior 2B/3B/SS/1B), Brady Stubits (junior C/P/3B), Carter Bellis (junior P/2B), Landon Abelovsky (junior OF), Ashton Wentz (junior 2B/OF), Cody Snyder (sophomore 2B/SS/3B/P), Pierce Goida (sophomore C/P/IF), Cash White (freshman IF/OF).

Strengths: Great group of kids who work hard, pitching.

Weaknesses: Very few kids with varsity experience.

Outlook: “Last year we finished 13-8 and earned a trip to the district playoffs for the second consecutive year. Obviously losing seven seniors to graduation is going to be very difficult. All seven were in the starting lineup almost every game last year. With very few kids having varsity level experience, it will be a challenge. However, this group of kids work really hard and are a pleasure to be around. Our goal this year is to get better every game and hopefully get the chance to make the district playoffs.” - Lehighton head coach J.C. Dietz

MARIAN

Head coach: John Petrilyak

Last year’s record: 12-9

Key players lost: Four starters, including Mike Gelatko who chose not to play his senior season and will prep himself for the fall. Gelatko is headed to Buffalo University on a full-ride football scholarship.

Returning starters/letterwinners: Chase Grier, Noah Bauder, Ethan Labenburg, Cole DeFranciso, Rocco Griguoli.

Others to watch: Brayden Grant, Case Quinn-Gutsie

Strengths: Youth is on the move for the Colts, as well as a new skipper in John “Pilsey” Petrilyak, who moves into the manager’s role after coaching with the successful Tony Radocha. Petrilyak is high on his pitching staff, even though it has few starts. The Colts will rely on depth on the bump, and sometimes throw as many as four-to-five arms in a game. There are 22 arms on the pitching staff, and the Colts have 33 players suited up this spring. Coach is schooling the offensive approach with contact, and moving players up a base.

Weaknesses: Unproven sophomores, and needing to get the pitchers ready to play — few of which have little varsity experience. Colts are in a development stage on the bump.

Outlook: “We are super-sophomore heavy, with only one senior and (just) two juniors. We are looking to set a goal to get better, and (really) get these sophomores ready with playing time this season; we want to get them ready in another year or two. Right now, we are looking at four sophomores to start. As for our strength, our sophomore kids are really into it. They’re sponges willing to work and learn. We’ve had great participation with our offseason workouts. It’s been really awesome and with the basketball guys coming back, we are excited to have a good season ... The pitchers 1-through-4 will probably be three sophomores and a junior. The goal is to finish in the top four (of Schuylkill League Division 2) with 10 or 12 wins. Our approach will be old school; we will bunt, we will (try) and hit balls to the right side … we’re going to play some old school baseball. We are going to have to manufacture runs. Our whole offseason we preached taking the ball to the opposite field … griddy approach. We need to cut down on strikeouts and make contact.” - Marian head coach John Petrilyak

NORTHERN LEHIGH

Head coach: Gerald Kresge

Last year’s record: 5-16

Key players lost: Nick Buskirk, Brayden Tossi, Brendan Hill Geake, Conner Martinez, Jack Tosh, Jackson VanNorman

Returning starters/letterwinners: Brayden Buskirk, Jayden Christman, Chris Vargos, Conner Simms, Coy Daubert, Landon Cougle, Parker Schaeffer

Others to watch: Pablo Rivera and Avery Kabrick are freshmen who may see considerable action.

Strengths: “We have our entire pitching staff back from last season. Our core group of players committed to playing throughout the summer and fall and went right into off-season training. We return the starting infield from last season, so with quality arms and solid defense, we believe we can use this as our map to success.”

Weaknesses: “We will fill several positions with freshmen or upperclassmen with minimal experience. Our bats will decide how far we go this season. We have concentrated on hitting throughout the off season. From chalkboard studies on approaches, to sequencing to completely breaking down new mechanics, it has been our focus.”

Outlook: “Our players’ attitude and work ethic have created the culture we have set out to achieve. The culture has been contagious to the younger players, and that’s the start of a winning program. We have improved our staff and added additional top-notch coaching that can teach the little details I preach. When I took over the program, we set a goal of a winning program by Year 3, and we hope to be on that path. In the first two seasons, I stated we just wanted to compete. We no longer have that mentality, we are now here to win.” - Northern Lehigh head coach Gerald Kresge

NORTHWESTERN

Head coach: Brian Polaha - 2nd season

Last year’s record: 17-6

Key players lost: Justin Augustus, Bobby Croneberger, Josh Lichman, Chase Moyer, Shaun O’Donnell

Returning starters/letterwinners: Watson Church, Cole Dynda, Josh Farber, Aidan Freeman, Eli Zimmerman

Others to watch: Brady Krimmel, Jesse Neupauer, Luke Rennells, Jason Unrath

Strengths: The Tigers have plenty of guys that can swing the bat, even with losses from graduation. Polaha believes that they can fill the spots in the middle portion of the lineup without much difficulty and they should be able to score runs again this season. Even with the loss of nearly 70 innings through graduation, Farber and Freeman are back and Dynda was impressive on the mound in Legion ball last fall and could be one of the surprise players this season for Northwestern. Senior Watson Church, junior Brady Krimmel, and sophomore Luke Rennells will also contribute. Keep an eye on freshman Jesse Neupauer, who could fill a starting role.

