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By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

The 36-school District I class 6A caps off our look at teams from around the state as the meat of our season preview content, which has run for four weeks and concludes today, the first official day of competition for PIAA schools. 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. The number in parenthesis after each header is the number of state tournament bids allotted to that district or sub-region.

We received inquiries in the past 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 recently 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.

District I (5 bids)

Top Prospects:
1. Adam Stauffer, 2017, RHP, Coatesville Area (St. John's)
2. Eric Grintz, 2019, C/3B, Downingtown West (North Carolina)
3. Brock Helverson, 2018, RHP, Perkiomen Valley (West Virginia)
4. Jake Kelchner, 2018, OF/LHP, Spring-Ford (St. John's)
5. Angus Mayock, 2017, RHP, Conestoga (Connecticut)
6. Hutch Gagnon, 2018, LHP, Downingtown East (Penn State)
7. Adam Grintz, 2019, RHP, Downingtown West
8. Tyler Strechay, 2019, RHP, Perkiomen Valley
9. Conor Larkin, 2017, RHP, Spring-Ford (Penn State)
10. Aaron Groller, 2019, LHP, Souderton Area
11. Zach Boop, 2017, RHP, Neshaminy (Lehigh)
12. Drew Britt, 2018, RHP, Downingtown West
13. Liam Bendo, 2017, IF, Garnet Valley (St. Joseph's)
14. Ryan Gerenser, 2018, RHP, Avon Grove (United States Military Academy)
15. Blaise Sclafani, 2018, RHP, Souderton Area (Massachuetts-Lowell)
16. Andrew Mayhew, 2017, RHP, Pennridge (Millersville)
17. Ryne Moore, 2017, RHP, Spring-Ford (Old Dominion)
18. Chase Simmons, 2019, OF, Spring-Ford
19. Colin Kennedy, 2017, RHP, Hatboro-Horsham (La Salle)
20. Brian Edgington, 2017, RHP, Hatboro-Horsham (St. Joseph's)
21. Demetrio Rodriguez, 2018, IF, Methacton
22. Dan Klepchick, 2017, RHP, Central Bucks South (Monmouth)
23. Thylar Summarell, 2017, LHP, Souderton Area (Lackawanna)
24. Hunter Curley, 2019, RHP/OF, Spring-Ford
25. Ben Christian, 2019, RHP, Methacton
26. Brian Nicolas, 2018, IF, Neshaminy (Bryant)
27. Gavin Ferrandino, 2018, RHP, Council Rock North
28. Matt Stevenson, 2017, RHP, North Penn (Millersville)
29. Jordan Morales, 2019, LHP, Souderton Area
30. Jake Bianchini, 2020, IF, Hatboro-Horsham

Tremendous depth of talent up in Royersford, as Spring-Ford can roll out four Division I-bound pitchers in Larkin, Moore, Wofford-bound LHP Jake Zoller, and Kelchner, in addition to four others -- Tom Hughes (Chestnut Hill), Nick Brauer (Washington College), Nick Price (Virginia Wesleyan), and Cole Webb (Alvernia) -- who will land on a college roster next season. First-year coach Jamie Scheck inherited a stocked line-up as well, with Kelchner, Larkin, Monmouth-bound third baseman Sean McHugh, Lehigh-bound outfielder Quinn McKenna, senior 1B/OF Ethan Hellberg, outfielder Brauer, and Chestnut Hill-bound catcher Sam Barletta all back to provide run support.

Downingtown West returns a strong group from its 2016 state tournament team that lost just three games, all by one run. 6-foot-5, 220-pound Britt and 6-foot-2, 185-pound Adam Grintz form a formidable strike-throwing combo atop the rotation. A deep, disciplined line-up is powered by steady Monmouth-bound catcher Nick Campana, physical senior outfielder Mike Mollenhauer, Franklin & Marshall-bound infielder J.J. Freeman, and the easy power of Eric Grintz.

