By Steve Beard, LebCoSports Senior Baseball Contributor
“There are three things the average man thinks he can do better than anybody else: build a fire, run a hotel, and manage a baseball team.”
~Rocky Bridges
A rainy forecast for Saturday wreaked havoc with the weekend baseball schedule, with teams in this region moving games up to Thursday and back to Sunday or Monday. There were plenty of upsets and great performances by our guys this week. You will see a bit of a different layout this week as we group players by when they graduated high school as we continue to evolve and tweak the column.
Finally, we again feature a brother act, this time having Dylan Beard as our Featured Position Player Highlight along with younger brother Austin Beard as our Featured Pitcher Highlight as we reach “just about halfway” into the season.
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The Rankings
March 25, 2024
Teams we track: #17 Alabama (down from #8), Mount Saint Mary’s
March 20, 2024
Posts Wednesday after our publication
Teams we track: Bloomsburg, Clarion, Lock Haven,#6 Millersville (no change), Shippensburg
Other PA Teams: 21 East Stroudsburg (up from 24), 13 West Chester (up from 15), RV-Seton Hill
March 19, 2024
Posts Tuesday after our publication
Teams we Track: Albright, Delaware Valley, Lancaster Bible, Lebanon Valley, Messiah, Mount Aloysius, Penn State-Altoona, Penn State-Harrisburg, Stevens, Stevenson, Virginia Wesleyan, #25 York (cracked top 25)
March 25, 2024
CCBC Essex, Chesapeake
March 18, 2024
#4 Northampton (Up from #5)
(Preseason is latest poll)
Central Penn
Note: This column will always use the current week poll and only the poll listed above. For that reason, you might see an apparent conflict in our reporting versus what the college websites will say (and they will always use the poll that ranks their team the highest).
FEATURED PLAYER
Dylan Beard, Messiah University (Cedar Crest ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Fresh off a year that saw him earn second team all conference accolades at 2B, junior Dylan Beard has worked in a DH/UI role. He has since returned to 2B due to injury and his defense has excelled. Messiah traveled to Carlisle on Tuesday to meet the Dickinson Red Devils. Junior 2B Dylan Beard was 2 for 4 in the game, booming a two out double to bring Messiah within two in the ninth (Video Link), but that is all the closer the Falcons got, falling 7-5 (Game Story and Box Score). In Friday’s conference game against Albright, Beard was 1 for 4 with a sac fly and three RBI as the Falcons defeated the Lions, 8-2 (Game Story and Box Score). Showing no signs of rust, he made several nice defensive plays including a sliding catch down the RF line (Video). On Sunday, Beard was hitless in game one, but reached on an error that keyed a rally for Messiah, and he added two walks and was hit by a pitch as Messiah’s bats came alive late for a 12-1 win. His RBI single in game two put Messiah up early, and upon being hit by a pitch, he was replaced with a pinch runner who scored the go ahead run in the eighth to give Messiah a lead enroute to an 8-2 win for a series sweep (Game Stories and Box Scores). Messiah is 5-1, a half game up on York and Eastern, in the MAC-Commonwealth standings with an upcoming series with Eastern.
Messiah University second baseman Dylan Beard ready for action in the field against Albright on March 24, 2024. /Photo Credit: Steve Beard
FEATURED PITCHER
Austin Beard, Northampton Community College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
On Friday, the #5 Northampton Community College Spartans started a gauntlet in which they play six games in nine days against other nationally ranked teams as well as three against a team just outside the top 15. Region XIX is not for the faint of heart. Tasked with game two in a doubleheader against the defending national champion and current #1 team in the nation, Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester, the sophomore RHP did not disappoint. Mitigating around eight hits and a couple of walks, Beard’s two seam fastball paired well with his slider, curve, and changeup as he struck out ten batters (Video Link1 Video Link 2) over six innings, giving way to the bullpen for the seventh inning. Northampton prevailed 6-3 with Beard picking up his fourth win (currently tied for fourth in the nation) against one loss (Game Story and Box Score), his second game this year with double digit strikeouts, contributing toward his current K/9 rate of 12.21. Following a dominant fall and a commitment to Division One Monmouth University in Long Branch, NJ, the Cedar Crest Falcon alumnus has shown his ability at the top of the rotation of an outstanding team in a difficult region.
