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By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

Grab a snack and a bottle of water for this monster installment of our district preview series, which is running for three weeks up to the first official PIAA competition date on March 24. Each article includes a list of top prospects from amongst the cohort of schools, as well as write-ups of a number of teams in the cohort.

We received inquiries last year regarding how we decide which teams to detail. A team profiled in the article is less an indication of what type of season we expect it to have and more a function of how much information we are able to compile. For example, if we have not seen a team in person (there are over 600 baseball-playing high schools in the state), stats are not available on-line, and a school district spam filter gobbled up our e-mails to the coach that contained the questionnaire, we might not have enough information to write a full paragraph on that school.

[mouse over pics for player names]

PIAA District I Class AAAA Top Prospects

1. Jake Kelchner, 2018, LHP/OF, Spring-Ford
2. Thomas Caufield, 2018, IF, West Chester Henderson
3. Alexander Tappen, 2017, 3B, Wissahickon (Virginia)
4. Conor Larkin, 2017, RHP, Spring-Ford (Penn State)
5. Angus Mayock, 2017, RHP, Conestoga
6. Chris McMahon, 2017, RHP/IF, West Chester Rustin (Miami)
7. Drew Britt, 2018, RHP, Downingtown West
8. Liam Bendo, 2017, IF, Garnet Valley (St. Joseph's)
9. Danny Long, 2016, IF/RHP, Pennridge (Monmouth)
10. Zach Boop, 2017, RHP, Neshaminy
11. Michael Bechtold, 2016, RHP, Garnet Valley (James Madison)
12. Brock Helverson, 2018, RHP, Perkiomen Valley
13. Tim Miller, 2016, RHP, Conestoga (Richmond)
14. Colin Kennedy, 2017, RHP, Hatboro-Horsham (La Salle)
15. Reyce Curnane, 2017, 1B, Downingtown West
16. Mason Nadeau, 2016, OF, North Penn (Penn State)
17. Matthew Shilling, 2017, RHP/IF, Wissahickon (Delaware)
18. Cole Chesnet, 2018, C, Coatesville Area
19. Adam Smith, 2018, SS/RHP, West Chester East
20. Eric Grintz, 2019, C/RHP, Downingtown West
21. Blake Rapoport, 2016, IF/OF, Wissahickon (Lehigh)
22. Kadar Namey, 2016, 1B/RHP, North Penn (St. Joseph's)
23. Dan Klepchick, 2017, RHP, Central Bucks South
24. Matt Stevenson, 2017, RHP, North Penn
25. Sean Hopkins, 2019, OF, West Chester Rustin
26. Adam Grintz, 2019, RHP/3B, Downingtown West
27. Luke Czepiel, 2018, C, Conestoga
28. James Meals III, 2017, RHP, Downingtown West
29. Joey Preciado, 2017, RHP, Council Rock North
30. Brian Edgington, 2017, RHP, Hatboro-Horsham

Class AAAA

With two state titles under his belt in his four seasons, no rebuilding job is too great for North Penn coach Kevin Manero, who undoubtedly will have his club ready to make another title push come May. The Knights graduated a boatload of talent, but welcome back fleet-of-foot Nadeau, scrappy senior outfielder Alex Peterson, and slugging Namey to anchor a line-up that could feature a new middle infield duo in freshman Zack Miles and junior Nate O'Donnell. It'll be baptism by fire for an inexperienced pitching staff that includes junior LHP Zach Thomas, the towering 6-foot-6 Stevenson, Gwynedd Mercy-bound RHP Jared Gorman, and sophomore RHP Danny Kirwin.

A second round district exit against eventual state quarterfinalist Council Rock North did little to diminish a strong campaign from Wissahickson that included an SOL American co-championship. The college-bound infield trio of Rapoport (.444 AVG, 11 XBH, 13 SB), Tappen (.404 AVG, 8 BB vs 3 K), and Shilling (.413 AVG) provides a strong nucleus for a line-up that will also feature senior utilityman Jeremy Spittle and senior outfielder Connor Freeston. A deep pitching returns for first-year coach John Bernhardt, led once again by strike-throwing junior RHP Logan Willans (47.1 IP, 39 H, 12 BB, 51 K), with Shilling (15.1 IP, 7 H, 10 BB, 19 K), Tappen (18 IP, 16 H, 9 BB, 15 K), and Freeston all slated for significant innings.