Defending big-school state champ Boyertown Area must replace five line-up regulars and two pitchers who logged significant innings, but the Bears are rarely short on talent waiting in the wings. Philadelphia U-bound RHP Pat Hohlfeld threw a complete game in the state championship and returns to front a staff that will also feature senior RHP Grant Fronheiser and junior RHP Mike Hohlfeld assuming larger workloads. An offense that annually excels at putting pressure on a defense will be sparked by junior outfielder Mitchell Peers, Penn State Berks-bound third baseman Tyler Kreitz, and Indiana (PA)-bound catcher Anthony Rota.

First-year Conestoga coach Matt Diamond must contend with replacing two of the Pioneers' top three pitchers from last season. The projectable 6-foot-3, 215-pound Mayock will front the staff with an easy delivery and live arm, while a pair of talented junior RHPs who dipped their toe in the varsity water last year-- Jacob Marcus (good feel for his three-pitch mix) and Ryan Buck -- will slot in behind him. Mayock and physical junior catcher Luke Czepiel are the lone returning cogs from a line-up that will count on an inexperienced group that includes senior utility Eric Hutchinson and shortstop Marcus to fill the production void.

Possessing a combination of projection and ability to get outs right now, very few schools in the state can roll out a one-two rotation punch like Perkiomen Valley can with the live-armed Helverson and polished Strechay (who walked just nine in 46 innings as a freshman). Other pitchers who saw varsity action last year include seniors Dylan Boyd, Mark Ott, and Harford CC-bound D.J. Jampo. Coach Ryan Hinkle has some line-up holes to fill, but can rely on Gettysburg-bound catcher Matt Szczesny and junior infielder Joe Gorla (a Lehigh commit) to set the tone on offense and defense.

Defending big-school district champ Pennridge features its own quality top-of-the-rotation tandem in the diminutive, but live-armed, Mayhew, and DeSales-bound RHP Ian Kacergis. Senior catcher Joe Robinson (committed to Bloomsburg for football) will manage the staff and power coach Tom Nuneviller's offense, along with East Stroudsburg-bound outfielder Luke Nuneviller, plus senior infielders Kyle Yoder and Andrew Fantaskey.

The line-up card will look awfully familiar to Pennsbury coach Joe Pesci this spring, as all but two players return from last season. A deep, experienced pitching staff will feature the senior RHP trio of Chestnut Hill-bound Billy Bethel, Justin Ward, and Nick Price. Physical junior catcher Josh Tesarck will manage the staff and help power an offense that features a plethora of multi-year starters, including Penn State Abington-bound infielder Ryan McCarty, senior outfielder Tyrone Hodges (committed to West Chester for football), and sophomore shortstop Justin Massielo.

The return to action of Boop, who was unable to pitch all of last spring, will lessen the blow Neshaminy took when its top two pitchers from last season graduated. Two other senior RHPs, Eastern University-bound Evan Matthews and Jerry Scavone, will also help pick up the slack on the mound. Coach Dan Toner's line-up is sparked by the middle infield tandem of sophomore Cory Joyce and junior Brian Nicolas (Bryant), with first baseman Ed Parry (East Stroudsburg), catcher Jacob Jones (Eastern), third baseman Scavone (Ursinus), and 1B/OF Ben Raab (Juniata) all capable of helping put runs on the board.

A number of key cogs are gone from the North Penn line-up, which will now lean on sophomore shortstop Zack Miles (who performed admirably as a rookie), athletic junior infielder Tyler Siddal, and senior first baseman Corey Stouffer to spark run production. Senior catcher Matt Marino is back again to manage the pitching staff, which will see the 6-foot-6, 215-pound Stevenson step up one rung on the depth chart into the ace role. Coach Kevin Manero always seems to develop under-the-radar pitchers to be ready to contribute when their time comes; two of whom this year could be junior RHP Danny Kirwin and 6-foot-2 175-pound senior RHP Jon Udzinski.

