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December 4, 2007
There will be a Diamond Club meeting on Tuesday - December 11, 2007 in room D208 at EAHS at 7:00pm.
All parents and supporters of Easton Baseball are encouraged to attend.
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July 5, 2007
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July 1, 2007
The Easton Baseball Program would like to congratulate catcher Chad Warga on his involvement with the Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup All-Star team which won its first two games at the University of Pennsylvania and earned a shot at playing in Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia in the semifinal round of the tournament. Unfortunately, they lost the game 4-2 but we are proud of Chad’s accomplishment and his play during the tournament. Recently Ryan Miller and Ian McCutcheon were participants in this highly touted all-star team from the valley in the past several years. Chad is going on to attend the University of Pittsburgh this fall.
  
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June 1, 2007
The goal – to win a Championship! The 2007 Rover baseball team came out of the gates strong opening winning 6 of the first 8 games. But then a span of 5 losses in 6 games put the team into a fight for its playoff lives. The team was able to finish strong winning its last two to bring their season record to 11-9. The Rovers drew Nazareth in the District 11 playoffs and fell 6-5 in 8 innings to end their season. Highlights of the season included early wins over Hazelton, Northampton, and Nazareth. Also victories against Liberty and Freedom down the stretch made it exciting since those two teams had success during the season. Also a late season trip to Boston to play a AAAA school Acton Boxborough ended with a successful win 6-2 over a team led by former Rover Patrick Grucela. The trip spanned 3 days and was a lot of fun including a trip to Fenway park, a historical Duck tour of Boston, and a Minor League baseball game. It was an enriching experience that all enjoyed.
While any season that ends with a loss is disappointing, the coaches felt as if the players worked hard to win all year. This group of players was committed, academic, and most importantly well – disciplined. Nine seniors will leave this team to move onto college and future playing endeavors. They were a group of fine young men who will be missed….
Brendan Lopes
Josh Lopes
Jonathan Baltz
Ron Vail
Chris Swope
Ben Schneiderman
Chad Warga
Mike Rasely
Matt Bisco
Individually this year we had the following awards given to our players:
Lehigh Valley Conference
All Conference Designated Hitter: Josh Lopes
All Conference – Outfielder: Jarred Holley
Honorable Mention: Ron Vail (Pitcher), Chad Warga (Catcher), Jon Baltz (3rd Base)
Scholar-Athlete nominee: Josh Lopes
Eddie Snyder Award Winner: Brendan and Josh Lopes
Most Valuable Player – Jarred Holley
Led team in hits: 27
Led team in average: .360
Member of .350 club
.407 on base percentage
Stole 16 of 18 base
Had one error in 21 games in the OF
Ron Vail won 5 games to be added to the list of top pitchers since 1980.
The coaching staff will go back to work to create a positive environment for the current underclassmen to excel in as far as baseball preparation and academic readiness. We will watch throughout the summer during those seasons, have an opportunity to work out in intramural programs in the fall and winter, and ready ourselves for a great 2008.
The program’s final record this year:
Varsity: 11-9
JV: 10-10
Freshmen: 10-4
Overall Record: 31-23
I would like to personally thank all of our coaches for their valuable time and effort during the season and beyond. Greg Hess, Jim Warga, Scott Ordway, Ben Childs, Phil Sams, Ryan Kanusky, Anthony Ventola, and Brandon Mazzie. They are dedicated group of men who helped make our season a success.
Coach LaDuca
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Tyler Frantz delivers game-winning hit
May 22, 2007
By MICHAEL BLOUSEThe Express-Times
NAZARETH | A senior who was three outs away from the end of his baseball career at Nazareth Area High School sparked, then capped a dramatic comeback.
Tyler Frantz singled to start the game-tying seventh-inning rally, then No. 3 contributed a perfectly placed eighth-inning single to plate pinch runner Craig Ball with the game-winning run.
Nazareth's Blue Eagles, the defending District 11 Class AAAA champion and the No. 8 seed this season, beat Easton 6-5 Monday at Nazareth Borough Park.
Coach John Lock's club (12-9) moves on to meet Lehigh Valley Conference champion and No. 1 seed Parkland (19-2) in a quarterfinal-round clash.
Game time is 4 p.m., Wednesday at Parkland.
"We've really been a comeback team all season," said Frantz, who bats leadoff in the Blue Eagles' lineup. "Everything started off bad today, but we held out hope and found a way to win.
"Really, I just tried to do my part."
Frantz, a right fielder, was a role player on last year's district championship team. He contributed mostly as a courtesy and pinch runner.
Frantz, however, found himself on center stage with one out and runners on second and third in the bottom of the eighth inning. He delivered a seeing-eye single off the glove of Easton shortstop Brendan Lopes, who was part of the Red Rovers' drawn-in infield.
"He jammed me," Frantz said of the pitch from Easton reliever Mike Rasley. "He was throwing pretty hard, so I choked up to put it in play."
"I'm really confident with Tyler up in that type of situation," said Lock, the first-year coach. "He's not usually in a position to drive in runs, but he's the kind of kid who knows what we need."
The play was inches away -- if Lopes' catches the ball in the air -- from being an inning-ending double play. Both baserunners broke on contact.
"Brendan was fully extended," Easton coach Carm LaDuca said, "and he hit the ground exactly at the time the ball hit his glove. It was a great effort."
The lefty-swinging Frantz started the seventh with a solid single the opposite way.
Adam Counterman reached on an error and Brendan McGaheran drove home Nazareth's fourth run on an infield single -- and a close call at first base.
Umpire Mike Litzenberger initially started to signal an out call but then ruled McGaheran safe.
