Central Bucks East Baseball Preview

CENTRAL BUCKS EAST BASEBALL PREVIEW

Coach:  Kyle Dennis (19^th Season)

Assistant coaches: Pat Devlin, Ben Hauser, Kurt Wachowski, Dan Ashworth, Joe Horan

Last year’s record: 8-11 overall, 5-10 SOL

Notable losses: Nolan Behm (Pitt), Mason Cruz (Messiah), Chase Fulford (Binghamton), Colin Lynch (Dayton), Nick Mutchler, Mike Scafidi, Matthew Sharkey (Chestnut Hill), Jack Thompson

Key returners: Jason Abert (Sr. RHP/OF, East Stroudsburg), Gavin Bloch (Sr. RHP, Kings College), Michael Colbert (Jr. RHP), Sean Hill (Sr. OF, Felician University), Aidan Keiser (Sr. P/1B), Brendan Keiser (Jr. C/3B), Tyler Muzsi (Sr. IF, Gettysburg), Anthony Niro (Sr. OF, Catawba College), Dustin Weber (Jr. 1B)

Others to watch: Brayden Carr (Sr. OF), Christopher Funicella (Sr. C), Finn Gale (So. RHP), Cole Gillman (Jr. RHP/IF), Travis Halbe (So. C/3B/1B), Mason Hill (So. IF/RHP), Evan LeMay (Sr. IF/OF), Nate Manelski (So. RHP), Nathan Schladenhaufen (Jr. LHP/OF), Konnor Ware (Sr. RHP)

Strengths/Question Marks: Unfortunate offseason injuries have impacted our starting pitching plans, but this opens exciting opportunities for many of our younger pitchers to compete.

Outlook: “There will be many new faces on the field for the Patriots this season, with 12 seniors graduating from last year’s roster, including seven starting players (one injured during the 2025 season) and one starting pitcher. Jason Abert (Sr. RHP/OF, East Stroudsburg) and Michael Colbert (Jr. RHP) are the returning starting pitchers for the Patriots. Three returning starters, all in their third year with the varsity and all captains, will anchor the defense. The outfield will be roamed by Anthony Niro (Catawba) and Sean Hill (Felician), with Tyler Muzsi (Gettysburg) leading the infield. Junior Dustin Weber earned valuable experience last season replacing Colin Lynch (Dayton) at first base.
“Competing for a larger role in their senior season are Evan LeMay (IF/OF), Brayden Carr (OF), and CJ Funicella (C). Konnor Ware (Sr. RHP), after showing tremendous promise his freshman year, is back for his senior season after injuries shut him down the last two years.
“There is a lot of versatility in the underclass, with many players expected to see time both in the field and on the mound, including a trio of sophomores: Finn Gale, Mason Hill, and Nate Manelski. In the junior class, Nathan Schladenhaufen and Cole Gillman will compete for roles on the mound and in the field, while Jr. Brendan Keiser, returning for his second varsity season, will see time behind the plate and in the infield.”