NTL BASEBALL: NEW LOOK WYALUSING READY TO DEFEND THEIR DISTRICT TITLE (2025-03-17)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
It’s going to be a new look Wyalusing baseball team, with a new coach, and several new players as they look to replace a big outgoing senior class.

“It’s pretty exciting, but I’ve got big shoes to fill,” said first year coach Rob Galloway. “I’m pretty much starting from a fresh slate, so it’s a little easier starting with a fresh slate, and being a new coach. It’s a different team, different everything, but, we should still be there when that time comes.”

They have two big returnees in Hunter House, and Kenny Mapes. House was their ace last year, and is one of the best lefties in the districts, while the St. Bonaventure bound Mapes led the team in doubles and home runs a year ago.

“That helps a lot with Hunter on the mound, and with Kenny at the plate,” Galloway said. “It’s what any coach could ask for for a team that’s reloading.”

House threw 69 2/3-innings a year ago with a 2.411 ERA, and 84 strikeouts.

“It’s nice,” House said about being a captain this year. “The last few years we’ve always been included, but it’s. Nice knowing that you’re going to be a leader on the team.”

Few pitchers in the league have as much big game experience as House, who pitched in a district title last year, a state playoff opener, and a state semifinal game.

“I’ve been throwing a lot of pitches,” said House. “I have a lot of confidence pitching a lot of big games, so I feel like I’m ready to take on anything that challenges me.”

At the plate Mapes hit .341 a year ago, and had the game winning walk-off smack in the state quarterfinals a year ago.

“I took the winter off from basketball this year so I could really dial in on baseball,” he said. “I work with another coach on every part of the game, from speed to hitting to fielding, and just really polish everything up for the spring.”

They also return Isaac Shaffer, who hit .308 last year, but as for the rest, it’s pretty much a new team, with Galloway noting that Owen Brown, and Logan Norton as two players he’s looking to step up and fill roles.

“We should get a lot of help, but Owen Brown will be playing shortstop and pitching,” he said. 

They’re doing a lot of the basics as they get ready for the season.

“We’re working on just being able to catch the baseball, throw the baseball, field the baseball, and hit the baseball,” Galloway said. “We’ll start doing a little more with this whole thing, but we’re just trying to, as new coaches, trying to get a feel for what we’ve got.”

They know the bulls-eye is on them, and that they have a lot to prove with so many outgoing seniors.

“I love it,” Mapes said. “Hopefully, we prove a lot of people wrong this year. I know a lot of people don’t think we can 3-peat, but hopefully we end up there, and prove them all wrong.”

Regardless, they plan on having fun this spring.

“I’m excited,” said Mapes. “I’ve waited all year for this, it’s definitely the best sport there is to play.”

ROSTER

Ashton VandeMark

Cal Pickett

Colton Robinson

Dawson Bizo

Eric Ostrowski

Hunter House

Isaac Shaffer

Jared VanDeMark

Kenny Mapes

Landry Tinna

Logan Norton

Mahdden Hugo

Marshall Huston

Michael Phillips

Nolan Aeppli

Owen Brown

Ryne McAllister

Seth McCammon

SCHEDULE

Mar 18 at NPM, 4:30 p.m.

Mar 20 at Towanda, 4:30 p.m.

Mar 22 at Elk Lake, 11 a.m.

Mar 24 at Tunkhannock, 4:30 p.m.

Mar 25 vs Troy, 4:30 p.m.

Mar 27 vs Athens, 4:30 p.m.

April 1 vs Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 vs CV, 4:30 p.m.

April 10 at Williamson, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 vs NPM, 4:30 p.m.

April 19 vs Blue Ridge at Mirabito Stadium, 1 p.m.

April 24 vs Towanda, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Don Engle Baseball Tournament, 11 a.m.

April 29 at Troy, 4:30 p.m.

April 30 vs South Williamsport, 4:30 p.m.

May 1 at Athens, 4;30 p.m.

May 6 at Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.

May 8 at Sayre, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 vs Canton, 4:30 p.m.

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