"He beat it," Litzenberger said in the parking lot 20 minutes after the final out. "I used bad mechanics."
Shawn Sylvainus tied the score at 5 with a one-out RBI groundout.
"Brendan's hit is the one that really got us going," Frantz said.
"I thought he was out," LaDuca said, "and so did everyone else on our side. That's not the reason we lost, though.
"This is a tough way to end the season, but I'm proud of our kids. We played hard, we just didn't execute when we needed."
Jarred Holley went 2-for-5 with a run scored for the Red Rovers, who opened a 4-0 first-inning lead.
Holley's long drive to left with two on and two out in the eighth was caught a few feet in front of the fence by Brian Sinkiewicz.
Nazareth's Justin Peppel settled in after a disappointing -- and uncharacteristically wild -- first frame. Chris George relieved and recorded two eighth-inning outs to earn the win.
Next up for the defending district champs is the favorite to take their title this year: Parkland.
"We didn't play very well against Parkland the last time," Frantz said, referring to a 5-0 loss. "Parkland is really tough, so we'll need to bring our 'A' game."
EASTON (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Holley cf 5-1-2-0, J. Lopes dh-lf 3-1-1-0, Vail p 0-0-0-0, B. Lopes ss 3-1-0-0, Rasley lf-p 4-1-1-2, Baltz 3b 4-0-0-0, Warga c 4-0-0-1, Harvey cr 0-0-0-0, Schneiderman rf 3-1-0-0, Penyak 1b 1-0-0-0, Hughes ph 1-0-0-0, Swope 2b 3-0-1-1, Heilman ph 1-0-0-0. Totals 32-5-5-4.
NAZARETH (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Frantz rf 5-1-2-2, Counterman 2b 4-2-1-1, McGaheran ss 4-0-1-1, Corpora 1b 1-0-0-0, Sylvainus 3b 4-0-1-2, Sinkiewicz lf 3-0-1-0, Keller dh 2-0-0-0, Harris dh 1-0-1-0, Ball pr 0-1-0-0, Peppel p 0-0-0-0, George p 0-0-0-0, Bedi c 3-0-2-0, Makovetz cr 0-1-0-0, Kroboth cf 4-1-1-0. Totals 31-6-10-6.
Easton 400 100 00--5 5 2
Nazareth 003 000 21--6 10 4
E -- Swope, Baltz; McGaheran 2, Sylvainus, Counterman. DP -- Easton 1; Nazareth 1. LOB -- Easton 8; Nazareth 7. 2B -- Kroboth. SB -- Counterman, Kroboth. Sac -- Penyak; Corpora.
Vail, Rasley (7) and Warga; Peppel, George (8) and Bedi. W -- George. L -- Rasley. SO-BB -- Vail 3-5, Rasley 1-0; Peppel 6-3, George 2-0. HBP -- by Peppel (Penyak). WP -- Peppel. PB -- Warga. Balk -- Peppel.
Records: Easton 11-10, Nazareth 12-9.
Michael Blouse can be reached at 800-360-3601 or by e-mail at mblouse@express-times.com.
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Parkland, Blue Mountain Top Seeds in District XI Playoffs
May 21, 2007
The District 11 baseball brackets have been released and a few teams, including defending Class 3A champion Southern Lehigh, need to win just two games to capture the title and get a berth into the PIAA tournament.
All first-round games are at 4 p.m. today and are hosted by the higher-seeded team.
No. 1 Parkland (the Lehigh Valley Conference champion), No. 2 Stroudsburg (the Mountain Valley Conference champion), No. 3 Pottsville and No. 4 Pleasant Valley all earned first-round byes in 4A and won't play until Wednesday.
Monday's 4A matchups are No. 9 Easton at defending champ Nazareth, the No. 8 seed; No. 12 East Stroudsburg South at No. 5 Freedom; No. 11 Liberty at No. 6 Northampton; and No. 10 Pocono Mountain East at No. 7 Emmaus.
In the Class 3A bracket, top-seeded Blue Mountain and No. 2 Southern Lehigh will not play until the semifinals May 29. Wednesday's quarterfinal round features No. 5 Saucon Valley playing at No. 4 Northwestern and No. 6 Tamaqua visiting No. 3 Bethlehem Catholic, which won the 2A title last season.
In the 2A classification, No. 8 Palmerton travels to No. 1 Notre Dame-Green Pond (the Colonial League champion); No. 5 Panther Valley plays at No. 4 Wilson; and No. 6 Schuylkill Haven goes to No. 3 Pine Grove.
In Class A, No. 1 Minersville is the only team that received a first-round bye.
Monday's games feature No. 5 Marian Catholic at No. 4 Williams Valley; No. 6 Tri Valley at No. 3 Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg; and No. 7 Nativity at No. 2 Pius X.
For every classification, the quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday, the semifinals for May 29 and the championship games for May 30.
Mandy Housenick
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Rovers Pound Becahi in Regular Season Finale
May 15, 2007
Pitcher Ron Vail allowed two runs over 5 innings to pick up his fifth win of the year Monday as Easton pounded out an 11-2 victory over Bethlehem Catholic in a Lehigh Valley Conference baseball game.
Mike Rasley knocked in two runs -- one on a solo home run in the sixth -- to pace Easton's 11-run, 15-hit attack.
Jarred Holley went 2-for-3 and Chad Warga 3-for-4, and each scored two runs for the Red Rovers.
