The 2002 baseball season was one of great expectations! We set a goal of contending for an MVC championship and a berth in District play. A slow start of 2-5 along with the loss of a starting player for the year due to injury could have tested the resolve of most teams. Most teams would have folded but the 2002 Rovers knew they had talent and responded by playing well the second half of the season and earned a District playoff berth. It was the first District 11 playoff game for Easton since in 6 seasons. The character of this team was impressive as their work ethic at practice and their response to low points during the year made them a pleasure to be around. Although our season was in some ways unimpressive record wise this group of athletes did something far more important than the average fan would understand. They moved the baseball program to the next level by reaching the playoffs showing the talented JV and Freshmen squads what is expected within the program. We strive to win every year and each team is expected to give 110%. This team did that! Beyond the field – this group of teammates and coaches developed a special bond and will not forget the relationships that came out of this season. Some highlights were a season sweep of Northampton and a big win over an 8-2 East Stroudsburg team. We knocked off District 11 playoff team Dieruff and crushed Lehighton. We suffered some close losses to Freedom, Parkland, Whitehall, and rival Phillipsburg. Down the stretch it seemed as if every game was a playoff game but we won two big games to get us closer to playoffs. Liberty was shut down by Steve Bakros in a 5-1 win. They went on to be the District 11 champs and are still in the State Playoffs. The biggest win for us clearly came down to the final day. We needed to beat Parkland to get in the playoffs. Trailing 4-2 going into the sixth we closed to within 4-3 when Ryan Schultz stepped to the plate with two men on and crushed a pitch over the right field fence to put us ahead 6-4 with 3 outs to go. We went on to win and played a tough hard fought loss to Whitehall 5-4. To the seniors: Steve Bakros has been chosen the team’s MVP due to his 7 wins on the mound and strong leadership qualities. He was chosen the top pitcher in the MVC by the MVC coaches. Brandon Mazzie did a great job as the team’s DH with a team high 14 RBI and is a great young man and is always a team player. Drew Elliott performed well in both starting and reserve roles. Don Gentzle hit a solid .308 and played great defense for us this year. Chris Aptacy caught the majority of the games and handled the staff very well. He also knocked in 12 runs throughout the year. Kevin Forik contributed on the mound and is also a fine person who the staff admires. Ryan Schultz worked for us in starting and reserve roles and was clearly a driving force with our team spirit when on the bench. What else can be said about Dutch? He was a pleasure to coach. Ryan Mertz had a super year at the plate hitting .359 and played a good first base. Ryan was quite a character but had a desire to play the game like many great players before him. Jason May is probably one of the best team players I’ve ever been around. He is a fine catcher and I will always remember his character. Jesse Pellegrino is a great kid who had a big presence at the plate. We’ll remember the homers he hit! He is also a player any coach would like to have. The next two seniors have been named co – winners of the annual Eddie Snyder Award. Jason Brewer and Kyle Arcury are quality people who showed what overcoming adversity and being leaders on the field and performing well within the classroom are all about. Jason Brewer is our scholar – athlete nominee who overcame a season ending broken hand in game 5 but had the will to work with the team in other capacities until he was able to come back and play in the Whitehall District playoff game. He knows the game of baseball and is a well rounded young man. Kyle Arcury battled for a starting spot and once he won the job wouldn’t let go. He hit a strong .364 and did not make an error for the year! He has overcome some personal difficulties in his life to not only play well but be an all around team player and excellent person. I respect him a great deal. All of these seniors are great people! I wish you well. To the underclassmen and team managers. Thanks for your effort and now it is your turn to take Easton Baseball to another level. Thank you ! Coach LaDuca

As in the past on several occasions, we have chosen co - award winners. The staff of 7 decided it was best to do so for the 2002 year. The two boys are Jason Brewer (Top) and Kyle Arcury(Bottom). Jason Brewer is a very intelligent, highly involved student athlete. He was one of our captains and hit .462 this year in limited action. Jason sustained a broken hand in our 5th game of the year against Whitehall while sliding into second base. Now - we understand he didn't play the full year but what made us decide on him was his desire to get back before the end of the season. He didn't miss practice, he even worked out shagging balls, hitting with one hand on tees, ran with the team, and helped out with field maintenance and various game day duties. He was truly a leader even in his absence on the field. The respect he received from his teammates was remarkable. The best part is he was able to play in our district playoff game and he singled on the very first pitch he saw. He went on to walk twice and knock in a run . He played a flawless second base and made us proud. In our eyes he was a complete and important member of our team! He is going to Penn State and will major in Communications. He is involved in tons of school activities and is in the top of his class. His father was Lafayette's last coach and is now at Princeton as an assistant. He has a great knowledge of the game and will make a good coach someday. he intends to walk on at Penn State for a baseball tryout. He was our Scholar Athlete Nomination. Kyle Arcury is the other winner. He batted .364 and had an on base percentage of .523. He was an outfielder who won the starting RF job 6 games into the year and did not commit an error. He also helped in all areas of game day and practice duties. Kyle is one of the best young kids I've ever been around. He is a great team player who also has gained the respect of his teammates. He has also earned that from his coaches and others who have been lucky enough to be around him. Kyle has overcome several large hurdles in his life the past two years. He has watched his mother battle breast cancer for a third time this past year and his family also lost their home due to a fire from a lightning strike last spring. He has inspired all of us from watching him handle these adversities. He has proven on the field he is a fine baseball player and academically he has done well. Kyle intends on going to Penn State - Berks and may play baseball there. Both of these kids represent hard work, respect, dedication, and most importantly they are fine young men.

