Atholton Raiders
1998 record: 17-6 overall, 13-5 league
Coach: Kevin Kelly
Top players: Adam Beaver, Sr., P-3B; Andy Severt, Sr., P-1B; Ross Laidig, Sr., 2B; Seth Williams, Sr., SS; Nick Hartman, Sr., P-OF; Scott Sebor, Jr., C
Outlook: The Raiders finished second in the league and graduated their entire outfield, but return their entire infield and starting pitcher Beaver, who was 5-4 in 44 innings. Beaver batted .430 with 28 RBIs, 31 runs, 15 walks, and was 12-for-12 in stealing bases. Severt batted .392 with six home runs and was 2-0, pitching 23 innings. Laidig batted .313, Williams .294 and Hartman .278. "We're losing speed in the outfield, but we have the potential to be good if our pitchers throw strikes," said Kelly. The Raiders have 11 seniors.
Centennial Eagles
1998 record: 13-7 overall, 12-5 league
Coach: Ron Martin
Top players: Chris Tiedemann, Sr., P-2B; Steve Fredrick, Sr., P-2B; Mike Martin, Sr., SS; Matt Deuchler, Sr., C; Shawn Cudzilo, Sr., OF-3B; Ryan Barwick, Jr., OF
Outlook: The Eagles should be among the top three teams with strong pitching and catching. They were favored to win the title last season, but never quite put it together and finished a disappointing third behind Glenelg and Atholton. Starting pitcher Nate Ochsner, who hit a sophomore slump last season, decided not to play this season. He was 7-1 with a 1.72 ERA two years ago as a freshman. But with Fredrick, Tiedemann and sophomore Brian Neidig, Marti likes his pitching staff. "We have three legitimate starters," he said.
Chaplegate Christian Flames
1998 record: 14-2 (MIAA B Division champs)
Coach: Bunk Nolan
Top players: Chris Davidson, Sr., SS-P; Ben Byrd, Sr., LF; Mark Dever, Sr, OF-C; Dan Parlette, Soph., 2B; Matt Togert, Sr., P-C; Bob Kuehl, Jr., P-2B
Outlook: The Flames have replaced some of their graduation losses with transfers and expect to be a contender again. "Our pitching staff should be as good," Nolan said. "And we'll have good hitting with power. We have a lot of talent and should do very well." Davidson and Byrd and were All-MIAA B Division picks. Davidson is the team's best hitter and came on as a pitcher at the end of the season. The Flames could have moved to the MIAA A Division, but elected to stay in B. They will carry 18 varsity players and not field a junior varsity this season.
Glenelg Gladiators
1998 record: 22-2 overall, 15-2 league (county, region, state champs)
Coach: Tom Thrasher
Top players: Jeff Starcher, Sr., P-SS; Brandon Robertson, Sr., OF-P; Mike Rice, Sr., 3B, P; Jason Wezska, Jr., C; Matt Thrasher, Sr., 1B; Jon Hughes, Sr., OF-P
Outlook: The Gladiators graduated four of their top players, but return six from their destiny-driven Class 1A state championship team. The Gladiators rallied to win by one run in the last inning three times in the playoffs, including a four-run, last-inning rally in the state title game that enabled them to win in extra innings. It was their fourth state title and third in six seasons. They return Player of the Year Starcher, who was 8-1 with two saves and batted .464 with 32 RBIs, six home runs and six doubles. Hughes had game-winning hits in the state semis and state finals. "Our hitting is going to be OK, but our pitching is still a question mark," said Thrasher.
Hammond Golden Bears
1998 record: 10-9 overall, 10-6 league)
Coach: Bob Maxey
Top players: Keith Umberger, Sr., 1B; Brian Brewer, Soph., 3B-P; Jason Maxey, Soph., C; Jason Harriman, Jr., OF-P; Kevin Schwartz, Soph., P; Dave Koch, Jr., SS
Outlook: The Bears graduated two all-county players, Ken Beck and Brian Pietryka, but return six starters from a strong defensive team that made only 20 errors. The team is loaded with talented freshmen and sophomores. The No. 1 starter will be Schwartz. Umberger batted .400. Koch moves from second base to try and fill Pietryka's shoes at shortstop. Sophomore Patrick Fields sat out his freshman year, but takes over at second base. Outfielder Nick Marks and pitcher Tim Hendren, a pair of seniors, could help.