Beth. Catholic 000 200 0--2 6 3
Easton 220 034 x--11 15 3
2B -- Schweitzer (BC); Baltz (E). 3B -- Zubia (BC); Holley (E). HR -- Rasley (E). RBI -- Schweitzer, Skutches (BC); Rasley 2, Schneiderman 2, Holley, J. Lopes, Cordero, LaValva (E).
Zubia, Skutches (5), Longernecker (5), Gill (6) and Peluso; Vail, Rasley (6), Schneiderman (7) and Warga, Kraus (7). W -- Vail. L -- Zubia. SO-BB -- Zubia 2-0, Skutches 0-1, Longernecker 0-0, Gill 1-1; Vail 4-2, Rasley 1-0, Schneiderman 1-0.
Records: Bethlehem Catholic 9-10, 8-8; Easton 11-9, 8-8.
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May 10, 2007
Senior Mike Rasley scattered eight hits and struck out eight and Jarred Holley went 2-for-3 with a home run and double to lead Easton.
Josh Lopes contributed a two-run double when the Red Rovers broke open the game with a four-run fifth inning.
Liberty 000 000 1--1 8 1
Easton 102 141 x--9 5 0
2B -- Hernandez, Lule (L); J. Lopes, Holley (E). HR -- Holley. RBI -- Hernandez (L); Holley 2, J. Lopes 2, Rasley, Warga, Hughes (E).
Bearse, Reaser (5), McFadden (6) and Turcotte; Rasley and Warga. L -- Bearse. SO-BB -- Bearse 1-3, Reaser 0-3, McFadden 0-1; Rasley 8-2.
Records: Liberty 10-9, 8-7; Easton 10-9, 7-8.
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May 8, 2007
Mark Corpora went 3-for-3 with an RBI and Justin Peppel scattered three hits over six innings to lead Nazareth.
Brendan McGaheran hit a triple and scored twice for the Blue Eagles.
Chad Warga drove in Easton's run in the second.
Easton 010 000 0--1 3 0
Nazareth 200 101 X--4 5 1
2B -- George (N). 3B -- McGaheran (N). RBI -- Warga (E); Corpora, Sylvainus, George (N).
Vail and Warga. Peppel, McGaheran (7) and Bedi. W -- Peppel. SO-BB -- Vail 3-2; Peppel 2-2, McGaheran 0-0.
Records: Easton 9-9, 6-8; Nazareth 11-7, 8-6.
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May 7, 2007
Chris Boyce earned a complete game victory and Dan Schneider was 3-for-3 with a home run as Northampton clinched a district playoff berth.
Kevin Kowalishen had two hits and Justin Groller smashed a two-run homer for the Konkrete Kids.
Brendan Lopes and Ron Vail were each 2-for-3 for Easton
Northampton 001 220 1--6 11 3
Easton 011 010 0--3 8 1
2B -- Vail, Warga (E). HR -- Groller, Schneider (N). RBI -- Groller 2, Boyce, Schneider, Horwath (N); Vail, Baltz (E).
Boyce and Groller; Penyak, Heilman (7) and Warga. L -- Penyak. SO-BB -- Boyce 4-2; Penyak 4-1, Heilman 0-0.
Records: Northampton 10-7, 8-5; Easton 9-8, 6-7.
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Playoff Hopes are Still Alive
May 4, 2007
Mike Rasley belted a grand slam in the fourth inning as the Red Rovers rolled to a 9-2 lead over Freedom. Rasley finished with five RBIs.
Ben Chambers homered for Northampton County Division-leading Freedom.
Easton 005 402 0--11 14 3
Freedom 002 300 1--6 7 3
2B -- Warga (E); Chambers (F). HR -- Rasley (E); Chambers (F). RBI -- Rasley 5, Lopes 2, Baltz (E); Chambers 3, Mika, Correll (F).
Vail. Penyak (7) and Warga; Lear, Emerick (3), Hughes (5), Slanovec (7) and Shortall, Petraglia (6). W -- Vail. L -- Lear. SO-BB -- Vail 6-0, Penyak 2-0; Lear 3-1, Emerick 2-1, Hughes 0-1, Slanovec 0-0.
Records: Easton 8-7, 6-6; Freedom 12-5, 10-3.
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April 30, 2007
Corey Steltz went 2-for-3 and capped Emmaus' three-run third inning with an RBI single. Kyle Gable was 3-for-3 with two RBIs for the Green Hornets.
Jarred Holley went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored for Easton.
Emmaus 030 310 1--8 12 2
Easton 101 000 0--2 5 1
2B -- A. Johnson, Skawski (Em); Holley (Ea). RBI -- Gable 2, Kender, M. Johnson, Steltz, Skawski (Em); J. Lopes (Ea).
Fick and A. Johnson; Schneiderman, Penyak (4), Heilman (7) and Warga. L -- Schneiderman. SO-BB -- Fick 1-0; Schneiderman 1-2, Penyak 1-0, Heilman 1-0.
Records: Emmaus 8-5, 7-4; Easton 7-7, 5-6.
JV score: Easton 9-8 -- WP Dylan Kemmerer, Ian Oakley 4 hits.
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Brendan Lopes leads the HR Parade
April 27, 2007
Brendan Lopes hit two-run home runs in the third and seventh innings to power Easton.
Mike Rasley went 3-for-4 with a solo homer in the seventh and two RBIs and Josh Lopes hit a solo shot in the sixth. Shawn Stefanyak went 3-for-4 to lead Whitehall.
Easton 102 001 4--8 11 0
Whitehall 100 000 1--2 8 0
HR -- B. Lopes 2, J. Lopes, Rasley (E). RBI -- B. Lopez 4, Rasley 2, J. Lopes (E).