As he completes his second decade at the helm, Boyertown Area coach Todd Moyer welcomes back two-thirds of his starting line-up and virtually the entire pitching staff from a team that was one win away from clinching a state tournament berth twice in last spring's district tournament. A pair of all-PAC-10 selections -- Penn State Berks-bound RHP Andrew Bauer (1st-team) and junior RHP Pat Hohlfeld (2nd-team) -- won't top any prospect lists due to being undersized, but they both know how to pitch and just get outs. Senior RHP Nate Kline and junior RHP Grant Fronheiser are also expected to log significant innings. The Kutztown-bound duo of C/OF Ryan Weller and shortstop Mitch Pinder, both 1st-team honorees, top the list of position player returners, while senior 1B/OF Ben Longacre (2nd-team) and junior infielder Mike Raineri will also contribute heavily.

Despite some major losses due to graduation, Pennridge has enough experience and talent on the mound to get back to the state tournament for the first time since its semifinal appearance in 2013. Undersized junior RHP Andrew Mayhew (40.2 IP, 12 BB, 40 K) has a quick arm and efficient delivery that generates life out of his hand, while Long brings a power FB/CB combo to the table. Junior RHP Ian Kacergis and senior RHP Nate Coyle provide depth for coach Tom Nuneviler. On the offensive side, the ball screams off Long's bat (.410 AVG), while senior outfielders Mitch McLeod and Coyle, junior catcher Joe Robinson, and junior outfielder Luke Nuneviler will need to help replace the production of five departed all-SOL Continental performers.

Despite the departure of two of its top three pitchers, defending district champ Council Rock North has plenty of pitching depth to make another strong run. Steady senior RHP Matt Hand (54 IP, 41 H, 25 BB, 55 K) is back as the staff ace, while Philadelphia U-bound RHP C.J. Kilgarriff (a transfer from Council Rock South), senior LHP Seth Leuz, big junior RHP Joey Preciado, and senior RHP Juliano Kovalcik (11.2 IP, 7 H, 8 BB, 14 K) are all capable to getting outs for coach Matt Schram. The offense has some holes to fill as well, but returns a solid core in Lehigh-bound shortstop Hand (.270 AVG, 14 BB+HBP vs 10 K), Bloomsburg-bound catcher Jared Schram (.329 AVG, 6 BB vs 2 K),  and senior outfielder Leuz (.340 AVG, 11 BB vs 6 K) and Tyler Nowmos (.327 AVG, 7 HBP). Also of note, stud OF/RHP Brandon McIlwain chose to graduate high school early and enroll this semester at South Carolina where he is a freshman on the baseball team and participating in spring football practice.

State qualifier Owen J. Roberts welcomes back four of its top five pitchers, fronted by DeSales-bound LHP Corey Hennessey (59 IP, 62 H, 19 BB, 23 K) and senior RHP Bobby Himes (45.2 IP, 31 H, 24 BB, 26 K), with senior RHP Nate Tomlin (12.2 IP, 10 H, 5 BB, 7 K) and sophomore RHP Dawson Stewart (17.1 IP, 17 H, 19 BB, 15 K) also returning to provide innings. Coach Greg Gilbert must replace three all-PAC-10 honorees, but also welcomes back two-thirds of the line-up, led by Elizabethtown-bound Riley McGinley (.351 AVG, 3 BB vs 1 K), Lock Haven-bound catcher Joe Zgleszewski (.270 AVG, 19 BB+HBP vs 10 K), and first basemen C.J. Weaver (.356 AVG, 11 BB vs 6 K) and Alex Condello (.243 AVG, 26 BB+HBP in 26 games).

Even after sending five off to college baseball, programs like Spring-Ford simply call up the next wave of talent, but it won't be easy to replace two-thirds of the starting line-up and virtually the entire pitching staff. Coach Bruce Brobst's mound options may lack experience, but they certainly don't lack talent, as Larkin (back from Tommy John surgery) and Kelchner will join a trio of arms -- senior RHP Pat McMahon, Penn State Harrisburg-bound RHP Cameron Michaud, and junior LHP Jake Zoller -- who each got a smattering of innings last spring. Kelchner will team with the Ursinus-bound duo of infielder Drew Skrocki and outfielder Brian Varani to spark the offense.

