Phillipsburg Wants to Carry Over Momentum

2016 record: 5-19, 0-13 league

Players to watch: Sr. SS Tom Mandry, Sr. 2B Garrett DuPont, Sr. C Jason Hawk, Jr. OF Karrick Stansberry, Jr. P/1B Tyler Diefenbach, Jr. P Nick McAuliffe

Outlook: It was a tough start to the season last year, but the Stateliners finished up strong (including a win over Easton) and hope to carry over that momentum into 2017. The offense looks to be improved and led by Hawk, who emerged over the course of last season, while Diefenbach (2.56 ERA) and McAuliffe will lead the pitching staff. A hungry group of sophomores will also be inserted into some key roles.

From coach Dylan Sapir: “We're excited about our pitching staff, which is almost entirely juniors and sophomores. We had a bunch of players (seniors, juniors and sophomores) work their tails off on the field and in the weight room over the past 12 months. We are definitely improved but our conference schedule is very unforgiving, so we need to work even harder to close the gap.”

Greg Joyce may be reached at gjoyce@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @GJoyce9. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.