2024 Record: 8-12
Central League Record: 6-10
Manager: Anthony Greco (First Season)
Playoff Results: N/A
Key Departures: Richie Biborosch, Jake Friel, Tyler Philips, James Matzinger, Stephen Marchese, Quinn Nichols, Henry Melrose (injured)
Key Returners: James Quici, Cooper Evers, Chase Cherny, Henry Fuerst, Chase Rantanen, Max Brown, Luke Hunter, Landon Jones
Despite an 8-12 record in 2024, Conestoga saw the emergence of young talent to carry them through the years to come.
That being said, the Pioneers are going to have a different look this season. Without the presence of pitcher Jake Friel, and first baseman Richie Biborosch, the squad will rely heavily on coming together as a team to fill gaps when they arise.
The biggest gap filled this offseason though. Anthony Greco. The Pioneers will come into this season with a new head coach in Greco, coming from the dark horse team of 2024, the Radnor Raptors.
Greco has served both Marple Newtown and Radnor in the assistant coach position, but waited until the opportunity arose to become a head coach.
If you’ve never met Greco, there’s a good chance you’ve heard him, and his passion for baseball is evident.
“The biggest thing we’ve been instilling in these guys is selflessness,” said Greco. “We have a lot of young talent coming into this program with the perfect combination of senior leadership to help them along… when I succeed my teammate succeeds and we are doing this for each other”.
It’s going to be a one day at a time process, but the Pioneers are determined to show the league who they are this season. And the main piece of that is going to be their pitching. Specifically, the combination of the young arm in Luke Hunter (27′) and the experienced arms in Max Brown, J.P Tinneny and Henry Fuerst (25′).
With the loss of two graduating starting pitchers and senior Henry Melrose to Tommy John surgery earlier this off season, Sophomore Luke Hunter is looking to have a breakout year. At 6’4″ 230, he certainly has the potential to do so, the class of 27″ pitcher is ranked as the #4 RHP in Pennsylvania.
Despite getting limited time on the mound in 2024, it would not be surprising to see Luke in the top three of the rotation in 2025 when he is not at first base.
At the top of the rotation, Max Brown, J.P Tinneny, and Henry Fuerst look to have big years on the bump taking the Pioneers late into close games.
In said close games, you need big guys who can ultimately hit the ball when you need them too. In seniors James Quici, Cooper Evers, and Max Brown, Conestoga has just that.
Quici, A Penn State Harrisburg commit and Second Team All Delco Selection in 2024 has more that he wants to accomplish in his senior season. With an OPS of .929 and 11 RBI in 2024, Quici served as a powerful bat in the beginning of the lineup and will likely provide the same role in 2025 both at the plate, and the outfield.
Cooper Evers, another senior outfielder, looks to build on his 2024 season and is ready for the new opportunity Greco brings to the team.
“I can’t wait to make the most of my potential, I think this team has a really good chance to take it far,” said Evers. “The sky is the limit for this team.”
In terms of the infield, the stage is set for a young but powerful set of guys. In their younger guys they have playmakers in Chase Cherny (his teammates warn the league should be watching out for him) along with Josh Lee, and Luke Hunter covering the bases.
A new addition who could also see time in the infield this season, is senior Mark Kotapka. A transfer from Westtown, at 5’11 190, Kotapka has the potential to change a game quickly and a be a difference maker for the Pioneers at the plate.
There is no doubt getting wins in the Central League will be difficult, but Conestoga has the drive to succeed.
With a new head coach in Anthony Greco and a great amount of young talent, the potential is unlimited for this Conestoga team in 2025.
“Be where your feet are, and wake up every morning and smell the coffee”- Anthony Greco