Always dangerous Conestoga welcomes back three senior all-Central League honorees: 1st-team RHP Miller, 2nd-team outfielder Jonah Siegel, and honorable mention Wells-bound outfielder Greyson Avots. Czepiel will manage the pitching staff, which features the trio of Miller, Lafayette-bound LHP Mark Anderson, and projectable Mayock that can rival any around. Senior first baseman Tom Fogarty also returns to help power the offense for interim coach Kevin Pechin.

Central Bucks South coach Brian Klumpp inherits an experienced roster for his rookie season at the helm, despite the graduation of four all-SOL Continental honorees. A pair of physical honorable mention RHPs -- Klepchick and West Chester-bound Dan McCartin -- will front the rotation, which will also get contributions from junior RHPs Alex Bendzlowicz and Justin Anderosky. The offense will be led by senior honorable mention shortstop Kyle Rossi, 2nd-team infielder Will Moller (a Misericordia commit), junior first baseman Tom Dugan, senior outfielder Tyler Rossi, and junior catcher Eric Gross.

Despite graduating eight all-SOL Continental selections, including 70% of the team's innings and all seven players who were in the line-up on a full-time basis, the cupboard isn't completely bare at Hatboro-Horsham. Edgington (8 IP, 9 H, 2 BB, 6 K) appears poised to join Kennedy (25.1 IP, 30 H, 4 BB, 22 K) atop a strike-throwing staff that will have senior RHP Nick Arbaugh and senior LHP Kyle Katz (9.1 IP, 14 H, 3 BB, 7 K) assuming larger roles. Picking up the offensive slack will be junior catcher Shaun Thomas and first baseman Kennedy, both of whom were part-time players last year, while senior second baseman Billy Carr, junior shortstop Ryan O'Donnell, and outfielder Katz will have an opportunity to make their mark for coach Pete Moore.

Central Bucks East graduated five all-SOL Continental honorees, but still has some pieces in place to have another strong season. Strong-armed junior catcher Collin Sheehan returns to handle a pitching staff that graduated its ace and will turn to pitch-to-contact senior 3rd-team RHP Eric Chase (30.2 IP, 21 H, 3 BB, 13 K) to assume the mantle. Helping to spark a a junior-laden offense that sent three of four graduates off to college baseball will be infielders Andrew Collins and C.J. Gillmer, plus outfielder Cameron Komanchak. Coach Kyle Dennis hopes that the return of senior RHP Sam Killough and senior RHP/IF Nick Rodstrom, who were significantly limited last year due to illness and injury, respectively, will provide reinforcements as well.

2015 was a historic season for Pennsbury, which won its first SOL National title in nearly two decades and reached the state quarterfinals before being eliminated by eventual state champ North Penn in a one-run ballgame. Despite graduating 14 off that squad, half of which are playing college baseball, the cupboard isn't entirely bare for coach Joe Pesci. Bloomsburg-bound 1st-team all-SOL National LHP Zack Conley returns to front a staff that will also feature a trio of junior RHP in Billy Bethel, Vaughn Ward, and Justin Ward. A 2nd-team honoree as a third baseman, Bethel will spearhead run production from a line-up that will include junior C/1B Dave Murphy, junior infielder Ryan McCarty (a transfer from Notre Dame HS in NJ), sophomore infielder Kyle Dear, and junior outfielder Tyrone Hodges.

As Garnet Valley coach Rudy Shiller begins his second decade in charge, he can rely on honorable mention all-Central League Bechtold to again front the rotation, with junior LHP Matt Lupoli, sophomore LHP Mason Miller, and sophomore RHP Will Wesolowski jockeying for innings behind him. 1st-team selection Bendo will team with Cabrini-bound third baseman Brendan Van Belle, junior catcher Dominic Bertone, first baseman Lupoli, and junior utilityman Matt Burba in powering the offensive output.

