Here's a team-by-team look at the programs toiling in the Mid-Penn Colonial Division. Teams are listed in projected order of finish.
Head coach: Dan Watkins
2012 record: 16-6 (9-3 Colonial, T-1st)
TOP PLAYERS: *Andrew Koser (sr RHP/UT), *Travis Ott (sr LHP), *Justin Pyne (sr 3B/DH), Aaron Glass (sr OF/C), Brady Barnhart (sr C), Caleb Fogal (sr IF), Justin Timko (sr OF), Cordell Shannon (so LHP/OF).
BASE HITS: With 10 seniors leading the way, you bet the Greyhounds are hoping to expand on last year's success. Remember, the Colonial co-champs were on the wrong side of a slim 2-1 match to eventual D3-AAA champ Lampeter-Strasburg. With Ott and Koser poised for big seasons on the mound, Pyne and Glass must lead an offense that took substantial hits via graduation. Certainly a team to watch.
Head coach: Greg Chandler
2012 record: 10-10 (6-6 Colonial, 5th)
TOP PLAYERS: *Cole Warrenfeltz (sr 2B), *Alex Cline (jr P/3B), *Ben Weber (sr 1B), *Dylan Bryan (sr P/1B), John Barr (so SS/P), Brandon Yurek (sr OF), Tim Ingram (jr C), Justin Freeman (sr OF).
BASE HITS: Falling victim to Central Dauphin in last year's 3-AAA preliminary round, the Indians are eager to toss that disappointing finish aside. While it might be difficult for Chandler, in his 26th season, to pocket win No. 400 – he's 21 victories shy – there's no doubt Waynesboro's strong senior class is angling for a memorable campaign. The Indians will if defensive breakdowns don't derail Chandler's well-rounded rotation.
GREENCASTLE-ANTRIM BLUE DEVILS
Head coach: Eric Shaner
2012 record: 8-12 (7-5 Colonial, T-3rd)
TOP PLAYERS: *Hunter Szaflarski (sr SS), Cam Chilcote (sr OF), Holden Baker (sr 3B), Danny Stepler (sr OF), Adam Moore (sr C), Josh Young (sr P/OF), Ryan Ricci (jr P/IF), *Justin Hovey (jr 2B/P), Jake Crist (jr 1B/P), *Ashtin Byers (jr DH/C).
BASE HITS: In all honesty, it was a bit perplexing to see a talented 2012 roster produce just eight victories. The Devils battled with consistency and dropped their fair share of close games and missed the postseason by a mile. The good news is a rather large list of returning starters, including division all-stars Szaflarski, Byers and Hovey, are back to right the ship. Time to take advantage of this second chance.
Head coach: Sam Barnouski
2012 record: 13-8 (7-5 Colonial, T-3rd)
TOP PLAYERS: *Hunter Kotzmoyer (sr OF), Kyler Brown (sr P/3B), *Dylan Johnson (jr OF/P), Hunter Shannon (jr C), Mike Pifer (jr SS), Lowell Singer (so 1B/P).
BASE HITS: Like all skippers, Barnouski must fill some gaps in the line-up, but the Bulldogs will have every opportunity to keep the train pointed in the right direction. Kotzmoyer and Johnson are splendid headliners and Shannon has become an asset behind the plate. The Bulldogs are angling for a return trip to districts, where they notched a prelim victory over Garden Spot a season ago.
Head coach: Chris Barnett
2012 record: 9-13 (7-7 Capital, 4th)
TOP PLAYERS: *Colin Frownfelter (sr OF/P), Sean Piccolo (sr OF/P), Brian Roden (sr IF/P), Jesse Hall (jr OF/P), Colin Hayes (sr P/1B), Hunter Garman (sr C), Garrett McHenry (so P/IF).
BASE HITS: After qualifying for the D3-AA postseason in 2012, the Bubblers are caught in somewhat of a transition year as they slide to Triple-A. Plus, Barnett is hoping the loss of talents like Hamilton, Hart, etc., won't be too much to overcome. What Boiling Springs does have is a proven, although small, senior class that has put in the work. Will it be enough to challenge the division's best? Hard to say yes.
Head coach: Scott Folmar
2012 record: 8-12 (3-9 Colonial, 6th)
TOP PLAYERS: Sloane Bendell (jr RHP), Grant Buchanan (jr 1B), Sean Collings (sr CF), *Levi Deike (sr 3B/RHP), Austin Metzler (sr IF), *Jake Muller (sr RHP/SS), Isaac Sipes (sr RF/RHP), Josiah Utermoehlen (jr 2B/OF).
BASE HITS: You might look at last year's record and think the Rockets were stuck in neutral. Not the case. Folmar's contingent grew by leaps and bounds, putting a better than advertised product on the field most afternoons. The trick now is to take that next step in what figures to be a wide-open chase. The work of pitchers Bendell, Deike, Sipes and Muller has to be sharp if JB wants to climb the ladder.
Head coach: Syril Kress
2012 record: 1-19 (1-11 Colonial, 7th)
TOP PLAYERS: Alex Mendez (sr OF), Daniel Hieges (sr OF), Dane Purdy (sr 3B/SS), Mike Sykes (sr C), Jacob Soliday (sr OF/P), Matt Negro (sr 1B/P), Tom Buxton (sr 2B/P), Justin Martin (jr 1B), David Filler (jr 2B/P), Ben Wingerd (jr C), Luke Wlazlak (so SS/P).
BASE HITS: Kress has the strenuous task of reenergizing a program that has taken a step back recently. So, essentially, the Warriors are starting from scratch and focusing on specific aspects of both pitching and hitting. Too many games were lost via mental errors or situational breakdowns in recent years, so finding a remedy is paramount. A boatload of experience returns, so figure that win column gets a boost.
*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
Capital Division team-by-team glance
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