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With league at 13 teams,
Gablesville goes for Tri-Co title No. 13
By Keith Groller
Of The Morning Call
The
Tri-County League hopes 13 is a lucky number.
The
league is up to 13 teams after adding the Banko's Athletics to the mix.
The league will feature a 36-game regular season for each team with the top
seven advancing to the postseason.
Gablesville, the three-time defending champ, is going for title No. 13, and
12th in 19 years.
BANKO'S
A's
Manager: Jason Strunk.
Home: Scherersville No. 5
Key
players (all ex-Yanks): P Rob Gontkosky (.455. 32 RBIs, 3-0 2.29 ERA); Mike
Palos (.492); Mark Davis (.371); Jud Frank; Strunk (.331); P Scott Bolasky.
Outlook: This is not a typical new franchise. Most players were Northern
Yankees and in playoffs last year.
CETRONIA LONGHORNS
Manager: George Horn.
Field: Cedar Brook Park.
Last
year: Eighth, 12-21.
Key
players: Luke Bricker; Jeremy Warmkessel (.367); Brian Polaha (.336).
Outlook: After disappointing 2001, Horn added Adam Berrigan, Ben Brignola,
Chris and Kyle Peters in hopes of a playoff return.
GABELSVILLE OWLS
Manager: Mike "Doc" Moyer.
Field: Gabelsville A.A.
Last
year: First, 28-4.
Key
players: League MVP Greg Gilbert (.472, 7 HRs); Jeff Evans (.396); A.J. Bohn
(.371); Dave Pence (.459); Matt Danner (.374); P Justin Konnick (3-1, 2.17
ERA); Bob Graber (2-0, 0.78); Jon Eidle (6- 0, 3.46 ERA).
Outlook: Losses of Shawn Betz and Lew Chillot hurt, but Owls stillloaded.
ICC PIRATES
Manager: Mike Brosious.
Field: Bethlehem Twp. Park.
Last
year: Fourth, 18-13.
Key
players: Dave Stauffer (.390); Cory Schneck (.301, 6 HRs); Kyle Ruff (.311,
26 RBIs); Josh Mohlman (.357).
Outlook: Anything but a Final Four appearance would be disappointing.
JORDAN CREEK GATORS
Manager: Dave Snyder.
Field: Scherersville No. 1.
Last
year: Sixth, 14-19.
Key
players: P Shawn Cadden (.400, 4 Ws); Fabian Acevedo (.365, 26 R); Chris
Schrampf (.349); Tony Toth (.340); Juan Lopez (.340).
Outlook: Gators were in playoffs two of last three years and will count on
pitching depth for a return.
LOWER NAZARETH
CARDINALS
Manager: Mike Cunningham.
Home: Off Route 191.
Last
year: T-ninth, 11-21.
Key
players: Shane Danner (.380); Heath Faust (.361); Terry Hoff (.333); Chris
Kishbaugh (.371, 35 RBIs); Todd Litts (.407); P Mike Stretchay (7-4).
Outlook: Second-year team shouldn't encounter sophomore jinx.
MILFORD PIONEERS
Manager: Don Rosenberger, Sr.
Home: Lower Milford Middle Sch.
Last
year: 12th, 5-28.
Key
players: Andy Rinehimer; T.J. Shaughnessy; Mike Wozniak; Ron Hack.
Outlook: Pioneers have eight new players in search of new W-L record.
NORTHERN YANKEES
Manager: Lee Higgins.
Field: Scherersville No. 5,
Last
year: T-sixth, 14-19.
Key
players: Jeremy Smith; Brian Buchman; Randy Metzger; Matt Goldman; Juan
Martinez.
Outlook: Rebuilding year with new faces from variety of non- Valley places.
SOUTH WHITEHALL
SERPENTS
Manager: Bruce Sokol.
Field: Scherersville No. 5
Last
year: 11th, 6-27.
Key
players: Mark Bentz (.366); Eric Csencsits (.308); Will Flores (.298); Jay
Rothhausler (.340); P Jeff Stoneback.
Outlook: Serpents have more stability in lineup. Team thinks it has added
enough key players like Jeff Fischl, Jose Medina and Tony Marrero to make a
return to playoffs. Manager: Bob Fatzinger.
TRI -CITY
FLEETWINGS
Manager: Bob Fatzinger
Field: Scherersville No. 1.
Last
year: Second, 27-6.
Key
players: Matt Marcks, Dan Dillon, Justin Godusky, Josh Gunkle, Dennis
Kinney, Ben Swatsky, Dave Toth.
Outlook: Fleetwings took Gabelsville to limit in finals last year and have
enough talent to win at all again.
UPPER PERK CHIEFS
Manager: Jeff Moyer, Matt Rush.
Home: Upper Perk H.S.
Last
year: T-ninth, 11-21.
Key
players: Moyer (.340, 5-3), Rush (.346), Dan Pierce, Mike Bergstrum.
Outlook: Youthful Chiefs think they have a shot at postseason.
LEHIGH TOWNSHIP
BREWERS
Manager: Shawn Andrews.
Home: Bryfogle Park, Berlinsville.
Last
year: Fourth, 24-9.
Key
players: Brandon Leslie (.528, batting title); Steve Smull (44 R, Tri-Co
record); George Gillespie (.372); Omar Torres (.383); Bryn Lindenmuth
(.389); Eric Schmitt (.438); P Dylan Dando (5-0, 0.85 ERA); Leslie (5-0,
2.81 ERA); Justin Hilgert (5-1); Josh Friebolin (4-3).
Outlook: Additions of Jeremy Bartha and Bill Fatzinger make this already
strong team even stronger.
LIMEPORT BULLS
Manager: Chad Arnold.
Home: Limeport Stadium.
Last
year: Third, 25-7.
Key
players: Glenn Kushma (.453), Steve Unger (.500), Kevin Kershner (.368), P
Arnold (7-2, 1.51 ERA), P Randy Baer (4-1, 1.71 ERA).
Outlook: Bulls lost Pete Remaly, but added P.J. Yoder. Joe Pochron's return
from injury is another key in keeping Bulls among league's best.
keith.groller@mcall.com
610-820-6740
From The Morning Call --
May 12, 2002
Copyright
© 2002,
The Morning Call
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