Vail, Penyak (7) and Warga, Krause (7); Sink, Pammer (4), Void (6) and Handwerk. W -- Zail. L -- Sink. SO-BB -- Vail 4-4; Sink 2-4, Void 1-0.
Records: Easton 7-6, 5-5; Whitehall 4-10, 1-9.
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Easton gets only three hits while dropping its fourth straight game
April 24, 2007
By MICHAEL BLOUSE of the The Express-Times
PALMER TWP. | In Parkland ace Kevin Mihalik's previous start, prior to Tuesday's Lehigh Valley Conference baseball matchup against Easton Area High School, the Trojans scored only two runs.
Mihalik's teammates made up for that lack of run support this time, exploding for six first-inning runs against the slumping Red Rovers, and Parkland cruised to a 10-0 victory at Richards Field.
Mihalik, who lost his previous start to Northampton 2-1 but owns a 3-1 record, allowed three hits and three walks while striking out five in five innings.
Justin Warner completed the shutout by throwing two hitless innings.
"I've been giving everyone a little bit of a hard time about (the lack of run support) in practice," Mihalik said, "but 10 runs? You can't ask for more than that.
"Easton is a big rival in every sport and I really wanted to beat them."
"We owed Kevin," Parkland coach Tony Galucy said.
The Trojans improved to 9-2 overall and 8-1 in the conference. They lead the Lehigh County Division by two games over Emmaus.
The loss was Easton's fourth straight and its fourth over a five-day span.
Coach Carm LaDuca's Red Rovers -- 6-6 overall and 4-5 in the LVC -- have scored one run in their last three games. They were shut out by Allen 3-0 on Monday and lost 10-1 to archrival Phillipsburg on Saturday night.
"We're scuffling, for sure," LaDuca said. "But we can come back from this slump. I thought today we showed some positive signs. I was pleased with our at-bats against a very tough pitcher, we hit some balls hard. And our effort was much better. Nobody wants to lose like this but I still feel it was a positive step."
Easton starter Ron Vail retired the first two batters in the first inning on a strikeout and comebacker.
Then, seven straight batters reached base and six scored. Dan Klem started it with a walk and Mihalik doubled home the first run.
The Trojans ripped four doubles in the first inning.
Cody Weiss led Parkland's offense with a 3-for-3 effort. Mihalik contributed two hits and Mike Miorelli went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Jarred Holley, Josh Lopes and Jon Baltz had the hits for Easton.
Parkland and Freedom, which competes in the Northampton County Division, are both 8-1 in the LVC. The teams meet Monday in Bethlehem Township and could play next month in the conference championship game.
"The conference is very wide open," Galucy said. "I look at the paper every day to check out the scores because you never know who will beat who."
PARKLAND (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Plessel 2b 4-0-0-0, Kave 2b-cr 1-2-0-0, Muth c 4-0-1-0, Gabriel c 1-0-0-0, Klem ss 2-1-0-0, Collins ss 2-0-1-0, Mihalik p 3-0-2-1, Zaccaro 1b 1-0-1-0, Weiss cf 3-2-3-1, Neikam cf 1-0-1-0, Tajiri lf 2-2-1-1, Moller lf 1-0-0-0, Warner 1b-p 3-1-1-0, Zimmel ph 0-0-0-1, Miorelli 3b 4-2-2-2, Sloan rf 3-0-2-2, Newman rf 0-0-0-0. Totals 35-10-15-8.
EASTON (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Holley cf 3-0-1-0, Pursell ph 0-0-0-0, J. Lopes rf 2-0-1-0, Harvey rf 1-0-0-0, Snyder ph 1-0-0-0, Warga c 3-0-0-0, Rasley lf 2-0-0-0, Schneiderman lf 1-0-0-0, Baltz 3b 1-0-1-0, Cordero ph 0-0-0-0, B. Lopes ss 1-0-0-0, Heilman ss 0-0-0-0, Hughes ss 1-0-0-0, Vail p 3-0-0-0, Penyak p 0-0-0-0, Parrish p 0-0-0-0, Rhinehart p-1b 0-0-0-0, Bisco 1b 2-0-0-0, Swope 2b 1-0-0-0, LaValva 2b 1-0-0-0. Totals 23-0-3-0.
Parkland 600 030 1--10 15 1
Easton 000 000 0--0 3 2
E -- Klem; B. Lopes, Hughes. DP -- Parkland 1; Easton 1. LOB -- Parkland 8; Easton 6. 2B -- Mihalik, Weiss, Miorelli, Sloan.
Mihalik, Warner (6) and Muth, Gabriel (7); Vail, Penyak (3), Parrish (5), Rhinehart (5) and Warga, Krause (7). W -- Mihalik. L -- Vail. SO-BB -- Mihalik 5-3, Warner 2-0; Vail 1-1, Penyak 1-0, Parrish 0-2, Rhinehart 1-0. HBP -- by Warner (Cordero, Pursell); by Rhinehart (Newman).
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April 23, 2007
Mike Rasley had 2 hits and pitched well tossing a 4 hit complete game but the Rovers came out on the short end of the stick.
Easton 000 000 0 - 0 3 1
Allen 002 010 x- 3 4 2
Mike Rasely and Warga; Dave Khanuja and Kresge.
Notes: E: Rasely 9 Ks, CG, 2-for-2 at the plate; A: Khanuja CG 3-hitter; Bandele Talib 2-for-2, 4 SB, 2 R; Jake Grazer RBI 2B.
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Junior drives in two runs as P'burg wins third straight over Easton
April 21, 2007
By BRIAN FORTNER The Express-Times
EASTON | Shane Solimani's role was well defined at the start of the high school baseball season.