Weaknesses: Defense will be interesting to watch this season. Polaha believes in having a strong defense and is watching how things play out with the middle infield and catching positions. Augustus leaves an open spot behind the plate and Croneberger became a solid defensive third baseman. When Dynda moves out of his shortstop position to pitch, that also leaves a defensive hole for Polaha to fill.

Outlook: “We have quite a bit of talent coming back and have the potential to be very good, but we did lose a lot of key players, and I think filling those spots is the key. We are behind the eight ball a little because our basketball players ended their season late and we just got them into practice. We lost a lot of pitching and then a key guy in Augustus, who was our catcher. I think we can replace some of that middle-of-the-order offense, but replacing the pitching and the defense that those players gave us will be the tougher part.” - Northwestern head coach Brian Polaha

PALMERTON

Head coach: Tyler Svetik

Last year’s record: 6-14

Key players lost: Jacob Grammes, Trevor Stroup

Returning starters/letterwinners: AJ Borger (senior 2B/P), Mason George (senior 1B/P), Corey Serfass (senior OF), Mason Becker (senior OF/P), Brady Reph (junior INF/C/P), Cameron Pengelly (junior 3B/P), Jason Carrelli (junior SS), Alex Keiper (junior OF), Luke Matsko (junior OF)

Others to watch: Kurt Jedrejczyk (junior 2B) Greyson Ahner (sophomore C), Gaige McGowan (sophomore 1B/P)

Strengths: Experience, after only graduating two full-time starters from last year’s team.

Weaknesses: Depth. After losing a senior for the season due to injury, the Bombers can’t afford another major injury.

Outlook: “Early on, this team is locked in and very open minded. We are taking one day at a time, trying to improve as the season progresses.” - Palmerton head coach Tyler Svetik

PANTHER VALLEY

Head coach: Richie Evanko (10th year)

Assistant coach: John Cooper, Mike Pascoe

Last year’s record: 14-8 overall (11-2 Schuylkill League)

Key players lost: Stephen Hood (P, 1B, 3B, SS, RF), Chase Weaver (CF), Tyler Black (P, RF, INF), Drew Kokinda (2B, SS), Hayden Goida (C, 3B, LF), Brennan Kunkle (OF)

Returning starters/letterwinners: Brady Jones (senior P/OF), Logan Fisher (senior 1B), Chase Krynock (senior P/INF), Brody Breiner (junior P/2B/SS/OF), Danny Wehr (junior P/1B/3B)

Others to watch: Connor Penberth (senior P/INF/OF), Ben Baneravage (junior P/C/INF), Cameron Caffery (senior P/OF).

Strengths: The Panthers have a set mentality going into the off-season, and if every single Panther plays their role, expect Richie Evanko and his pack to succeed on the diamond. “Offensively we need to pass the stick to the next person by doing whatever is called for — a sacrifice, hit and run, walk, ground ball to the right side,” Evanko said. “And, if we can do that, we can be successful.”

Weaknesses: The Panthers graduated nine seniors — five of which were starters — from last year’s “fairly successful” 2024 season. So, it’s pretty obvious that PV has taken a hit to the roster. “It will be very hard to replace those seniors from last year,” Evanko said. “With that being said, we do return five guys who have seen varsity time last year, three of which were starters. So, to be successful, we need to have some underclassmen step up. We need to play together as a team and not worry about individual numbers.”

Outlook: “Our goals every year are the same, as we want to qualify for districts and have an opportunity to qualify for the league playoffs. However, that will not be easy at all. For us to be in every game we need to play very good defense, and our pitchers need to throw strikes.” - Panther Valley head coach Richie Evanko

PLEASANT VALLEY

Head coach: Joe Anderton

Last year’s record: 6-14

Key players lost: Dakoda Lucas, Zach Pandolfo, Ethan Balanca, Maverick Walsh

Returning starters/letterwinners: Ty Borger, Ian Campbell, Braydon Green, Kole Henry, Cameron King, Sam Smale, London Smith

Others to watch: Jake Procita, Jacob George, Mike LaFiura, Owen Long

Strengths: Competitive group; Pitching depth.

Weaknesses: Some inexperience in key spots at the varsity level.

Outlook: “We are light in numbers but have a great group of guys who can play multiple positions. The younger guys who played last year are more experienced and stronger, so we feel we have a tougher lineup 1-9. We will still have to be fundamentally sound and execute the little things well to be successful.” - Pleasant Valley head coach Joe Anderton

WEATHERLY

Head coach: Kenny Jacoby III

Last year’s record: 1-19

Key players lost: Jack James, Klaus Eroh

Returning starters/letter-winners: Trent Higgins (senior), Michael Davies (senior), Jeremiah Donadi (sophomore), Kameron Jacoby (sophomore), Bradlee Connors (sophomore), Emilio Valenzuela (sophomore)

Others to watch: Joey Esposito (freshman), Kyle Reiner (freshman), Kolton Reiner (freshman), Raymond Montz (junior).

Strengths: Dedicated, hardworking, knowledgeable.

Weaknesses: Young team with 15 freshmen and sophomores.

Outlook: “We will be young, but we will find a way to compete in a tough division. I feel we have a lot of younger players ready to step up and fill the holes where needed. I am very excited to see how this season plays out with the talent I believe we have. Our players have worked hard in the offseason and are looking forward to competing this spring. This group has dealt with a lot of adversity over the past few years, and we are going to have a lot of great opportunities to prove ourselves this season and in the season to come. For a successful year it’s going to take everyone to be committed to the process and the culture being built, as well as being committed to each other.” - Weatherly head coach Kenny Jacoby III