The one-two rotation combo of Edgington and Kennedy, who combined to allow less hits than innings pitched and notch a nearly three-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio in a tough league last year, highlight the Hatboro-Horsham pitching staff, which should also get big innings from junior RHP Alex Crim. Two-thirds of the starting line-up is back for coach Pete Moore as well, led by the college-bound duo of catcher Shaun Thomas (Mercer County CC) and second baseman Eric Jester (Neumann), along with senior shortstop Ryan O'Donnell and senior outfielder Drew Passerini. Keep an eye on the youthful Bianchini to make an early-career impact

Garnet Valley must contend with replacing its staff ace, but does welcome back three other pitchers -- Mount St. Mary's-bound LHP Matt Lupoli, junior LHP Mason Miller, and junior RHP Will Wesolowski -- who logged double-digit innings last spring. Virtually the entire line-up returns for coach Rudy Shiller, highlighted by Bendo, senior outfielder Dominic Bertone (a Franklin & Marshall football commit), Cabrini-bound second baseman Matt Burba, and sophomore shortstop Cole Palis (who impressed in his rookie campaign), as well as Miller and Lupoli.

The 6-foot-7, 240-pound Stauffer has generated some serious buzz this off-season as he reprises his role as the staff ace for Coatesville Area, which will also rely on experienced senior LHP Damon Nelson and senior RHP Brandon Lopresti to fill out the rotation. Coach Hal Ziegler's offense, which was hurt both by graduation and the transfer of its emotional rock behind home plate, will lean on the senior quartet of catcher Anthony Lopresti, third baseman Alex Curtiss, Widener-bound outfielder Nate Valenta, and shortshop Josh Carras.

Advanced strike-thower Klepchick returns to front a Central Bucks South pitching staff that will incorporate senior RHP Sam Thompson into the mix, with Washington College-bound RHP Alex Bendzlowicz back in the fold after holding down the back end of games last spring. Ursinus-bound catcher Eric Gross will manage the staff and help solidify coach Brian Klumpp's offense, along with senior outfielder Ty Watson and the slugging senior duo of DH Tommy Dugan and Chestnut Hill-bound first baseman Andrew Dietz.

The one-two punch atop the Downingtown East rotation will be a pair of LHP in the lanky, projectable Gagnon and senior Will Peiffer. Coach Pete Susi's line-up will be anchored by the senior left side of the infield pair of third baseman Chase Fike and Franklin & Marshall-bound shortstop Kelsey Launi, along with sophomore outfielder Albert Choi.

2016 big-school district runner-up and state quarterfinalist Council Rock North is turning over the bulk of its roster, but can still run out three quality pitchers -- Quinnipiac-bound RHP Joe Preciado, plus the junior tandem of 6-foot-3, 185-pound Ferrandino and LHP Eric Hoefer -- who will keep them in ballgames. The line-up is where the major attrition happened, as scrappy junior infielder Cavan Tully is the lone returning stater for coach Matt Schram, who must also find a way to replace junior outfielder Matt Shenot, who will miss the season due to an injury suffered during football season. Attempting to fill the massive run-production void will be a group that includes the senior trio of transfer third baseman Zach Deegan, second baseman Kellen Pecuch, and outfielder Cole Olshavsky.

Souderton Area is perhaps the most intriguing team in this cohort, as coach Mike Childs has at his disposal a bevy of talented pitchers, who, if they can collectively put it all together this spring, would provide depth that few rivals could match. 6-foot-5, 185-pound Sclafani, still in the nascent stages of his pitching career, features a low- to mid-80s fastball and wipeout slider, while the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Summarell has run his fastball into the mid-80s as well. Morales lacks the size of his staffmates, but makes up for it with aggressiveness and a quick arm, and this is all without mentioning perhaps the most projectable of the bunch: lean 6-foot-1, 160-pound Groller, who has an advanced feel for his secondary stuff to compliment a fastball that continues to tick up incrementally. The offense has five regulars to replace, although just two of those made a significant offensive impact. Messiah-bound shortstop Derek Freed, junior outfielder Luke Barnum, 1B/OF Summarell, and Arcadia-bound first baseman Brett Moyer should be the primary run producers.