The Phillipsburg High School junior was pegged as a key contributor on the Stateliners' pitching staff. Anything else would be considered a bonus.
Solimani proved Saturday night he's more than just a pitcher, keying P'burg's offense with three hits and two RBIs.
P'burg rolled to a 10-1 independent victory over archrival Easton before a crowd of about 800 at Hackett Park.
"Shane was going to be pitcher for us," P'burg coach John Stillo said. "But he's been a big part of our offense."
Phillipsburg (5-2), ranked No. 4 in The Express-Times region, has now won four straight over the No. 7 Red Rovers (6-4).
The winning pitcher in the last three meetings is Mike Rossetti. On Saturday, he gave up an unearned run on four hits in six solid innings to improve to 3-0 on the season.
"There's no greater feeling to come here, under the lights, in front of the big crowd and do well," Rossetti said. "The run support made it real easy for me tonight. All I had to do was throw strikes and let the defense do the job."
Rossetti pitched five innings in leading P'burg to a 3-2 win last season. He also beat the Red Roves 5-3 as a sophomore in 2005.
Solimani, the designated hitter, drove in the game's first run with an RBI triple off Easton starter Brian Penyak in the 'Liners' five-run second inning.
Solimani added an RBI single in the third to put P'burg up 6-0, singled in the fifth and was hit by a pitch in the sixth.
Rossetti worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the second and took a two-hitter into the sixth, when Easton scored on back-to-back singles by Brendon Lopes and Mike Rasley, a hit batsman and an error by second baseman Mark Moretti to make it 10-1.
"P'burg is a very good team. That was evident tonight," Easton coach Carm LaDuca said. "They hit the ball very well. They might be the best hitting team we've faced so far. Give a ton of credit to Rossetti. He's done it to us, year in and year out.
"Our kids were ready and they played hard, but it's tough when you have battle from that far behind."
Solimani, who came on in relief with the bases loaded in the seventh and recorded the final two outs, wasn't the only 'Liner swinging a hot bat.
Moretti drilled a two-run home run in the second, Tyler Jones had a pair of doubles and two RBIs and clean-up man Joe DiCecilia had two hits and scored three runs.
First baseman John Murray and right fielder Brian Del Rosso, the Nos. 7 and 9 hitters in the order, each had two hits.
"You expect the meat of the order, guys like Jones and DiCecilia to produce," Stillo said. "But when the bottom of the order comes through like tonight, you can win a lot of ballgames."
Phillipsburg 051 013 0--10 13 2
Easton 000 001 0--1 5 3
E -- Buss, Moretti; B. Lopes, Swope, Hughes. LOB -- Phillipsburg 10; Easton 11. DP -- Phillipsburg. 2B -- Jones 2, Rossetti; Baltz. 3B -- Solimani, Del Rosso. HR -- Moretti. SB -- DiCecilia. CS -- Solimani. Sac -- Buss.
Rossetti, Garis (7), Solimani and Jones; Penyak, Rasley (3), Hughes (6), Heilman (6) and Warga. W -- Rossetti (3-0). L -- Penyak (2-0). SO-BB -- Rossetti 3-2, Garis 0-2, Solimani 1-0; Penyak 1-1, Rasley 1-0, Hughes 0-1, Heilman 1-1. WP -- Garis 2; Heilman. HBP -- by Hughes (Solimani), by Heilman (Buss); by Rossetti (J. Lopes, Warga). Balk -- Rasley. Records -- Phillipsburg 5-2; Easton 6-4.
Brian Fortner can be reached at 800-360-3601 or by e-mail at bfortner@express-times.com
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Vail Flirts with No Hitter
April 19, 2007
Ron Vail pitched 5 innings of no hit ball to lead the Rovers over Dieruff 7-0. Dieruff had one hit, a leadoff infield hit in the sixth on a slow roller to third. Vail tossed 6 strong innings. Kevin Heilman threw the 7th to preserve the shutout.
Dylan Kemmerer pitched a no hitter for the JV's yesterday at Dieruff with 14 strikeouts in a 10-0 win.
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JV Game Still On
April 18, 2007
Todays Varsity tilt versus Dieruff scheduled to be played at EAHS has been postponed due to field conditions.
As of this time the JV game is still being played at Dieruff.
If the status of the JV game changes we will post that information as soon as it becomes available.
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All Teams will practice this evening
April 16, 2007
Varsity and JV games have been postponed until next Monday, April 23rd. The Freshmen game is also postponed but a reschedule date has not been set.
April 23rd
Varsity at at Allen beginning at 5pm JV at Easton beginning at 4pm.
Practice tonight for Varsity and JV teams in gym from 5-7pm. The Freshmen will practice at 3:30-5pm in gym.
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Red Rover twin brothers Brendan and Josh Lopes have high averages on and off the field.
April 13, 2007
By Mandy Housenick Of The Morning Call
Brendan and Josh Lopes share a car, a bedroom, a birthday, friends and a love for baseball.
The list could go on and on for the Easton High twins.
But let's talk about one of the few things they don't share, which is likely the thing they're most known for.
Josh is ranked No. 1 in the senior class with a 104.24 average (on a scale of 100). Brendan is right behind him with an average of 104.08.
''It's always been our goal to be No. 1 and 2 together,'' Josh said.
The healthy competition between the two and their work ethic have been the keys to the Lopes maintaining their 1-2 rankings since ninth grade. No one else in their graduating class has owned either of the top two spots in the last four years.
''We definitely help each other stay focused,'' Brendan said. ''It's a friendly competition, but a constant motivation.''