The towering presence of junior RHP Adam Stauffer (20 IP, 24 H, 10 BB, 20 K) looms as the only returner to have logged more than 6.1 innings last year for Coatesville Area. As coach Hal Ziegler completes a quarter-century at the helm, he will turn to senior LHP Isaiah Holmes, senior RHP Ryan Ohar, and junior RHP Brandon Lopresti to also soak up some of the 73% of available innings. Chesnet (.400 AVG, 5 BB vs 3 K) and junior catcher Anthony Lopresti should earn their way into a line-up that includes returning regulars in Mount St. Mary's-bound Jared Urban (1st-team all-Chest-Mont National), his fellow senior outfielder Stephon Hines (Honorable Mention), and senior first baseman Matt Stolzer.

West Chester Rustin graduated a whopping six position players who earned all-Ches-Mont American honors last year (four 1st-team, two honorable mention), including the division player of the year. As he completes a decade at the helm, coach Brad Harkins will turn to his pitching staff, led by the effortless McMahon and senior RHP Owen Hovick (both honorable mention selections), to steady the team while the newcomers on offense, including the raw, but very toolsy Hopkins, get acclimated.

Big roster turnover at Council Rock South, which much replace ten graduates plus one transfer from last year's squad. A rebuilt pitching staff will look for expanded roles from the sophomore RHP trio of Brenden Carter, John Barber, and Josh Blaustein, along with junior RHP Noah Davidson. On the position player side, coach Ted Kirner will lean on junior shortstop Josh Kim (.278 AVG, 10 BB vs 6 K, 8 SB), along with the senior outfield tandem of Shaun Stackhouse (.265 AVG) and Cody Kutler (.340 AVG, 9 SB), to buoy the line-up while less experienced players like sophomore C/1B Evan Fisher and senior infielder Ryan Vetter settle in.

Strath Haven coach Brian Fili will turn to Hofstra-bound LHP David Moore and junior RHP Will Carey to soak up innings vacated by three pitchers who departed for college baseball. A Panthers offense that, at times, was challenged to score runs last year, will be led by Emory-bound catcher David Shore (honorable mention all-Central League), junior infielder Evan Atsaves, and senior infielder Andrew Pennoni.

Harriton will sport a fairly young roster for the second straight season, albeit this version will nonetheless have some experience under its belt. Sophomore RHP Jonah Frankel (24 IP, 30 H, 15 BB, 27 K) is the leading returning innings-eater for coach Scott Kurzinsky, who will turn to senior RHP Johnny Mann, junior RHP Don DiLoreto (12.1 IP, 11 H, 8 BB, 11 K), and sophomore RHP Jack Hermann to step up a rung or two on a depth chart that graduated its 1-2 rotation punch. Junior 2nd-team all-Central League first baseman Ben Newbert (.395 AVG) and junior outfielder Sean Mullen (.360 AVG) are the leading returning hitters from a line-up that graduated two of its top three producers, but returns everyone else.

Perkiomen Valley graduated its top three pitchers, who combined to log more than three-quarters of the staff workload. Coach Ryan Hinkle will task the junior RHP tandem of D.J. Jampo and Helverson to step up and keep the team in ballgames for an offense that has a solid returning core of seniors in 1st-team all-PAC-10 Salisbury-bound infielder Nate Yoder (.443 AVG, 11 XBH, 12 BB vs 3 K), infielders Trent Tyson (.261 AVG) and Adam Gaines (.391 AVG, 11 BB vs 7 K), plus utilityman Sean Moriarity (.371 AVG, 6 BB vs 4 K).

Upper Dublin welcomes back a quartet of all-SOL American position players: junior 3rd-team shortstop Justin Horn, Bloomsburg-bound 2nd-team outfielder Cole Swiger, senior 1st-team first baseman Conor McFadden, plus senior 2nd-team catcher Thomas Juelke. Swiger was also a 3rd-team selection on the mound, where he'll be joined in logging innings by Horn and McFadden. Junior IF/RHP Tommy Reilly is expected to step into a significant two-way role for coach Ed Wall, as the skipper completes a decade at the helm.