Northampton Community College RHP Austin Beard and catcher Gabriel Caso react as they complete the sixth inning enroute to knocking off the #1 team in the nation. /Photo Credit: Steve Beard
Class of 2019/2020
Austin Baal, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’19) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
The Bloomsburg Huskies posted a somewhat shocking double header sweep over Ship on Friday, and Baal was held hitless, which is equally shocking (Game Stories and Box Scores). Offense was at a premium in game one Sunday, with Baal having one of four Raider hits, adding a walk, in a 1-0 win. In game two, the senior lefty homered in the second, adding another hit and a run as Ship won more comfortably, 5-1, to earn the series split (Game Stories and Box Scores). Baal is still batting over .400 and leads the Raiders in many offensive categories. Ship and Seton Hill lock up Tuesday before Ship and Shepherd tangle in PSAC-E action.
Shippensburg senior 1B Austin Baal reacts to a defensive play on Friday, March 22, 2024 as the Raiders were swept in a doubleheader against Bloomsburg at home. /Photo Credit: 2024 Baseball vs. Bloomsburg – Image 18: Austin Baal – Shippensburg University (shipraiders.com)
Brian Coburn, Lancaster Bible College, (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
LBC won a wild one on Tuesday, knocking off Albright 17-16 with a four run rally in the bottom of the 9th. Coburn had an RBI single and scored on an errant throw in the 3rd, one of four runs scored on the day, and reached on an error in the 9th on a play that knotted the score at 16. He was on base for the subsequent sac fly to win the game. He was also the beneficiary of the late offense as he was the pitcher of record and picked up the win (Game Story and Box Score). The Chargers engaged University of Valley Forge in a 13-12 slugfest on Wednesday, and Coburn added a hit, a walk, two runs and an RBI in the win to run the Chargers win streak to nine (Game Story and Box Score). LBC split with Berks on Friday. In game one, Coburn was 1 for 3 with a double, two runs and a walk as the Chargers won 10-6 (Box Score). Berks put up a ten spot in game two, winning 10-8. Brian Coburn took a no decision, throwing seven innings, scattering nine hits and allowing five runs. (Box Score).
Cameron Dubbs, Penn State Altoona, (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Dubbs did not appear this week as Altoona knocked off Hobart then suspended Wednesday’s doubleheader with Wilson.
Amani Jones, Millersville University of PA (Cedar Crest ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Jones was hit by a pitch during a midweek upset loss to Wilmington (Game Story and Box Score) Millersville split on Friday, as Kutztown upset the #6 Marauders in game two. Jones was 1 for 3 in game one (4-3 MU win) and 0 for 2 with a walk and run scored in game two (5-4 KU win) (Game Stories and Box Scores). Millersville put down the upstart Kutztown team on Sunday, 6-0 and 8-1. Jones had a quiet Sunday as the Marauder shortstop (Game Stories and Box Scores).
Christian Kreiser, Stevens Institute of Technology (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Senior 1B Christian Kreiser walked and scored a run as Stevens defeated King’s College on Thursday (Game Story and Box Score). During Friday’s doubleheader that completed the series sweep, Kreiser drew a walk in game one and launched an RBI double and was hit by a pitch in game two (Game Stories and Box Scores). He drew his ninth walk, tied for team lead, in a Sunday road loss to Penn State Harrisburg (Game Story and Box Score).
Jonathan LaBarbera, Bloomsburg University of PA (Cedar Crest ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Senior infielder Jonathan LaBarbera provided some needed offense for the Huskies on Tuesday in a non-conference game with Saint Thomas Aquinas College. Down 2-1 in the 7th, LaBarbera’s game tying RBI single set up Bloom for a 3-2 win, as his two hits led the Huskies team (Game Story and Box Score). He added a walk and stolen base in the win. On Friday, as Bloom swept Ship 2-0 and 3-0 in doubleheader dominated by pitching, LaBarbera was hitless in game one but was 1 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored and a stolen base and two bases on balls (Game Stories and Box Scores). LaBarbera notched a hit and the Huskies’ offense was stymied by Ship pitching on Sunday (Game Stories and Box Scores).
