Cole Serfass is enjoying and appreciating every moment of his Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup experience.

“I am extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to be able to play in the Carpenter Cup,” said the recently graduated Palmerton High School catcher. “It has been an incredible experience so far, and I look forward to carrying it into the games in the future.”

Serfass will get his chance when his Lehigh Valley teammates open play Tuesday in the 37th annual tournament sponsored by the Phillies. Lehigh Valley will meet two-time defending champion Tri-Cape in a 9 a.m showdown in the single elimination, 16-team tournament at Philadelphia’s F.D.R. Park’s UFA Dick Allen Field.

Along with Serfass, other local players on the roster are recently graduated Pleasant Valley High School standout pitchers Ben and Nate Mostosky, shortstop Nathan Loch, and outfielder Jack Smale.

Longtime Lehigh Valley manager, and former Palmerton head coach Ted Plessl, sees the makeup of his squad of 25 players from 12 different schools similar to those in the past.

“We have a good hitting team,” said Plessl, who has been the program’s manager from the beginning. “We’re a team that will hit for average, and we have a lot of team speed.

“We always have had scrappy players - and this bunch is the same. These kids are gritty, and they know the game. We’re expecting some good things from them.”

Plessl explained how the team held three tryouts to finally select the squad - a tradition that has been in place for quite some time. Plessl felt confident with his final selections.

He has high expectations for the local band of players, too. Despite being retired from Palmerton since 2004, Plessl makes his rounds during the spring.

“I hoped that Serfass came out last year,” said Plessl. “He has a cannon for an arm, and he has all the tools. I saw him play four times, and I was very impressed.

“Loch is a base stealer and a good hitter. He is a well-rounded player. Smale is here for this third year, and he’s finally going to get to wear No. 23. He’s got power, and he’s quite a player.

One of the Mostosky was a starter and the other one was basically a reliever. They both throw the ball well and can help us.”

Palmerton head baseball coach Tyler Svetik is excited for his Mansfield University recruit. Serfass hit .418 with 17 RBIs and 22 stolen bases this past season.

“Cole is an extremely hard worker, and gives everything that he has,” said Svetik. “I think he brings above average defense, and a very solid bat with gap power to the Carpenter Cup team.”

Serfass plans to make the most of the opportunity. He realizes the chance to play at Citizens Bank Park in the semifinals.

“This is an awesome opportunity to play with new teammates under new coaches in front of many college and professional scouts,” he said. “The Carpenter Cup also gives you the opportunity to play in a professional stadium given that you win the first two games to get there. The whole experience is a wonderful event run by great people who help make a difference in a kid’s baseball future.”

Plessl knows his team’s first major hurdle will be making a trek down the Pennsylvania Turnpike for an early first pitch Tuesday morning.

“These guys will be leaving their homes quite early to get there,” he said. “We’re one of the teams that travel the farthest, and we’re faced with a nine (9) o’clock game.

“But we have a good group of guys who are ready to battle with anyone. We’ll be ready to go.”

HISTORY LESSON ... Last season, Lehigh Valley suffered an early exit, suffering an 8-6 opening-round loss to Burlington County. In 2021, it advanced to the semifinals before being eliminated by Mercer County in a final-inning, 6-5 defeat. Lehigh Valley brought home the titles in 1998, 2001, and 2011.

FUTURE DATES ... If Lehigh Valley wins Tuesday, it will meet the winner of the Chester-County-Mercer County game on Friday at 12:30 p.m. The semifinals are June 26 and the final is June 27 - both at Citizens Bank Park.