Souderton Area must find a way to replace five all-SOL-Continental selections, including the ace of its pitching staff. Senior honorable mention LHP Aaron Gulibon (38.2 IP, 38 H, 19 BB, 51 K) appears poised to ascend to the top spot on coach Mike Childs' depth chart, while senior RHP Austin Eberhart, and the junior RHP duo of Thylar Summerall and Dan Knechel will see their roles grow. Gulibon (.396 AVG, 6 BB vs 5 K) also earned honorable mention at first base, as did senior catcher Blake Gular (.298 AVG). Senior shortstop Connor Lennon (.293 AVG) is the only other full-time starter back, while the senior trio of Wilkes-bound outfielder Matt Reinert, second baseman Dave Schreffler, and first baseman Brett Moyer will assume more prominently places in the line-up after performing well in part-time duty last year.

A trio of honorable mention all-SOL Continental selections -- junior shortstop Jake Reed (.268 AVG, 12 BB vs 9 K, 14 SB), Mansfield-bound C/1B Tyler Guidos (.286 AVG), and junior infielder Jared Kishbaugh (.242 AVG, 7 BB + 6 HBP vs 7 K) -- return to spark an offense for Quakertown Community that will welcome back senior outfielder Aaron Besch off a torn ACL, and also feature sophomore infielder Brian Robison and junior outfielder Matt Bukavich. Senior LHP Cooper Johnson (28.2 IP, 41 H, 12 BB, 15 K) appears set to grab the ace title for coach Jon Pallone, who will ask RHP Bukavich to assume a larger role as well.

Coming off a state tournament appearance that ended with the graduation of thirteen players, West Chester East coach Scott Kelley will be making over his roster. Junior catcher J.T. Thompson will manage a staff that has no returning member who logged double-digit innings last season, and which will thrust Adam Smith and senior Kyle Smith into much more prominent roles. Adam Smith will join the senior trio of infielder Ian Street (.338 AVG), outfielder Ben Foti (.348 AVG), and outfielder Ryan Egolf as primary run producers in coach Scott Kelley's offense.

A veteran group is back for Marple Newtown, led by 1st-team all-Central League infielder Ricky Collings (a Widener commit) and 2nd-team first baseman Scott Hahn, with junior infielder Cam Mathes and freshman outfielder Aldan Mathes also expected to contribute heavily in coach Steve Smith's line-up. The ultra-competitive Collings also fronts the pitching staff, for which the junior RHP duo of Cam Mathes and Hahn, plus Widener-bound LHP Vince Greco will also log innings.

As he completes a decade at the helm, Abington coach Dave Torresani welcomes back four senior all-SOL National selections: 2nd-team shortstop Aiden Coyle, 2nd-team outfielder Jack Larini, 3rd-team outfielder Chris Clewell, and honorable mention RHP Greg Troyer. Junior RHP/3B Paul Poppert, senior RHP Cole Henrie, and senior C/OF Justin Yerkes also return as significant contributors.

West Chester Henderson coach Luke McNichol enters this season just two campaigns shy of three decades in charge of the Warriors. Sweet-swinging Caufield, who led the team in hitting as a rookie, will be joined in primary run production duties by the junior outfield tandem of Zach Roberts and Matt Cappelli, plus senior first baseman Matt Dinacci. The bulk of the mound work will fall to senior RHPs Kevin McKeighan and Ryan Trench, fast-developing sophomore RHP Brady Bash, and junior RHP Andrew Snyder.

Bensalem will feature a senior-heavy roster this spring, including an outfield that will be a strength of the offense with senior honorable mention all-SOL National Joe Benedetti (.395 AVG), senior Bill Kohler, and junior Trevor McGee. Benedetti (18.2 IP, 14 H, 8 BB, 16 K) will also team with sophomore Steve Aldrich atop coach Harry Daut's rotation.

As he completes his third decade at the helm, Haverford coach Paul Bogosian will lean on an offense powered by two 2nd-team all-Central League selections -- junior catcher Drew Fowler (.356 AVG) and senior third baseman Nick Cerelli (.393 AVG) -- plus junior shortstop Dylan Resnick and senior outfielder Ethan Samel. The bulk of the innings for the Fords should be logged by senior RHPs Mike Garcia and Jake McClelland, junior RHP Corey Hunt, and junior LHP Chris Trainor.

