Pitching trio headlines talent-laden Heartland Athletic Conference
Mar. 30—An arms race is brewing in Division II of the Heartland Athletic Conference, where three Valley pitchers enter the 2023 baseball season having made commitments to NCAA Division I programs.
Midd-West boasts two left-handers — senior Griffen Paige (Wright State) and junior Caden Wolfley (Charleston Southern) — who are bound for D1 schools, while Mifflinburg has junior righty Troy Dressler (Wake Forest).
The Mustangs and Wildcats are scheduled to meet within the division twice in 12 days: April 17 in Middleburg and April 28 in Mifflinburg. They could also play in the District 4 Class 4A playoffs, so the likelihood that two local Division I commits will face off at some point this season is high.
"I've always been a competitor, and I love those matchups," said Dressler. "But I'm going to go at anyone, regardless of the situation. I love to compete."
The area has produced a number of Division I pitchers in recent years — Selinsgrove righty Ryan Reich (Seton Hall) being the latest — but few have matched up. In 2019, Danville junior right-hander Trey Miller (Central Michigan via South Carolina-Upstate) edged Mifflinburg sophomore lefty Cade Dressler (Virginia Commonwealth) in a district semifinal, but neither was committed to a college at the time.
Any combination of Dressler, Paige and Wolfley starting a game will be a rarity.
That trio headlines the talent brimming from a new-look Heartland-II. The conference returned to three divisions this year after playing consecutive seasons with two groups of nine teams.
Heartland-I retained five schools in the realignment — Central Mountain, Jersey Shore, Selinsgrove, Shamokin and Shikellamy — while adding Milton from HAC-II and welcoming Williamsport, which is new to the league in both baseball and softball. Central Mountain and Selinsgrove were state qualifiers last season as district/subregional champions, and Williamsport was a subregional runner-up.
"I think competition is always a good thing, and if you can get a win against a program like that then it's something to build on," said Rich Aurand, who returned to Shikellamy's bench after managing the Braves from 2007-10. "That's what we're striving for. We're striving to compete with those teams that have had recent success.
"I welcome the competition, and we'll give it our best like we do any other game."
Former St. John Neumann coach Cory Burkholder took the reins at Milton this season. He is the father of Jersey Shore coach Sadiq Burkholder. Other new HAC coaches include Bloomsburg's Mason Fausnaught, a former Danville standout; Loyalsock's Jimmy Webb, a repeat state champion (2013-14) with the Lancers; and Warrior Run's Derrick Zechman, a former member of the USA Men's Fastpitch softball team.
Four teams that previously competed in HAC-I (Danville, Lewisburg, Mifflinburg and Montoursville) joined holdovers Central Columbia and Midd-West in HAC-II. Central Columbia and Montoursville are defending district champions, while Danville was a district runner-up last season.
"I would have preferred (to stay in HAC-I), but we had to come down because of our enrollment," said longtime Mifflinburg coach Tom Church. "I think it will be a good thing. I think our kids are up for the challenge."
HAC-III now consists of six teams formerly in HAC-II: Bloomsburg, Hughesville, Loyalsock, Mount Carmel, Southern Columbia and Warrior Run. Hughesville was a district runner-up.
Selinsgrove, which played in its second state final in four seasons last year, lost Teague Hoover to Indiana (Pa.), as well as Reich. The Seals return batting leader Gannon Steimling (.447 avg.), top run producer Tyler Swineford (38 RBIs) and run scorer Josh Domaracki (25).
Shikellamy brought back top hitter Brady Wilson (.400 avg., 12 RBIs) and ERA leader Mason Rebuck, a right-hander (3.17). Luke Goodwin is Milton's top returning batter (.312 avg., 15 RBIs). Shamokin, which was winless in division play, is building around a solid core of young veterans including junior Malaki Peffer and sophomores Joe Hile, Hayden Karlovich and Rylan Price.
