Player development. That is what Pennsylvania College of Technology baseball has been all about under coach Chris Howard, a former professional himself, and the results speak for themselves.

Last season, the Wildcats made their sixth straight playoff appearance and finished second in the United East Conference for the third time since 2017, posting a 22-20 overall and 16-8 UE mark in all UE games, earning him UE Coach of the Year honors.

While it was Howard’s first United East Coach of the Year honor, he was named Coach of the Year twice previously — in 2008 and 2009 when the Wildcats competed in the Penn State University Athletic Conference. Over that time, his teams have produced 11 seasons with 20 wins, including four in the NCAA era that began in 2014-15. Penn College won the UE championship in 2015 and finished second in 2017, 2018 and 2023. It was third in 2022.

In 17 years, his teams have gone 342-244.

At the end of last season, Howard said, “We will be a young team next year after losing so many to graduation, but we have an outstanding ’23 class coming in, together with some really quality returners. I’m really excited about the opportunity to develop this next bunch.”

And so the process begins again, with the season opener set for Thursday at Elmira College.

“Practice has been going well. Obviously, everyone is eager to get games started. We have been very fortunate to have quite a few days outdoors so far in January and February — probably the most since I’ve been the head coach. We had a nice fall and it has continued so far these last few weeks,” Howard said.

“We are returning one of our biggest offensive threats in Quinn Hanafin. Quinn has been one of the best hitters we have ever had in this program,” Howard said.

A year ago, Hanafin of Sayre, a sophomore, batted .376 and had a team-best 17 doubles and 39 RBIs.

Also returning is the starting catcher from the previous two seasons, junior Nathan Gustkey of Philipsburg. 

“We are deep behind the plate with sophomore Logan Hinnershitz of Quakertown and freshman Adam Aldenderfer of Trout Run. Junior outfielder Kevin Cute of Glenside is healthy and looking to be a big contributor this year while junior outfielder Anthony Barbella of Livingston, New Jersey, and sophomore outfielder David Wagner of Perkiomenville are looking to leave their mark. Sophomore second baseman Benny Hornburg of Pittsburgh is looking forward to battling back from injury in the fall. Junior first baseman Matt Bailor of Clearfield is a great left-hand hitter off the bench and a solid first baseman, while sophomore Parker White of West Decatur will see significant time at shortstop. Sophomore Ethan Stahl of Cogan Station will be a solid middle infielder who can play both shortstop and second base,” Howard said.

On the mound, all-conference second-team pitcher junior Zac Weaver of Pottstown returns, and Howard said he expects sophomore Jonas McGrath of Ashland, junior Jason Cute of Glenside, and junior Gabe Reptsik of Pennsburg will play huge roles on the mound this year, while White also will be a weapon coming out of the bullpen. Junior Zach Ellis of Gilbertsville will be key in the middle innings out of the pen, along with a strong-armed sophomore, Charlie (Chuck) Hornburg of Pittsburgh.

“After graduating 17 players, youth is definitely a theme to this year’s ballclub. We have a freshmen class of 14 plus five transfers. Freshman position players who have stood out so far this year have been second baseman Jaiden Augustine of Dillsburg, third baseman Jaydon Goebel of Honey Brook, outfielder Matt Munoz of Tobyhanna, outfielder Ty Jenkins of Lancaster, shortstop Shawn Townsend of Hatboro and outfielder John Croasdale of Milford, New Jersey,” Howard said.

The coach continued, “On the mound, we are looking for big things from freshmen Mason Balfanz of Elmhurst, Illinois, and Griffin Vollman of Williamsport. Sam Staib of Bloomsburg, Wyatt Hershey of McConnellsburg and Dennis Prestash of Sandy Ridge will be asked to get big outs for us out of the bullpen, while Braydon Snyder of Dornsife will see time out of the pen as well.

“We picked up some great transfers this year, led by sophomore Dallas Griess of Williamsport, who will give us rock-solid defense in the outfield, quality offensive production and speed on the bases. Sophomore first basemen Brandon Shane of Boyertown is an outstanding defensive first baseman who is a big stick in the middle of the lineup. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Ryan Sawyer of Cornwall, New York, is a high-quality arm who knows how to pitch and get outs, while freshman pitcher Ethan Eckard of Cogan Station gives us quality depth in the pen from the right side.

“(The) fall (season) has shown us that we will be a very solid defensive team that will grow offensively as the season progresses. It is important that we grow as a pitching staff and get stronger as the season progresses. It is important that our pitching staff remain healthy throughout the season. We may be young, and some of our returners are inexperienced in terms of playing time, but we are a very hard-working team that plays the game the right way. Baseball IQ is very high with this bunch.

“Our goal this year is the same as every year: we are looking to make the postseason and compete for a conference championship and a trip to the NCAA tournament. It will be exciting to watch this team mature and get better as the season goes.”

Schedule/Record/Series History

Overall: 0-0

UE Volt Division: 0-0

Thursday, Feb. 28 — at Elmira College, 1 p.m. (Penn College leads 3-1)

Spring Break at Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Sunday, March 3 — vs. Hilbert College, 12:30 p.m. (Penn College leads 3-1)

Monday, March 4 — vs. Eastern Nazarene College (2), 9 a.m. and noon (first-time opponent)

Tuesday, March 5 — vs. Penn State DuBois, 9 a.m. (PS DuBois leads 2-1)

Tuesday, March 5 — vs.  Westminster College, 12:30 p.m. (first-time opponent)