2006 Season Preview

by Don Stewart, Reading Eagle

Posted on June 1, 2006

The following season preview was published in the Reading Eagle on Sunday, May 28, 2006.


RED DIVISION

West Lawn Owls
Coach: Tony Matz III, 20th season, 560-232.
Last season: 14-4 West, 34-16; Berks runner-up, Region 2 runner-up, Pennsylvania Tournament runner-up, Great Lakes Regional Tournament qualifier.
Key returnees: OF Eddie DeJesus, OF John Schultz, P Josh Smith, P-1B Ryan Ebner, P-UT Dexter Jablonski, P Jason Mays, P-1B Clint Surgeoner.
Others to watch: SS Greg Strupp, 2B Jordan Keller, C Marcus Sabolis, C Mike Latona, 3B Craig O'Deair, OF Jeff Smith, 3B Kevin Gierlich.
The pitch: With experience, depth and solid pitching, the Owls are the team to beat. After reaching new heights last summer, West Lawn has the potential to go farther this year.

Boyertown Bears
Coach: Rick Moatz, 19th season, 833-210.
Last season: 16-2 East, 37-8; Berks champion, Region 2 qualifier.
Key returnees: UT Kenny Thorpe, C Steve Bealer, IF Dan Wolfgang, OF Mike Schwager, P Matt Kelly, P Garret Grable.
Others to watch: P-IF Shane Houck, P-OF Alex Neiman, OF Nole Saylor, 1B-OF Jeff Rhoads.
The pitch: The defending champs lost five key players and are lacking in experience, especially on their pitching staff. This is still Boyertown, though, so don't look past the talented Bears.

Shillington Red Sox
Coach: Chris Hole, first season.
Last season: 14-4 East, 18-8; Berks playoff qualifier.
Key returnees: P-IF Mike Bucklin, 1B-C Jon Ruffner, OF-P Brad Rhoads, C-P Don Benedict, C Matt Palange, OF-P Chris Stoudt, 2B-P Scott Daubert, SS-P Sam Eagleson, 3B-P Rich Schlamowitz.
Others to watch: OF Joe Favinger, C Jose Leon.
The pitch: The Red Sox return a solid nucleus and add some solid young players. Strong pitching, defense and team speed make them a threat to Boyertown and West Lawn.

Exeter Blue Jays
Coach: Ernie Weller, second season, 22-10.
Last season: 12-6 East, 22-10; Berks playoff qualifier.
Key returnees: CF-P Tommy Rivas, P-1 B Anthony Fegely, P-1B Jordan Cannon, P-OF Josh McDevitt, C Chris Fusco, C Matt Kozlowski, OF Chris Murray, P-IF Mike Lloyd, SS Corey Fetter.
Others to watch: OF Ken Martin, 2B Eric Pepper, P-3B Matt Schellabear.
The pitch: Almost everyone returns from last year's group that nearly eliminated West Lawn in last year's league tournament. If the Jays can get more timely hitting, they'll contend.

Gregg Post Keys
Coach: Brad Reinhart, second season, 16-16.
Last season: 8-10 West, 16-16; Berks playoff qualifier.
Key returnees: C L.M. Rivera, OF L.A. Rivera, SS Jeff Lluberes, 3B Keith Ortiz, P Brad Swavely, OF-1B Matt Lillis, 1B Marcos Vargas, OF Luis Tavarez, UT Willie Gonzalez.
Others to watch: P Amerigo O'Valle, OF-P David Walker, 2B-P Joe Pietrobone, P Andrew Lis.
The pitch: Thanks in part to the loss of the Reading White Sox, the Keys are as loaded as they've been in years. But, in this division, that might not be enough to get into the playoffs.


WHITE DIVISION

Muhlenberg A's
Coach: Scott Spatz, fifth season, 55-57.
Last season: 7-11 West, 10-23; Berks playoff qualifier.
Key returnees: P-UT Kyle Esterly, C-OF Mike Hennessey, P-UT Jordan Kipp, P-1B Mike Lebo, P-1B Adam Burkart, OF-P Tim Wasser, OF-P-1B Chris Pacharis, C-3B Luke Hagen, 3B-CF Joe Kaleda, 2B Jared Smeltz, C-OF Chris Knarr, OF Mike Stewart, OF-P, Jason Whitman.
Others to watch: IF Kyle Mattiuz, C Shawn Potteiger, IF Derek Smith, 3B Nate Schneck.
The pitch: The A's will score plenty of runs, but getting consistent pitching figures to be key for this team. With the likes of Jordan Kipp and Mike Lebo, there are plenty of strong arms to get the job done.

