Nazareth Area High School baseball team primed for another big season

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Nazareth Area High School's baseball team will have some unfinished business to take care of this spring.

The Blue Eagles' bid for a Lehigh Valley Conference championship went awry last season when they dropped a 5-1 decision to Parkland in the title game at Sammy Balliet Stadium in Coplay.

The Blue Eagles lost a good chunk of talent off last season's squad, including catcher Justin Pacchioli, the transfer from Easton who's now a freshman at Lehigh University.

Coach Jon Lock still has plenty of firepower led by pitcher Karl Keglovits, shortstop Mike Garzillo and third baseman Dan Shepherd. All are seniors.

The 6-foot-6 Keglovits, a hard-throwing right-hander, will continue his career at North Carolina State next season. Garzillo signed a letter-of-intent to play at Lehigh.

"I can't wait for the season," Garzillo said. "I feel we have a great team. We have a lot of kids back and JVs coming up. But just because you're good on paper doesn't mean anything. You still have to go out and play the game."

Nazareth, the defending District 11 Class AAAA champion, will be challenged by Parkland in the North Division. Liberty rates as a slight favorite over Easton in the East.

Central Catholic has the edge over Emmaus in the West Division. The Vikings may have the conference's deepest pitching rotation led by University of Virginia-bound left-hander Dave Rosenberger.

"Every day in the LVC is a challenge no matter who you face," Easton coach Carm LaDuca said. "It's a great league with competitive balance that should make for an exciting season."

Other returning seniors for Nazareth are left fielder Bill Deutsch, first baseman/designated hitter Dave Warner, catcher Derek Charlie and second baseman Will Godiska.

Shepherd will likely be the No. 2 pitcher. Junior Danny Horvath and Warner are also in the rotation.

"Shepherd is a solid No. 2," Lock said. "Warner is a lefty. That always helps. He has a good breaking ball and change-up. Nobody else throws 90 mph like Karl but they're certainly varsity level."

Junior center fielder Anthony Gaetaniello and senior right fielder Mike Schweitzer could land starting spots.

"It's going to be a little different with the bats this year," Lock said. "We'll play a little small ball, hit behind the runners, make productive outs."

Bethlehem Catholic

Veteran Bethlehem Catholic coach Mike Grasso said the dry, balmy weather has enabled his team to have more outdoor sessions than usual.

"In my 38 years here (26 as head coach) I never remember three straight weeks without having to go inside," he said.

Sophomore Jake Carty and junior Dave Derkits head a pitching corps that includes seniors Dan Nicum and Jake Criscuolo, and sophomores Brad McLoughlin and Chris Figler.

The status of senior Connor Casey, the Golden Hawks' top returning pitcher, is uncertain because of a shoulder strain.

Third baseman Collin McGeary and shortstop Pat Mergel, both sophomores, and junior second baseman Brandon Knipe, join seniors Jared Billy and Alex Schweickert in the infield mix. Senior Evan Cowen is the catcher.

"This is the youngest team I've had as head coach," Grasso said, "but we have good senior leadership and a lot of young kids who are working very, very hard. The question is how fast the young kids adjust."

Easton

Senior infielders Ian Hayden and Zach Olah and outfielder Chris Jackson are returning lettermen for Easton. Seniors Dom Mancuso and J.J. Jordan join junior Nick Beinlich in the pitching rotation.

"We have to play clean defense, pitch the ball well and take advantage of mistakes the other team makes," LaDuca said.

Promising newcomers in the outfield include seniors Manny Maxwell and Rich Llagas along with junior Ryan Williams. Top infield prospects are senior Michael LaDuca, Carm's son, and junior Kevin Cooley.

Sophomore Luis Hernandez and senior Chase Bryant, who's returning from an injury, provide a solid catching corps.

"We lost a lot of offense, but I really think we'll manufacture runs with our speed, bunting, and pushing people around," LaDuca said. "I don't think we're going to score tons of runs, but that doesn't mean we can't be a good hitting team."

Freedom

Freedom coach Nick D'Amico is banking his hopes on seven returning starters -- right fielder Kevin Rold, designated hitter-first basemen Eddie Milisits and Cal Davis, shortstop Brian Uliana, center fielder Frank Bucsi, catcher Cody Davis and second baseman Julian Lopez.

"This is probably one of the deepest and most versatile teams we've ever had," D'Amico said. "I'm really pleased with the defense."

A pair of juniors -- outfielder Sean Wrobel and third baseman Eddie Bonilla -- are also vying for playing time. Milisits, Uliana and senior Josh Recke are the top pitching candidates.

"We don't really have a dominant pitcher," D'Amico said, "but we have a lot of guys that can get people out. We need them to throw strikes and keep us in ballgames."

Liberty

Liberty has a solid cast of returning players led by senior shortstop Jim McCarthy, an Express-Times All-Area first team pick a year ago.

Other seniors include third baseman Pete Daland, outfielders Evan Allman and Ryan Brong, and catcher James Bertolotti.

Seniors Brandon Davis, Robert Bertolotti, Daland, McCarthy, and junior Josh Nales are the primary pitchers.

"We have a veteran staff," coach Andy Pitsilos said. "If we play as one cohesive unit we could make a nice run."

A pair of juniors -- infielder Pat Donnelly and outfielder Jake Tone -- also figure in the Hurricanes' plans. Liberty is putting a strong emphasis on increasing its run production.

"We've worked really hard on offense," Pitsilos said. "Hopefully, that equates to hitting the ball better. We were a little snake-bitten last year. When we have guys on third base and less than two outs we have to score."

Northampton

Northampton will attempt to reload after graduating eight starters. Junior catcher Cody Kramer and senior Nate Fritzinger, who's switching from first base to outfield, are the most experienced returnees.

"We have the talent, we're just not experienced yet," second-year coach Mick Sugra said. "We have a lot of good athletes."

Fritzinger will be part of a pitching staff that includes seniors Matt Yanek, Jordan Vitkauskas and Jeff Sell. The only other returning senior is middle infielder Ryan Duch.

"This is a blue-collar group that works hard," Sugra said. "I don't think the guys fear playing the game. We can swing the bats. As long as our pitchers take us deep into games I think we'll be OK."

Tom Hinkel's predicted order of finish

East -- 1. Liberty; 2. Easton; 3. Freedom; 4. Bethlehem Catholic.

North -- 1. Nazareth; 2. Parkland; 3. Whitehall; 4. Northampton.

West -- 1. Central Catholic; 2. Emmaus; 3. Allen; 4. Dieruff.

Wild card -- Parkland.

Champion -- Nazareth.

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