Northwestern captured a district championship last season, and also won a pair of PIAA state playoff games, while Marian made it to the district title game in their class.

Three other area schools — Panther Valley, Palmerton and Tamaqua — reached the semifinal round of districts.

With many teams returning key players, and others having talent moving up to replace their graduated seniors, this could be a banner year for many Times News area clubs.

Below are capsules on each of the 10 teams:

JIM THORPE

OFFSEASON WORK

… The Olympians are hoping that a solid offseason with good participation from a majority of the roster can help them improve upon last year’s 4-16 campaign. “We had a really good turnout this offseason with basically almost 12 months of strength and condition, working on hitting and the fundamentals,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Joe Marykwas. “I think you can see that already with how much more confident we look. I think you can see we’re a stronger team, and hopefully that carries over when we start playing some games.”

POWER PITCHING

… The Olympians will be led by freshman phenom James Lordy, who possesses big-time velocity. Lordy has verbally committed to Penn State University and is a top 10 prospect in his class in the state of Pennsylvania. Colin Binder, Jared Marykwas, Zach Searfoss and Derek Beckham will round out the rotation. “I like the way we’re looking right now with our pitching. We have some power guys, some real big strong guys, and we’re hitting the zone consistently,” said Marykwas.

QUICKER STARTS

… Thorpe’s struggles last season had a lot to do with getting off to slow starts, especially from the plate. Jake Schwartz, Noah Snisky, Evan Dart and Nate Rosahac are expected to supply offense for the Olympians. “We just have to focus on getting out to a quick start and doing everything we do at practice, preparing and prepping with a purpose. Every rep you get at the plate or in the cage has to be with a purpose. That’s what we need to do at the plate this season,” said Marykwas.

LEHIGHTON

EXPERIENCED INFIELD

… Lehighton’s infield will have poise in 2019, as seniors Mike Vozilesky (1B), Mason Barnes (2B), Logan Pagotto (SS), and Chris Whiteman (3B) all return. “Our whole infield is going to be seniors for the most part,” said first-year Indians head coach Matt Dierolf. “Zach Crum will be in the outfield as a senior, too, and he had a good year last year. Spots are earned and everyone has a shot at it, but those are just some of the seniors. Tyler Lilly and Lukas David will also be key role players for us.”

FIRST BUT FAMILIAR

… Dierolf, originally from the Berks county area, will take over as first-year varsity skipper after he spent eight years coaching Lehighton’s JV squad. “We just try to go a day at a time,” said Dierolf. “We want to make sure we’re all ready and prepared in certain situations. I’m very fortunate and lucky to be in this position. These seniors, it’s their last shot, and we want to put our best effort forth.”

UP AND COMING

… Junior Logan Wentz (P/C/1B) and sophomore Randy Bongirno are expected to make an impact for the Tribe.

THE TIME IS NOW

… “My mantra is always pitching and defense, but hopefully we can be scrappy enough to get some quality at-bats and get some guys in motion offensively,” said Dierolf. “It’s really early yet; I think we’ll have a better idea once we play our few scrimmages off of some live pitching … One of the goals for this team is to take it one day at a time. It starts with coming out and playing well against Palmerton. We just have to build something now, we can’t think ahead.”

MARIAN

CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE

… The Colts are coming off three consecutive Schuylkill League Division 3 championships and have won a District 11 championship, in two of the last three seasons (2A in 2017 and 1A in 2016). Marian finished last season with a 13-10 record, defeating Shenandoah Valley and Williams Valley in the district playoffs. The Colts ended the year with a loss to Schuylkill Haven in the 2A championship.

EXPERIENCE RETURNS

… Marian lost just two seniors from last season’s squad that went into the 2018 campaign with some inexperience. With most of the team returning, the Colts boast an immense amount of athleticism, experience and — most importantly — depth, especially at the plate. Aaron Mason, Matt Doherty, Alex Kubishin and Brandon Cann will lead the Colts in the hitting department. Transfers Mike Minchhoff and Dakota Streisel are expected to make an instant impact, while Quest Wilson, Nick Goff, Jake Chulak and Dante Agosti are also expected to help out. “This year, I don’t think you’ll see as much of a dropoff from the top and middle of our lineup to the back end. That means we can really be aggressive and attack teams from the plate. That’s what you want to do, you want to try and have big early innings and give your pitchers confidence,” said Marian head coach Tony Radocha.

DEEP PITCHING

… The Colts return their top hurlers from a year ago with Kubishin. Kubishin and Minchhoff will be 1A and 1B from the mound, with Wilson and Streisel forming the Colts top four. Cann, Seth Derr and Hunter Fristic will also help out in rotational and reliever roles. “I really like our pitching; we have guys that throw with nice velocity and we have guys that will pitch to contact. Health was an issue for us at times this year, so staying healthy is important, but we have a deep rotation,” added Radocha.

