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Conference Preview: WPIAL Class AA - Section 3

March 15, 2014

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

With the start of the high school season less than a month away we will be previewing conferences around the state leading up to opening day. In addition to a look at the top teams we will also highlight some of the top prospects in each conference.

           WPIAL Class AA - Section 3

Preseason Favorite

Deer Lakes (15-3)

The Lancers have won three consecutive section titles and there is no reason to believe that they can't make it four in a row in 2014. Coach Jon Pedrosky has led the Lancers to the WPIAL playoffs in each of his four years at the helm.

 

in the mix

Appollo Ridge (9-12)

The Vikings return senior outfielders Mitch Johnston and Ryan Ferguson who both hit over .300 in 2013. Also returning are sophomore pitchers Mike Percic and Jarrett Geiger who logged the majority of the innings on the mound for the Vikings a year ago.

 

Preseason Player of the Year

Matt SwartzMatt Swartz, Freeport HS (Class of 2014)

In a section that has just one all-section performer from 2013 returning (Todd Coleman, Deer Lakes), Swartz stands out as the player that could have a breakout season in Section 3. The 6-foot, 205-pound C/3B hit .286 as a sophomore, but showed signs of his offensive abilities by improving to a .444 clip in 2013. Swartz had five doubles and a triple while compiling an impressive .561 on base percentage a year ago. The right-handed hitter has also shown the ability to be a run producer, driving in 29 runs and scoring 20 in his two seasons of varsity baseball.

 

Top Prospects

apollo-ridge

Mitch Johnston, OF (Class of 2014)
Ryan Ferguson, OF (Class of 2014)
Mike Percic, 3B/RHP (Class of 2015)
Jarrett Geiger, RHP/3B (Class of 2015)

deer lakes

Todd Coleman, IF (Class of 2014)
Matt Olesnevich, C (Class of 2014, Pitt-Greensburg commit)

freeport

Matt Swartz, C (Class of 2014)
Josh Beale, RHP (Class of 2016)

 

view all conference previews & preseason players of the year by conference

 

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