Baseball Season Preview: 2017 Edition

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Golden Rams are looking to build off of a 2016 campaign that included a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship as well as an appearance in the NCAA Atlantic Regional. Last season, West Chester (37-14, 20-8 PSAC) knocked off its Eastern Division rival Millersville, 9-7, to win the 2016 PSAC Baseball Championship. The conference championship marked the eighth time in school history and the first since 2012. It was also the second time that head coach Jad Prachniak has secured the PSAC crown in five years at the helm. Prachniak now enters his sixth season for the Golden Rams in 2017 and mentioned how valuable the experiences were, considering a vast amount of starters are returning. "We hope to carry it over, but this is a separate year," Prachniak stated. "We are go to have to go out and earn everything." Prachniak's squad was selected second in the latest PSAC East preseason poll, only trailing Millersville. The team is going to take it one step at a time, beginning with the regular season. The head coach did mention that the ultimate goal in 2017 is to reach the postseason. PITCHING West Chester returns a pair of senior pitchers in Andrew Gernert (Lenhartsville, Pa./Kutztown) and Josh McClain (Tunkhannock, Pa./Tunkhannock) for the upcoming season. "Both had great years," said Prachniak. "Gernert always gives us a chance to win every game. He is always in the strike zone and challenges the other team." Gernert started most of West Chester's game fours a season ago. Heading into his senior campaign, he received a second-team selection from the PSAC East. The right-hander compiled an 8-2 record in 64 innings for a 3.94 earned-run average and added a pair of complete-games. Over the course of the season, he provided 56 strikeouts 56 and 25 walks. Gernert has added a second-team selection on the All-PSAC East squad in back-to-back years too. McClain on the other hand is an established veteran coming out of the bullpen. "He pitched some of his best ball in high pressure spots," Prachniak remarked. The first-team selection posted eight saves in 44 innings for the Golden Rams in 2016. The right-hander registered a 2.66 earned-run average to go along with 34 strikeouts and 17 walks. Additionally, he was named a second-team All-PSAC East pick last spring. The duo were both picked on the National Collegiate Baseball Writing Association (NCBWA) All-Atlantic Region team as well. A pair of starters to keep an eye on includes Eric Close (Berwyn, Pa. / Haverford) and Mike Cipolla (Newark, De./Charter School of Wilmington). The two are weekend starters who will provide a spark for the Golden Rams on the mound. According to Prachniak, Close has the best pure stuff on the team. He also went on to mention that Cipolla provided a bunch of wins a season ago and can contribute. In terms of the bullpen, there will be several players who will have to step up and replace the innings from Mike O'Neil who graduated. McClain is already one piece, but others coming out of the bullpen are going to have to eat some innings on the backend. A pair of transfers who will be on the mound includes John Fisher (Plymouth Meeting, Pa. / Plymouth Whitemarsh) out of James Madison and the other being Tim Edwards (Hershey, Pa. / Hershey) from Seton Hall. Fisher and Edwards have the ability to help West Chester out, but the hard part will be figuring out where they fit on the team. INFIELD The Golden Rams have several familiar faces in the infield this season. Returning to the middle of the order after producing a team-high 46 runs batted-in is Shane Dressler (York Haven, Pa./Red Land). Dressler appeared in and started 48 games for the Golden Rams, achieving a .331 batting average as the designated hitter and playing some first base. His six homeruns were second best on the team and added nine doubles. Nick Ward (Unionville, Pa./Unionville) returns at shortstop for his junior season after appearing in and having started 51 games. He captured a .310 batting average and tallied 62 hits. On the base paths, Ward swiped six bags in six opportunities. His 46 runs scored was tied for second on the team. Prachniak mentioned that Ward had a great summer and how his development can help the team moving forward. Returning at third base is three-year starter Anthony Salomone (Dillsburg, Pa./North York). Salomone provides some pop at the bottom of the lineup. Last season he contributed contributing 12 doubles, 32 RBIs, and tied for third on the team with five homeruns. At second base for West Chester is fellow senior Joe Sheeran (Springfield, Pa./Springfield). The Delaware County product is a veteran presence who will hit for some power toward the backend of the lineup. In his junior season, he hit for .256 with 11 doubles and 29 RBIs. Sheeran will likely be slated in the 6-7 spot of the lineup. A transfer out of LaSalle University that can generate runs in the middle of the order is Jared Melone (North Wales, Pa. / North Penn). As a freshman last season, he led the team in hitting and most likely be at first base for the Golden Rams. OUTFIELD Starting in centerfield is another senior in Nick Bateman (Aston, Pa./Malvern). "We got hot in the middle of the season, when Nick was healthy," the head coach remarked. Bateman played in 43 games, while starting 41 of them and maintained a .347 batting average. He chipped in 52 hits, 11 of which were doubles and five being homeruns. The center fielder was also fourth on the team in RBIs at 35. Zach Sheranko (Tannersville, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) can see some time as a corner outfielder in addition to being a designated hitter. Despite having only 88 at-bats a season ago, Sheranko made the most of his opportunities. He has power to hit for doubles and knock some over the fence. Additionally, he had a .480 on-base percentage and led the team with a .398 batting average. Contributing as well will be senior Robert Knox (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland), who appeared in 33 games and made 23 starts for the Golden Rams a season ago. Knox provides West Chester with a veteran who has plenty of experience and arguably the best arm in the outfield. Providing depth for the squad is junior Joey Coyle (Wilmington, De./Salesianum) and be in the mix as an everyday contributor. A new player that has shown good things heading into the 2017 season and help out the squad is freshman Brian Verratti (Philadelphia, Pa. / Neumann-Goretti). So., Drew Jarmuz (Kennett Square, Pa. / Unionville) is another outfielder who can provide production in multiple capacities, being a transfer from LaSalle University. Jarmuz can be an asset to the team moving forward. A key component to the squad last season was Drew Diehl. Expect several players to step-up and help replace Diehl's production to go along with his leadership after being a two-time captain. CATCHER The Golden Rams have two options behind the plate in 2017. Slated as the everyday catcher is Clay Harwick (Lansdale, Pa./Methacton). Prachniak mentioned that he would like to expand Harwick's role after having 27 at-bats last season. Fr., Corey Webb (Easton, Pa. / Easton)will see time for the Golden Rams as Harwick's backup. OVERVIEW Prachniak knows how tough the PSAC East is and that every game will be a dog-fight. Seven teams in the conference finished with winning records, showcasing how good the talent is at the top and how deep it is. "I like the group we have. We do have a competitive schedule, knowing that the conference and non-conference games will be tough. There is not one easy weekend. You have to perform every weekend. Be ready for every individual game." The Golden Rams' season opener is against Shepherd University in the Division II Spring Baseball Tournament on Friday, February 24th down in Colonial Heights, Virginia at 3 p.m.