Tyler Long, Mount Saint Mary’s University, (Annville-Cleona ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
In a week that saw him as our Featured Player Highlight, senior SS Tyler Long invoked a reverse Madden curse of sorts with a monster Tuesday afternoon versus rival Coppin State. Long’s three run HR in the third put the Mount up, 8-3. Their bullpen being what it is, MSM found itself down 16-14 in the 9th. Long’s HBP tied the game and he was on base when a subsequent walk won the game for Mount St. Mary’s. On the day Long was 2 for 5 with three runs and 5 RBI (Game Story and Box Score). As the Mount looked to build momentum, Long notched a walk in weekend game one against Manhattan, an 11-8 win (Game Story and Box Score). On Sunday, the sweep minded Mount fell just a bit short. In the middle game of the series, a 9-7 MSM win, Long had two sac flies along with a hit and hit by pitch to pace the offense. In the rubber match, a 5-2 loss, Long drew three walks and stole a base (Game Stories and Box Scores). Following a game with Bucknell, Mount Saint Mary’s travels to Portland, OR for a four game Easter weekend set.
Kasey Shugart, Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’20) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Senior OF Kasey Shugart continued his stellar offensive season for Clarion, his hitting being one of the few bright spots as Clarion was swept on Friday by Cal U of PA. He had four hits in seven at bats and knocked in a run in 5-3 and 9-1 losses (Game Stories and Box Scores). Clarion looks to get going versus Cal and IU during Easter week.
Class of 2021
Riley Blatt, Penn State-Harrisburg (ELCO ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Blatt did not pitch this week for PSU-Harrisburg.
Jeremy Eck, Mount Aloysius College, (ELCO ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
It was all hands on deck Friday as Mount Aloysius College had limited success in shutting down an aggressive Gettysburg Bullets offensive attack. As one five arms used by the Mounties, Eck had the most success, allowing two runs in three innings of work, mitigating around a handful of walks and hits as Gettysburg put up 19 runs (ten unearned) in a 19-4 drubbing of Mt. A (Game Story and Box Score).
Mason Kepler, Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Junior catcher Mason Kepler had one hit on Friday as Clarion, who had not played in nine days, were swept in the front half of their series with Cal U of PA (Game Stories and Box Scores). The second set of games was bumped to Monday.
Gage Miller, Alabama University (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Following a weekend in which they took two of three from Tennessee, the Crimson Tide pounded non-conference opponent Alabama State by a score of 15-7. Gage Miller had a front row seat for a huge 3HR night by teammate TJ McCants, but he added two hits, three runs and two RBI of his own to the win (Game Story and Box Score). Weather forced the traditional Friday-Saturday-Sunday set into a Saturday doubleheader at Georgia. In game one, Miller singled and scored in the first to give ‘Bama an early lead. His two run triple (Video Link) in the 4th tied the score at 4-4, but Alabama could not capitalize and lost 9-5. Miller upped the ante in game two, hitting his 10th (Video Link) and 11th (Video Link) HR and driving in three, but Georgia prevailed 6-5 (Game Stories and Box Scores). Alabama again scored five runs in the finale, but lost 10-5. Miller was 1 for 5 with a walk (Game Story and Box Score). Miller’s bat and ability to carry a power 5 offense has earned him the nickname “12 Gage” among the ‘Bama faithful as he continues to turn heads with his offensive prowess. We continue to believe that he question right now is not “if”…the question is “what round?”
Gage Miller slides into second base against the Georgia Bulldogs on March 23, 2024. /Photo Credit: 03-23-24 MBA vs Georgia – Image 14: Alabama baseball player Gage Miller (30) sildes into second base against Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA on Saturday, Mar 23, 2024. – Alabama (rolltide.com)
Gavin Neal, Lock Haven University of PA, (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Lock Haven took IUP to ten innings, but fell 9-7 on Tuesday. In that game, junior infielder Gavin Neal was 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run. His eighth inning two run double tied that game at 7 before the extra inning loss (Game Story and Box Score). On a Friday that saw West Chester sweep a doubleheader from Lock Haven, Neal scored the tying run in the fifth before Lock Haven coughed up the lead in the sixth and lost 9-4. Neal added a walk in a game two 10-3 loss (Game Stories and Box Scores). The rest of the series was bumped to Monday.
