HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PREVIEW: TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE
Reprinted from the Patriot News – Eric F. Epler

Eric F. Epler’s TVL Picks

1. Juniata ………….. Not perfect, but Best in Show also grabs a prize.

2. Upper Dauphin... Good-looking outfit plotting own course.

3. Midd-West……... Mustangs still a concern for TVL skippers.

4. Newport ………... Counting out the Buffs is just plain silly.

5. Line Mountain ….. Defending champs need more diamonds.

6. Millersburg……... Tribe could drop this diss in Susquehanna.

7. Halifax ………….. Pitching woes could plague the Wildcats.

8. Greenwood ……. Can the greenhorns compete from the gate?

9. East Juniata ……. Reloading and keying on fundamentals.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Zach Williams, Juniata , senior C-P

Matt Gessner, Upper Dauphin, senior SS-P

Dillan Ramberger, Halifax, soph. OF-P

Travis Dunkelberger, Line Mountain , junior P-3B

Trey Ritzman, Greenwood , senior SS-P

Travis Portzline, Midd-West, senior OF

Jeremy Weaver, U. Dauphin, senior, C-P

Justin Nace, East Juniata , senior P-INF

Dan Feidt, Millersburg, senior P-INF

Zack Miller, Newport , junior P-INF

EAST JUNIATA Tigers  

Coaches: Kerry Peck/Ben Shirk.

2007: 2-15 (2-14).

The big picture: The coaching tandem of Peck and Shirk, replacing Glenn Grimm, wants to bolster East Juniata 's win-loss total. EJ has to get more production from its bottom half of the lineup and tighten up on defense.

Top players: Justin Nace (sr RHP-IF), Ryan Brandt (sr RHP-IF), Abe Graybill (sr 2B-RHP), Wade Truitt (so C-RHP), Mitch Goodling (so SS-2B), Nate Robinson (sr UT), Thad Saner (sr OF-UT).

GREENWOOD Wildcats 

Coach: Mark McCoy.

2007: 11-11 (8-8).

The big picture: McCoy's program is slowly becoming a fixture on the district front. This bunch lost to eventual 3-A champ Holy Name 3-0, one game shy of states. A postseason return hinges on four returning starters and a talented class of newcomers.

Top players: Cody Fawver (sr OF), *Trey Ritzman (sr SS-RHP), Andrew O'Shura (jr 3B-P), Ethan Pellman (jr 1B-P), Andrew Rhoads (so SS-RHP), Jake Sheaffer (so C-RHP).

HALIFAX Wildcats  

Coach: Rick Ansel.

2007: 5-14 (5-11).

The big picture: A good set of seniors returns, but reversing last year's misfortunes will depend heavily on pitching. The 'Cats have little. Halifax returns just two with moderate experience, so getting Klinger (injured in '07) back is big noise.

Top players: Joe Sariano (sr IF), *Brandon Erdman (sr C), *Dillan Ramberger (so OF-RHP), Chris Bickel (jr IF-RHP), Zach Klinger (sr IF-P), Brent Nice (sr 1B-OF), Dustin Ramberger (so OF).

JUNIATA Indians  

Coach: Bruce Wilson.

2007: 11-10 (9-7).

The big picture: There's no question the Indians are versatile and hungry to take down the TVL title. That will happen if Mills and Pray lead by example.

Top players: *Zach Williams (sr C-RHP), Travis Benner (sr 1B-OF), Zack Mills (jr 2B-RHP), Tyler Kirk (so SS), *Nathan Pray (sr 3B-RHP), *Jim Krinjeck (sr OF-LHP), *Caleb Shertzer (jr CF-RHP), Travis Berrier (sr OF), Hunter Geedey (so UT).

LINE MOUNTAIN Eagles

Coach: Jon Raker.

2007: 16-5 (14-2).

The big picture: We can't dismiss the Eagles from the TVL chase, but the defending champions will have to work doubly hard to overcome the loss of Brad Jenkins, the '07 league MVP, and a few other standouts. The good news is the Eagles have plenty of speed and should field one of the league's better defenses.

Top players: Jeremiah Lenker (sr OF), *Travis Dunkelberger (jr 3B-RHP), Karl Howerter (so 1B-P), Adam Menko (jr 2B-C), Wade Michael (so C-RHP), Jachin Spotts (jr OF).

MIDD-WEST Mustangs

Coach: Vince Keister.

2007: 17-4 (13-3).

The big picture: The expectations are always high. Now consider the grudge Keister & Co. are carrying from last season, when the Mustangs finished second in the TVL, then lost 4-3 to Shikellamy with a state bid on the line. Yikes. OK, the truth is Midd-West has some holes, but the fast start feels promising.

Top players: James McLosky (sr C), Travis Portzline (sr OF), Chris Baker (so RHP-OF), Cody Cutler (jr 1B), Justin Wert (jr 2B), Jose Endino (sr SS), Ben Miller (jr 2B), Jason Crouse (jr 3B), Kevin Sheaffer (sr OF-P)

MILLERSBURG Indians

Coach: Chris Miller.

2007: 2-15 (2-14).

The big picture: Can't say the Indians lack style, especially after Feidt dialed up a five-inning no-hitter in the season opener. It's a terrific sign for first-year skipper Miller, working to change the team's pace and attitude.

Top players: Ryan Hoffman (sr OF-RHP), Brett Boyer (jr IF), *Dan Feidt (sr IF-RHP), Jake Haines (sr IF), Denny Kerstetter (sr OF), Andrew Rothermel (sr LHP-OF), Cody Shomper (sr C-IF), Chris Teats (sr OF), *Josh Clark (so 3B-C).

NEWPORT Buffaloes

Coach: Steve Zeiders.

2007: 14-8 (11-5).

The big picture: The '07 Buffs were finally stopped by Northern Bedford 3-2 in the PIAA Class A first round. But, if Newport wants another bus ride, the veteran Zeiders, replacing Ken Hultzapple, will have to gamble a bit. He must replace three sterling pitchers and hope a capable offense can carry the load.

Top players: Zack Miller (jr IF-P), Matt Soccio (sr IF), Dylan Stoy (so 1B), Colton Riley (jr OF), *Dowell Graham (jr OF), Kyle Parrish (sr 1B), Ryan Rosenberry (jr IF), Zach Blair (sr C), Blair Houck (sr IF).

UPPER DAUPHIN Trojans

Coach: Steve Klinger.

2007: 9-12 (8-8).

The big picture: Behind Gessner, Weaver and Heilig, the Trojans won't have trouble topping 2007's 6.5 runs per game. Plus, there's plenty of depth to tear through that grueling 15-day stretch that includes 11 TVL rumbles.

Top players: *Jeremy Weaver (sr C-RHP), *Matt Gessner (sr SS-RHP), Brian Heilig (sr P), *Zach Markel (so IF-P), Tyler Koppenhaver (so P-IF), Ty Raubenstine (so IF-OF), Ryan Strohecker (sr IF), Ryan Welker (so OF-P).

*Returning TVL all-star