Schuylkill Valley Marlins
Coach: Brian Kochel, first season.
Last season: 11-7 South, 12-9; Berks playoff qualifier.
Key returnees: P Chris Brenner, 2B Rich Crayton, 1B Jared Frey, SS Ryan Gordon, 3B Greg Harrison, P Doug Miller, 3B Nick Trois, P Keith Weyandt, CF Matt Young.
Others to watch: OF Kevin Buch, OF Eric McLaine, P Matt Rehrig, 1B Alec Reinert, C Nathaniel Shatto, OF Jason Troutman, 3B Drew Weyandt, P Cody Younker.
The pitch: The Panthers boast plenty of experience and chemistry, especially in the infield, and figure to battle the A’s for the division's top spot. Like Muhlenberg, pitching will be key.

Hamburg Reds
Coach: Jeff Seidel, 12th season, 156-140.
Last season: 5-13 West, 7-16.
Key returnees: P-1B Scott Huff, C Dustin Adam, SS Alex Rhoads, OF Matt Strausser.
Others to watch: 2B-SS Dan Reppert.
The pitch: This should be a well-rounded team with a solid pitching staff. The Reds will contend for one of the division's two playoff spots. If they remain consistent, they'll reach the postseason.

Birdsboro Orioles
Coach: Brooke Kramer, first season.
Last season: 8-10 East, 10-12.
Key returnees: P Ryan Colby, 213 Pat Kramer, SS Mike Billera-Smith.
Others to watch: 3B Toby Davis, IF Brian Horning, 1B Nic Baker, 1B Bryan Rahn, CF Jim McCarthy, OF Paul Zeoli.
The pitch: First-year head coach Brooke Kramer inherits the league's youngest team. The Orioles, who don't have anyone older than 17, are eager to compete, but this could be a building year.

Conrad Weiser Scouts
Coach: Dustin Sands, second season, 3-15.
Last season: 3-15 South, 3-15.
Key returnees: P-IF Danny Morris, IF Aaron Carman, CF Mike Tom, SS Andrew Schrack.
Others to watch: P-OF Rick Burkhart, P Larry Umbenhower.
The pitch: Optimism is high for the Scouts, who have better numbers this season. Outpacing the division's leaders will be a tough task, though.


BLUE DIVISION

Kutztown Cougars
Coach: Joel Graeff, 11th season, 102-137.
Last season: 7-11 North, 10-11.
Key returnees: P-1B Guy Herring, OF Naaman Schlegel, P-1B Chris Rothermel, SS-IF Robbie Rarick, OF James Dry, IF-P Austin Rohrbach, P-OF Trent Mertz.
Others to watch: IF Carey Green, P-OF Kris Von Kiel, C Alex Plushanski.
The pitch: Expectations are high for the Cougars, who will start late due to the high school team's playoff run. If they can gel quickly, there's enough experience and depth for a memorable season.

Fleetwood Tigers
Coach: Jason Koehler, fourth season, 33-36.
Last season: 9-9 North, 10-10.
Key returnees: P-3B Justin Garcia, C Jojo Fischer, CF Nate Weiss, SS Nick Ezolt, UT Shaun Walbert, P-OF Matt Cicale, P Alex Connor.
Others to watch: P-1B Jordan Garcia, P Nate Dietrich, 2B-OF Anthony Wehr.
The pitch: Coming off a successful high school season, the Tigers are optimistic for a strong Legion showing. They have the look of a well-rounded squad capable of making some noise.

Wyomissing Angels
Coach: Craig Holman, fourth season, 15-43.
Last season: 7-11 South, 7-11.
Key returnees: P-3B Brian Benusa, OF-P Julian Duschene, CF Brent Heffner, 1B-P Mike Salvitti.
Others to watch: SS Steve Bonino, RF Matt Wickman; 2B Kurt Mertz.
The pitch: The Angels are young, but as balanced as they've been in the past several seasons. Led by Mike Salvitti, they have a solid pitching staff that should keep them in the hunt.

Topton Rams
Coach: Adam Erb, fifth season, 36-51.
Last season: 2-16 North, 2-16.
Key returnees: SS Kyle Moser, P-3B Kyle Reinhard, P Bobby Moulder, C Matt Walker, IF-OF Mark Moser.
Others to watch: P-IF Matt Emerich, P-OF Brad Stoudt, P-OF Ben Pritchard, OF Kyle Geist.
The pitch: After a successful 2004 season, the Rams stumbled last year. With several returning players, 2006 promises to be better. How much so depends on the performance of a young group of pitchers.

Oley Lynx
Coach: Kurt Henry, second season, 13-9.
Last season: 12-6 North, 13-9; Berks playoff qualifier.
Key returnees: C Mike Christman, SS Wade Kunkel, P Morgan Boyer.
Others to watch: P-1B Dan Barnhardt.
The pitch: Despite coming off a playoff berth, the Lynx saw their numbers drop. This year's team has players from several different schools who will have to mesh quickly.

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