Brandon Evers tripled and knocked in three runs and Whitehall held off a late Easton rally to down the Red Rovers 5-4 for their first District 11 Class 3A victory since 1994. Josh Miller (three hits) and Chris Raber knocked in the other runs for the Zephyrs (11-10), who will travel to top-seeded Emmaus in Thursday's quarterfinals. Easton (10-11) loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, but Andy Kulhamer, in relief of Whitehall starter Jimmy Gates, got Easton's Ryan Schultz on an infield pop-up to end the game. Joe Pelligrino had four hits, including a pair of triples, and Don Gentzle had two hits for Easton. Easton 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 4 10 0 Whitehall 0 4 1 0 0 0 X 5 8 2 Steve Bakros and Chris Aptacy; Jimmy Gates, Andy Kulhamer (6) and Brent Bowman. W: Gates. L: Bakros. S: Kulhamer

After a two-year absence, it appears Nazareth is poised to regain its place among the Mountain Valley Conference's elite. The Blue Eagles, who reached the conference title game four straight years from 1996 through 1999, are the popular choice to end Pleasant Valley's amazing two-year run in the Mountain Division and challenge two-time defending champion Parkland for the overall crown. Nazareth returns the core of a squad that caught fire in the postseason, beating Stroudsburg and the top-seeded Trojans before dropping a 3-2 heartbreaker to eventual champion Liberty in the District 11 Class 3A semifinals. However, even with the loss of five seniors who are now playing collegiately, coaches aren't about to forget about Pleasant Valley, which has lost only four games — all in the postseason, and all at Coplay's Sammy Balliet Stadium — the past two years. And then there's the Valley Division, which has been owned by Parkland the last two seasons. The Trojans are again a consensus pick to reach their third straight MVC title game, although serious challenges are expected to come from Liberty, Easton and Northampton. ''There seems to be a lot of teams in the same position — a nice mixture coming back but some question marks, too,'' Liberty coach Harry Dudeck said. ''Whoever comes out and plays hard every day can take it.'' VALLEY DIVISION EASTON Coach: Carm LaDuca (first year). Last Year: 9-11 overall, 7-9 (fourth). Major Losses: P-OF Mike VanDyk; OF-P-C Matt Loebsack. Top Returnees: Steve Bakros (Sr., P-OF); Don Gentzle, (Sr. P-IF); Chris Aptacy (Sr. C); Jason Brewer (Sr., SS); Ryan Mertz (Sr., P-3B); Jesse Pellegrino (Sr., LF). Outlook: LaDuca thinks the Red Rovers are armed (no pun intended) enough to make a run at their first postseason berth since 1996. ''We were 5-1 last year at one point until the roof caved in, and a lot of it was because of inexperience,'' the long-time assistant said. ''This year we have 12 seniors, and as long as we shore up the defense and put the ball in play we expect to contend.'' FREEDOM Coach: Mike Hercik (first year). Last Year: 5-15 overall, 4-12 (fifth). Major Losses: 1B Bryan Jones; SS Carl Strobl; P Mike Gazzano; C Josh Kametz; CF Bryan Smith. Top Returnees: Dave Kohler (Sr., CF); Ryan Dalton (Sr., P); Kevin Bellas (Sr., P); Chad Correll (Sr., 2B); Brian Hamedl (Sr., IF-P); Ryan Snyder (Sr. OF); Andrew Meier (Jr. P); Jeremy Kametz (Jr., C); Kyle Buck (Sr., 1b), Pete Sukanick (Sr., 1b).. Outlook: The Patriots were very green last year and Hercik, only the third head coach in the program's 35-year-history history, hopes the lessons learned will pay dividends this spring, especially on the mound. ''The guys took a beating last year but threw a lot of innings,'' said Hercik, who was an assistant to Fred Harris for five years before taking over. ''That should be to our advantage.'' LIBERTY