2016-2017 PHOENIX AREA BASEBALL PREVIEW

PERKIOMEN VALLEY Coach: Ryan Hinkle, fifth season

Last year’s record: 15-3PAC (conference runner-up); 18-6overall (lost in District One-AAAA quarterfinals).

Players to watch: Matt Szczesny, Sr., C; Brock Helverson, Jr., P; Tyler Strechay, So., P; Joe Gorla, Jr., IF.

Outlook: Since Hinkle’s arrival at Graterford, the Vikings have consistently gotten stronger each season. This spring should be no exception. Coming off a PAC runner-up finish, PV looks poised to make another run on the shoulders of its pitching staff. West Virginia commit and All-PAC pitcher Helverson returns after a phenomenal sophomore season where he allowed just 13earned runs in 45.2innings pitched (1.99ERA) on his way to a six-win season. Strechay was equally impressive, boasting a 1.37ERA on nine earned runs in 46innings pitched. PV vs. Boyertown will be must-see this season — Boyertown having ended the Vikings’ PAC championship chances along with their district run. “We are returning a good majority of our pitching staff this year and look to depend on them to keep us in games,” said Hinkle. “Our offensive side of the game will have to pick up where seniors who graduated left off last season, and we have guys with the right work ethic and demeanorwho are poised to take on those roles. We will also need to shore up our defense this year as that was an area that hurt us last season in our run in the playoffs.” PHOENIXVILLE Coach: Neil Herman, second season

Last year’s record: 7-11PAC; 7-14 overall (lost opening round of District One-AAA playoffs).

Players to watch: Matt Osisek-Byrne, Sr., P/DH; Zach Masalski, Sr., P/1B; Luke LeBeau, Jr., 2B; Quinn Danna, Jr., P/OF; Nick Opalkowski, Jr., C; Kevin Cushing, Jr., P/3B; Justin Blakey, So., CF; Trip Shoemaker, So., P/CF; Devon Goryl, So., INF.

Outlook: This season’s crop of Phantoms will mix in a core of talented returnees along with a trio of transfers in Shoemaker (Archbishop Carroll), Danna (Bishop Shanahan) and Goryl (Devon Prep). Kutztown University commit Osisek-Byrne returns after earning All-PAC honors along with LeBeau and Opalkowski. “Even though we are young again this season, most of this team logged significant varsity time last year and got valuable playoff experience,” said Herman. “The addition of our three transfers definitely gives us more with pitching depth and defense which will be needed with the new pitch count rule. Our offense should be better as that was our main focus this offseason. We should be very competitive in the division, conference, and the district.” SPRING-FORD Coach: Jamie Scheck, first season

Last year’s record: 14-4PAC; 19-7overall (lost in quarterfinal round of District One-AAAA playoffs).

Players to watch: Quinn McKenna, Sr., OF; Sean McHugh, Sr., IF; Conor Larkin, Sr., P/1B; Jake Zoller, Sr., P; Ryne Moore, Sr., P/SS.

Outlook: After serving at the helm of the JV team since 2001, Scheck, who also guides the Spring City Legion team, takes over for longtime head coach Bruce Brobst with a stacked lineup sheet. Boasting four Division I college recruits in Larkin (Penn State), McKenna (Lehigh), Zoller (Wofford) and Moore (Old Dominion), the Rams certainly thrust themselves into this year’s conversation after falling just short of a PIAA berth last spring. The bats shouldn’t be an issue as McKenna hit .425last season with three homers, three triples and eight doubles while McHugh hit .380with 12doubles. Spring-Ford boasts similar dominance on the mound as Larkin posted a 1.01ERA last season and Zoller looks primed for a strong spring. “We are returning a lot of players from last year’s team and have a strong group of senior leaders,” said Scheck. “We are looking to improve from last year’s third-place finish in what will be a very strong and competitive league.”