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What to know about the teams in the Berks Baseball League in 2023

andrew heller, reading eagle, pa.
·8 min read

Apr. 2—Berks I

Gov. Mifflin

Coach: Chris Hole, 11th season, 155-95.

PIAA classification: 5A.

Last season: 11-1 Berks I, 20-4; District 3 Class 6A fourth place.

Top returners: Berks Player of the Year Tyler Minick, All-Berks P-INF Alexander Velez, all-division 3B-P Bryce Detwiler, all-division OF-P Ethan Grim, SS-P Matt Novotny, 1B Jonathan Radwanski, C-P Darien Troche, OF-P Travis Jenkins.

Others to watch: OF-P Owen Lehman, 1B-DH Hunter Unger, 2B-OF Joey Berg, OF Bryce Wunderlich.

Outlook: With the reigning Berks Player of the Year Tyler Minick returning and several other key pieces back, the Mustangs are a favorite to win Berks I and look to bring home trophies in the Berks tournament and beyond.

Exeter

Coach: Justin Freese, 28th season, 288-264.

PIAA classification: 5A.

Last season: 8-4 Berks I, 18-8; District 3 Class 5A fifth place, PIAA Class 5A qualifier.

Top returners: All-division P-1B Deven Sheerin, all-division CF-P Alex Kelsey, C Chase Cupitt, SS Carter Cordora, 3B-P Gavin Marr.

Others to watch: OF Quinnten Westly, 2B Luke Giering, P-IF Chase Blew, P-IF Gavin Miller, OF Carter Redding, P-OF Jake Hafer.

Outlook: With strong pitching and top returners in the field, the Eagles will contend for the title in a crowded Berks I and the county and look to go deeper into the District 3 and PIAA tournaments.

Muhlenberg

Coach: Brian Kopetsky, 24th season, 324-198

PIAA classification: 5A.

Last season: 10-1 Berks II, 19-4; Berks champions, District 3 Class 5A qualifier.

Top returners: All-Berks P-INF Cam Burr, all-division OF Gio Cavanna, all-division C Shane Rosenberry, LHP Drew Fidler, RHP Dalton Follweiler, P-IF Julian Hatt, SS Kenay Rodriguez, 3B-OF Derek Wilson.

Others to watch: INF Kevin Rodriguez, P Aaden Lopez, P-SS Eli Keller, LHP Josh Smeltzer, P-3B Luke Kolodziejski.

Outlook: With a tough regular season schedule, the Muhls, who are moving up from Berks II, hope to hone their game in the regular season and make a deep playoff push behind a solid nucleus of returners, a strong defense, veteran pitching and exceptional speed.

Wilson

Coach: Sal Raccuglia, 12th season, 142-100-1

PIAA classification: 6A.

Last season: 7-5 Berks I, 11-11; District 3 Class 6A quarterfinalist.

Top returners: All-division P Matt VanOstenbridge, P-SS Trevor Bilodeau, P-LF Nick Crocona, CF Rafeal Fernandez, P Owen Geng, P-1B Christo Hunsicker, P-3B Tommy Hunsicker, 2B Nick Ruiz, RF Ryan Sekulski, C Jordan Shutter.

Others to watch: OF Nick Fiorini, utility Evan Gabaldon, P-3B Matt Kulp.

Outlook: Aiming to be in the Berks playoff and District 3 tournament mix with a solid group of returners.

Reading High

Coach: Tom Frees, third season, 2-31

PIAA classification: 6A.

Last season: 0-12 Berks I, 2-16.

Top returners: 1B Fernando Rodriguez, P-SS Abel Montero, P-OF Joelian Zapata.

Others to watch: P Leandy Santana, P Edwin Metz, 3B-C Frambel Encarcion, OF Patrick Gregorio.

Outlook: Hopeful to grow as a team and remain competitive in Berks I.

Berks II

Twin Valley

Coach: Corey Schnoke, second season, 12-9.

