Indians bring positive energy to the diamond

BY KENNY VARNER Sports correspondent

MIFFLINTOWN —

There is an air of positive energy flowing through the Juniata Indians baseball squad this season.

After coming off a season where the team finished as District 6 runner-up, the Indians look to make it back.

There is a new coach taking over in the Indians’ dugout who has a long history with Juniata baseball as a former player. He is Ty Treaster.

Treaster is taking over for longtime coach Nick Beward.

The first year coach has been very enthusiastic about the performances his team has already shown early in practices.

“In one word, I would say excited,” said Treaster when asked how he felt going into his first season at the helm. “I have a good group of boys from ninth grade to 12th grade this year who are solid baseball players.”

Treaster comes in with very strong expectations for his team both on and off the baseball diamond.

“With the team that I have, I have very high expectations. Some of these guys want to move on and play college baseball. It’s hard to come by in high school sports when you know you have kids moving on. It says something about their ability,” said Treaster. “So as far as expectations this year, they are set pretty high.”

The team had a few losses from last year’s squad due to graduation.

The Juniata departures include Dawson Harper, Colton Garver, Logan Kehler, Josh Bomberger, Ben Fry and

Jacob Condo. Back for this season are letterwinners Danny Freed, Jordan Dickinson, Louden Sheaffer, Carson Kepner, Grant Reinhold, Seth Laub and Jerret Condo.

Juniata’s squad finished third in the Tri-Valley League last year with a league record of 11-5 while its overall record finished at 13-8.

Treaster will be looking to his three captains to provide a leadership role for the team this season.

“So for leadership, I have three captains. They’re my biggest leaders in Jordan Dickinson, Danny Freed and Louden Sheaffer,” said Treaster. “All three are seniors and the team chose them. So clearly they are lead- ers. They act as leaders.”

Early on there have been some underclassmen that have been making some noise, looking for some playing time.

“We do have a couple freshmen that have been pretty impressive. Wyatt Shellenberger has been looking pretty good in the outfield. Ian Yetter has been looking pretty good in the infield,” said Treaster. “I’m sure there is more to say but those two have definitely come a long way. But, the talent from the varsity to JV is exciting. Because, the JV squad is also going to be solid and they look great.”

To see Juniata’s strengths you don’t have to look further than the pitcher’s mound.

“This year the strengths are that I’m going to have some very solid pitching as well as my top five or six guys hitting. They are going to be very solid,” said Treaster.

Another bonus that Treaster likes is their work ethic.

“They work hard every day. They’re in there early and out late,” said Treaster.

His team is working on some aspects of their game to get primed and ready for opening day.

“Right now, and I think it’s just because of the cold, we had a good first week and we’re able to get outside. But it does seem like the bats are lagging a little right now,” said Treaster. “But it will get there. It’s because our pitchers are so strong.” on and off the field,” said Treaster. “The second comes winning. I want them to have a winning attitude and know that they can do that with this group. They absolutely can do that.”

Looking around the always tough Tri-Valley League, Treaster isn’t quite sure who will be tough competition in comparison to last year’s teams.

Goals for his team are not only what happens on the field, but off as well.

“My main goal, and it’s my coaching philosophy, is discipline. Discipline and respect. The reason why I start with that first is that as my main goal for them is once they have that, everything else falls into place. Being a good young man

“It’s difficult because seeing some of the teams from last year, there were a couple of studs on some of the other teams. I really don’t know. I know Halifax was supposed to be strong last year but other than them I don’t have a total grasp of where the other teams are going to be,” said Treaster. “It kind of seems like they’ve been kind of young this last season.”

Juniata’s first game is March 24 at home against Penns Valley.