As is usually the case in baseball, hitting seems to be ahead of the pitching early in the season.

That will be magnified for most Times News area teams this spring since last season was completely lost to COVID-19. As a result, very few teams enter the 2021 season with pitching staffs that have varsity experience.

JIM THORPE

EAGER

… Thorpe was able to put together a summer program, which helped them get in some work before the offseason and regular season. It’s something that has helped the team adapt after the full-year layoff.

“We were able to get some work in during the summer, and we’ve been lucky to run open gyms in the offseason without any issues,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Joe Marykwas. “You can tell the kids are really eager and excited to get out there, and I think that has helped us transition to a solid start to our season from a practice perspective.”

STRONG ARMS

… Thorpe has a rare advantage this season to be returning experienced players in the pitching department. Junior lefty and Penn State commit James Lordi, along with Jared Marykwas will anchor the top of the rotation, while Damien Reichebacher and Michael Cadugan-Doherty will see innings as well. All four got work from the mound in 2019.

CONTRIBUTORS

… Jared Joyce, Ian Hubbard, Caiden Hurley, Garrett Lienhard, Colby McHugh, Spencer Hunsicker and Blaine Dart, as well as Marykwas and Lordi, are expected to contribute in the hitting department.

WHAT TO EXPECT

… “With our returnees and the talent we have, I don’t see why if we play the way we’re capable that we can’t be in the top four or five in the Schuylkill League this season. Our goal is to qualify for districts and keep getting better. This group loves to play the game, and they’re focused and just excited to be out there competing again,” said coach Marykwas.

LEHIGHTON

GOOD TURNOUT

… Lehighton was able to start workouts in mid-January, and that resulted in a good turnout from its players. The Tribe enters this season with few experienced players, but the team’s attitude and work ethic has certainly been a positive.

“We have a lot of guys that haven’t picked up a baseball in a long time, but our offseason workouts were well attended, and we got a good turnout,” Lehighton head coach Corey Schaeffer said. “The inexperienced factor, like it is for most teams after last season, is going to be something we have to overcome, but we’re working to get ourselves into game shape, and we’ll be ready to go.”

HITTERS

… Lehighton expects to be solid from the plate. Randy Bongiorno, Grant Schaeffer, Max Hoffman, Ian Rarick are all expected to make an impact with the bat. Putting the ball in play, and getting the bat on the ball, is a consistent attribute of the Tribe’s lineup. Meanwhile, Richie Failla and Jaden Gable are expected to be among the Indians’ top defensive players.

PLENTY OF ARMS

… The Indians will need to depend on many players to come in and throw innings for them this season. Rarick has some good stuff, while Norman Greene, Dylan Bowman, Branden Kocher and Bongiorno will also be counted on from the mound.

WHAT TO EXPECT

… “We’re honestly just happy to be out there competing. It really comes down to our pitching and fielding early on. If we can do that well and play with confidence, we can be a really competitive team. Schuylkill League Division 1 is a really tough division, so you have to be ready to play,” said Schaeffer.

MARIAN

FLEXIBLE

… The Colts are coming into this season ready and willing to be a flexible ballclub after the layoff. Like most teams, Marian isn’t returning much varsity experience, and is instead plugging in the pieces and seeing who fits in where.

“We’re all about being flexible this season. We’re excited to be back playing, and we’re eager to get going,” said Marian head coach Tony Radocha. “We believe the potential is there, but with missing a whole year, we don’t have many guys that have a ton of varsity experience. I really like our athleticism, and we’re just figuring out where to plug and play guys.”

HURLERS

… Marian will look to Luke Walser, Jake Bobish, Chase Petrilyak, Brian Hinkle and Owen Brady on the mound. It’s not an experienced pitching staff, but the Colts do have talent at the position. The goal for the Colts staff is to get better every day, throw strikes and trust the defense behind them.

BACKING UP

… The Colts are excited about their athleticism on the defensive side, where Hinkle, Petrilyak, Mason Gibson, Julian Rickert, Dante Agosti and others are expected to shine. The key will be to convert Marian’s significant athletic ability over to the baseball field. The advantage the Colts do have is their plethora of players who can play multiple positions.

WHAT TO EXPECT

… “We’re just really excited. One thing I’m intrigued about is our hitting. I really like our lineup - one through nine - I think we can possibly get off to a good start there. And then it all depends on how we can pitch and play defense. I think there is a lot of unknowns out there for a lot of teams, but we’re just looking to get better every day and compete,” said Radocha.

NORTHERN LEHIGH

YOUNG GUNS

… The Bulldogs enter this season having to play a majority of players with no varsity game experience. It’s a problem most teams face due to last season’s layoff, but Northern Lehigh has clearly been one of the hardest teams hit. “We’re going to be playing a lot kids who have never played varsity baseball before. We don’t have many upper classmen on the team at all. We’re young and inexperienced, but it’s a hardworking group, and we’re just look to get better each day out there,” said Northern Lehigh head coach Greg King.

