Veteran, talented Wildcat baseball team ready to go
By John Lipez
MILL HALL, PA – If there’s been one consistent in athletics in Central Mountain’s couple-plus decades of existence, it’s been the baseball program headed by veteran coach Mike Kramer. And if experience counts for anything, 2023 has the potential to be another outstanding year.
This spring’s squad is heavy with seniors and juniors, a ton of all-stars among them. Back this year there are a remarkable seven players returning from last year’s Heartland Conference All-Star squad. First-teamers back are catcher Nate Helms and pitcher Chase Brush. Second-team returnees are senior infielder Gabe Johnson and four juniors in outfielders Kevin Grenninger and Connor Foltz, pitcher Brady Myers and utility man Elek Fravel.
Working with a squad of 34 (16 varsity, 18 junior varsity), coach Kramer told The Record, “It won’t be a secret that we are returning a core group of players who have been recognized in the conference. We lost four seniors from last year’s team who were valuable contributors in our program. We will be looking to replace them with returners and with new players in our program.”
Coach Kramer, asked about the team personnel, provided this: At middle infield the Wildcats will have Gardy Fravel, Braylen Corter, Brady Myers, and Cayden Culvey returning. In the outfield Kevin Grenninger, Connor Foltz and Levi Schlesinger returning. Jack Hanna has joined the team this year and will be in the outfield. Corner infielders include Gabe Johnson, Cru Stover, and Elek Fravel Catching will be Nate Helms and Kelvin Probst. Pitchers will be Chase Brush, Dallas Alexander, Ashton Bennett, Brady Myers, Cru Stover, Kevin Grenninger, Connor Foltz, and Levi Schlesinger,
The strength of this team, according to the coach, is its depth and experience. “Each player on this team has value and will be called upon in their way to help our team be successful.”
As for a possible area for improvement, coach? “We as a team committed too many errors last season and we are looking to improve defensively. I don’t want to say that it is an area of concern, because we have been working hard at improving our defensive side of the game.”
Our goals will always remain the same, give our best each and every day focusing on being better today than we were yesterday.
The Heartland Confereence will again be a challenge, a league where the Wildcats went 14-2 last year, part of an overall record of 17-6, to go along with another District 6 crown and the PIAA playoffs.
Coach Kramer said both the Heartland and the district will be challenging: “Selinsgrove returns a core group from their state finalist team from last year and teams like Jersey Shore and Shikellamy will be good as well. Williamsport is the new team in the HAC and has a tradition of great baseball as well. Hollidaysburg and DuBois both will return core groups from last year’s teams.”
In response to a question about the continued excellence of baseball in the southern end of Clinton County, coach Kramer tipped his hat to the feeder leagues: “The local leagues do an excellent job preparing players to continue playing in high school. I believe the success our area has had over the years in baseball is what motivates individuals to play the game.”.
The Wildcats were scheduled to open the season on Tuesday of this week at State College, then visit DuBois on Friday. The home opener is set for Monday, March 27, the opponent Milton, the start time 4:30 p.m. Home games will again be played at Mill Hall Community Park.
