Baseball: Berks I team-by-team preview capsules
Gov. Mifflin
PIAA classification: 5A
Coach: Chris Hole, 11th season, 155-91.
Last season: 11-1 Berks I champ, 20-4 overall.
2022 postseason: Berks quarterfinalist, District 3 semifinalist.
Must replace: All-Division CF Mason Woolwine, LF Michael Marmolejos, 2B Matt Ventura.
Top players: Berks Player of the Year SS Tyler Minick, Berks Pitcher of the Year Alexander Velez.
Key players: All-Division P Ethan Grim, All-Division 3B Bryce Detwiler, C/P Darien Troche, CF/C Travis Jenkins, 1B Jonathan Radwanski, P/OF Matt Novotny, 1B/DH Hunter Unger, OF Owen Lehman.
Outlook: Simply put, the Mustangs are loaded. They return the best hitter and pitcher in the league, as well as a core of young players who made an impact as freshman a year ago. Must replace three starters but there’s plenty of talent to reload quickly. Favorite for league title and top contender for district crown, especially now that they’re in Class 5A.
Muhlenberg
PIAA classification: 5A
Coach: Brian Kopetsky, 24th season, 324-198.
Last season: 10-1 Berks II champ, 19-4.
2022 postseason: Berks champ, District 3 fifth place, PIAA qualifier.
Must replace: All-Berks CF Luis Beato, All-Berks P Brad Coley, all-division 1B Sam Martinez.
Top players: All-Berks 3B Cam Burr, all-division SS Kenay Rodriguez, all-division C Shane Rosenberry, all-division OF Gio Cavanna, P/OF Drew Fidler, P/2B Dalton Follweiler.
Key players: OF/P Derek Wilson, C/P Julian Hatt, CF/P Aaden Lopez, 1B/P Luke Kolodziejski, CF Jermickey Gumby, INF/P Eli Keller.
Outlook: Despite heavy graduation losses the Muhls still have a solid core returning from their league championship team, with three .300 hitters and plenty of pitching depth. Got a bonus when Kenay Rodriguez, who batted .414, was granted an additional year of eligibility. Will contend for division, league and district championships.
Wilson
PIAA classification: 6A
Coach: Sal Raccuglia, 12th season, 142-100-1.
Last season: 7-5 Berks I, 11-overall.
2022 postseason: Berks semifinalist, District 3 quarterfinalist.
Must replace: All-Berks 3B/P Rueben Livingston, P Cole Leaman.
Top players: All-Division P Matt VanOstenbridge, OF Ryan Sekulski.
Key players: P Owen Geng, CF Rafael Fernandez, LF/P Nick Crocona, SS/P Trevor Bilodeau, 2B Nick Ruiz, 3B/P Tommy Hunsicker, C Jordan Shutter, 1B/P Christo Hunsicker, OF Nick Fiorini, INF Evan Gabaldon, 3B/P Matt Kulp.
Outlook: The Bulldogs graduated just one position player but it was a big one, two-time All-Berks slugger Rueben Livingston, who was also their No. 1 pitcher. The starting rotation also lost Cole Leaman but otherwise the roster is sound, with eight position players back and plenty of pitching, including junior Matt VanOstenbridge, who could be one of the league’s best this season after striking out 57 over 38 innings last season.
Exeter
PIAA classification: 5A
Coach: Justin Freese, 28th season, 288-264.
Last season: 8-4 Berks I runner-up, 18-8 overall,
2022 postseason: Berks semifinalist, District 3 fifth place, PIAA qualifier.
Must replace: All-Berks P/SS Luke Weller, all-division 1B Nick Sydor, all-division 2B Brady Hannahoe.
Top players: All-Division P Deven Sheerin, all-division CF Alex Kelsey.
Key players: C Chase Cupitt, 3B Gavin Marr, SS Carter Cordora, LF Quinnten Westley, 2B Lukas Giering, OF Carter Redding, P Chase Blew, P Gavin Miller.
Outlook: Eagles must replace 11 seniors from team that made run to state tournament, including Player of the Year candidate Luke Weller. They return one of the league’s top pitchers in Deven Sheerin and one its best position players, Alex Kelsey, plus several other key pieces from last season.
Reading High
PIAA classification: 6A
Coach: Tom Frees, third season, 2-31 (185-124 in 17 seasons at Holy Name and Berks Catholic).
Last season: 0-12 Berks I, 2-16 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Must replace: All-Division OF Joandy Nunez, C Eric Polanco.
Top players: 1B Fernando Rodriguez, P/OF Joelian Zapata, OF Harold Tavaras, P/SS Abel Montero.
Key players: P/INF Jesus Rodriguez, OF Patrick Gregorio, SS Janser Paredes, P Loandy Zapata, 3B Frambel Encarnacion.
Outlook: Red Knights are rebuilding; they could rely on several freshmen in the everyday lineup.