IMPACT HITTERS

… Seniors Ryan Hammond and Chase Misera are going to be counted upon heavily. Cole Hausman and Josh Kistler are also going to be important for the Bulldogs at the plate. Look for Northern Lehigh to get the bat on the ball, and try to advance runners with its speed to put runs on the board.

MOUND HOUNDS

… Zach Chamberlin figures to lead the way for the Bulldogs with his ability to keep hitters off balance. Northern Lehigh is going to have to count a number of arms during the season. Hausman behind the plate, and Kistler in the middle infield, are expected to be the leaders for the Bulldogs defensively.

WHAT TO EXPECT

… “We have 20 guys out for the team in grades 9 through 12, so numbers aren’t really high. We’re going to need to depend on a lot of younger players, so our goal will be just to take it one game at a time. Our focus will be improving each day. We’re thankful to have a season and thankful to be out there,” said King.

NORTHWESTERN

BIG MAN DOWN

... Northwestern coach Duran Porrino is concerned, and for good reason. Shortstop and pitcher Rafe Perich, who is coming into his senior season, suffered a knee injury playing basketball with friends. As of now, the Lehigh recruit is sidelined and doesn’t have a timetable to return to the field. “It’s just day-to-day right now,” said Perich of the injury. If that’s not enough, senior catcher Ryan Kensinger - who is getting his first shot at varsity time this season - wasn’t able to practice because of a sore back. If Kensinger can’t return, Porrino could turn to Justin Holmes, or possibly Nick Henry, to go behind the plate.

ON THE AGENDA

... Last year’s team was supposed to be loaded with talent, and was the early favorite to win league and district championships before the season was wiped out. Now, several of the players who were supposed to be mainstays on that team lost their senior season, leaving Porrino not quite sure what to expect. “We have a lot of work to do, and it’s not going to be easy to figure everything out until we see what some of these guys can do. It’s a very different situation from where we were last year,” said Porrino.

WHERE AM I?

... Porrino noted that several players could see time at multiple positions for the team this season. Exhibit A is Henry, who Porrino believes could play as many as four different positions for the team, especially early in the year. Between the injury issues and not being sure what he can get from younger players who lost last season, Porrino plans to fit players in where they are needed most. In addition to Henry, Dylan Witkowski could also find himself in several different spots. He’ll open the year as the starting shortstop, but when Perich is healthy, Witkowski could move to a different position to keep himself in the lineup.

THE PRIME FIVE

... The last time that Northwestern Lehigh played a high school game - other than the late summer tournament that was set up last year - was May 27, 2019 when it lost to North Schuylkill 3-2 in the District 11 title game. There are just five players left from that team on this year’s roster: Henry, Holmes, Kensinger, Perich and pitcher Carter Welch. With two from that group dealing with injuries, it’s easy to see why Porrino is scrambling to fill spots. Welch, who has committed to play college baseball at the University of Delaware, will be counted on to anchor the pitching staff. “We have to win the games that he pitches,” said Porrino of Welch. “It’s going to be a key for us this season to take advantage of having him on the mound, and then put enough offense around him to win those games.”

PALMERTON

SHAKING OFF THE RUST

… Like most teams, it’s been a bit of a slow start for the Bombers, but as they enter their third week, they’re starting to shake off the rust. “Most of our kids played throughout the summer, so I think that has helped. We’ve got a good routine going now, and you can see the rust coming off. I think we look pretty good, considering. It’s tough missing a year in the game of baseball,” said Palmerton head coach Eric Kresge.

SOLID CORE

… Palmerton has a solid core of hitters that are expected to make some noise in Brock Bollinger, Cole Serfass, Ethan Recker, Tyler Stuck. Caleb Eitner and Jacob Sutton, who are all expected to collect some hits this season for the Bombers.

THROWERS

… Connor Beam, Serfass, Sutton and Chase Reph will all be counted on from the mound. Pitching late into games could be the key to Palmerton’s success.

WHAT TO EXPECT

... “I think we have a solid team, and we’re going to be in a lot of games. How we pitch is going to be big, and if we can find enough pitching to get us through the season. We just need to be as consistent as we can be there. It’s just great being back out there; back on the baseball field. It’s a great two hours every day, and you can just see it in the kids’ faces how excited they are to be playing,” said Kresge.

PANTHER VALLEY

EXCITED

… A young, but talented Panthers’ squad is excited to take the field this season. Panther Valley has gotten in two scrimmages in the short preseason, and have been chomping at the bit for its young group to take the field.

“This group we have, they really love the game,” said Panther Valley head coach Rich Evanko. “They’re passionate in any sport they play, but baseball is something these kids have really been focused on throughout their athletic careers. They’re so excited; they get a little overexcited at times and we have to reel them in, but it’s a good problem to have. Our key will be just settling in and doing the little things correctly, and not trying to do too much.”

