Jon Lock of Nazareth Area High School is The 2012 Express-Times Baseball Coach of the Year

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/06/jon_lock_of_nazareth_area_high.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES The concept of "team" is a value that was never lost on Jon Lock this spring. The Nazareth Area High School baseball coach repeatedly picked up his team from the depths of despair. "We're a team that battled a lot of adversity all year long," Lock said. "We had some injuries and off-the-field things that set us back. We had seven Division I players last year (2011) and five of them graduated, but we really worked hard this year." Lock proceeded to direct the Blue Eagles on a memorable postseason run. Nazareth defeated Parkland and Liberty -- who the Blue Eagles were 0-3 against during the regular season -- to win the Lehigh Valley Conference title. COACHES OF THE YEAR: 2012 -- Jon Lock, Nazareth 2011 -- Spark Mattson, Voorhees 2010 -- Carm LaDuca, Easton 2009 -- Mike Grasso, Bethlehem Catholic 2008 -- John Stillo, Phillipsburg 2007 -- Mike Bedics, Notre Dame 2006 -- Nate Stannard, Nazareth 2005 -- Charles "Chic" Kennedy, Palisades 2004 -- John Kochmansky, Pen Argyl 2003 -- Carm LaDuca, Easton 2002 -- Harry Dudeck, Liberty 2001 -- Parker Snare, North Hunterdon 2000 -- John Kochmansky, Pen Argyl Despite losing star pitcher Karl Keglovits to a broken finger in the District 11 Class AAAA quarterfinals, the Blue Eagles went on to win their second straight district title. Fittingly, Nazareth again knocked off Liberty in the district title game. For these accomplishments, Lock is The Express-Times 2012 Baseball Coach of the Year. Lock expected to play more of a small-ball style this season after losing standouts Shane Siebler, Chris Kent, Drew Hercik, Justin Pacchioli and Jordan Smith to graduation. Midseason injuries that temporarily sidelined Keglovits and star shortstop Mike Garzillo further complicated matters. Still, the Blue Eagles finished 21-5. "We didn't have the stars we had last year," Lock said. "With all the injuries we had I don't think we had the same lineup two games in a row. Last year I penciled in the same lineup right through June." The Blue Eagles mastered the art of winning close games. Five of their victories were by one run, including a pair of 2-1 decisions over LVC rival Emmaus. "Every day we'd go through a cycle of batting practice, sacrifice bunts and hit-and-runs," Lock said. "The guys really picked up the drills and did a great job executing. They did the little things. Take a guy like Tyler Snyder. He came off the bench four or five times to lay down sacrifice bunts in big spots." Lock, a sixth grade math and science teacher in the Nazareth school district, said this season was as gratifying as any in his six seasons as head coach. "I've enjoyed every season," he said. "Each group of kids is different in their own way. This group really jelled. When Karl went down he became a big cheerleader. He rallied the troops. I really feel very fortunate to coach such a great group of kids." "Coach Lock and I have a very strong relationship," said Garzillo, who'll continue his baseball career at Lehigh University. "He really brought us together. He told us not to worry about individual things. When everyone on the team got that mentality we started to play so well." SEE ALSO: Player of the Year, Anthony Ciavarella The 2012 Express-Times All-Area Baseball Team Lock is a 1991 Pen Argyl Area High School graduate who played baseball under coaches Bill Ruggiero and Rich Altemose. "Those two guys are great baseball people and great men," Lock said. "They meant a lot to me. They taught me how to play the game. I hold those two guys in the highest regard." Lock also gave props to his current staff of pitching coach Mike Hercik, hitting coach Bryan Wolf, Kevin Wolf and Ryan Fry. "Those guys really do a great job preparing the guys," Lock said. "It's a great staff that's put in the time and effort. They definitely should share this." In a season emphasized by the "team" concept, Lock wouldn't see it any other way.