In HAC-II, Danville's Mason Raup (.388 avg., 25 runs), Lewisburg's Shea Girton (.400 avg., 1.057 OPS) and Mifflinburg's Zeb Hufnagle (.340 avg., 13 runs) will try to counter the division's aces. A year ago, Paige went 3-1 with an 0.68 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 31 innings; Wolfley was 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 29 innings; and Dressler was 2-2 with a 4.24 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.
"I've just got to do what I've always done: Stick to myself and keep trying to get better every day. Keep my arm good and keep pounding the strike zone," said Dressler. "Obviously, you'll hear people talk about (the Division I hype) and stuff, but I just need to knock that out of my sights and keep it going."
In HAC-III, Mount Carmel lost Casen Sandri, along with his .543 average, 30 runs and 25 RBIs to IUP. The Red Tornadoes return a pair of big sticks in Damen Milewski (.466 avg., 30 runs) and Gavin Lasko (.397 avg., 11 RBIs). Southern Columbia graduated its top five hitters (and top four pitchers), with senior Connor Dunkelberger's .317 average the best among returning players. Warrior Run received an infusion of talent from its freshman class to help a program on the come with senior Mason Sheesley, juniors Ryan Foura and Aden Lewis, and sophomore Stone Allison.
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HEARTLAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
DIVISION I
Central Mountain
Coach: Mike Kramer
Classification: District 6 Class 5A
Last year: 17-6 overall, 14-2 HAC-I (second); district champion; lost in PIAA first round
Roster: Dallas Alexander, sr.; Chase Brush, sr.; Braylen Corter, sr.; Cayden Culvey, sr.; Jack Hanna, sr.; Nathan Helms, sr.; Gabe Johnson, sr.; Kelvin Probst, sr.; Levi Schlesinger, sr.; Cru Stover, sr.; Ashton Bennett, jr.; Connor Foltz, jr.; Elek Fravel, jr.; Gardy Fravel, jr.; Kevin Grenninger, jr.; Brady Myers, jr.; Thomas Sprague, jr.; Griffin Kerstetter, so.; Jase Seltzer, so.; Nathan Wian, so.
Jersey Shore
Coach: Sadiq Burkholder
Classification: District 4 Class 4A
Last year: 4-15 overall, 3-13 HAC-I (eighth)
Roster: Tyler Bauder, sr.; Connor Griffin, sr.; Kooper Peacock, sr.; Preston Beatty, jr.; Ian Carlin, jr.; Gideon Dapp, jr.; Brady DePasqua, jr.; Jerrin Loomis, jr.; Gage Martzall, jr.; Dathan Tyson, jr.; Collin Berguson, so.; Zachary Myers, so.; Landon Welshans, so.
Milton
Coach: Cory Burkholder
Classification: District 4 Class 4A
Last year: 3-16 overall, 2-14 HAC-II (eighth)
Roster: Gehrig Baker, sr.; Isaiah Day, sr.; Blaik Hadcock, sr.; Aidan Keiser, sr.; Jostein Minyety-Ortiz, sr.; Dylan Reiff, sr.; Logan Shrawder, sr.; Luke Goodwin, jr.; Quinn Keister, jr.; Ethan Rhodes, jr.; Tyler Stokes, jr.; Brayden Gower, so.; Kaden Haines, so.; Chase Knarr, so.; Dominic Lytle, so.; Avery Reiff, so.; Eli Russell, so.; Montgomery Fisher, fr.; Ty Locke, fr.; Chase Lytle, fr.; Landon Tillson, fr.; Louis Williams, fr.; Brady Wolfe, fr.