NORTHERN LEHIGH

VETERAN ARMS

… The Bulldogs bring back a handful of senior pitchers this year. Luke Eitner, Scott Schaeffer, and Daulton Lorrah are all returning. “I think our depth in our pitching staff is big,” said Northern Lehigh head coach Greg King. “We’re going to be relying on that experience, and hopefully that will carry us this season. I’ve never had the older players with this much experience before.”

THERE’S MORE

… Seniors Brandon Hess (SS), Caleb Wanamaker (1B) and Aaron Rudolph (C) also bring leadership to Northern Lehigh, who posted a 4-16 record a year ago (4-14 in the Colonial League). Look for juniors Preston Bauer and A.J. Berger to play all around the diamond. “We do have some experience coming back, a nice core of seniors who have been playing for a while,” King said. “I’ve always had a mix of younger and older players it seems.”

CRAFTING THE OFFENSE

… King said he wants the Bulldogs to improve their offense. Northern Lehigh posted four wins last season. Their goals, as usual, is to make the D11 playoffs, and King’s squad has been putting in the extra time to make the leap. “We have actually worked more this winter than any of my other years before,” said King, who enters his fifth season as Northern Lehigh head coach. “I think our division is going to be really tough this year. I think Southern Lehigh and Palmerton are two of the better teams in the league. Northwestern lost a lot, but should be toward the top as well.”

ALSO COACHING

… Joining King on the staff are Steve Hluschak, Chris Bennett, Joe Seremula, and Tyler Svetik.

NORTHWESTERN

GRADUATION WOES

... The Tigers lost eight players from last year’s team, with the biggest loss possibly being catcher Tyler Wiik. The current Bloomsburg University player caught every game of his high school career from his first as a freshman to the team’s final game in states in 2018. To replace Wiik, the Times News Player of the Year, coach Duran Porrino had to get creative, moving Derek Holmes from third base to behind the plate. That senior group played in three league championship games, won a district title and reached the state semifinals last season.

HE’S ON OUR TEAM NOW

... In last year’s District 11 Championship, the Tigers faced pitcher Carter Welch, who was pitching for Allentown Central Catholic. The Vikings held a 4-1 lead over Northwestern late in the game, but the Tigers came back to get the win and the championship. Welch, who is a sophomore and is already drawing attention from Division 1 schools, transferred to Northwestern and will sit at the top of their rotation this season.

A FRESH FRESHMAN

... Coach Porrino put freshman Nick Henry on the field last season and got good results from him. Henry had some varsity experience from football, and wasn’t fazed by playing baseball at the varsity level. Northwestern is hoping for much of the same production out of Justin Holmes – the younger brother of Derek Holmes – who played varsity football last fall as a freshman and will pitch and play outfield for the Tigers. “He’s sort of an athletic freak,” said Porrino of the freshman.

BALANCING ACT

... Porrino, whose team was 19-8 last season, believes this year’s edition may be the most balanced of any that he’s had during his 10-year tenure. With solid offense to go around, the team also has a deep pitching staff with Welch and Justin Holmes to help out junior Vinny Castrine, who pitched in all three of Northwestern’s state playoff games last season. Rafe Perich, a sophomore, also figures to be on the mound.

PALMERTON

BOMBER PRIDE

… Back to represent Palmerton this season are seniors Tanner Burnett (C), Zach Silfies (OF/P), Wade Haydt (1B/P), and Ben Serfass (SS), as well as junior Ryan King (INF/P).

FLYING HIGH

… Several Blue Bomber players have caught the eye of head coach Brian Taschler during preseason practices with their progression. Juniors Tyler Roe (OF/P), Drew Frank (Utility/P) and Blake Eitner (INF/P), along with sophomore Brock Bollinger (C/Utility), have impressed Taschler and his coaching staff with their work ethic and determination to land playing time. “I’m really counting on Roe to bolster our pitching,” Taschler said. “He’s an extremely hard thrower. Bollinger is a great young player with excellent fundamentals and a strong bat. Frank is a pitcher with good mechanics and throws hard. And Eitner is a very talented player who you could put anywhere on the field, including the mound.”

ITCHING TO GET ON THE FIELD

… The Bombers have been stuck indoors for the entire preseason and Taschler and his squad are eager to touch the field for the first time. “We’ve been working hard indoors since the beginning of January, and we can’t wait to get on the field and the get the season started,” Taschler said.

NEW SEASON

… In Taschler’s first season, the Bombers posted a 13-7 overall record (11-7 Colonial League). The Bombers qualified for both the league and district postseason. The second-year Bombers mentor feels the team will once again contend in the league. “I feel we have an extremely talented and baseball-smart team who can’t wait to show the Colonial League what we have this year,” Taschler said.

PANTHER VALLEY

SENIOR LEADERSHIP

… The Panthers, coming off a 12-9 season and a semifinal loss to Schuylkill Haven in the District 11 2A semifinals, are returning a talented group of seniors. Brad Buzzard, Aaron Miller, Mason Goida, Wyatt Zimmerman and Mark Kokinda are all expected to help lead the Panthers in 2019. “We have a great senior class, a talented group that the coaches really expect to lead and play well this year for us. This is a group that really focused on getting into the weight room. We had eight to nine guys in the weight room two to three days a week all offseason, so I think that’s going to pay huge dividends for us,” said Panther Valley head Rich Evanko.