PIAA classification: 5A.

Last season: 5-6 Berks II, 12-9; District 3 Class 5A qualifier.

Top returners: All-division P-1B Kannon Zdimal, all-division C Jaydon Goebel, all-division SS-P Owen Rhoads, DH-1B Paul Colombo.

Others to watch: OF-LF-P-INF Ben Vaughan, P-CF Ben Spiri.

Outlook: An experienced team with maturity and depth to compete in all aspects of the game. Should make a push for the Berks II crown and contend in the county and district playoffs.

Fleetwood

Coach: Rolland Green, 22nd season, 213-213.

PIAA classification: 4A.

Last season: 3-8 Berks II, 10-14; District 3 Class 4A third place, PIAA Class 4A qualifier

Top returners: All-division SS-P Jake Karnish, all-division OF Aiden Soumas, 2B-P Travis Loy, P-3B Zachary Dilbeck, P Ryan Moser, utility Braden Williams, C Daulton Young.

Others to watch: SS-3B Liam Hilburt, OF Tyler Szilli, OF Jack Riffle, OF Nate Seidel. 1B Nick Noll,

OF Carson Brey, P Tyler Dilbeck.

Outlook: The Tigers, full of returning leadership, look to challenge for the Berks II title and reach all three stages of the postseason.

Daniel Boone

Coach: Jason McCord, 12 season, 107-109.

PIAA classification: 5A.

Last season: 6-6 Berks I, 10-9.

Top returners: All-division SS Mason Walter, P-3B Eli Rhoads, P-OF Dylan Schueler, P-1B Ethan Rissmiller, OF-P Christian Ecksteing, OF-P Dylan Gass, C Conner McGough.

Others to watch: 2B-P Nicolas Gualtieri, P-Utility Alex Hughes.

Outlook: The Blazers are moving down from Berks I and have an outside chance at Berks and District 3 tournament berths.

Conrad Weiser

Coach: Dylan Boll, second season.

PIAA classification: 4A.

Last season: 2-9 Berks II, 5-15.

Top returners: All-division P-3B Riley Civiello, all-division OF Alex Snyder, P-OF Trey Dianna, P-SS Evan Rittle, P-OF Travis Getz.

Others to watch: 1B Bradv Snvder, 2B-3B Aiden Rodriguez.

Outlook: Searching for improvement.

Berks III

Berks Catholic

Coach: Brandon Shurr, fourth season, 27-32.

PIAA classification: 3A.

Last season: 7-5 Berks III, 13-9; District 3 Class 4A semifinalist.

Top returners: All-division P-1B Parker Nein, C Denny Rodriquez, IF-P Trey Stricker, OF Matt Sterner, OF Max Mace, P Derek Brynildsen, P Nate Mosh, P Nate Moschak, P William Hess.

Others to watch: 1B Dante Casantini, IF-P Mike Fidler, OF Eli Hearing, IF Michael Bradley, P Sean Kelly, P Brock Shrawder.

Outlook: With an improved squad and plenty of returning pitching, will look to push for Berks III title as well as earning berths in the District 3 and PIAA tournaments.

Hamburg

Coach: Nick Evangelista, 14th season, 173-101.

PIAA classification: 4A.

Last season: Berks III 9-3, 14-8; District 3 Class 4A quarterfinalist.

Top returners: All-division 2B-P Conner Licklider, all-division OF-P Scottie Dunleavy, C Nate Gilbert, SS-P Luke Bensinger, utility-P Braden Fetherolf, 1B-P Isaac Krick, 3B-P Ty Shuey.

Others to watch: OF-P Ricky Clark, utility-P Ethan Horvath.

Outlook: Likely to make another push in the Berks and District 3 playoff behind a veteran coach and returning on-field leadership.

Oley Valley

Coach: Jeff Pinder, second season.

PIAA Classification: 3A.