Selinsgrove
Coach: Brent Beiler
Classification: District 4 Class 5A
Last year: 23-3 overall, 15-1 HAC-I (first); Districts 2/4 subregional champion; lost in PIAA final
Roster: Jacob Anders, sr.; Andrew Gephart, sr.; Bryce Shaffer, sr.; Gannon Steimling, sr.; Tyler Swineford, sr.; Josh Domaracki, jr.; Ryan Gavason, jr.; Ben Gearhart, jr.; Caleb Hicks, jr.; Mark Pastore, jr.; Mason Richter, jr.; Owen Santiago, jr.; Camden Smith, jr.; Tucker Teats, jr.; Michael Walz, jr.; Gavin Hoot, so.; Brennan Kline, so.; Gavin Landis, so.; Austin Roush, so.; Dominic Santer, so.; Jayden Beaver, fr.; Jake Beddall, fr.; Chase Buehler, fr.; Daniel Moyer, fr.; Griffin Parker, fr.; Xavur Romero, fr.; Riley Romig, fr.
Shamokin
Coach: Jim Burns
Classification: District 4 Class 4A
Last year: 2-18 overall; 0-16 HAC-I (ninth)
Roster: Corey Adams, sr.; Korbin Kramer, sr.; Jason Leiby, sr.; Camron Kerstetter, jr.; Carter Kerstetter, jr.; Carter Kurtz, jr.; Ty Neary, jr.; Malaki Peffer, jr.; Ethan Price, jr.; Ayden Quade, jr.; Matthew Wagner, jr.; Joe Hile, so.; Hayden Karlovich, so.; Rylan Price, so.; Lincoln Waugh, so.; Izak Glover, fr.
Shikellamy
Coach: Rich Aurand
Classification: District 4 Class 5A
Last year: 8-12-1 overall, 8-8 HAC-I (tie-fourth); lost in subregional quarterfinals
Roster: Dominic Angelillo, sr.; Andrew Bottiger, sr.; Mason Deitrich, sr.; Brayden Lytle, sr.; Connor Nickey, sr.; Mason Rebuck, sr.; Brady Wilson, sr.; Luke Beyer, jr.; Cohen Boyer, jr.; Mark Culp, jr.; Logan Fisher, jr.; Ryan Kistner, jr.; Kayden McClusky, jr.; Nate Strausser, so.; Brody Rebuck, fr.; Tristan Yarger, fr.
Williamsport
Coach: Kyle Schneider
Classification: District 4 Class 6A
Last year: 14-7 overall, 5-2 Central Penn League (first); lost in Districts 2/4 subregional final
Roster: Adam Aldenderfer, sr., C; Landon Allmaras, sr., P; Ethan Eckard, sr., P-3B; Caleb Fausnaught, sr., P-3B-OF; Chais Shief, sr., P-1B; Griffin Vollman, sr., P-1B; Coen Britton, jr., OF; Deacon Brown, jr., OF; Gary Brown, jr., OF; Caiden Helmrich, jr., C; Indigo Koch, jr., P; Quentin Mazzante, jr., 2B; Tariq Moore, jr., SS; Cayden Robertson, jr., P-3B; Cole Shuler, jr., P-OF; Jayden Tempesco, jr., P-1B; Angelo Birch, so., P-3B; Gino Birch, so., OF; Christian Franzen, so., P-SS; Kellen Jackson, so., C-1B; Chase Kelley, so., P-OF; Ethan McCollum, so., P; Ryan Schur, so., 2B-SS; Grant Vilello, so., P-OF; Wyatt Bair, fr., P-3B; Ethan Chilson, fr., P-OF; Cole Deitrick, fr., P-3B; Camden March, fr., SS; Lucas Naughton, fr., C; Domenico Paternostro, fr., 2B; Zane Rogers, fr., C-OF; Camron Spangler, fr., P-1B; Alexander Taylor, fr., P; Giovanni White, fr., OF; Brayden Wolfhope, fr., P-OF.
