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By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

We traverse clear across the state from southwest to northeast for the next installment of our district preview series, which will run 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 II Top Prospects

1. Max Kranick, 2016, RHP, Valley View (Virginia)
2. Cole Stetzar, 2017, RHP/IF, West Scranton (Central Florida)
3. Brainy Rojas, 2017, SS, E.L. Meyers
4. Dante Biasi, 2016, LHP, Hazleton Area (Penn State)
5. Ryan Hogan, 2016, C/OF, Wyoming Valley West (St. John's)
6. Justin Vought, 2017, C, Wyoming Valley West (Maryland)
7. Zach Klapak, 2018, C/RHP, Delaware Valley
8. Tyler Yankosky, 2016, RHP, Wyoming Valley West (Millersville)
9. Kyle Pokrinchak, 2017, OF/RHP, Greater Nanticoke Area
10. J.P. Walsh, 2016, OF, North Pocono (Monmouth)

Class A

Blue Ridge has enough returning pitching in the junior duo of Jake Decker and Derek Stento to make a run at its second straight district crown. Shortstop Decker and catcher Stento will team with senior outfielder Jordan Goff to spark the offense for coach Bill Marvin.

In the first season under coach Sean McLaughlin, MMI Prep welcomes back its top two starters from last year in Bloomsburg-bound RHP Eddie Herbener and junior RHP Kisan Patel, while freshman RHP Keefer Hoover and sophomore RHP Mark Lobitz should have the opportunity to carve out roles for themselves. First baseman Hoover could have an impact with the bat as well, joining a returning core that includes outfielder Herbener, senior catcher John Stish, sophomore infielder George Palermo, and junior infielder Nick Young.

A youth movement is in the works at Lackawanna Trail, which will roster only one senior and two returning starters this spring. Coach Todd Peters will call upon sophomore RHP D.J. Klinges and freshman RHP Nate Rolka to assume major roles on the pitching staff, while another freshman, Util/RHP Noah Coleman, could make an early career impact as well. The revamped offense will be anchored by senior first baseman Nick Rolka and junior outfielder Thomas Huffsmith.

Elk Lake comes off a season in which it rostered predominantly freshman and sophomores, so, despite the graduation of only three, it still has only one senior -- RHP/OF Ty Moon -- in uniform this spring. Coach Tony Rezykowski will also lean on the junior RHP/IF duo of Zach Groover and Blake Chew for two-way production.

A rebuilding year looms for Susquehanna Community, which graduated nine seniors, including six regular contributors. Senior RHP/OF Zac Collins, junior RHP/IF Evan Haley, and sophomore RHP/IF Eric Lee will each make a two-way impact, while senior C/OF John Ball will bolster the line-up for coach Jake Johnson.

Class AA

Two WVC Division 3 all-star pitchers, senior Kevin Rimmer and junior Kyle Kowalski, are back as the 1-2 punch atop the rotation for perennial contender Hanover Area. Kowalski is among eight of nine line-up regulars who return for coach Mike Zapotoski as well, including junior catcher Jake Peters, senior outfielder John Morgan, junior outfielder Kyle Windt, and junior first baseman Austin Gately. Sophomores Matt Clarke and Mike Piscotty got their feet wet as freshman and could provide a production spike in their second season.

Three senior WVC Division 3 all-stars -- Pokrinchak (.410 AVG, .558 OBP), third baseman Alec Norton (.403 AVG, .535 OBP, .732 SLG), and outfielder Stephen Kreitzer (.320 AVG, .400 OBP) return to power the offense for district semifinalist Greater Nanticoke Area, which also welcomes back returning starters in sophomore catcher Kris Rynkiewicz (.400 OBP) and junior second baseman Nick Bukofski (.300 AVG). Less settled for coach Dean Myers is his pitching staff, which will feature Pokrinchak (48 IP, 5 BB, 48 K) as the ace of an otherwise unproven staff.

If it is to make another deep playoff run, Mid Valley must replace its top two starting pitchers (who logged 67% of the staff's innings) from a team that fell in extra innings in the district semifinals a year ago. Senior RHP Jacob Donlin (22.1 IP, 18 H, 3 BB, 16 K) and junior RHP R.J. Gouldsbury (11 IP, 10 H, 2 BB, 12 K), are expected to form this year's 1-2 rotation punch as the only holdovers with any significant experience. On the other hand, coach Ryan Kropa's offense returns a solid core, led by senior first baseman Sean Homenchak (.368 AVG, 10 XBH), senior infielder Ethan Hasenzahl (.349 AVG, 6 BB vs 0 K), senior outfielder Cody Petcavage (.415 AVG), and C/IF Gouldsbury (.412 AVG, 7 2B).

