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By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

We enter the final three days of our district preview series, which is running for three weeks up to the first official PIAA competition date on March 24, by taking a look at the biggest schools in south central PA. 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 III Class AAAA Top Prospects

1. Tyler Kehoe, 2019, OF, Red Land (Louisville)
2. Drew Baughman, 2018, 3B, Cumberland Valley (Liberty)
3. Adam Schwartz, 2018, RHP/OF, Ephrata Area
4. Justin Williams, 2018, 3B, Cumberland Valley
5. Hayden Seig, 2016, RHP, Mechanicsburg Area (St. Joseph's)
6. Wyatt Tyson, 2016, RHP, Red Lion Area (Campbell)
7. Nate Fassnacht, 2016, IF, Ephrata Area (George Washington)
8. Sean Guilbe, 2018, C/IF, Muhlenberg
9. Nick Stoner, 2017, RHP/IF, Elizabethtown Area (Bloomsburg)
10. Kris Kremer, 2017, IF, Hershey (Penn State)
11. Michael Geesaman, 2017, OF, Lower Dauphin
12. Julian Bury, 2016, OF, Cedar Cliff (Columbia)
13. Ty Friedrich, 2016, C, Lower Dauphin (Maryland)
14. Zeb Stough, 2018, 3B/RHP, Red Land
15. Tyler Burchett, 2018, RHP, Red Lion Area
16. Nick Parker, 2018, RHP/IF, Dallastown Area
17. Tye Golden, 2017, IF, Dallastown Area (Old Dominion)
18. Bryant Holtzapple, 2017, C, Dallastown Area (George Washington)
19. Matt Kephart, 2017, C, Lower Dauphin
20. Jeff Taylor, 2017, LHP, Penn Manor (Penn State)
21. Brock Kauffman, 2017, IF, Garden Spot
22. Luke Trainer, 2017, C, Conestoga Valley
23. Daulton Martin, 2016, IF, Conestoga Valley (Tusculum)
24. Grant Breneman, 2017, 3B/C, Cedar Cliff
25. Matthew Shatto, 2016, C, Manheim Township (UMBC)

Class AAAA

Defending district champ Hempfield utilized a true pitching staff last year, as five guys logged between 27.2 and 42 innings. Three departed, but the senior duo of Alec (37.2 IP, 29 H, 21 BB, 30 K) and Wyatt Miller (28.1 IP, 22 H, 12 BB, 15 K) are back to hold the fort. Senior Tim Gailor (.358 AVG, 10 SB) returns to spark an offense that must replace five significant contributors.

A deep, experienced pitching staff returns for Penn Manor, which has six holdovers who logged double-digit innings, led by the 1st-team all-LLL Section 1 tandem of Taylor (48.2 IP, 19 H, 11 BB, 53 K) and California of PA-bound RHP Jacob Herr (40 IP, 37 H, 28 BB, 34 K), plus senior RHP Jeremy Miller (24 IP, 30 H, 2 BB, 13 K), and junior LHP Grant Gale (28 IP, 25 H, 14 BB, 22 K). As he begins his third decade at the helm, coach Jim Zander must replace his top two performers on offense and will ask senior first baseman Collin Whiteside (.250 AVG, 21 BB+HBP vs 13 K) and senior 2nd-team second baseman Nate Brown (.311 AVG, 9 SB) to spark the run production.

Dallastown Area welcomes back two of its top four pitchers in the senior RHP duo of Avery Strayer (38 IP, 47 H, 11 BB, 27 K) and RIley Hamberger (21 IP, 27 H, 21 BB, 21 K), while the talented Parker looks poised to grab a large share of the vacated innings. In his first season at the helm, coach Greg Kinneman will be able to lean on a solid offensive core that includes senior OF/C Cody Somerville (.323 AVG), Golden (.364 AVG, 12 XBH), Holtzapple (.309 AVG, 9 XBH), and Millersville-bound outfielder Brandon White (.333 AVG).

