WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Penn College is scheduled to open its season on Saturday, hosting Juniata College at the Lycoming Valley Intermediate School in a doubleheader starting at noon.
Last season: 18-18 overall, 11-7 all UEC, 11-5 UEC regular season.
Coach: Chris Howard, 19th season. Career record: 377-283.
Top returning position players (last season's key stats): Junior outfielder Dallas Griess, of Williamsport (.369 BA, 3 HR); junior shortstop Shawn Townsend, of Hatboro (.410 BA, 50 hits, 13 doubles, 33 RBIs); senior infielder Ethan Stahl, of Cogan Station (.381 BA); junior third baseman Jaydon Goebel, of Honey Brook (.372 BA, 42 runs scored, 3 HR); junior outfielder Matt Munoz, of Tobyhanna (.336 BA, 1.000 fielding %); junior outfielder John Croasdale, of Milford, N.J., (.360 BA); sophomore infielder Levi Purnell, of Snow Shoe (.343 BA, 5 HR, 32 RBIs); junior second baseman Jaiden Augustine, of Dillsburg (.296 BA).
Top returning pitchers (last season's key stats): starters junior Griffin Vollman, of Williamsport (3-2 record, 4.87 ERA, 29K); junior Mason Balfanz, of Elmhurst, Illinois (0-1); senior McGwire Heverly, of Bellefonte (19K); senior Ethan Hannevig, of Pine Grove (3-3, 7.66 ERA, 30K). Relievers senior Parker White, of West Decatur (2-1, 16K); sophomore Rowan Gorsuch, of Williamsburg (1-1); junior Sam Staib, of Bloomsburg (2-0, 12K); junior Dennis Prestash, of Sandy Ridge (1-0).
Key losses: Catcher Nathan Gustkey (.423 BA, 4 HR), first baseman Brandon Shane (.277 BA).
Top newcomers (all freshmen): Infielder Royce Bowes, of Montoursville; catcher Stone Allison, of Turbotville; pitcher/infielder Caleb Szklenski, of Fairview; pitcher Jake Lewis, of Lehighton.
Season/UEC outlook: Last season, the Wildcats finished fourth during regular-season play before seeing their season end in the second round of the playoffs. Among the top returnees are UEC first-teamers Griess and Townsend, second-teamers Munoz and Goebel, and third-teamer Purnell. Townsend was named to two all-region third teams, and Purnell was the conference Rookie of the Year.
"Our main focus is to play a more complete game. Our offense picked us up many times last year, but if we are to contend for a conference championship, we must play better defense and compete better on the mound. We have a lot of experience in our core starters, which should help us navigate the long season. Along with great upperclassmen leadership, we have some talented freshmen and first-year guys who will complement our lineup.
"Pitching and defense win games. If we want to be there at the end playing for that trophy, we have to do those two things better this year. We have put in great work since we met in the fall. The guys are motivated and are looking forward to competing this season," Howard said.
Inside the UEC: Keystone College is the two-time defending champ. In a preseason poll of the conference coaches, Penn College was picked to finish fourth again, with Keystone and Penn State Harrisburg tied at No. 1, and Penn State Abington at No. 3. Rounding out the other teams in the poll were: St. Mary's (Md.) College 5, Lancaster Bible College 6, Wilson College 7, Cairn University 8, Penn State Brandywine 9, Penn State Berks 10, Notre Dame (Md.) University 11, Valley Forge University 12 and Rosemont College 13. Teams will vie for 10 postseason playoff positions, with the first round on April 28, the second round on May 1-2, and the final four on May 8-10.