Downingtown East coach Pete Susi will be breaking in a new crop of talent, especially on the mound, where projectable sophomore LHP Hutch Gagnon and junior LHP Will Peiffer will jump into the mix with junior RHP Chase Fike (27 IP, 28 H, 5 BB, 20 K), the only holdover to log double-digit innings on a staff that must replace 70% of its production. Sophomore infielder Michael Rodriguez will be the centerpiece of the offense as the only returning line-up regular.

Two all-SOL Continental selections -- senior 2nd-team outfielder Matt Peralta and junior honorable mention shortstop Steven Gebre -- will help spark a largely intact Central Bucks West offense that will also feature Chestnut Hill-bound catcher Thomas Spratt, senior second baseman Nick Evans, and junior first baseman Thomas Philipps. Out of an astounding fourteen pitchers who toed the rubber for the Bucks last year, eleven return representing 87% of the workload. Philipps (an honorable mention selection) and Evans led the staff in innings last year, while a pair of senior RHPs -- Jake Manca and Luke Irons -- are poised to get more work for second-year coach Brad Tracy.

A trio of all-Central League honorees -- senior second baseman Brett Sheeran (honorable mention), senior third baseman Nick Gorman (2nd-team), and junior outfielder Tom Quinn (honorable mention) -- return to power a Springfield offense that should also get production from junior shortstop Brandon Dichachio and junior catcher Andrew Todaro. Coach Brian Francis also sports an experienced pitching staff, led by Elizabethtown-bound RHP Ben Thorpe, junior LHP Mike Smith, and the junior RHP tandem of Jarred Morris and Dave Strawley.

Harry S. Truman coach Tim Monaghan will be tasked with managing an inexperienced roster, which includes a pitching staff that must replace 79% of last year's innings. Junior RHPs Brian Archer (19.2 IP, 25 H, 4 BB, 12 K) and Mike White will team with senior RHPs John Matthews and Justin Kemer to fill the void left by two southpaws who moved on to college baseball. With senior outfielder Mark Lopez sidelined due to a knee injury suffered during football season, that leaves senior outfielder Matt Olsen and senior catcher Romeo Sturkey as the only holdovers from a line-up that hopes to receive reinforcements from sophomore C/OF Nate Erhard (a transfer from Conwell-Egan Catholic), junior outfielder Dylan VanHorn, and sophomore shortstop R.J. Snyder. Keep an eye on freshman RHP/OF Brandon Wolf to potentially carve out a role for himself as a rookie.

Junior catcher Alex Haasz will manage a Cheltenham that welcomes back two of its top three pitchers in junior RHPs Joel White (31.1 IP, 44 H, 9 BB, 28 K) and Jacob Petrisko (40.1 IP, 49 H, 10 BB, 20 K). Senior shortstop Josh Ryan and junior outfielder Nissim Lebovitz will try to spark the offense for 1st-year coach Craig Stein, who aims to bring some stability to a program that is on its third skipper in three seasons.

Big roster turnover for Great Valley, which graduated eleven, including eight position player regulars and its top two pitchers. Coach Matt Schultz might need to pass out name tags at practice to keep all the new faces straight, but will look for the senior RHP duo of Jack Talley (26.2 IP, 29 H, 7 BB, 11 K) and Ryan Dailey (15.2 IP, 14 H, 11 BB, 8 K) to stabilize the rotation. Seniors such as infielder Jameson Sarr and outfielder Tim Phillips have bided their time as part-time players and will now have the opportunity to assume larger roles.

Unionville has some major holes to fill following the graduation of three 1st-team all-Ches-Mont American position players and two honorable mention pitchers. Coach Michael Magee will turn to Mount St. Mary's-bound outfielder A.J. Narcise, junior outfielder Spencer Pellegrino, and sophomore catcher Zack Kennedy to buoy the line-up, while handing the ball to senior LHP T.J. Gilden and junior RHP Trevor Gardiner atop the rotation.

