Baseball: Berks II team-by-team preview
2024 Berks baseball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(PhilMarPhoto)
Twin Valley Raiders
PIAA classification: 5A
Coach: Corey Schnoke, third season, 33-29.
Last season: 6-5 Berks II, 10-10 overall.
2023 postseason: Did not qualify.
Holes to fill: All-Division 1B Kannon Zdimal, all-division OF/P Aiden Jackson, C Jaydon Goebel, LF/P Josh Zolty, CF Ben Spiri (out after shoulder surgery).
Top players: All-Division P/OF Owen Rhoads, OF/INF Roman Cieless, 2B/P Ben Vaughan.
Key players: P/OF Jonathan Oxdendine, 1B Paul Colombo, SS/P Kooper Zdimal, OF/P Kevin Eden, 3B/1B/P Nate Lord, C Logan Crunkleton, C/1B Luke Wagner.
Outlook: Raiders have a strong senior corps and more pitching than any team in the division. All-Division pick Owen Rhoads and fellow senior Jon Oxendine were among the league leaders in ERA, strikeouts and innings pitched. Senior Kevin Eden will add depth on the mound. Need some bats to step up after graduating seniors who produced 45 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 20 extra-base hits.
(PhilMarPhoto)
Fleetwood Tigers
PIAA classification: 4A
Coach: Jon Chwatek, first season.
Last season: 6-5 Berks II champ, 13-9 overall.
2023 postseason: Berks Conference quarterfinalist, District 3 qualifier.
Holes to fill: All-Division P/SS Jake Karnish, all-division P/3B Zachary Dilbeck, all-division P Ryan Moser.
Top players: All-division P/SS/3B Liam Hilburt, OF Aiden Soumas.
Key players: CF Carson Brey, 1B/P Nick Noll, P/3B/1B Sam Reimert, C Daulton Young, OF Nate Seidel, OF Jack Riffle, P/3B/SS Wylie Loy, P/3B Cane Croner, 2B Brayden Sobjak.
Outlook: Tigers need to replace a pair of all-division pitchers, a lot of innings, and more than half their regular lineup. Senior Liam Hilburt is expected to step up on the mound, as is senior Sam Reimert. Kutztown University recruit Aiden Soumas will bolster the top of the lineup. Will need some young players to step up.
Conrad Weiser Scouts
PIAA classification: 4A
Coach: Dylan Boll, third season, 10-30.
Last season: 3-8 Berks II, 5-15 overall.
2023 postseason: Did not qualify.
Holes to fill: P/OF Trey Dianna, P/OF Travis Getz, 1B Brady Snyder.
Top players: All-Division CF/SS/P Evan Rittle, SS/P Riley Civiello.
Key players: RF Evan Miller, 1B Gavin Wagner, 2B/3B/P Aiden Rodriguez, P Haden Firestone, C Brody Morgan, OF Colby Valunas, 3b Julian Quiles, P/OF Sam Arnold.
Outlook: Scouts could surprise and make a run at the postseason for the first time in a decade if things fall into place. They’ve got the division’s best leadoff batter in Evan Rittle and a solid No. 1 on the mound in senior Riley Civiello. A healthy return by Evan Miller following shoulder surgery will provide a big boost. So will Gavin Wagner, who’s coming off a big summer and expected to provide some thump for the lineup. Need some pitchers to take a step up.
(Wendy Hasara photo)
Daniel Boone Blazers
PIAA classification: 5A
Coach: Jason McCord, 13th season, 119-119.
Last season: 4-7 Berks II, 12-10 overall.
2023 postseason: Berks quarterfinalist, District 3 qualifier.
Holes to fill: All-Division 2B Mason Walter, OF Christian Eckstein, P/3B Eli Rhoads, C Connor McGough.
Top players: 1B Anthony Cizmarik, 3B Maddox Roy.
Key players: 2B Nico Gualtieri, OF/P Alex Hughes, OF Chase Kennedy, SS/P Chase Yenser, OF/P Nick Cizmarik, C Hayden Lee, OF/P Ryan Pence, OF Ryan Kriebel, P Blake Jeitles,
Outlook: Blazers took by far the biggest graduation hit in the division and return just two everyday starters. They must replace 129 of 149 innings pitched. Return a top bat in Anthony Cizmarik, who led team with 15 RBIs.