DIVISON II
Central Columbia
Coach: Kirk Seesholtz
Classification: District 4 Class 3A
Last year: 18-2 overall, 15-1 HAC-II (first); district champion; lost in PIAA quarterfinals
Roster: Joey Bierly, sr.; Bryce Derr, sr.; Gabriel Geffken, sr.; Dylan Gregory, sr.; Calvin Markle, sr.; Ioannis Stout, sr.; Kaleb Wagner, sr.; Logan Welkom, sr.; Derik Fester, jr.; Jack Hippenstiel, jr.; Ryan Hons, jr.; Alexander Hosler, jr.; Carter Kishbaugh, jr.; Elijah Klock, jr.; Larson Kocher, jr.; Landon Costa, so.; Noah Costa, so.; Parker Day, so.; Caleb Dolak, so.; Brandon Frost, so.; Talon McHenry, so.; Zane Klinger, so.; Aidan Smith, so.; Brady Woodring, so.; Alex Zeisloft, so.; Carter Bailey, fr.; Nolan Beagle, fr.; Evan Boyer, fr.; Grayson Hardie, fr.; Josiah Hosler, fr.; Frank Lutz, fr.; Jansen Sarisky, fr.; Cayne Stroup, fr.; Cole Swisher, fr.; Dominic Taylor, fr.; Jeffrey Webb, fr.
Danville
Coach: Devin Knorr
Classification: District 4 Class 4A
Last year: 11-9 overall, 8-8 HAC-I (tie-fourth); lost in district final
Roster: Tyler Brown, sr., IF; Brandon Miller, sr., C; Carson Persing, sr., P; Mason Raup, sr., IF-P; Connor Sharpe, sr., OF; Karson Burns, jr., IF; Conner Geise, jr., OF-P; Jack Gibson, jr., C; Reece McCarthy, jr., IF; Matthew Acor, so., IF; Lincoln Diehl, so., OF-DH; Cole Duffy, so., IF-P; Garrett Hoffman, so., OF-P; Ryan Roney, so., IF-P; Wyatt Shultz, so., IF-P; Kaleb Stetler, so., OF-1B-P; Eli Welliver, so., IF-P; Carter Raup, fr., OF-P.
Lewisburg
Coach: Greg Girton
Classification: District 4 Class 4A
Last year: 11-9 overall, 8-8 HAC-I (tie-fourth); lost in district semifinals
Roster: Derek Asche, Jack Blough, Michael Casale, Evan Frederick, Nathaniel Gabel, Shea Girton, Garret Glather, Logan Heyman, Cohen Hoover, Aiden Howerter, Dak Keister, Ryan Metta-Rogan, Max Mitchell, Gabe Naginey, Max Pfirman, Andrew Smith, Kedrin Sosa, Landen Wagner.
Midd-West
Coach: Scott Wright
Classification: District 4 Class 4A
Last year: 14-6 overall, 11-5 HAC-II (tie-third); lost in district semifinals
Roster: Noah Dorman, sr.; Easton Erb, sr.; Aiden Everly, sr.; Issac Knepp, sr.; Griffen Paige, sr.; Matthew Weimer, sr.; Birch Harvey, jr.; Garrett Leitzel, jr.; Tucker McClellan, jr.; Derrick Rager, jr.; Trevor Sheaffer, jr.; Cole Shutt, jr.; Caden Wolfley, jr.; Cole Keister, so.; Matthew Smith, so.; Kaden Walter, so.; Braxton Smith, fr.