William Tennent coach Rick Penecale welcomes back three all-SOL National position players: 1st-team DH Paul McElroy (an outfielder committed to Philadelphia U), 3rd-team outfielder Greg Delgado, and honorable mention first baseman Nick Cataldi. Junior catcher Dylan Mannon will handle a pitching staff that will see Philadelphia U-bound RHP Ryan Lucas, senior RHP Chris Morales, and senior LHP Tristan Kresz join Cataldi in soaking up innings.

Senior honorable mention all-Ches-Mont American shortstop Matt Kelly, a smooth defender, will captain the defense and spark the offense for Kennett in coach Justin Lamborn's first season. Joining Kelly as key line-up cogs will be senior utilityman Sean Edmonds, junior outfielder Drew Massetti, sophomore outfielder M.J. Patterson, and senior second baseman  Jon Burns. Kelly will also front the pitching staff, which will have senior RHP Giovanni Hughes and RHP Patterson taking their turn on the mound as well.

Second-year Ridley coach Kevin Scott will look to continue implementing his system with a group of multi-sport athletes. Primary run production duties will fall to senior outfielders Jamie Fisher and Austin Bleacher, the junior left side of the infield of third baseman Greg Kimmel and shortstop Liam Thompson, and junior catcher Nick Deprinzio. A senior-laden staff will have Colin Pollag serving as staff ace, plus Ryan Downs, Ryan Bollinger, and Sean Bingnear logging innings as well.

Following the graduation of 80% of the pitching workload and seven regular position player contributors from a group that included four all-SOL American honorees, Plymouth Whitemarsh will roll out a largely untested roster this spring. Junior outfielder Luca Amoroso, Rowan-bound catcher Dutch Reardon, and senior outfielder Connor Burke are the lone returners who saw significant at-bats last year, while senior RHP Matt Cooper (15 IP, 12 H, 6 BB, 12 K) is the only holdover to have logged double-digit innings. Coach Chris Manero will turn to junior RHP Dillon Famous, senior RHP Connor Kissane, and sophomore RHP Stephen Blum to fill the void on the mound, while potentially giving a group of freshman that includes IF/C Anthony Tomassetti and outfielder Drew Kliesh the opportunity to make an early-career impact.

Oxford Area will feature a senior-laden roster this spring. Lebanon Valley-bound Zach Todd and his fellow senior RHP Brandon Ward join the junior RHP pair of Nolan Benke and Andrew Stefanosky atop coach Andrew Wendle's pitching depth chart. Senior second baseman Mike Williams and sophomore infielder Hunter Hall will spark the Hornets offense.

The bulk of the pitching staff returns for Upper Merion Area, led by Cumberland County College-bound RHP Jarrett Quinn (32.1 IP, 33 H, 21 BB, 50 K) and junior RHP Jay Picariello (16 IP, 19 H, 6 BB, 9 K), with junior LHP Ryan Foster and sophomore RHP Mike Hutchinson (10 IP, 17 H, 4 BB, 11 K) slated to assume larger roles. Senior outfielder Matt Callahan and third baseman Hutchinson are the top returning hitters in coach Matt Mitchell's line-up that returns two-thirds of its regulars.

Lower Merion must replace virtually its entire pitching staff and will ask the senior quartet of RHPs Danny Roth, Aaron Strongin, and Alex Koch, plus LHP Jesse Siebert to fill the void. Coach Jeff Nyce's senior-laden line-up will feature second baseman Brandon Jones, first baseman Eli Needle, catcher Koch, as well as outfielders Chris Goodwin and Jeremy Hillsberg.

Season Preview Schedule

3/2 - PAISAA
3/3 - PIAA District V
3/4 - PIAA District IX
3/5 - PIAA District VI
3/6 - PIAA District IV
3/7 - PIAA District X
3/8 - PIAA District III (Class A & AA)
3/9 - PIAA District VII (Class A)
3/10 - PIAA District VII (Class AA)
3/11 - PIAA District II
3/12 - PIAA District XI
3/13 - PIAA District I (Class A, AA & AAA)
3/14 - PIAA District III (Class AAA)
3/15 - PIAA District VII (Class AAA)
3/16 - PIAA District I (Class AAAA)
3/17 - PIAA District III (Class AAAA)
3/18 - PIAA District VII (Class AAAA)
3/19 - PIAA District XII