After a spate of injuries sabotaged a promising season for Red Lion Area, some better luck on the health front could lead to a smooth transition for first-year coach Kevin Lawrence. A full season from Tyson (18 IP, 13 H, 9 BB, 18 K) would go a long way toward buoying a pitching staff that also returns Harford CC-bound RHP Briar Lauer (35.1 IP, 37 H, 27 BB, 28 K) and senior LHP Brandon Zeigler (15.1 IP, 14 H, 20 BB, 9 K). If the latter two can't harness their command, keep an eye on the 6-foot-4 Burchett to carve out a role for himself. The line-up must replace four regulars, but welcomes back senior third baseman Erik Paules, and junior outfielders Hank Shultz and Patrick Daugherty, while senior fiirst baseman Alex Price and shortstop Brett Landis will be counted upon for full-time duties.

Two-thirds of the regular line-up is back for Ephrata Area, including four senior all-LLL Section-2 honorees: 1st-team shortstop Fassnacht (.470 AVG, 14 XBH, 24 BB vs 9 K, 11 SB), 2nd-team third baseman Chase Weik (.338 AVG, 14 BB+HBP vs 8 K), 1st-team Nyack-bound first baseman Dillon Good (.348 AVG, 15 BB vs 12 K), and 2nd-team catcher Justin Carvell (.268 AVG, 11 BB+HBP vs 11 K). Coach Adrian Shelley's staff ace graduated, but he can still hand the ball to Good (10.1 IP, 10 H, 4 BB, 8 K), the live-armed Schwartz (24.2 IP, 19 H, 4 BB, 21 K), and senior RHPs Matt McGillan (29 IP, 29 H, 19 BB, 17 K) and Fassnacht. A superior athlete, outfielder Schwartz (.276 AVG) could experience a production spike on offense after seeing part-time action as a rookie.

Red Land returns its top three pitchers from a season ago in the persons of Stough (23.1 IP, 21 H, 9 BB, 17 K), junior LHP Josh Snyder (28.2 IP, 25 H, 20 BB, 25 K), and senior RHP Noah Keister (43.1 IP, 52 H, 16 BB, 27 K), while junior RHP Brayden Coe is expected to contribute as well. Outfielders Snyder and Keister, along with third baseman Stough, form the backbone of coach Nate Ebbert's offense, which should see freshman catcher Jared Payne and Kehoe make an immediate impact.

New Chambersburg Area coach Scott Folmar hopes to disprove the adage that you don't want to be the guy to follow a legend, as he replaces 51-year veteran Bob Thomas (833-279 career record, 11 district crowns, 3 state titles). A older squad should help ease the transition, with the senior quartet of Radford-bound SS Carlin Christian, Millersville-bound outfielder Manning Brookens, DH Austin Suders, and first baseman Hunter Brindle anchoring the line-up. The early part of the season could be used to sort though a group of pitchers that includes Juniata-bound RHP Suders, Frostburg State-bound LHP Cameron Flinn, and senior RHP Chance McClure getting first crack to earn a large workload.

Warwick welcomes back a quartet of RHP who each logged over twenty innings -- seniors Tim Griest, Penn State Harrisburg-bound Thomas Elliot (2nd-team all-LLL Section 1), and Matt Cover, plus junior Zach Peters -- from a team that twice was one win away from earning a state tournament berth. A trio of senior all-section infielders -- Griest (1st-team), Tyler Martin (2nd-team), and Luke Mariano (2nd-team) -- will be joined in coach Bob Locker's line-up by Hofstra-bound catcher Justin Smith and outfielder Elliot, while Peters performed well getting limited at-bats last spring and could play his way into a larger role.

A solid 2015 season for Cedar Cliff ended in the district quarterfinals in extra innings against eventual district champ Hempfield. If the Colts are to get back to the playoffs, they will need to replace nearly 70% of their innings that departed via graduation. First up to fill the void will be Breneman (24.2 IP, 24 H, 7 BB, 15 K), senior LHP Mike Diffenbach (15 IP, 17 H, 9 BB, 8 K), and junior RHP Colyn Hoffer. Coach Scott Lackey's offense had some attrition as well, but welcomes back Bury (.408 AVG, 17 SB), Breneman (.265 AVG), and the keystone combo of senior Tyler LaFever and sophomore Jimmy Losh. Junior 1B/RHP Tommy Savastio and sophomore Util/RHP Dennis Snyder should also make a two-way impact.