Mifflinburg
Coach: Tom Church
Classification: District 4 Class 4A
Last year: 6-12 overall, 5-11 HAC-I (seventh)
Roster: Andrew Diehl, sr.; Derek Hackenberg, sr.; Zach Kerstetter, sr.; Lucas Kurtz, sr.; Carter Loss, sr.; Jarrett Miller, sr.; Luke Rokavec, sr.; Zach Wertman, sr.; Lucas Whittaker, sr.; Tanner Zimmerman, sr.; Nathan Chambers, jr.; Troy Dressler, jr.; Lane Hook, jr.; Zeb Hufnagle, jr.; Cyruss Scholvin, jr.; Aaron Bolick Jr., so.; George Lloyd, so.; Brian Reeder, so.; Hunter Resseguie, so.; Warrick Beachy, fr.; Jaiden Beiler, fr.; Alexander Dietrich, fr.; Kaiden Kmett, fr.; John Parker Marr, fr.; Chad Martin, fr.; Remington Noll, fr.; Conor Provost, fr.; Kyle Przychodzien, fr.; Cole Reibsome, fr.; Cayden Rine, fr.; Mason Schneck, fr.; Jack Whittaker, fr.
Montoursville
Coach: Jeremy Eck
Classification: District 4 Class 4A
Last year: 17-6 overall, 11-5 HAC-I (third); district champion; lost in PIAA quarterfinals
Roster: Mathias Albert, sr.; James Batkowski, sr.; Matthew Conklin, sr.; Aiden Evans, sr.; Cael Frame, sr.; Cole Johnson, sr.; Tanner Menne, sr.; Marco Pulizzi, sr.; Grayson Rinker, sr.; Elias Eck, jr.; Owen George, jr.; Aiden Harris, jr.; Quinn Ranck, jr.; Chase Snyder, jr.; Jaden Wilson, jr.; Royce Bowes, so.; Niccolo DeSanto, so.; Brayden McCourt, so.; Landon Morehart, so.; James Mussina, so.; Michael Reeder, so.; Brody Aldenderfer, fr., Bryce Carey, fr.; Jonah Heddings, fr.; Logan Kirby, fr.; Carson Menne, fr.; Kane Moore, fr., Gabriel Moser, fr.; J.C. Weaver, fr.; Michael Wood, fr.
DIVISION III
Bloomsburg
Coach: Mason Fausnaught
Classification: District 4 Class 3A
Last year: 6-13 overall, 3-13 HAC-II (seventh)
Roster: Christopher Algard, sr.; Hugh Curran, sr.; Dylan Kreisher, sr.; Sam Staib, sr.; Bradyn Zeisloft, sr.; Richard Zentner, sr.; Gabriel Anderson, jr.; Chase Fornwald, jr.; Jackson Lunger, jr.; Mitchell Reedy, jr.; Zane Smith, jr.; Thomas Klingerman, so.; Ryan Scherer, so.; Logan Traugh, so.; Alexander Billmeyer, fr.; Gabriel Dube, fr.; Conner Haydt, fr.; Brady Hendricks, fr.; Hunter Hunsinger, fr.; Jack Katulis, fr.; Clayton Lunger, fr.; Ethan Oliver, fr.; Andrew Petock, fr.
Hughesville
Coach: Chris Kish
Classification: District 4 Class 3A
Last year: 16-6 overall, 11-5 HAC-II (tie-third); lost in district final
Roster: Dylan Bieber, sr., OF-P; Jackson Bower, sr., OF-P; Carter Cowburn, sr., P-1B-3B; Brandon Derrick, sr., 1B-DH; Justin Fowler, sr., OF-P; Austin Gray, sr., P-1B; Mason Hoppes, sr., 1B; Eli Olshefskie, sr., OF-P; Coen Riegner, sr., SS; Jediah Webb, sr., P-OF-C; Aiden Barlett, jr., OF; Tanner Clayton, jr., SS-3B; Angelo Ferrigno, jr., OF; Marcus Golder, jr., 2B-SS; Ryan Hoffman, jr., OF; Logan Kiess, jr., UTL; Derek Lambert, jr., 2B; Evan Snyder, jr., P-1B; Carter Swank, jr., OF; Gage Thomas, jr., 2B-3B; Nick Turner, jr., SS-2B; Tyler Wetzel, jr., C; Brenden Fisher, so., 3B; Jace Gray, so., 2B-P; Jackson Lunger, so., C-DH-1B; Trent Wetzel, so., C-2B; Jayden Wilson, so., 3B-P; Jed Abernatha, fr., OF-P; Blake Babb, fr., 2B-P; Nathan Bieber, fr., OF-P; Chase Fowler, fr., OF-P; Cameron Walker, fr., 1B-P.