Josh said nobody has given him more incentive to do well in school than his brother.
''There have been plenty of nights you want to just go home and sleep and forget the homework,'' Josh said. ''But usually one of us is motivated enough to do the work and that pushes the other one.''
Lisa Lopes, the boys' mother, said her sons have been the driving force behind each other's success in school, sports and other challenges.
''One would ride a bike first, and the other said, 'You're going to do it today, too. I'm sure you are,''' Lisa said. ''It was never said in a way that was meant to put the other down. They were always friendly with it.''
Their outstanding grades have given them plenty of colleges to choose from. They've applied and been accepted at Clemson, Villanova, Penn State, Boston College and Virginia.
While they haven't made their choice official yet, though they're leaning toward Clemson, they are sure about one thing when it comes to college -- it will be a joint decision.
''We definitely want to go to college together,'' Brendan said. ''We've always been best friends. Don't get me wrong. We have arguments here and there, but we are best friends.''
They're such good friends that they've made a vow not to ever date the same girl.
They're such good friends that even after being given the option to have separate bedrooms, they decided to continue sharing one.
''It's nice to have somebody to talk to at night,'' Josh said.
They are also each other's biggest fans on the baseball field, a place they're both having success this season.
Brendan is starting at shortstop and Josh either starts in the outfield or is the designated hitter.
''They are very supportive of each other,'' Easton coach Carm LaDuca said. ''They seem very close to me. I don't see that sibling rivalry stuff.''
But LaDuca does see that intelligence from the classroom carry over to baseball.
''If there is something that needs to be done on the field and takes a little bit of thought, we call for the Lopes,'' LaDuca said. ''One time we had to put up a batting net in our outdoor cage and it was a big ball. They came over and laid it all out and got it done.''
The twins, who are fraternal with Brendan being older by 26 minutes, have some time before they're done with college, but they already have some ideas as to what they want to do after they graduate.
''We've always had a long-term goal to start a family business together,'' Josh said.
That would seem only fitting for boys who are as much friends as they are brothers and classmates.
amanda.housenick@mcall.com
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Varsity and JV games Postponed
April 12, 2007
Both Varsity and JV games to be played against Bethlehem Catholic have been postponed.
Both games will be played at the same place and time tomorrow, April 13th.
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Combination of Bill Bearse, Colin Reaser shut down Easton hitters
April 11, 2007
By MICHAEL BLOUSE, The Express-Times
Senior starter Bill Bearse and sophomore closer Colin Reaser are forming quite an impressive tag-team for the Liberty Hurricanes' baseball team.
The dynamic duo did it again on Tuesday.
Bearse, a side-winding soft-tosser, earned the win and Reaser, a hard-throwing right-hander, picked up the save as coach Andy Pitsilos' 'Canes club knocked off the Easton Red Rovers 3-2 at William Sheridan Field.
Liberty, a favorite to capture the Lehigh Valley Conference championship, improved to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the conference. Easton is 4-2 and 2-2.
"Absolutely, I wanted it against Easton," said Bearse, who worked 5Ø innings for his second win in two starts. "They're always a tough team and I was out to pitch my best.
"And Colin deserves a lot of the credit, too. I'll admit it, I was nervous when I came out, but Colin did a great job again."
This was the second time the Bearse-Reaser tag-team has combined for the win-save in three LVC contests.
They also teamed up in a 3-1 win over Bethlehem Catholic on March 30.
Reaser, in his first year on the varsity level, has pitched in all five of the Hurricanes' early-season games, and has yet to allow a run. He is 1-0 with three saves.
"Bill can fool batters with a three-quarters delivery and his ball moves a lot," Pitsilos said. "He's done a great job of keeping us in games.
"Colin is a sophomore and he's something special. He really wants the ball. Reaser's accepted the closer's role and anyone who wants that job is OK in my mind."
Easton opened a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Jarred Holley singled, advanced to second and scored on Mike Rasley's single.
The Hurricanes stormed back in the bottom of the inning. John Lule's single started the rally and a crucial throwing error on pitcher Ron Vail kept it alive. Matt Kensecki cashed in on a bases-loaded opportunity with a line-drive two-run double down the right-field line.
Lule and Kensecki were both 3-for-3, and collected six of the 'Canes' seven hits.
"He threw me a changeup," Kensecki said of his clutch double, "and I was out in front of it, but I was able to get a good piece. Just trying to do my job."
Chris Swope delivered an RBI triple in the fifth inning to highlight Easton's offensive attack.
The Red Rovers stranded runners on first and second in the sixth when Jon Baltz struck out against Reaser. They put the leadoff runner on in the seventh inning but Josh Lopes was thrown out trying to steal second.
Vail pitched six solid innings but absorbed his first loss. The right-hander has one win to show for three quality starts.
"We've been fairly aggressive at the plate this season," Easton coach Carm LaDuca said, "but today we were passive. We took too many pitches and were in a two-strike hole too often.
"Ronnie threw another great game, his third in three starts. He deserves a pat on the back. We've got to hit the ball and score him some runs."
EASTON (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Holley cf 3-1-1-0, Schneiderman rf 2-0-0-0, B. Lopes ss 3-0-0-0, Rasley lf 3-0-2-1, Warga c 3-0-1-0, Baltz 3b 2-0-1-0, J. Lopes dh 2-0-0-0, Vail p 0-0-0-0, Bisco 1b 1-1-0-0, Heilman ph 1-0-0-0, Swope 2b 3-0-1-1. Totals 23-2-6-2.