Howard Lions
1998 record: 10-13 overall, 4-12 league
Coach: Rich Jenkins
Top players: Anthony Aceves, Sr., OF; Richie Grantham, Sr., OF; Rob Fink, Sr., 3B; Jon Baker, Sr., C; Dave Curry, Sr., P; Tony King, Jr., P
Outlook: Despite a losing record, Howard made it to the state Class 2A semifinals, where the Lions lost to Lansdowne. The Lions hope to build on that success. Thus far they have not had a winning record in the 1990s. But Jenkins, in his third season since returning as coach, generates a lot of respect from opposition coaches. In addition to top hitters Aceves and Grantham, Fink batted .320. Curry won three games and will assume the No. 1 starter role. King also won three games. "Our pitching and defense will be good," Jenkins said. "The question is whether we will hit enough."
Long Reach Lightning
1998 record: 3-19 overall, 1-17 league
Coach: Tim O'Brien
Top players: Brandon Jones, Sr., OF, ; Jason Hall, Sr., 2B-P; Reid Silverman, Sr., 1B; Josh Siegert, Jr., SS; Dave Weiner, Jr., C; Chris Henry, Jr., P
Outlook: The Lightning has taken its lumps for the past two years and now hopes to climb into the middle of the pack. "Defense will be our strength," said O'Brien. He has a solid shortstop with Siegert. The degree of success will depend on the health of the pitching. Senior Ryan Bakunas, who won a playoff game his sophomore season, missed all of last season with a sore back. Junior Anthony Spearman, who won a playoff game last season, missed part of the season with a sore arm. And and sophomore Chris Davis is coming off a sore arm from summer ball. "This group enjoys being around each other and doesn't mind hard work," O'Brien said.
Mount Hebron Vikings
1998 record: 8-12 overall, 7-10 league
Coach: Matt Forsyth
Top players: Dan Hylock, Sr., P; Steve Swiech, Jr., P-1B; Steve Sansone, Jr., P-SS; Jonathan Crow, Jr., P-OF; Max Markotic, Soph., 2B; Joe Michalski, Soph., C
Outlook: With just one starting senior, the Vikings are the youngest team in the league. That shouldn't stop them from being one of the best. Swiech is a solid No. 1 pitcher and Hylock No. 2. Sansone hit well in his surprising sophomore season. Transfer Crow should help. Markotic is a smooth fielder who hit .400. Michalski is a strong hitter. The Vikings will start three sophomores. "The offense will be much better, and the top two pitchers have gained a year of varsity experience," said Forsyth.
Oakland Mills Scorpions
1998 record: 4-16 overall, 3-14 league
Coach: Rick Ewart
Top players: T. J. Welsh, Sr., DH-1B; Dennis Jackson, Sr., 1B; Jeff DiNoto, Jr., P; Dave Wallas, Soph., P; Brian Freiland, Jr., C
Outlook: The Scorpions have a new coach, two returning starters and four seniors. Several players either switched to lacrosse or are ineligible. Oakland Mills has not had a winning season since 1991. It's unlikely that will change this season. "It's going to be a learning year," said Ewart.
River Hill Hawks
1998 record: 11-8 overall, 10-6 league
Coach: Rick Lloyd
Top players: Chris Becraft, Jr., OF; Arin Gelletly, Jr., 1B-SS, P; Mike Verbos, Sr., P; Dave Sharfstein, Sr., P; Justin Brewer, Jr., 1B-OF
Outlook: Becraft and Gelletly are two of the league's top hitters. Verbos and Sharfstein are solid pitchers. The Hawks could use some defensive improvement and speed, but have to be happy with their quantum leap from a 5-16 record in 1997. The Hawks finished in a fourth-place tie with Hammond. "We want to keep improving," Lloyd said. "We've never beaten Glenelg, and Howard has given us fits the past two seasons." Howard knocked River Hill out of the playoffs in the first round last season.
Wilde Lake Wildecats
1998 record: 10-10 overall, 9-8 league
Coach: Don Storr
Top players: Chris Yetter, Sr., P-OF; Chris Matschat, Sr., SS; Aaron Altscher, Sr., OF; John Quinn, Jr., OF; Matt Caporaletti, Sr., P-C; John Schreck, Fr., P
Outlook: Wilde Lake has toyed with moving from middle of the pack to real contender for the past two seasons, but can't quite turn the corner. The Wildecats figure to score more runs and be more experienced, returning seven starters. Yetter was 5-4 with a league-leading 1.58 ERA last season. He also hit .525 with eight doubles, one triple and a home run. He struck out only twice. Defensively, he made four outfield assists and one error. Last season the Wildecats lost several close games, but with improved hitting they hope to win those close ones this year. "We have a great work ethic, good attitude and hope to be competitive in the county," Storr said.
Pub Date: 3/17/99