Dalton Reinhart, Stevenson University, (Cedar Crest ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Junior OF/LHP was 1 for 3 with two walks in a 14-10 loss to Gettysburg. He also threw 2/3 scoreless inning late the game (Game Story and Box Score). Reinhart had an RBI single and sac fly RBI in game one and an RBI double in game two on Friday as the Stevenson Mustangs swept a doubleheader from the Widener Pride (Game Stories and Box Scores). Stevenson was not able to complete the series sweep on Sunday, falling 10-9. The junior DH/OF/LHP was 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBI in the game (Game Story and Box Score). Stevenson has an exhibition and non-conference game before an Easter weekend series with #25 York.
Thomas Zeigler, Messiah University (Palmyra ’21) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
The junior RHP/OF did not see action this week for Messiah University.
LebCo College Baseball Prospect Tracker: March 19, 2024
Class of 2022
Braden Collazo, Penn State-Harrisburg (Lebanon High School ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Collazo did not pitch this week for PSU-Harrisburg.
Jacob Deimling, York College of Pennsylvania (Palmyra ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Deimling did not play this week for York.
Caleb Fisher, Chesapeake College (Palmyra ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Caleb Fisher did not pitch this week for Chesapeake College.
Noah Gonzalez, Northampton Community College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Sophomore OF Noah Gonzalez was 1 for 1 with two RBI and a walk on Monday, adding to a Northampton outburst, as the cruised to a 23-8 win over Holy Family (D2) JV (Box Score).
Deklyn Marks, Albright College (Cedar Crest ’22) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Following a bout with the flu, Marks returned to action against Messiah on a cold and sunny Sunday, starting at 2B in game one and entering at second in game two. Despite the Messiah sweep, Marks was 1 for 3, plating Albright’s only run in a 12-1 loss, notching an RBI single in the third to tie the game. In game two, Marks drew a walk in his only plate appearance and made an outstanding defensive play late to save a run (Game Stories and Box Scores). Marks shook off the rust and a terrible call on a strikeout in his first at bat and settled in nicely to solid play on both sides of the ball for Albright.
Cedar Crest alumni Deklyn Marks (runner) and Dylan Beard (2B) in action as Messiah University visited Albright on Sunday, March 24, 2024. /Photo Credit: Steve Beard
Class of 2023
Robbie Best, CCBC Essex, (Palmyra ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Robbie Best did not play for CCBC Essex this week.
Dylan Byerly, Virginia Wesleyan University, (Northern Lebanon ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Byerly did not see action this week for VA Wesleyan.
Bronson Coburn, Lancaster Bible College, (Palmyra ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Bronson Coburn took the win in relief on Friday, throwing 2.2 innings and allowing two runs in a 10-6 win over PSU Berks (Box Score).
Jared Ecenroad, Delaware Valley University , (Northern Lebanon ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Freshman 3B Jared Ecenroad drew his second walk on the day and was removed for a pinch runner who subsequently scored the tying 14th run, as the Aggies knocked off Penn State Schuykill, 16-14 (Game Story and Box Score). He was 2 for 3 in a Wednesday 10-1 win over City College of New York, with a two run double in the fifth after which he scored (Game Story and Box Score), raising his batting average to .357.
Brian Lowen, Central Penn College , (Northern Lebanon ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Freshman infielder Brian Lowen stepped to the plate in the fifth on Tuesday against Penn State Hazleton with the Knights down 1-0. He promptly delivered an RBI single, his first RBI and collegiate hit at the same time as CPC downed PSU-Hazleton 4-2 in game one (Box Score). Lowen then delivered his first multi-hit game in very next game, going 2 for 4 with three runs in a 12-7 Central Penn Win (Box Score). CPC will play three games over five days this coming week.
Nick Pagano, Neumann University, (ELCO ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Pagano did not see action this week for Neumann.
Jordy Polanco, Lebanon Valley College, (Lebanon High School ’23) Season Stats Upcoming Schedule
Polanco did not pitch this week for LVC.
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