Baseball: Berks II team-by-team preview capsules
Twin Valley Raiders
PIAA classification: 5A
Coach: Corey Schnoke, second season, 23-19.
Last season: 5-6 Berks II, 12-9 overall.
2022 postseason: Berks quarterfinals, District 3 qualifier.
Must replace: LF Seth Hatfield.
Top players: All-Division P Kannon Zdimal, all-division C Jaydon Goebel, all-division P Owen Rhoads.
Key players: RF/P Aiden Jackson, 1B Paul Colombo, CF/P Ben Spiri, 2B/3B Roman Cieless, SS/P Kooper Zdimal, P Jonathan Oxdendine, LF Ben Vaughan, 2B/P Josh Zolty.
Outlook: The Raiders return most of their top hitters and top two pitchers from a team that came close to knocking off some of the best teams in the league a year ago, when they lost three one-run games to district qualifiers. They need to replace just one starter and return as much pitching as anyone in the league, with the return of Kannon Zdimal and Owen Rhoads, who combined for a sub-2.00 ERA and 90 strikeouts over 80 innings.
Fleetwood Tigers
PIAA classification: 4A
Coach: Rolland Green, 22nd season, 213-213.
Last season: 3-8 Berks II, 10-14 overall.
2022 postseason: District 3 third place, PIAA qualifier.
Must replace: P A.J. Knoll.
Top players: All-Division P/SS Jake Karnish, all-division OF Aiden Soumas.
Key players: P Ryan Moser, C Daulton Young, 2B/P Travis Loy, P/3B Zachary Dilbeck, INF Braden Williams, SS/3B Liam Hilburt, OF Tyler Szilli, OF Nate Seidel, OF Carson Brey, P Tyler Dilbeck, 1B Nick Noll.
Outlook: Tigers’ lineup was flush with underclassmen last year and they return with a strong chance to win the division. Jake Karnish was one of the top pitchers in the league, with 60 strikeouts over 46 innings, and there’s plenty of depth behind him. Their three most productive hitters, Karnish, Aiden Soumas and Braden Williams return.
Daniel Boone Blazers
PIAA classification: 5A
Coach: Jason McCord, 12th season, 107-109.
Last season: 6-6 Berks I, 10-9 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Must replace: All-Division SS Nate DeBussi, 3B Alex Vassallo, OF Cam Hirshman, 1B Riley Brady.
Top players: All-Division 2B Mason Walter, P/OF Dylan Schueler, P/3B Eli Rhoads, P/1B Ethan Rissmiller.
Key players: C Connor McGough, OF Christian Eckstein, OF Dylan Gass, 2B/P Nicolas Gualtieri, P Alex Hughes.
Outlook: Blazers have enough pitching depth to compete for a playoff spot but will need to rebuild infield and find hitters to step in after heavy graduation losses. Move from Berks I will lighten the load on their schedule.
Conrad Weiser Scouts
PIAA classification: 4A
Coach: Dylan Boll, second season, 5-15.
Last season: 2-9 Berks II, 5-15 overall.
2022 postseason: DNQ.
Must replace: CF Stephen Croft.
Top players: All-Division 3B/P Riley Civiello, all-division 1B Brady Snyder, SS Evan Rittle, P/OF Trey Dianna.
Key players: P/OF Travis Getz, OF Alex Snyder, P/INF Drew Yonavick, C Connor Petsch, P Haden Firestone, OF Colby Valunas, 1B Gavin Wagner, INF/P Aiden Rodriguez, C Brody Morgan, P/1B Evan Miller.
Outlook: Scouts return their lineup and pitching staff almost intact and should make strides, but each of the other teams in the division looks to be better than a year ago, also. Could be in the mix in a very balanced division.