Defending district champ Montrose must replace its top three pitchers who took with them roughly two-thirds of the team's innings. Senior RHP Chris Lee (16.1 IP, 26 H, 3 BB, 15 K), last year's closer, and junior RHP R.J. Arnold (14.1 IP, 18 H, 3 BB, 8 K) ascend to the top of the depth chart, while the sophomore RHP duo of Cole Aukema and Bryden Jerauld should log more innings after getting their feet wet as rookies. Coach Josh Winn must also replace two-thirds of his regular line-up, in which senior third baseman Mason Peck and outfielder Jerauld will join Surry CC-bound shortstop Hunter Traver (.350 AVG), third baseman Lee (.435 AVG), and infielder Arnold (.424 AVG) as primary run producers.

Mountain View welcomes back a veteran club that includes returning position player starters in senior outfielders Deon Faramelli and James McDermott, plus junior infielder Matt Lavin, and junior first baseman Zeb Feduchak. On the mound, coach Ernie Griffis will look to develop some depth behind the senior RHP duo of Ewan Sands and Sam Flannery.

The season-ending Tommy John surgery this fall to Lakeland co-ace Sean Pittack threw up a major roadblock in the Chiefs' bid to get back to the state tournament after a one-year hiatus. Junior LHP Brad Richards (34 IP, 28 H, 11 BB, 37 K) will assume the lead dog role, while junior RHP Jordan Art (14 IP, 14 H, 11 BB, 11 K) is the only other holdover to have logged more than three innings last season. A young core of position players is back for coach Larry Piccini, led by outfielder Art (.370 AVG), sophomore first baseman Matt Hayes (.273 AVG, 10 BB+HBP vs 7 K), and sophomore second baseman Nico Piraino (.326 AVG).

The senior tandem of Matt Amaral and Jimmy Muth will hold down the top two spots in the pitching rotation for Riverside, which will utilize junior Nick Sottile and sophomore Tyler Quick as swingmen in starting and closing roles. Senior catcher Phil Sottile, the team's emotional leader, will team with outfielder Amaral and shortstop Nick Sottile in buoying the offense for coach Mike Hallinan.

Wyoming Seminary welcomes back the bulk of its production, both on the mound and at the plate. The junior two-way tandem of OF/RHP Alexandre Sabourin and 2B/RHP Johnny Kehl will have a major impact for coach Brian Kaschak. Fellow junior RHP Roy Phillips and sophomore RHP Caleb Jerome will also contribute on the bump, while senior outfielder Stefan Olsen, plus the sophomore duo of catcher Michael Oravic and OF/C Sam Sweitzer, will help solidify the line-up.

A trio of juniors -- infielder Austin Yelland, outfielder Ben Marte, and C/OF Robbie Shinal -- form the core of a G.A.R. line-up that will look to get increased production out of sophomore outfielder Gerson Peralta and senior DH Jeremy Ehrhardt. In order to climb the standings, coach Vito Passone will likely need to coax better command out of a pitching staff, led by Yelland and his fellow junior RHP Chris Kolativa, that collectively walked more than it struck out last season.

Class AAA

After riding its pitching to three straight state tournaments, it is time for Abington Heights, which graduated 81% of its innings, to reload on the mound. Finally getting a bigger bite of the apple will be senior RHPs Peter Nolan and Sam Arnold, plus junior RHPs Colin McCreary and Ryan Harvey. Coach Bill Zalewski's offense lost a big chunk of its run production as well, leaving second baseman Zach Spangenberg (West Chester commit), third baseman Arnold (Muhlenberg commit), and outfielder McCreary to buoy a line-up that hopes to get increased production from OF/1B Nolan and senior first baseman Matt Hughes.

If you want to sit behind the plate at a Valley View game this spring, get there early, as Kranick should draw a crowd of scouts after running his fastball up to 93-mph in a January bullpen session. The junior duo of LHP Nate Seprosky and RHP Joey Castellani round out an experienced trio on the mound, where senior RHP Brandon Peters could also get work. The majority of the offense returns as well, led by senior outfielder Kyle Barrett, senior catcher Mitch McHale, plus infielders Kranick, sophomore Corey Pezak, and Lock Haven-bound Peters.

North Pocono welcomes back all but one line-up regular from its LIAA Division 2 champion and district semifinalist squad. Walsh (.333 AVG, 13 BB vs 6 K, 22 SB) is the sparkplug for a Trojans offense that also gets contributions from senior outfielder Sean Haddock (.268 AVG, 12 BB vs 11 K, 11 SB), junior outfielder Pat Noon (.347 AVG), and senior second baseman Tim Blaine (.347 AVG). Heading into his fourth year as the starter behind the plate, Keystone-bound Matt Fisch will be responsible for shepherding an inexperienced staff that graduated three of its top four pitchers. Senior RHP Charlie Lamparter (32.2 IP, 34 H, 17 BB, 20 K) is the lone holdover to log more than ten innings for coach Brian Jardine, who will turn to senior RHPs Josh Misura and Mark Cicerini, plus sophomore RHP Cory Wall, to assume larger roles.

