Good numbers could bring positive results to Bucktail baseball
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL, PA- Bucktail’s baseball program could finally be moving in the right direction. 15 players are currently on a roster that usually hovers around 11 or 12 during the course of a season. The added depth could very well help improve a team that went 2-14 in 2022 and hasn’t had a winning season since 2014.
That 2014 team would host a District IV quarterfinal contest, but would fall by a single run to St. John Neumann. Playoffs are never off t the table, but the 2023 Bucks will be looking to make strides and improvements following their 2-win season last year. So being competitive will be their first mission.
Bucktail does return a host of talent from last season and they do have some exciting newcomers and returnees from seasons past.
The Bucks hit well in 2022. Brett Mason will be their best returning hitter with his .459 average a season ago. Mason also scored 9 runs and knocked in 12 RBI’s. Catcher Kyler “Noodles” Friese (.345) and Ethan Kalafut (.333) also had very good seasons with the stick. Ethan Charcalla (.250) and Jeremy Gallagher (.091) complete the remainder of Bucktail’s returning hitters.
Bucktail will have depth and experience on the mound, albeit a rather tall mound in Farwell. Braylon Fantaski is set to return to the Bucks’ baseball program following a hiatus in 2022 and will be looking to be one of the Bucks’ top hurlers. Brett Mason brings along his two years of varsity pitching experience and his team-leading 13 strike outs. Which was the most amongst returning Bucktail pitchers.
Ethan Kalafut and Ethan Charcalla also return to the mound and in a rare emergency situation, Kyler Friese could pitch.
The schedule begins with a Mid Penn Conference meeting with St. John Neumann on March 29 in Farwell. They’ll get to stay home on that Friday afternoon when they are set to host another MPC opponent in Montgomery.
Their first road game will be against conference powerhouse Muncy on April 3.
The Bucks will get a chance to feel out some new opponents this season and the first one makes the trip from Allport to Farwell on April 6 when they host West Branch.
The Bucks will get their long-awaited meeting with Sugar Valley Rural Charter on April 12 when the Phoenix visits Bucktail. SVRC accounted for both of Bucktail’s victories a season ago.
On April 21 Bucktail’s incredibly tough slate continues when they host defending District IV 1A champions Benton.
They’ll close out their 2023 season with a road trip to a new opponent in Northern Potter on May 13. They’ll play a total of 17 games.
Bucktail baseball is coached by Bill Probst and this is their 2023 roster. Austin Mosher, Braylon Fantaski, Brett Mason, Cameron Kolasa, Ethan Charcalla, Ethan Kalafut, Gary Whipp, Isaiah Craft, Jake Leiter, Kyler Friese, Nahkai Scrimshaw, Talan Ditty, Thomas Craft, and Xander Shearer.
