They'll be trying to find a way to stop Gilbertsville

By Keith Groller
Of The Morning Call


When Tri-County teams from the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area travel down Route 309 or Route 100 to play at Gilbertsville, they're usually heading south in more ways than one.

The Gilbertsville Rangers own a virtual dynasty in the Tri-Co, having won the league championship four times in the last five years and seven times in the last decade. The team, which relies heavily on products from the much-storied Boyertown Legion program, won last year's crown the hard way -- winning three in a row after dropping the first two to take the best-of-five championship from the Silver Creek Raiders.

The 13-team Tri-Co season opens this weekend with everyone trying to figure out a way to rope the Rangers. Stahley's Bar, the only team to stop the Gilbertsville reign of excellence by winning the title in '91, should be formidable as will the East Texas Longhorns, Emmaus Braves and Raiders.

The teams in the North Division will play 29 games, the South Division clubs will play 30 regular season contests. The top three teams in each division advance to the playoffs, set to begin July 31.

Here's a thumbnail sketch of each club provided with the assistance of the Tri-Co's new public relations man, Todd Greb:

NORTH DIVISION

CASTLE HILL BALLROOM -- Formerly the Haviland Grille, the Ballroom Boys hope a new sponsor brings new fortunes to a club that went 9-20 last season. Manager Dave Snyder will be relying on returners Larry Miller (.396 last season) and Vic Acevedo (.316) to generate some offense along with the return of former Allen High standout Chip DeLorenzo, back in the league after a two-year break. Former Quakertown Oriole Steve Pearlstein will add pop to the lineup, while Tom Golden (4-4) anchors a shaky pitching staff.

EAST TEXAS LONGHORNS -- George Horn's club was the surprise of the league last summer with a 20-10 record which earned them a trip to the playoff semis. Horn was the Tri-Co's "Manager of the Year" and has most of the cast returning. Shortstop Mike Merkel (.397, 4 HR) and DH Horn (.347, 3 HR, 24 RBI) key the offense.

Versatile Tim Brader (.373, 18 RBI on offense and 10 saves on the mound) is a key as is veteran catcher Jeff Duke. Newcomer Mike Witkowski (4-0, 2.80) should bolster a deep pitching staff that features Dan Hayes, Josh Gunkel, Troy Phillips and Shane Davis.

ICC PIRATES -- The Buccos (8-21 in '92) weren't bad in '93, posting a 13-15 mark. Skipper Jim Marouchoc hopes for more improvements with Rich Ballek (.344), Dave Kern (.345, 22 RBI) and Chris Medei (.320, 19 RBI) setting the tone. Newcomers Ron Reybitz, Todd Zidmond and Mike Barron should be positive additions.

LIMEPORT BULLS -- Longtime player-manager Ishky Fatzinger could use the most famous Bull of them all -- Michael Jordan. Instead, he'll rely on the double-play combo of shortstop Julio Lebron (.307) and second baseman Josh Williams (.407) to solidify the team. Bill Fatzinger (.281, 3 HR) gives his Pop some offensive pop. Bruce Alpaugh (7-4, 3.12 ERA) and "1993 ERA King" Dennis Kinney, 5-0, 0.55 ERA, lead the mound corps.

SOUTH WHITEHALL -- The Serpents stung their way to the playoffs last year and manager Chuck Mondschein would like to be back with Andy Kies (.419, .544 on base percentage), Eric Csencsits (.450, 23 RBI) and Bill Pugh (.431, 16 RBI) spearheading the offense. The pitching staff had a 4.90 ERA last summer and will look to whittle that number down behind Jim Emerick, Randy Baer, Bruce Sokol and Scott Strongowski.

STAHLEY'S -- Veteran player-manager Ray Ganser must reload to stay afloat in the arms race after losing Bob Schleicher to the Cape Cod League and Witkowski to East Texas. Ed Jones (4-5, 2.33 ERA) and Scott Buck (2-1, 2.93 ERA) figure to head the mound staff along with Ganser. Second baseman Tony Galucy (.415), first baseman Dave Lutte (.359) and last year's home run champ Mookie Smith (.369, 8 HR and 30 RBI) lead one of the league's best offenses.

SOUTH DIVISION

CETRONIA -- The White Sox have changed managers in hopes of changing things in the win-loss column. Shawn Andrews and Todd Greb are now calling the shots. Outfielder Ed Davidheiser (.357), catcher Andrews and first baseman Joe Sedler (6 HR, 21 RBI) provide offensive punch. Tom Laury (4-0, 2.06 ERA) is the ace of a revamped mound staff which includes Scott McNamara, Brett Fristick (4-3 at Limeport) and newcomers Chuck Hangen, Josh Friebolin, Mark Jarrell and Brian Gnas.

EMMAUS -- The Braves were playoff finalists in '92, but were ousted in the first round last season. Manager Dave Ernst rebuilt the team over the winter trying to revamp a club that lost six starters. Third baseman Andy Pengelly comes to the team from Milford where he hit .420 last season. Catcher Kyle Fisher (.383) and Ernst (.381) are offensive leaders. Dave Arndt (4-3, 2.41 ERA), Steve Rau (4-4, 2.73) and newcomer Kirk Orzel will take the mound.

GILBERTSVILLE -- The Rangers won't go away easily -- if at all. MVP Bob Drumbore (.407, 33 RBI) and Jeff Evans (.420, 26 RBI) figure to torment opposing hurlers again. Chris Ludy (4-0, 1.46), Tom Hartman and Drumbore do a nice Atlanta Braves' rotation imitation on the hill.

MILFORD -- The Pioneers dipped from nine wins in '91 to five in '92 to just three victories last summer. Upbeat manager Don Rosenberger, Sr., says, however, "This is our year to shine." Joe Ambrose (.293), first baseman Tim Schwindenhammer (.279) and Mark Waddell (.377) hope to make up for the major offensive loss of Pengelly to nearby Emmaus.

QUAKERTOWN -- The Orioles had their wings clipped to 9-21 last season and hope to bounce back under manager Bob Ornosky. Batting champ Kevin Kershner (.429), outfielder George Pavlinsky (.419) should ignite the offense.

SILVER CREEK -- The Raiders brought the Silver and Black to prominence in '93, coming within a game of winning the championship. League MVP Jason Young made foes feel old by posting a 9-2 mark with a 2.37 ERA. Other mound stars figure to be dandy Dylan Dando (3-0, 2.33 ERA), part-timer Greg Crouthamel    (4-0, 1.21) and newcomers Jared Krimmel and Eric Steckel.

UPPER PERK -- The Chiefs, once a postseason fixture, have failed to make the playoffs the past two years. New coach Mike Swanson is counting on vets like Bob Graber (.300), Joe Ricapito (4 HR, 21 RBI) and Rick Rossiter (.328) to get the Chiefs back on the war path. Newcomers include Casey Nial, Joe Dulin and Todd Hearsay.



keith.groller@mcall.com

From The Morning Call -- May 7, 1994

Copyright © 1994, The Morning Call