Cumberland Valley dropped an extra-inning affair in the first round of district play to eventual state tournament qualifier Governor Mifflin. The staff's innings leader is gone, but senior 2nd-team Mid-Penn Commonwealth LHP Joey Cuomo (33 IP, 23 H, 8 BB, 37 K) and Grove City-bound RHP Austin Wacker (25 IP, 29 H, 13 BB, 26 K) are ready to carry the load along with live-armed junior RHP Mitchel Hoon and and senior LHP Dylan Rich. Coach Levi Mumma's offense is looking to improve on a composite .231 batting average from last season and will feature the prodigious power potential of Baughman, senior 1st-team shortstop Zach Belansek, his classmate and double-play partner Ryan Carney, and Shenandoah-bound outfielder Kyle Hooven.

As he completes his second decade at the helm, Lower Dauphin coach Ken Kulina must replace seven graduates, including his staff ace. First-team Mid-Penn Keystone catcher Friedrich and 2nd-team outfielder Geesaman make up a power-speed duo who will pace an offense that will also feature junior infielder Timmy Townsend, Kephart, and senior outfielder Charlie Fies. An unsettled pitching staff will have no less than seven from across three classes vying for innings, including senior honorable mention RHP Tyler Roman and RHP Geesaman.

Muhlenberg welcomes back a trio of all-Berks I pitchers -- junior 1st-team Alex Bohn, senior 1st-team Cody Filder, and senior honorable mention Eli Klick -- who will team with junior Braydon Keller to log the bulk of the innings for coach Brian Kopetsky. Guilbe, an honorable mention selection as a rookie will power the offense along with sophomore infielder Tyler McGonigle, senior third baseman Devin Keiper, and sophomore utilityman Jake Kuczawa.

Hershey played a one-run ballgame against eventual district champ Hempfield in round one of district play last year. The line-up is strong through the middle of the diamond with Indiana of PA-bound shortstop Ryan LaCoe, Kremer (who may end up playing a lot of center field in deference to LaCoe), senior honorable mention Mid-Penn Keystone second baseman Ryan Sullivan, and junior catcher Nick Laman all slated for starring roles along with sophomore third baseman Pat Blackall. First-year coach Shane Zellers must replace his staff ace, with senior RHPs Blake Smith and Connor Gurt, plus junior RHPs Eric Larson and Cade Cieszynski all in the mix log innings.

Two-thirds of the regular line-up is back for Exeter Township, led by senior 1st-team all-Berks I outfielder Jake Fry (.413 AVG), plus senior infielder Julian Torres (.317 AVG, 15 BB+HBP vs 10 K) and junior catcher Jon Lach (.320 AVG), both honorable mention selections. On the flip side, coach Justin Freese's pitching staff graduated more than three-quarters of its innings, leaving Philadelphia U-bound Chris Smith (13.2 IP, 9 H, 2 BB, 12 K) and Albright-bound Shaun O'Reilly (16.2 IP, 16 H, 7 BB, 12 K) atop an otherwise inexperienced group.

Fans of Governor Mifflin, a state tournament participant a year ago, might not recognize the Mustangs this spring, as 98% of the team's innings and six of the line-up's top seven hitters departed via graduation. Alderson Broaddus-bound catcher Earl Kochel (.405 AVG, 17 BB+HBP vs 5 K) will be responsible for shepherding a pitching staff that will have junior RHP Noah Weber, junior LHPs Austin Baker and Arias Ochs, and sophomore LHP Joe Adametz vying for innings, while Fairleigh Dickinson-bound shortstop Hunter Reeser will join Kochel in providing leadership for an otherwise inexperienced group.