Coach: Harry Dudeck (19th year). Last Year: 16-8 overall, 10-6 (second); District 11 Class 3A champ. Major Losses: 1B-P-OF Mike Schweder; C-P Dave Edwards; P Bryant Harris. Top Returnees: Matt Geiger (Sr., 3B); Andy Yencho (Sr., SS); Jose Rosado (Sr., 2B), Ryan Jaxheimer (Sr., LF); Neil Smith (Sr, RF); Rob Biggs (Sr., CF); Matt McBride (Jr., C). Outlook: Schweder, Edwards and Harris took most of the innings with them, so the Hurricanes must turn to younger arms for help this year. ''We're looking for some of those kids to really step up this year,'' said Dudeck, who has a nice nucleus to help defend the school's first district title since 1991. NORTHAMPTON Coach: Mike Sugra (eighth year, 112-47). Last Year: 12-9 overall, 9-7 (third). Major Losses: 1B Brock Schneck; SS Zach Sugra; P-OF Pat Kutzler; C Gene Tanzosh; P-OF Jamer Barnhardt; P-OF Joel Gross; OF Kyle Ladd. Top Returnees: Chris Bodnar (Sr, 2B); Andy Bauer (Sr, OF); Tom Cser (Jr., 3B-P); Robert Weber (Jr., P); Greg Christman (Jr., IF-P). Outlook: Led by Weber, who was 5-1 and beat 2A champ Bethlehem Catholic as a sophomore, the Konkrete Kids' pitching is solid, but Sugra says the big question is will they hit. ''We're definitely looking for some guys to step up at the plate,'' he said. That Bodnar is out until next month while recovering from shoulder surgery doesn't help. PARKLAND Coach: Terry Stoudt (fourth year, 46-20). Last Year: 19-3 overall, 14-2 (first); overall MVC champion. Major Losses: OF Andy Walbert; P-SS Ryan Eisenhard; 2B Kyle Peters; C Chris Peters; OF Terry Thomas; OF Greg Knauss; P Jarrod Ringer; P Chris Andrews; OF Brandon Weiss. Top Returnees: Chris Morrell (Sr., 2B); Jeff Mazalewski (Sr., C); Justin Gallagher (Sr, OF); Mark Mihalik (Sr., 1B); Ryan Zimmerman (Sr, OF); Kasey Baltsar (Sr., 3B); Greg Williams (Jr., SS); Brian Cope (Jr, P); Mike Collins (Jr, P). Outlook: The Trojans own perhaps the deepest pitching staff in the league led by Collins (7-1 a year ago), and despite the quality of the returners Stoudt said three sophomores — including Rick Seltzer, son of the one-time Parkland standout — could crack the lineup. But the Trojans have been plagued recently by quick district exits. ''Hopefully we can advance a little further this year,'' Stoudt said. WHITEHALL Coach: Andy Simock (first year). Last Year: 4-16 overall, 3-13 (sixth). Major Losses: P-2B Justin Deutsch; SS Jon Wiltraut; OF Todd Brosious; P Brian Hartzell; OF Jon Fehnel. Top Returnees: Chris Raber (Jr., 3B); Brent Bowman (Sr., C); Tony Derkits (Sr., SS); Chris Boyer (Sr., P); Jim Gates (Sr., P). Outlook: ''Quality'' is the key word in Simock's rookie year as head coach. ''We've been stressing to the kids to forget about batting averages and focus on quality at-bats,'' said Simock, who has former major-leaguer Dave Schneck on his staff. The Zephyrs lost nine one-run games last year, and ''our pitching needs to improve if we're going to win those games this year,'' Simock added. MOUNTAIN DIVISION EAST STROUDSBURG Coach: Jeff Heard (fourth year, 37-25). Last Year: 12-9 overall, 8-8 (third). Major Losses: P-SS Kane Furst ; DH Bob Moylen; CF Adam Walck; P Dan Zohlman. Top Returnees: Sam Courtwright (Sr., P); Joey Gaeta (Sr., C) ; Kevin Reese (Jr., SS-P); Scott Schweinfurth (Jr., 2B); Donald Jennings (Jr., C-P). Outlook: A young team with only one senior who will likely start, but one that has played a lot of baseball together, including during the summer on the town's first-ever Legion team. Gaeta, however, could be lost for a while recovering from a football injury. ''8-8 is OK but it's not going to win any championships,'' said Heard, whose team is looking for a fourth straight postseason trip. ''We