East HS Baseball Vikings Cheered as Ches-Mont, District 1 Champs!
WC East Viking Baseball Champions
Anyone following the West Chester East High School Baseball Team knows that the Vikings came into the season setting extremely high expectations for themselves. It is now safe to say that the team met and surpassed the benchmarks that even their staunchest supporters expected them to reach. The team went 17-3 in the regular season and captured the Ches-Mont Title. A Ches-Mont Championship certainly meets the test for the proverbial “reason to write home,” but the Vikings were not yet finished. Their postseason was highlighted by laying claim to the District 1 title! That represented the second district title in school history, with the team defeating Council Rock North 6-1 in the title game.
Following the district rounds, with more springtime baseball in their future, East moved into the state tournament as one of only 16 teams to make it that far. The Vikings beat Warwick 6-2 in the first round of state play and moved into the state quarterfinal round against St. Joseph Prep.
In a pitchers’ duel that featured few runs and a very close game, the Vikings succumbed by a score of 2-1 to a very tough St. Joseph team. Although they came up short of their pursuit of a state title the team has much about which to be proud. Bringing home both the district one and Ches-Mont trophies is by no means an easy task.
The East Baseball Vikings team is led by head coach Dean Owens, and assistant coaches Dave Graf, Mike Skane, and Jim Coleman. The team had one of the best pitching staffs in the state which included Neal Herring, Jay Lynch, Robby Worrell, and Bill Fallis. Outfielders Rich Brice, Justin Orton, Dan Novak, and Tom Spitz all had great seasons. The infield was lead by standout shortstop Steve Snyder, with Tyler Quiale at third base, sophomore Derek Prucnal having an outstanding season at first base, and Zach Mouton anchoring second base. Justin Leeson was the catcher for this year’s squad. Voted Outstanding Offensive MVP by the East Coaches at their awards banquet was Designated Hitter and Utility player Chase Miller.
As a further testament to the talent the team enjoyed, five players are scheduled to continue playing baseball at the division one level. Dan Novak will play at the Naval Academy, Jay Lynch at Binghamton, Justin Leeson will be playing at Georgetown University, and Neal Herring and Steve Snyder will play at Penn State. Robby Worrell is attending Chesnut Hill College where he will continue his pitching career as well. This team of fine young student-athletes represented East High School, our District, and the larger community in a very positive fashion. To the players, coaches, and families who lent endless hours of hard work and support, congratulations are in order for their excellent season.
For more information contact: Rob Partridge (Proud member of the East Class of 1976) / WCASD Communications Director / 484-266-1170 / rpartridge@wcasd.net
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