STRONG PITCHING

… Goida and Kokinda return and were the Panthers top pitchers in 2018, combining for 56 strikeouts and 76.1 innings pitched. Buzzard, Miller, Josh Robin, Jacob Taras and Derek Pavlik will also see significant time on the mound.

HITTING THEIR STRIDE

… Evanko expects his squad, if healthy, to be tough at the top and middle of the lineup. Goida, Miller, Buzzard, Zimmerman, Kokinda and Taras all return from solid years at the plate, while Chuck Byers, Gavin Garcia and Robin are possible breakout candidates this season for PV. “I think we can be a good hitting team. I think at times we’ll have to mix it up and play small ball, manufacture some runs for sure, but the key to our success will be playing smart baseball. Limit our mistakes, and if we do make a mistake, don’t let it snowball. Stay within ourselves and just play smart,” said Evanko.

PLEASANT VALLEY

SENIOR TRIO

... Seniors Nick Ciszak, Trevor Knappenberger, and Tyler Horton return for the Bears this season.

THE JUNIORS

... Danny McEvoy, Matt Burnett, and Dallas Greenzweig headline the junior class. PV head coach Jeff Lazowski noted that Greenzweig can play anywhere on the diamond. “We have a lot of guys that can play a couple of positions,” Lazowski said. “They’ve bought into us preaching that they should be able to play all positions and we’re going to need that throughout the year.”

SOPH

… Bears center fielder Brendan Raddy is the lone sophomore on the squad. He’ll also lead off for the team. “He’s turning into a nice ballplayer,” said Lazowski.

MEASURING SUCCESS

… “You have to have some long-term goals,” said the PV coach, whose team posted a 13-10 record last season. “We’d love to make the EPC and district playoffs. We want to be in the dance when push comes to shove, and we want to make some noise.”

GOOD COMPANY

… Lazowski will be joined in the dugout by assistants TJ Murphy and Jeremy Gigliotti.

WITH THE BIG BOYS

… The Bears will open up with Freedom and then Blue Mountain. “One thing about our schedule, it’s always against great quality competition, said Lazowski. “Yeah, we’ve had down years, but playing those teams down there really raises your level of competition through the whole year, and it really keeps you competitive. It’s all about taking those punches and learning how to deal with them, and reacting in a positive way. Execution is our word here. If we can execute, we’ll be competitive any given day, and that’s all we can ask for.”

TAMAQUA

BOUNCE BACK

… The Raiders suffered their first losing season since 2012 last year, but still put together a solid campaign, going 10-11 and winning a playoff game before ending the season with a 1-0 loss to Pine Grove. Still, even with the stutter step last year, Tamaqua has been one of the most consistent programs in all of District 11 over the past six seasons, winning three district titles and winning 17-plus games in four of the last six. “I think last season has been a real driver for this season. You can tell the kids want to have a better year. We have some question marks, like most teams do, but we do return a lot of experience, some guys that played a lot of baseball for us,” said Tamaqua head coach Jeff Reading.

BRIGHT SPOT

… Coach Reading is hopeful that pitching will be the main bright spot for the Raiders this season. Tamaqua did lose top pitcher Thad Zuber and catcher Casey Rother to graduation, but it returns a wealth of experience from a year ago. Nate Boyle and Brayden Knoblauch, along with Tate Ligenza, will anchor the Raiders’ rotation. Adam Rex, Gavin Richards and Zach Fannock will also see some innings as well. “I’m hopeful that pitching can be our bright spot this season. We have guys we can depend on and that will give us a good chance to win every day. Then we also have some guys that can come in relief and do some good things. I like the way we’re built there from the top to the bottom,” said Reading.

NEW LEADERS

… Seniors Nick Breiner and Mike Bonetsky will be counted on to take over the leadership roles that Zuber and Rother held a season ago. Fannock, Richards, William Frederick and James Benderawicz are also seniors that will be expected to help out in the leadership department.

WEATHERLY

SENIORS RETURNING

… Weatherly will be depending on three returning starters who are seniors this season to help lead the way. Jeremy Moser, Rhyan Fairchild and Kevin Osifat will be counted on to make an impact both on the field and in the leadership department. “We don’t have great numbers this season, so we’re really counting on our returning starters to make a difference for us,” said Weatherly head coach Mike Baran.

CORE PLAYERS

… Other than the three seniors, Matt Buck, Ben Ramirez, Yasin Zuberi and Trevor Lohman form the core of the Wreckers lineup.

PLAYMAKERS

… Moser will serve as the ace of the Wreckers pitching rotation, while Fairchild and Osifat will be counted on to lead Weatherly from the plate. “We definitely do lack depth, but I am confident in who we have returning,” said Baran.