2015 PAISAA Preseason Fab Four Revealed
March 16, 2015
By Jacob Gill
Philadelphia Region Director of Scouting
Unlike the PIAA, which spreads its state tournament games out far enough apart that a school has the ability to ride one starting pitcher for all four games, the PAISAA tournament truly tests a team's pitching depth. The bracket's four rounds span only a single five-day stretch, with the semifinals and championship being played on the same day. Below are our predictions, in bracket order, for how we see the semifinal round shaping up. A couple of notes:
1. Don't kill the messenger. This is a PBR staff effort.
2. If you don't like that your team isn't included, you've got the next two-plus months to prove us wrong!
| Seed | School | Notes |
| 1 | Malvern Prep | This defending champ is the top dog until proven otherwise. Coach Freddy Hilliard always has a well-prepared, disciplined, hard-nosed group. Having eleven players currently committed to play college baseball doesn't hurt either. |
| 4 | Germantown Academy | The nod for the final spot goes to the team with a veteran, Division I-bound 1-2 punch atop the rotation. A virtually intact line-up should put up more runs after youngsters gained valuable experience last season. |
| 3 | Perkiomen School | Last year's runner-up returns almost everyone and even picked up a couple transfers as reinforcements. Senior-laden line-up and junior-heavy pitching staff. |
| 2 | Penn Charter | This team will hit. A lot. One of the two deepest programs in terms of natural talent in the state. Can they translate physical gifts into command of the strike zone and improved defense? Will it matter if they score double-digit runs per game? |
Others to Watch
Episcopal Academy - Two sophomores, albeit talented ones, are projected at the front of the rotation. It's probably a year early for the Churchmen to make a serious title push, although it's not out of the realm of possibility by any means.
The Haverford School - Constantly underestimated, the Fords have alternated state titles with Malvern Prep the last four years. At this point, it should not be shocking at all if coach Bob Castell's crew reached the semis for the fifth straight season.
The Hill School - The Blues return the bulk of their pitching staff, giving them a good shot to bounce back from their first losing season in four years.
Mercersburg Academy - An enigma shrouded in a mystery, the Blue Storm have reached the semifinals twice in the last five seasons and are the last team to have prevented Malvern Prep from reaching the final four.
Springside Chestnut Hill - The Blue Devils line-up will be young, but athletic. They will have a chance to compete if they can develop a second starter behind a solid returning ace.
Season Preview Schedule
2/27-3/15: District Previews Archive
March 16: PAISAA Preseason Fab Four
March 17: PIAA Class A Preseason Super 16
March 18: PIAA Class AA Preseason Super 16
March 19: PIAA Class AAA Preseason Super 16
March 20: PIAA Class AAAA Preseason Super 16