Despite the graduation of two of its top pitchers, Central Bucks East can still roll out an experienced staff, highlighted by the senior RHP trio of 6-foot-4, 190-pound Ari Silverstein, Kyle Feasby, and  Tyler Quinlan. Two-thirds of coach Kyle Dennis' line-up returns, led by the college-bound trio of catcher Collin Sheehan (Mercer County CC), shortstop Matt Ernst (Arcadia), and second baseman C.J. Gilmer (Washington College), along with senior outfielder Dan Schick.

Villanova-bound shortstop Josh Kim will set the tone for a Council Rock South offense that will also feature junior infielder Matt Smith and the sophomore duo of infielder Trey Obarowski and outfielder Nick Gallo. Coach Ted Kirner's pitching staff will be fronted by senior LHP Zach Mayer, Widener-bound RHP Noah Davidson, and junior RHP Brendon Carter.

Haverford welcomes back a senior-laden line-up led by the Ursinus-bound duo of first baseman Nicholas DeFeo and catcher Drew Fowler, along with second baseman Luke Marmer and outfielder Dylan Resnick, who has a chance to break the school's career hits record this spring. Cabrini-bound RHP Corey Hunt will front the rotation for coach Paul Bogosian, who will also tab RHP DeFeo and senior LHP Chris Trainor for significant innings.

A solid line-up core returns for Upper Dublin, highlighted by the senior trio of West Chester-bound infielder Justin Horn, outfielder J.T. Breslin, and infielder Tommy Reilly. The pitching staff graduated its top two innings-eaters, leaving senior Jason Greene, plus a group that includes juniors Ryan Besachio and Garrett Breslin, to vie for innings for coach Ed Wall.

There are gaping holes to fill on the Owen J. Roberts roster following the graduation of a dozen from last spring. 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior RHP Dawson Stuart will front an otherwise inexperienced pitching staff that could get contributions from a trio of seniors -- LHP Michael Deviney and RHPs Ben Hakun and Delaware Valley College-bound Calvin Endy -- along with junior RHP Dan Stofko. A trio of college-bound position players --infielder Josh Fulmer (Arcadia), catcher Brian Siket (Misericordia), and outfielder Andrew Fisher (Elizabethtown) -- will anchor the line-up for coach Greg Gilbert.

Quakertown Community graduated its top two innings-eaters, but does return three others who logged double-digit innings last year in Philadelphia U-bound RHP Matt Bukavich, senior RHP Devyn Bard, and junior RHP Justin Guidos. On the offensive side for coach Jon Pallone, Bloomsburg-bound shortstop Jake Reed returns for his fourth season as a starter, while senior outfielder Viktor Morelock and Bukavich, along with senior 3B/OF Lake Friday, highlight a largely intact line-up.

A baker's dozen of seniors graduated for Plymouth Whitemarsh, which nonetheless started three freshman (now sophomores) -- shortstop Jacob Nunez, outfielder Drew Kliesh, and infielder Anthony Tomassetti -- on a regular basis. They will again join a pair of seniors, outfielder Noah Goldstein and first baseman John Pecharo, in powering the offense. Coach Chris Manero also has a pair of experienced senior RHPs, Jake Krunc and Dillon Famous, at his disposal, while sophomore LHP Brett Bottiger could earn a larger share of the available innings.

Bensalem coach Harry Daut will be breaking in a young squad with limited varsity experience. Stepping up to fill the void left by a large number of graduates will be the two-way tandem of junior RHP/IF Steve Aldrich and transfer sophomore IF/RHP Nick Dean, while sophomore RHP Dom Grady will also make an impact on the mound.

An experienced line-up core returns for Oxford Area with physical 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior third baseman Hunter Hall joining Kutztown-bound catcher Michael Weber, and the senior outfield tandem of Brandon Tomasulo and Lucas Capelli (who may miss the early part of the season) as primary run producers. On the mound, the senior RHP duo of Nolan Benke and Andrew Stefansosky will front the rotation for coach Andrew Wendle.

Season Preview Content