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By SETH STASKEY
Times Leader Sports Editor
BELLAIRE -- The pieces appear to be in place for the Bellaire baseball team to experience a strong 2022 season.
Head coach Josh Kernik welcomes back all but one player (Vince Patrone) from last season's club, including numerous guys who have the ability to play all over the diamond as the pitching matchups change.
"Our guys love the game of baseball," Kernik said. "Our ability to play all over should allow us to be strong defensively no matter who is on the mound."
The Big Reds also boast a quality pitching staff, headlined by a true ace in junior Jake Heatherington. A big-game pitcher, Heatherington finished with a 2.11 earned run average and 68 strikeouts in just over 56 innings of work last spring. He only issued 18 walks.
The Big Reds feature no fewer than 12 guys who can step onto the mound in certain situations.
"We have guys who throw strikes and they're gamers," Kernik said. "We also have a couple of guys, who when they're on, can beat anyone."
Kernik pointed out that scoring runs was a challenge at times for the Big Reds and improvement at the plate is a must if this squad is going to reach its potential.
"Offense hurt us last year in a lot of close games," Kernik said. "We know we have to be better. We believe we have guys who can put up big numbers (offensively)."
Senior Daniel Zwack returns at first base and is the top-returning hitter with a .321 clip.
Other seniors are Dante Patrone, who will patrol right field and Jaiden Kesteron who is a utility guy and a pitcher.
The junior class is deep and talented. Heatherington headlines the group, while Joey Lewis returns in the outfield and Kaden Banal is back at catcher after a season in which he committed just four errors.
Jakob Dowling can play either position on the left side of the infield and can play in the outfield and pitch.
Isaac Salva could see time at first base or the outfield, while Chance Maffe returns and will play on the left side of the infield and pitch. Brayden Roth also returns and is penciled into the lineup at either second or third.
Two sophomores are expected to crack the lineup. They are Chicky LaMotte (third base, outfield) and Lex Wilhelm (pitcher, outfield).
The freshman class includes Luke Heatherington, who Kernik believes will be a spot starter in the infield, outfield or pitch; Landon Preston who is a pitcher, outfielder and first baseman.
Other rookies to varsity baseball are Grant Vasey (2B, P); Hunter Watson (P, OF); Hayden Girty (OF, 2B) and Riley Zonker (2B, OF, P).
"I love our group," Kernik said. "They want to get better everyday and that makes it awesome to work with them. They have all of the tools and talent to have a great season."