1st-team all-WVC RHP Jordan DiValerio, a St. Joseph's commit, returns to front a Berwick Area pitching staff that will also feature sophomore RHP Jared Marshman coming off a season in which he saw action as a rookie, and junior RHP William Morey. A pair of honorable mention selections -- infielder Marshman and junior first baseman Austin Horsefield -- will serve as offensive centerpieces, while senior catcher Casey Curtin, sophomore shortstop Alec Markle, and junior center fielder Matt Champ solidify the middle of the diamond defense for coach Brian Pinterich. Keep an eye on the freshman trio of RHP Sawyer Kemp, utilityman Henry Novicki, and infielder Mark Prebola to possibly make an early career impact as well.

As Scranton Prep coach Mark Seitzinger transitions from assistant to the boss, he will be able to lean on an experienced pitching staff fronted by East Stroudsburg-bound Nate Fiala, senior LHP Tyler Stafursky, and 6-foot-7 junior RHP Jordan White. Fiala and Stafursky can also spend time at first base when not toeing the rubber, and they will be joined in the line-up by junior catcher Kyle McCallister, junior outfielder Jack Burke, and senior infielders Noah Machek, Michael Leri, and Robert Pfleckl.

Wyoming Area coach Ron Musto will need to retool his roster following a district semifinal appearance, as three of his top four pitchers and four all-WVC honorees departed via graduation. Senior 1st-team IF/RHP Cory Lescavage and junior honorable mention RHP/Util Josh Kopcza will steady the ship on the mound and at the plate, while senior honorable mention Tyler Dougherty will help Lescavage hold down the middle of the infield.

A pair of senior all-WVC honorable mention selections -- infielder Derek Distasio and outfielder Tim Kindler -- will spark a Crestwood offense that looks to get additional production from the senior outfield trio of R.J. Kresge, Jim Albee, and Mike Paranich. Junior C/RHP James Graves will contribute as a two-way performer, joining senior RHP Matt Mickowski and junior RHP Curtis Tokach in holding down the fort on the mound until senior RHP Gavin Morgans returns from injury mid-season.

Class AAAA (forms a sub-region with District IV)

Wyoming Valley West has some holes to fill, particularly on the mound, but has enough talent coming back to remain a strong contender. Yankosky (32 IP, 16 H, 7 BB, 35 K) will assume the role of ace, with Lackawanna-bound LHP Grant Powell expected to join him in the starting rotation. The Spartans catching situation is as good as it gets in the state with college-bound Hogan (.529 AVG, 13 XBH, 13 BB vs 3 K) and Vought (.279 AVG, 12 BB vs 7 K) both more than capable of handling the staff, while Lackawanna-bound outfielder Justin Montalvo (.346 AVG, 10 SB) provides another offensive spark.

District runner-up Hazleton Area hemorrhaged talent via graduation to the tune of eight of its eleven primary position players and two of its three primary pitchers. Biasi returns as the mound ace (38.1 IP, 21 H, 17 BB, 52 K) and leading hitter (.435 AVG, 4 BB vs 3 K). Senior Evan Hauze (18 IP, 17 H, 3 BB, 8 K) is the only other holdover to have logged double-digit innings, while sophomore Scotty Shamany could earn significant mound time. The college-bound infield duo of Jordi Arias (Harford CC) and Randy Pineda (Maryland Eastern Shore) will solidify the middle of the diamond defense.

Coming off a season in which it started seven underclassmen on a regular basis, Wallenpaupack Area hopes to use a sub-region semifinal appearance as a springboard to new heights. Senior David Eckert (.345 AVG) will again spark the offense, while a still young group that includes junior first baseman Chris Brindle, junior outfielder Morgan Theobald, and sophomore infielder Tyler Kirsten will look to step up their production. The junior trio of Aaron Husson (26.2 IP, 16 H, 9 BB, 33 K), Mitchell Guerrieri (23.2 IP, 22 H, 11 BB, 19 K), and Austin Gilpin (25 IP, 17 H, 19 BB, 40 K), plus senior Wade Gilpin (18.1 IP, 25 H, 14 BB, 22 K) gives coach Todd Schmalzle four holdovers who logged significant mound time last year.

Klapak and Adelphi-bound OF/RHP Lawrence Cicileo are back to provide production for Delaware Valley on both sides of the ball. An experienced offensive core also features senior infielder Trevor Bertsch and senior outfielder  Zach Cerberville, while the junior RHP tandem of Christian Jorgenson and Peyton Baker are expected to log innings for coach Dave Peters.

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