SMARTS

… Coach Evanko likes the baseball I.Q. of his ballclub, especially on the defensive end. PV has a good understanding of where they need to be and what they need to do, which is often a rarity for such an inexperienced team.

HITTING AND PITCHING

… Though young, PV could pose a double-threat for the competition at both the mound and the plate this season. Look for senior Derick Pavlik to lead the pitching staff, with freshman Stephen Hood and sophomores Bradley Hood, Mike Pascoe and Cody Orsulak all expected to throw significant innings. Add in Johnny Byers, Pat Boyle, Louie Clouser, Chase Weaver, and newcomer Hayden Goida to the aforementioned in the hitting department, and PV could turn some heads early in the season.

WHAT TO EXPECT

… “Our goal here is always to at least get to that .500 mark and get into the playoffs. If we play to our potential and to what we’re capable of, I think we can be a solid team that can get into the district playoffs, and possibly the league playoffs as well. We want to be in the mix, and I believe we have the right kids who will do whatever we need them to do for the betterment of the team,” said Evanko.

PLEASANT VALLEY

LOST TIME

… Pleasant Valley had a good group of juniors who were expected to receive significant playing time last season, but due to the layoff, lost out on that time. “Having that time off last season, that hurt us. We have a good group of seniors this year that would’ve really benefited from that important playing time. But our kids are still excited to play and get better despite all the hurdles,” said Pleasant Valley head coach TJ Murphy.

DEVELOPMENT

… Despite the inexperience, coach Murphy is pleasantly surprised by his team’s development to date. He will be counting on eight seniors to lead the Bears this season, and figures to have the ability to move guys around because they’re versatile and can play multiple positions.

KEY PITCHING

… Pitching will be key for the Bears. Branden Ratti will be heavily depended on, along with Zach Walters, Ben Mastosky and Andrew Meitzler. Dom Payan Jr. could also contribute as well.

WHAT TO EXPECT

… “It’s really hard to tell until we get out there in a live game situation. Seeing live pitching and hitting consistently; a lot of teams have a lot questions. Hopefully we can remain healthy, and we really need to depend on our eight seniors. But we’re always looking to be competitive, challenge for a Mountain Division championship and qualify for the postseason,” said Murphy.

TAMAQUA

COMING BACK

… After the year layoff, the Raiders return just one player who saw significant playing time two seasons ago in Nate Wickersham. Pitcher Mason Moyer saw some time as well, but that’s the extent of the experienced players set to return for Tamaqua.

“We have 10 seniors, who we expected to get a lot of time as juniors and really gain some experience, but that obviously didn’t happen,” Tamaqua head coach Jeff Reading said. “We have talent, we have athletes, and it’s just going to come down to how quickly we can mesh. With not being able to play together for a long time, it’s going to take some time to build that chemistry.”

IMPACT

… Wickersham, Moyer, Aaron Coccio, Joel Schellhammer, Brady Miller, Lucas Schickram, Tyler Hazlet, Logan Hess, Jimmy Aikens, Kaleb Moshock, Jake Shelton, Thomas Case, Anthony Coccio, Chase Andrews, Lucas Milot and Xander Coleman will be among the players the Raiders will count on this season.

ON THE MOUND

… Tamaqua will approach this season like most teams after the layoff with a whole host of arms. Moyer and Miller will be expected to come in and help out right away in the pitching department. Behind that pair are several other players competing to earn a spot in the rotation or bullpen.

WHAT TO EXPECT

… “We have some key positions to fill all over the field, but once again it comes down to how fast we develop that chemistry. We have a talented team, but until we start playing and feeling it out, that’s when we will really know. (We will find out) when we see live pitching and when we see how we pitch and play defense. These are all questions that most every team has,” said Reading.

WEATHERLY

OLD BUT YOUNG

… The Wreckers are loaded with senior talent, but still lack experience due to last season’s layoff.

“This is my first year back coaching at Weatherly since 2015, and since then the seniors have played just a full freshman season, and then a partial sophomore season,” said Weatherly head coach Brian Kaminski. “We will compete with the kids we have, and hopefully we can have a successful season.”

BLESSING OR A CURSE

… Weatherly will depend on about five arms to lead it from the mound. The Wreckers are also depending on their staff to be the saving grace for their ballclub, as their pitching could prove to be rather effective if they can keep down the pitches per inning. Weatherly only has limited experience with its arms.

IMPACT

… Key returnees for Weatherly who are expected to make an impact include Ben Ramirez, Yasin Zuberi, Antonio Colecio, Giuseppe Covelo, Trevor Lowman, Ian McLaurin, and Nathan Tripp.

WHAT TO EXPECT

… Early on will be tough to gage, being some of these kids have not played since their sophomore season. I would say that we will need our pitching to come through in a big way and give us as many quality innings as possible. I think we could make the district playoffs if we hit like I think we can and our defense comes up big against teams known for their offense. The kids are handling the different situations well, and are just anxious to get back on the diamond,” said Kaminski.

Chuck Hixson also contributed to this report