Last season: 9-3 Berks III, 13-9; District 3 Class 3A semifinalist.

Top returners: All-division SS-P Paul Petersen, INF-OF Chase Reifsnyder, INF-OF, Sean Hoffman Jr. INF-P, C Brad Auge, OF Tyler Drobeck.

Others to watch: INF-P Gryffin Cappellano, INF-P Chase Kegersie, INF-P Nate Firek, OF Nick Palmiotti, INF-P Ben Debalko, OF Colin Remmel Jr., OF Zach Reinert, OF-P Timmy Fries.

Outlook: A younger team looking to play good team baseball and push for another run in the Berks and District 3 playoffs.

Schuylkill Valley

Coach: Mark Dietrich, sixth season, 30-62.

PIAA classification: 4A.

Last season: 5-7 Berks III 6-13.

Top returners: P-OF Kelton Faulk, OF-C-P Colby Crills, OF-P Julian Kemmerer, 1B-OF-P Colin Stoudt, SS-P Eli Houser.

Others to watch: C-P-OF Brodie James

Outlook: Several key returners from last season could make Schuylkill Valley a darkhorse in Berks III.

Wyomissing

Coach: David Voigt, fifth season, 31-33-1.

PIAA classification: 3A.

Last season: 7-5 Berks III, 9-10.

Top returners: All-division P Matt Kramer, 1B Pacen Ziegler, CF Drew Eisenhower, LF Donovan Cruz, P Gabe Cruz, 2B Birkley Ziegler.

Others to watch: C Cooper Young, C Daniel Noey, RF Derek Macrina, P-OF Jack Froelich, P CJ Eberhart.

Outlook: Looking to remain competitive in Berks III.

Berks IV

Kutztown

Coach: Tim Mertz, 23rd season, 331-177.

PIAA Classification: 2A.

Last season: 8-3 Berks IV, 15-8; District 3 Class 2A semifinalist.

Top returners: All-division C Nick Hugo, all-division 3B Dalton Furst, all-division SS-P Matt Remick, 2B-P Dominnick Pizzelanti, 1B-P Bryce Schafer, CF Ashton Dunn, INF Kole Schuler, DH-1B Colin Hamm.

Others to watch: OF-P Colin Diehl, utility-P Colten Matias.

Outlook: Favorites to win Berks IV and looking to make a deep postseason run.

Tulpehocken

Coach: Zach Shirk, fifth season, 17-40.

PIAA classification: 3A.

Last season: 2-9 Berks IV, 6-14.

Top returners: P-utility Weston Campbell, P-INF Nick Becker, C-P-INF Jared Baer.

Others to watch: 1B Jason Light, OF Carson Snyder, C/DH Hank Gehmin.

Outlook: Striving to finish with a positive record and earn a place in the district tournament.

Brandywine Heights

Coach: Ron Schaeffer Jr., second season.

PIAA classification: 3A.

Last season: 5-6 Berks IV, 8-11.

Top returners: All-division P-IF Caron Renner, all-division P-IF Nate Fronheiser, P-IF Aidan Hall, IF Joe Crist, P-OF Jaegar Smeltz, C Connor Frisch, C Grant Parks, P-utility Lukas Bojt.

Others to watch: IF-P Patrick Taylor, P Connor Dunkleberger, OF-P Aidan Leib, utility Ryan Cardinale.

Outlook: Looking to improve behind the leadership of experienced upperclassmen.

Antietam

Coach: Ron Schaeffer Sr., third season, 2-34.

PIAA classification: 2A.

Last season: 0-11 Berks IV, 2-17.

Top returners: OF Jayden Adamczyk, C-P Ayden Davis, INF-P Jordan Unger, INF-P Soph Dominik Perez, 1B-P Aidan Romberger.

Others to watch: Ayden Grillo, Jacob Shrem, Noel Coste, Jonas Coste.

Outlook: Looking to remain competitive while learning and growing the program.-