2017 Spring Team Preview: Amherst Steele Comets
March 9, 2017
By Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Staff
Editor in Chief/NW Scout
With the 2017 spring season right around the corner, PBR Ohio is eagerly anticipating bringing the Buckeye state the best high school coverage throughout the entire state.
Starting in Mid-January, we began releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into the Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings.
To view the full list of 2017 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.
If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2017 Team Preview, click here.
Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.
2017 Spring Team Preview: Amherst Steele Comets
Team Name: Amherst Steele
Head Coach: Matt Rositano
Division: I
2016 Record: 23-9
Conference Record: Southwestern, 12-6
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/3
2017 Team Strengths:
- Starting Pitching
- Experience
- Senior Leadership
- Versatile Batting Lineup
- Speed
2017 Team Weaknesses:
- Uncertainty in Pitching Depth
- Scoring Runs Consistently
- Complacency.
Coach Outlook: "With three of the best pitchers in the state (Evan Shawver, Xavier Moore, Brian D'Andrea) heading the rotation, expectations are high. The batting lineup and defense should be solid, with seven starters returning with a year of experience under their belt. The question mark will be who steps up in the rotation and out of the bullpen behind the "big 3." Mark Harris, Chad Jones, Hunter Cassidy, and Ryan Glowacki will all be counted on against one of the toughest schedules in the state. After a Sweet 16 run last year, this group has the potential to take the next step."
PBR Outlook: Coming off a 23 win campaign in 2016, coach Rositano and the Comets are loaded for the 2017 season. With three top arms and solid offense/defense, the sky is the limit for Amherst Steele.
Top Returning Players:
- Evan Shawver, LHP/OF, 2018, 6-0/175, R/L, 3 year starter, Nebraska recruit, .330, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 7 SB... 4-2, 2.02 ERA, 35 K, .205 opp ba
- Mark Harris, OF/C, 2017, 5-10/185, R/R, 3 year starter, unsigned, .422, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 18 SB
- Xavier Moore, RHP/3B, 2017, 6-4/185, R/R, 2 year starter, Ohio State signee, .276, 1 double, 13 RBI... 2-2, 1.93 ERA, 30 K, .196 opp ba
- Brian D'Andrea, RHP, 2017, 6-5, 195, R/R, 2 year starter, Lake Erie College signee, 2-2, 3 saves, 2.03 ERA, 24 K, .225 opp ba
- Hunter Cassidy, C, 2018, 6-1/175, R/R, 3 year starter, unsigned, .308, 1 double, 8 RBI
- Chad Jones, 1B/OF, 2017, 6-2/190, L/R, 2 year starter, Walsh University signee, .250, 4 doubles, 13 RBI
- Ryan Glowacki, SS, 2018, 6-0/165, R/R, 2 year starter, LaSalle University recuit, .213, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 9 RBI
Top Underclassmen:
- Evan Shawver, See Above
- Hunter Cassidy, See Above
- Ryan Glowacki, See Above
- Anthony Berrios, LHP, 2018, 5-11/180
- Cameron Karnik, INF, 2018, 5-10/160
- Kyle Mantin, INF/OF, 2018, 5-9/155
- Jack Faight, RHP, 2018, 6-4/175
- Alec Dimacchia, RHP/UTIL, 2018, 6-2/170
- Kyle Dalzell, 1B/OF, 2019
- Jacob Lezon, 1B/3B, 2019
- Christian Velez, INF, 2019
- Jake Hart, INF, 2019
- Dylan McCrann, RHP/INF, 2020
- Justin Hritsko, RHP/INF, 2020
- Luke Feakins, RHP/INF, 2020
- Eric Ritter, C/1B, 2020
A Look Back At 2016 Preseason Articles:
To view the 2016 Team Previews, click here.
To view the 2016 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.
A Look Back At 2015 Preseason Articles:
To view the 2015 Team Previews, click here.
To view the 2015 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.
