JOHNSTOWN —
Martella’s Pharmacy enters the 66th AAABA Tournament as Johnstown’s second representative, but veteran manager Chris Pfeil believes his lineup has the potential to make a big impression.
Pfeil used two of his pick-up selections to solidify his outfield and add a jolt to the batting order.
He also added some pitching to an already solid staff. A bonus will be the return of a few arms that had been bothered by injuries throughout the season and especially during the stretch run.
“We’re going to be healthy for the first time in three weeks. We were fortunate to get some good offensive players with our pick-up players,” said Pfeil, whose team will play at 1 p.m. Monday at the Point. “We think 1 through 9 we’re going to put guys at the plate who can swing the bats. We have team speed. If we get guys on we’re going to be able to move them and hopefully use our speed to put some runs on the board.”
Martella’s will be led by AAABA League MVP and four-year veteran Sam Watkins. The shortstop/closer has been an everyday starter since age 17.
Local league batting champion Mike LeViseur (.476 average) can catch or play first base while adding power to the middle of the lineup. Last year’s Pete Vuckovich Award winner Mike Pelekanos had an arm injury that prevented him from pitching this year. Instead, he was one of the league’s top sluggers as a designated hitter. Second baseman Kyle Bowser has a steady bat, as does catcher Steve Bills.
“Sam Watkins has played in big games for four years,” Pfeil said. “You have the luxury of having the MVP and the batting champion in your lineup. Plus Kyle Bowser, Mike Pelekanos and Steve Bills have had great years at the plate. We didn’t hit well in the championship series, but we feel with some time off to regroup we have the potential to be potent offensively.”
Pfeil brought in two of the league’s top center fielders, Alex Buccilli (Roxberry Creamery) and Mike Kastelic (Berkley Hills Renegades). Buccilli will play center for Martella’s while Kastelic will play left.
When he’s not pitching, Scott Dixon will be in right. David McKolosky also plays right field.
Dixon was co-Pete Vuckovich Award winner this season but he also is one of the team’s better hitters.
“Buccilli is going to play center field,” Pfeil said. “(Regular center fielder/pitcher) Pat Kohl is going to be able to throw for us again, which is going to boost our bullpen. He’s day-to-day as far as swinging the bat (due to a late-season injury). If we get anything out of him at the plate that’s another bonus for us. We’re going to use Mike Kastelic in the outfield. He’s a tough out from the left side of the plate, and he runs the bases as well as anybody in the league.”
Dixon, Jon Murphy, Clint White, Kyle Zambanini, Alex Naggy, Luke Novosel and Landon Wahl are pitchers as well as pick-ups Evan James and Joe Fearer.
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Pfeil hopes lineup is the prescription for successful run
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