still have to play better.'' LEHIGHTON Coach: Rick Bennett (third year, 20-21). Last Year: 9-11 overall, 5-11 (fifth). Major Losses: 2B Joe Zellner ; P-OF Matt Piosa; C Ryan Snyder; C-DH Brian Albouca; OF-DH Luke Sterling; P Jay Frey; P Mike Day. Top Returnees: Pete Balogach (Sr., 3B); Dedan Brozino (Sr., P); Chad Serfass (Sr., C-1B); Todd Remley (So., SS-2b). Outlook: The Indians' failure to win tight games cost them a playoff berth a year ago. ''We need to get that timely hit this year,'' Bennett said. ''Playing as a 2A team in a 3A league is a challenge, but we want to get back into districts and to do that we need to get off to a fast start.'' NAZARETH Coach: Nate Stannard (third year, 17-26). Last Year: 11-12 overall, 9-7 (second); District 11 Class 3A semifinalists). Major Losses: 1B Andy Geider; OF Casey Meehan; 2B Kyle Kaufmann. Top Returnees: Shane Avnet (Sr., P); Brian Wolf (Sr., IF-DH); Adam Aschoff (Sr. P); Doug Ruhl (Sr., C); Jeff Smull (Sr, OF-P); Adam Fleck (Jr., SS); Anthony Badillo (Jr., 2B); Billy Good (Jr, P-OF). Outlook: The Blue Eagles upset top-seeded Parkland before falling by a run against Liberty in last year's district semifinals, and most of the same team won the Norco Legion title during the summer. So they know how to win big games. ''Now we have some younger kids to blend in,'' said Stannard, who admitted that ''This could be a quality year for us.'' PLEASANT VALLEY Coach: Jeff Kashner (26th year, 331-189). Last Year: 20-2 overall; 16-0 (first); lost to Parkland in MVC title game. Major Losses: P-3B Justin Kashner; P-OF Gerry Washack; SS Chad Stecker; 1B Brent Meixsell; 2B Zach Kozicki; OF Kellen Economy. Top Returnees: Jesse Borden (Jr., C); Joe Polacek (Sr., OF); Randy Geake (Sr., P); Miguel Abreu (Jr., OF). Outlook: The Bears have ruled the regular season the past two years, winning 42 straight overall and 38 straight MVC games, with both streaks dating back to 1999. But their only titles are back-to-back Mountain Division crowns. This year, the target appears to be off, but PV still should be considered dangerous. ''We need to mature,'' Kashner said. ''We told the kids that the ones who left closed one chapter in the program's history; now, it's their turn to open a new one.'' POCONO MOUNTAIN Coach: Dale Johnson (second year, 4-14). Last Year: 4-14 overall; 4-12 (sixth). Major Losses: 3B Josh Johnson; P Pete Dyson. Top Returnees: Jesse Flood (Sr., P-OF); Brian Boylan (Jr. C); Kenny Crowe (Sr. SS). Outlook: The return of Crowe, who broke his arm in the first game last year, will help, but the Cardinals' hopes of getting back to districts for the first time since the mid-1990s. They will probably rely on — surprise — their pitching. ''We'll be OK hitting the ball, and I think we'll play good defense. It's just going to come down to our pitching,'' Johnson said. STROUDSBURG Coach: Phil Stokes (first year). Last Year: 10-11 overall, 7-9 (fourth). Major Losses: 2B Brian Lank; P-C Andy Ludlow; Jr. OF Scott Robertson (choose not to play). Top Returnees: Dave Manter (Sr., SS); Ryan Gaffney (Sr., P-OF); Josh Roth (Sr., 3B); Kirk Mueller (Jr., 1B-P); John Redmond (Jr., P-DH); B.J. Snyder (Jr., P-OF). Outlook: As with so many teams, the Mountaineers' hopes rest on their pitching. ''It needs to come together very quickly,'' said Stokes, an assistant the last two years. ''I want to see this team back in districts, and we have potential to do that.'' THE CONSENSUS Valley: 1. Parkland; 2. Liberty; 3. Easton; 4. Northampton; 5. Freedom; 6. Whitehall. Mountain: 1. Nazareth; 2. East Stroudsburg; 3. Pleasant Valley; 4. Stroudsburg; 5. Lehighton; 6. Pocono Mountain. Overall Champion: Nazareth. Copyright © 2002, The Morning Call