LIBERTY (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Lule 2b 3-1-3-0, Pietrouchie ss 3-0-0-1, Sawyer 3b 3-1-0-0, Biggs rf 2-0-0-0, Kensecki 1b 3-0-3-2, Camacho cf 3-0-1-0, Rosado dh 2-0-0-0, Bearse p 0-0-0-0, Reaser p 0-0-0-0, Hernandez lf 2-1-0-0, Turcotte c 3-0-0-0. Totals 24-3-7-3.
Easton (4-2, 2-2) 100 010 0--2 6 1
Liberty (4-1, 3-0) 210 000 x--3 7 1
E -- Vail; Kensecki. DP -- Easton 1; Liberty 3. LOB -- Easton 4; Liberty 6. 2B -- Lule, Kensecki. 3B -- Swope. SB -- Pietrouchie, McFadden; J. Lopes. CS -- Rasley; Kensecki 2. Sac -- Schneiderman.
Vail and Warga; Bearse, Reaser (6) and Turcotte. W -- Bearse. Save -- Reaser. SO-BB -- Vail 6-3; Bearse 3-2, Reaser 2-1.
Michael Blouse can be reached at 800-360-3601 or by e-mail at mblouse@express-times.com.
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Easton rallies from 2-0 deficit to beat Nazareth
April 5, 2007
Mike Rasley drove in the winning run with a fifth-inning grounder and Brian Penyak pitched four hitless innings of relief as Easton defeated Nazareth 4-2 Thursday in Lehigh Valley Conference baseball.
Easton fell behind 2-0, but tied the game in the bottom of the second on Ron Vail's sacrifice fly and an RBI single by Jon Baltz.
Penyak entered in the fourth inning and retired the final 10 batters he faced.
Nazareth 020 000 0--2 4 2
Easton (4-1, 2-1) 020 020 x--4 7 1
2B -- Kroboth (N); Baltz, J. Lopes (E). RBI -- Keller, Kroboth (N); Vail, Baltz, Rasley (E).
Peppel and Bedi; Schneiderman, Penyak (4) and Warga. W -- Penyak.
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Varsity and JV games Postponed
April 4, 2007
Both Varsity and JV games to be played against the Nazareth Blue Eagles have been postponed.
Both games will be played at the same place and time tomorrow, April 5th.
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Patriots score 8 in last inning; Rovers waste superb effort by Vail.
April 3, 2007
By Mandy Housenick Of The Morning Call
Maybe it was the thought of being shut out after averaging 9.7 runs in its first three games (all wins).
Maybe it was the thought of facing a new pitcher.
Maybe it was the new life some fresh faces breathed into the lineup late in the game.
Whatever it was, it worked.
Freedom rallied from a six-run deficit with eight runs in the seventh to stun host Easton 8-6 in a Lehigh Valley Conference Northampton Division game Monday.
''Last year they outscored us 28-6 in two games,'' said Patriots designated hitter Dan Mease, who knocked in the game-tying and winning runs. ''So I don't think they expected us to come back in the seventh.''
Easton coach Carm LaDuca was shaking his head in disbelief after the game, especially with the way it started.
The Red Rovers scored six runs in the first two innings and starting pitcher Ron Vail was stellar in the six innings he pitched. The senior gave up just four hits (two of which stayed in the infield) and a pair of walks. The first inning was the only time he allowed multiple baserunners.
But after throwing 78 pitches in just his second appearance, LaDuca didn't feel comfortable pushing him any further.
''Vail was lights out,'' LaDuca said. ''But I didn't want to push him over 100 pitches. That wouldn't have been a responsible decision on my part. Plus, I had confidence in the other arms we have.''
But those other arms struggled.
Mike Rasley started off the seventh by walking three consecutive batters. Kevin Heilman promptly relieved him, but not before six runs scored. Drew Scheirer and Mike Zanoni both had RBI singles in the explosion.
Then came Mease's big blow. With one out and runners on second and third, Mease drilled Tom Hughes' 2-1 offering to right-center field, which plated the tying and go-ahead runs.
''I had a good feeling,'' Mease said. ''I looked up and saw the second baseman down and then I saw the ball roll into the outfield.''
The Patriots (4-0, 2-0), who finished 6-14 a season ago, added an insurance run on Pete Petraglia's single.
''We hit the ball hard all game and we finally found some holes in the last inning,'' Freedom's first-year coach Nick Amato said.
One of the Patriots' brightest spots was reliever Chad Lear. After starter Jeff Mendoza allowed six runs in 12/3 innings, Lear shut the Rovers (3-1, 1-1) down. He didn't surrender a run in the 51/3 innings he pitched. Although he was pulled after six in favor of Nate Hughes (who got the save), it was Lear who kept them in the ball game.
He just kept repeating the words of his coach to calm him down.
''I had my doubts,'' he admitted. ''But Coach just told me to give it a shot because you never know what can happen in baseball.''
Freedom 000 000 8 – 8 9 1
Easton 420 000 0 – 6 11 1
Mendoza, Lear (2), Nate Hughes (7) and Shortall, Petraglia (7). Vail, Rasley (7), Heilman (7), Tom Hughes (7) and Warga.
W: Lear. L: Heilman. S: N. Hughes.
amanda.housenick@mcall.com
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Defeats Pleasant Valley 7-3
March 31, 2007
Brian Penyak pitched 5 plus stong innings and severeal Rovers chipped in to lead Easton to a 7-3 victory over the visiting Pleasant Valley Bears.
Pleasant Valley 101 000 1 -- 3-8-2
Easton 014 020 0 -- 7-10-3
Frantz, Chamberlain (5) and Labar. Penyak, Swope (7) and Warga. WP: Penyak. LP: Frantz. HR: E: Chad Warga.
