Top Players to Watch in Berks II baseball
2024 Berks baseball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Top players to watch in Division II of the Berks Baseball League
(listed in alphabetical order)
Riley Civiello, Conrad Weiser
Staff anchor was among league leaders with four wins and 40 2/3 innings pitched for a team that won just five times.
As a junior, walked just six batters over eight starts and pitched to a staff-best 3.09 ERA. Struck out 24. Earned decision in 4-2 win at Wilson and 4-2 win over Berks II champ Fleetwood.
Four-year starter will move to shortstop, from third base, when not on the mound.
Paul Colombo, Twin Valley
Looking to bounce back from off-season at the plate as a junior. First baseman showed his potential as a sophomore, when he batted .325 with a .500 slugging percentage and a .949 OPS that ranked second on team.
Committed to play at Anderson University, a Division II program in South Carolina.
Batted just .241 with .370 slugging percentage last season.
Roman Cieless, Twin Valley
Limited to six games and 14 at-bats as a junior due to injury.
Has grown into one of best all-around athletes on the team and perhaps the fastest guy in the Raiders’ lineup. He’ll bat second and see time at third base, second base and in left field.
Also one of the strongest arms on the staff he could be utilized as Raiders’ closer.
Liam Hilburt, Fleetwood
Tigers’ top returning pitcher went 3-0 with a save and a 3.11 ERA over 18 innings as a junior. He’ll be relied upon to take even more innings on a staff that returns little other experience. When not on the mound, he’ll play shortstop or third.
The all-division pick batted a team-leading .327 with a .435 on-base percentage and a team-high 14 runs scored. He also had a team-high eight doubles and .481 slugging percentage.
Owen Rhoads, Twin Valley
Polished right-hander was among league leaders as a junior with 2.18 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 41 2/3 inning.
Earned all-division honors after batting .328 with 14 runs scored and 11 RBIs, each second-best on team, and reaching base at a .443 clip.
Committed to play at Elizabethtown University, along with teammate Jon Oxendine.
Had several strong performances pitching for Downingtown Baseball Club in the summer.
Evan Rittle, Conrad Weiser
Scouts had one of the league’s elite leadoff hitters last season, as the junior had 24 hits and 26 walks in 20 games.
His .610 on-base percentage was clearly the best in the Berks Conference.
All-Division pick made all those trips to first pay off with 12 stolen bases and 23 runs scored. He was also among the league leaders in batting (fifth at .429), slugging (.571) and OPS (seventh at 1.181).
Will split time defensively between center field and shortstop.
Aiden Soumas, Fleetwood
Tigers’ left fielder batted .292 as a junior, with a .333 on-base percentage.
The all-division tied for the team lead with 14 runs scored and had five doubles.
He’s committed to play baseball at Kutztown University.
Jon Oxendine, Twin Valley
Ranked among league leaders as a junior with 2.18 ERA and 51 strikeouts over 41 2/3 inning.
The 6-2 right-hander went 2-1 walked just 11 and held opposing batters to a .217 batting average. Allowed just two stolen bases.
Committed to play at Elizabethtown University, along with teammate Owen Rhoads.
Ben Vaughn, Twin Valley
Aggressive hitter with command of the strike zone and good speed will serve as Raiders’ leadoff hitter and regular second baseman. He batted .265 with 10 runs scored and nine RBIs as a sophomore.
Expected to set the tone, put the ball in play and run well on the bases. He’ll also see more time on the mound after throwing just four innings last year.
Others to Watch
| Anthony Cizmarik | 1B | Sr. | Daniel Boone |
| Kevin Eden | OF/P | Sr. | Twin Valley |
| Haden Firestone | P | Sr. | Conrad Weiser |
| Nico Gualtieri | 2B | Sr. | Daniel Boone |
| Nate Lord | 3B/1B/P | Soph. | Twin Valley |
| Evan Miller | OF/1B | Jr. | Conrad Weiser |
| Sam Reimert | P/3B/1B | Sr. | Fleetwood |
| Aiden Rodriguez | 2B/3B/P | Jr. | Conrad Weiser |
| Maddox Roy | 3B | Soph. | Daniel Boone |
| Gavin Wagner | 1B | Sr. | Conrad Weiser |
| Kooper Zdimal | SS/P | Jr. | Twin Valley |