After a slow start last year, Central Dauphin ripped off a 10-game winning streak against a string of quality teams at the end of the regular-season before ultimately bowing out in the district quarterfinals. This year's team will have a different look, however, as junior RHP A.J. Millar (14.2 IP, 17 H, 10 BB, 12 K) is the only returner to have logged more than four innings last spring. Coach Brian Zellers' offense was gutted as well, with only senior outfielder J.T. Fredericks (.293 AVG, 10 BB vs 9 K, 10 SB) and junior shortstop Braydon Parr (.321 AVG) as the lone returning starters. The junior RHP duo of Garrett Foster and Bryson Allen, plus junior C/OF Luke McNamara and junior C/IF Arturo Figueroa, should all get a chance to stake their claim to a large role.

Coming off its first 10+ win season in a decade, Central Dauphin East hopes to achieve another milestone this spring with its first-ever district tournament berth. Senior RHP Stephen McInturff was limited due to injury last year, but is back to health and will team with senior RHP Quinton Heckard atop the rotation. Coach Jim Mazzola's offense will be powered by a trio of Mid-Penn Keystone honorees: senior honorable mention catcher Andy Pineda (.303 AVG), honorable mention infielder McInturff (.344 AVG), and 2nd-team outfielder Heckard (.386 AVG).

While he has some pieces to replace, the cupboard isn't entirely bare for Manheim Township first-year coach Matt Kirchoff. Shatto will be tasked with handling a pitching staff that returns four seniors who logged double-digit innings last year, including LHP Aidan Zimmerman and RHPs Connor Bair, Cole Hoffman, and Bloomsburg-bound Brett Alaimo. An offense that struggled last year graduated its only regular to hit above .273, but does return California of PA-bound first baseman Justin Kilpatrick.

The top four hitters return for Conestoga Valley, with three all-LLL Section 2 honorees -- 1st-team shortstop Martin (.383 AVG, 13 XBH), 2nd-team catcher Trainer (.317 AVG), and senior 2nd-team third baseman Jared Duffy (.308 AVG) -- plus senior first baseman Jordan Yoder (.283 AVG), while sophomore second baseman Addison Diener will fill out the infield. First-year coach Jeff Craig will look to build some pitching depth behind senior RHP Mark Groff (36 IP, 44 H, 14 BB, 29 K), with junior LHP Eric Graff, junior RHP Trevor High, and Martin all in the mix to log innings.

South Western looks to take a step forward behind an offense led by Cumberland County-bound outfielder Miles Francis, junior infielders Luke Small and Austin Reusing, junior outfielder James Harris, and senior infielder Austin Weaver. RHP Reusing, junior LHP Austin Yancheski, and senior RHP Jey Yeater will be called upon for heavy workloads by coach Mike Resetar.

J.P. McCaskey graduated just one senior position player starter and its returning core will be sparked by senior infielder Jeffrey Acevedo (.308 AVG). If the Red Tornado are to take a step forward this year, coach Tyler Horst will need to get better command out of a senior-laden staff that combined to walk more than it struck out last year.

Virtually the entire roster returns for Lebanon in coach Mike Toomey's second season. Senior SS/RHP Michael DeLeon, junior IF/RHP Cody Kissinger (1st-team all-LLL as a position player), and senior OF/RHP Daniel Caricabeur (2nd-team as a pitcher) will be fixtures in the line-up and rotation. Three other all-section position players are back as well: junior 1st-team outfielder Cameron Shaak, and senior 2nd-team infielders Logan Blouch and William Scaturro.

Junior honorable mention all-Berks I catcher Marco Morales will handle a Reading pitching staff that will feature junior RHP Barrett Dunkelberger, plus senior RHPs Dashawn Mercedes and Giovanni Santiago. First baseman Dunkelberger and junior shortstop Jairo Pichardo will join Morales in powering coach Jason Zeigler's offense.

The first, and perhaps only, order of business for first-year Cedar Crest coach Josh Brown will be to find some way to replace the Falcons top six innings-eaters from last year, who totaled a whopping 92% of the team's mound time. There will be opportunity aplenty for juniors Cayden Miller and Luke Brunelli, sophomore Nate Cavic, and senior Brett Bawiec. Sophomore first baseman Joe Carpenter (.422 AVG) will pace an offense that lost five significant contributors of its own.

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