NOTES: E: Brenden Lopes 1-3, R, RBI; Chad Warga 1-3, HR; Mike Rasley 1-3, R, RBI; PV: Jake Greisemer 2-4, RBI.
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Warga Stays Hot
March 30, 2007
Chad Warga doubled and drove in a run to pace the Red Rovers.
Jarred Holley, Michael Rasley and Josh Lopes also knocked in a run apiece. Ben Schneiderman earned the victory.
Easton 011 102 1--6 11 1
Northampton 000 100 0--1 7 4
2B -- Warga (E); Horwath (N). RBI -- Holley, Rasley, Warga, J. Lopes (E); Groller (N).
Schneiderman, Heilman (6), Hughes (7) and Warga; Linsenmann, Kowalishen (7) and Groller. W -- Schneiderman. L -- Linsenmann. SO-BB -- Schneiderman 3-1, Heilman 0-0, Hughes 0-0; Linsenmann 5-0; Kowalishen 1-0.
Records: Easton 2-0, 1-0; Northampton 1-1, 0-1.
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March 29, 2007
Chad Warga's two-run double and Josh Lopes' two-run single keyed a five-run first inning that propelled Easton to a season-opening 10-6 baseball victory over Hazleton on Thursday.
Matt Bisco, Jon Baltz and Ben Schneiderman contributed two hits a piece to the Red Rovers' 13-hit attack. Bisco also added two RBIs.
Senior Ron Vail struck out five over four innings to earn the victory.
Hazleton (0-2) 003 003 0--6 9 1
Easton (1-0) 502 003 x--10 13 3
2B -- Pena, Panzarella (H); Swope, Baltz, Warga (E). RBI -- Pena 2, Barletta, Brodeur, Nahay, Panzarella (H); Warga 2, J. Lopes 2, Swope 2, Bisco 2, LaValva, B. Lopes (E).
Davidyock, McGuire (3) and Kukowski; Vail, Heilman (5), Hughes (6), Rasley (7) and Warga. W -- Vail. L -- Davidyock. SO-BB -- Davidyock 2-4, McGuire 1-3; Vail 6-3, Heilman 2-1, Hughes 0-0, Rasley 1-0.
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Varsity and JV Only
March 24, 2007
Varsity and JV will practice today at noon at Easton Area High School instead of Lafayette College.
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March 21, 2007
JV - 3-5pm at Easton Area High School
Varsity 6:30-9pm at Easton Area High School
Freshmen 7-9pm at Easton Area High School
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Players Should Report at 7:40pm
March 20, 2007
Varsity practice has been rescheduled tonight. Practice will be held from 8pm to 9:30pm at Lafayette College's Kirby Field House.
All Varsity players please report to the Filed House no later than 7:40 this evening.
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March 19, 2007
The Easton Baseball Coaching Staff would like to Thank all of our hard working Diamond Club members for their dedication and effort in making this year's Basket Bingo a huge success. Over 300 people attended and there were some fabulous prizes. A great time was had by all. A special thank you goes out to all of the businesses and sponsors who helped make this year's event a success and a heartfelt thank you for Mrs. Ann Marie Swope who organized the event with the help of many others. To each and every volunteer, parent, business, friend of Easton Baseball - we can't say enough! Thank You!
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March 18, 2007
Varsity baseball practice will be held tonight (Monday - March 19) at 8:30-10:30 at Lafayette's Kirby Field House.
JV practice will be held from 7-9pm at EAHS tonight.
Freshmen baseball practice for grade 8 only will be held tomorrow from 3-5pm in the aux. gym at EAHS.
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March 16, 2007
There are NO PRACTICES for all levels of baseball on Friday March 16 due to school early dismissal.
There are NO JV or Freshmen Baseball Practices on SAT. March 17 due to weather and facility issues.
Varsity Baseball Practice at Lafayette is still on for 12 noon on Saturday March 17. Please check this website for any updates on Saturday morning.
Monday Practice schedule is:
3-5pm aux. gym EAHS - Freshmen Baseball - Grade 9 only
7-9 pm - Both gyms - Varsity and JV baseball
Grade 8 will practice Tuesday - Site and Time yet to be determined.
Listen for announcements at school on Monday or here at this site.
Coach LaDuca
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Diamond Club Meeting also scheduled
March 15, 2007
The Easton Baseball Diamond Club is holding its annual Basket Bingo Sunday at EAHS Cafeteria. It will begin at 12 noon.
The varsity and JV baseball teams will need to work the event scheduled as follows:
10:30 -12:00 (Set - up) - Varsity Seniors
12:00 -1:30 - Varsity Juniors
1:30 - 3:30 - Junior Varsity Finish and clean up
Next Diamond Club Meeting
There will be a Diamond Club Meeting March 27 at 7pm in room D208 at 7:00pm. The main topic will be the Boston trip in May
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March 14, 2007
Please be aware that practices for the following days, Thursday March 15th, Friday March 16th and Saturday march 17th, have been changed.
All Varsity players should report to Lafayette College's Kirby Field House for practice beginning at 3:00pm and ending at or around 5:30pm.
Please note this is for the Varsity team only.
Thank You
Coach LaDuca
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February 17, 2007
 Spring tryouts begin for Varsity and Junior Varsity on Monday March 5th. Check the white board outside of the trainers room for dates and times.
Freshmen tryouts will begin on or around Monday, March 12, 2007. Stay tuned for more details on practice time and location.
Intramural workouts will continue to be held over the next several weeks. Check the white board outside of the trainers room for dates and times.
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