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June 9, 2004
2004 was a year with much anticipation. Joel Hockman, an 8 game winner, had graduated and a young pitching staff was coming into the season with only one seasoned veteran in reliever Brett Stout. A good crop of seniors was returning looking to improve upon the 12-10 2003 season. Some early goals were to improve the team batting average and to not only qualify for District playoffs but also challenge for Division and LVC titles.
The season started with two big wins over top quality opponents Hazelton and Liberty. Then back to back losses followed but Phil Gunther , a sophomore lefty, would put an end to that by throwing an 8-0 no-hitter against Nazareth. The no–hitter was Easton’s first since Bryan Kostishion threw one in 1979. This was huge lift to the team because we would run off a 4 game win streak and then defeat Parkland on the road for the first time in a decade. An Allen win would finish our April at 8-4. A 7-2 league record had us atop the Northampton Division with 8 to play.
Being in contention down the stretch brought us respect from opposing teams who threw top quality pitching at us on most occasions. Our young pitchers kept us in most games but disappointing losses to Dieruff, Phillipsburg , and Becahi stained a season of promise. We all felt a strong showing each game was possible. At times we did not meet that goal. A 3-5 May would send us into the playoffs but our players prepared each day as if we were going to win a title. A 9-4 loss to Northampton on May 25 would put an end to our season.
On the positive side of things we qualified earlier than any team in the last decade and reached District Play for the 3rd straight year. Many young players gained valuable playoff experience like sophomores Phil Gunther, Ryan Miller, and Dan Cahill along with a host of fine returning juniors. We will miss the commitment of seniors and we wish them well. Josh Baltz, Kris Bisci, Captain Luke Carlson, Brett Stout, Anthony Ventola, JJ Walton, Kyle Assise, Jason Grube, Matt Manchester, and Brandon McWilliams are great young men who gave their all to EAHS Baseball. They will pass the task of winning a championship and leadership to the juniors who will accept that challenge.
We look forward to baseball at Easton in 2005.
The Coaching Staff
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June 8, 2004
The Easton Area High School Baseball Program has announced that Senior catcher Anthony Ventola has been named the 2004 Eddie Snyder Award winner. The award was created after Eddie Snyder , an outstanding athlete, respected teacher , and successful coach at Easton High School. The inception of the award was 1968 and it was given by friends and colleagues to the best player that exemplifies his attributes. With this award , Ed Snyder and his ideals continue to be a part of the baseball program at EAHS.
Anthony Ventola hit .360 this past season and is one of the finest catchers to come through the program in its existence. He will attend Farleigh-Dickinson University in Teaneck , N.J. on a partial Division 1 baseball scholarship. He was one of the team’s leaders and showed a strong work ethic both on the field and in the classroom.
Junior Ian McCutcheon won the team’s annual MVP award. Ian was elected as an All Northampton Division Outfielder in 2004 by LVC coaches and hit .391 with 17 RBI’s this season. He led the team in batting and displayed an incredible work ethic, which made his teammates respect him.
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June 3, 2004
Ian McCutcheon, who hit .383 and Anthony Ventola who batted .359 Have been added to the Rovers all time .350 Batting Club list.
Brett Stout was added to the Top Pitchers list with 6 wins this season.
You can see the complete listing by clicking on the EAHS History option on the menu located on the left hand side of the site.
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