Here's a team-by-team look at the programs toiling in the Mid-Penn Capital Division. Teams are listed in projected order of finish.
Head coach: Jeff Sanno
2012 record: 20-3 (13-1 Capital, 1st)
TOP PLAYERS: *Ryan McMillen (sr SS), *Ben Dum (so RHP/3B), Brendan Hower (sr C), Zach Smith (sr RF/3B), Deric Ellerman (jr 2B), Chase May (jr CF), Tanner Gerst (jr 1B), Tregg Liebel (so OF/LHP), Trevor Dolin (so RHP).
BASE HITS: Everyone seems to be looking up at the Mustangs, mainly because Sanno's bunch has claimed consecutive division titles. And because the return of McMillen (.392, 21 RBI), Dum (6-2, 1.13 ERA) and Hower (15 steals) gives West Perry a terrific nucleus. There are concerns about Sanno's pitching staff beyond Dum, but the Mustangs are adept at winning all kinds of games. History says so.
Head coach: Brian Robison
2012 record: 18-7 (9-3 Colonial, T-1st)
TOP PLAYERS: *Anthony Salomone (sr 3B/RHP), *Tyler Betz (sr SS), Travis Saylor (sr CF), Josh Wong (sr OF), Nate Deardorf (sr C).
BASE HITS: We're not sure Capital coaches are stoked about the Polar Bears parking their RV in this division. After all, the newbies have something of a track record – multiple Colonial Division titles, the 2011 PIAA Class AAA title, etc. Even though Robison lost a ton of firepower from last year's D3 semifinalist, the return of studs Salomone, Betz and Saylor means Northern is well-equipped to run near the top.
Head coach: John Frantz
2012 record: 11-8 (10-4 Capital, 3rd)
TOP PLAYERS: *Dakota Pentz (sr SS/RHP), Chase Shulda (sr 2B), Cody Hollingsworth (sr 3B/RHP), Dylan Quigley (sr 1B), Jacob Nieto (sr CF), *Paxton Smith (sr LHP), Caleb Jackson (sr C), Kyle Miller (sr C), Justin Heckert (sr LF).
BASE HITS: Frantz has to be concerned about that huge hole in the middle of the line-up, where slugger Jesse McAllister lined up. That said, the Panthers' cupboard isn't exactly empty with returning all-star picks Pentz and Smith in the mix. If the goal is to once again compete for the division title, that deep senior class must take care of the routine outs and stay aggressive at the dish. The latter should be easy for these guys.
Head coach: Brad Shover
2012 record: 11-11 (6-8 Capital, T-5th)
TOP PLAYERS: *Chad Bronson (sr P), Jordan Gonzalez (jr IF/P), Kyle Remig (so UT), Mike Hope (so IF/P), Robbie Thompson (jr SS).
BASE HITS: While the '12 Lions finished their run in the Class A quarterfinals – Montgomery beat Camp Hill 10-0 – Shover and his returning cast hope to storm the Class AA gates this season. Having tactical arms Bronson, Gonzalez and Hope makes it possible, but the Lions still need to shore up a brand new outfield and regain a footing offensively. Trinity transfer Thompson is a good start.
Head coach: Bryon Wilson
2012 record: 9-10 (6-8 Capital, T-5th)
TOP PLAYERS: Jeremy Sultzaberger (so C), Mike Quigley (sr 1B), Jake Nace (jr 2B/RHP), Brett Morrison (jr SS/RHP), Brandon Parson (sr OF/RHP), AJ Peck (sr SS/RHP), Shane Smith (so OF/LHP).
BASE HITS: Have to admit, the Blackhawks offer some intrigue because there seems to be little pressure coming from Wilson's camp. Sure, 'Nita must find a replacement No. 1 for departed ace Caleb Strohecker, but there's also enough bodies waiting to audition. Some of those bodies haul in varsity innings, too. Wouldn't be surprised to see Wilson's crew better last year's finish.
Head coach: Al Hobby
2012 record: 15-5 (11-3 Capital, 2nd)
TOP PLAYERS: Alex Bates (sr OF/P), Brett Becker (jr 1B/P), Andrew Scarpelli (jr OF/P), Brett Stoey (jr SS).
BASE HITS: Call it a rough offseason for Hobby, who waved goodbye to six polished seniors and will be without a pair of returning pitchers for a couple of weeks while they battle tendonitis. The Rocks also lost Robbie Thompson, who returned to Camp Hill. While there's enough defensive gems to keep Trinity active in division play, securing another 15-win season doesn't seem likely.
Head coach: Bill Shipman
2012 record: 2-15 (2-12 Capital, 7th)
TOP PLAYERS: Cody Friendy (jr C), *Manny Garcia (so OF/RHP), Jimmy McDonnell (jr IF), Chris Santana (so IF/P), Tyler Skibber-Johnson (sr OF/1B), Elijah Anderson-Marrow (sr OF).
BASE HITS: On paper, Shipman has his best team in years. The Spartans have no issues with depth and Milton Hershey can lean on a half-dozen pitchers that all have big-game experience. Even better, the Spartans are committed to overcoming a few lean seasons in a row. That said, Shipman is hoping for better production top-to-bottom, and he's stressing the need to keep those free passes, either through walks or errors, at a minimum.
Head coach: Joe Pilsitz
2012 record: 4-18 (1-13 Capital, 8th)
TOP PLAYERS: Max Salov (sr 3B/P), Rocky Long (sr 1B/P), Cam Albert (sr SS), Mitch Filmore (jr CF/P), AJ Salov (jr C/P).
BASE HITS: The Rollers had a real shot to advance to the PIAA-A Tournament last season before a pitching violation against D3 quarterfinalist, and eventual champ, Lancaster County Christian ruined the run. Pilsitz, back in the coaching ranks, is hoping a young but gritty bunch can erase that memory. The Salov tandem and Long have been regular starters for some time, so a few more victories is the goal.
*Returning MPC all-star
Epler on Twitter: @threejacker
More HS Baseball previews:
Mid-Penn Conference players to watch
Commonwealth Division team-by-team glance
Keystone Division team-by-team glance
Colonial Division team-by-team glance
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