Loyalsock Township
Coach: Jimmy Webb
Classification: District 4 Class 3A
Last year: 14-7 overall, 12-4 HAC-II (second); lost in district quarterfinals
Roster: Colin Berger, sr.; Brook Grieco, sr.; Alec Kulp, sr.; Nicholas Laubach, sr.; Gavin Rice, sr.; Alexis Whitehead, sr.; Logan Bastian, jr.; Josh Bomboy, jr.; Dylan Bower, jr.; Dante Cruz, jr.; Tyler Gee, jr.; Ethan Nagy, jr.; Kaden Rodarmel, jr.; Braden Vincenzes, jr.; Jacob Wilson, jr.; Zachariah Blackwell, so.; Connor Cowden, so.; Preston Gross, so.; Landen Ketterman, so.; John Kiehl, so.; Deryk Kulp, so.; Preston Sortman, so.; Rylan Tillotson, so.; Jaydn Wagner, so.; Jacob Baylor, fr.; Drake Dupont, fr.; Dolan Harman, fr.; Kayden Keefer, fr.; Nolan Rall, fr.
Mount Carmel
Coach: Brenton Eades
Classification: District 4 Class 3A
Last year: 13-9 overall, 9-7 HAC-II (fifth); lost in district semifinals
Roster: Evan Bronkoski, sr.; Gabe Fletcher, sr.; Colin Lokitis, sr.; Damen Milewski, sr.; Jonas Bettleyon, jr.; Gavin Lasko, jr.; Sam Stutzcavage, jr.; Bennett Williams, jr.; Brayden Brinkash, so.; Clark Cartright, so.; Gavyn Demko, so.; Johnny Morgante, so.; Noah Shimko, so.; Drew Yagodzinskie, so.; Brody Brinkash, fr.; Lukas Carpenter, fr.
Southern Columbia
Coach: Mike Myers
Classification: District 4 Class 2A
Last year: 11-9 overall, 8-8 HAC-II (sixth); lost in district quarterfinals
Roster: Connor Dunkelberger, sr.; Brett Horton, sr.; Nathan Long, sr.; Logan Sharrow, sr.; Charles Hopper, jr.; Gabriel Long, jr.; Louden Murphy, jr.; Andrew Sharrow, jr.; Hunter Sharrow, jr.; Nathan Gallagher, so.; Cadyn Lee, so.; Guy Longenberger, so.; Ethan Makowski, so.; Jobey Petro, so.; Aiden Wetzel, so.; Brayden Andrews, fr.; Colin Heintzelman, fr.; Caden Hopper, fr.; Aaron Leffler, fr.; Andrew Novak, fr.; Dylan Schmidt, fr.
Warrior Run
Coach: Derrick Zechman
Classification: District 4 Class 3A
Last year: 2-18 overall, 1-15 HAC-II (ninth)
Roster: Trent Balzer, sr., DH-OF-1B; Brayden Rupert, sr., 3B-1B-P; Hunter Saul, sr., 2B-OF-P; Mason Sheesley, sr., SS-P; Ryan Foura, jr., 1B-3B-DH; Aden Lewis, jr., C-P-3B; Owen Reese, jr., P; Stone Allison, so., CF-C-P; Isaiah Betz, so., OF-P-DH; Mason Bryson, fr., 3B-P-OF; Gabe Engel, fr., 3B-C-P; Griffen Harrington, fr., 1B-C-P; James Keifer, fr., IF-OF-P; Landon Polcyn, fr., 1B-3B-P; Tyler Ulrich, fr., 2B-OF-P; Cohen Zechman, fr., 2B-SS-P.