The Bucs had to wait 20 years between their last two division titles. They’re looking to make it a much shorter wait for their third.
They won’t get the chance to repeat as Henlopen South champions, though — thanks to Milford High School’s move to the Henlopen North, while the baseball team’s schedule remains the same, they have to measure up against the Division I teams this year, which could be a tall order.
“Sometimes the South is stronger, sometimes it’s the North,” Head Coach John Nichols said. “Last year it was the North, but two years ago the South had more playoff teams. You never know.”
Just four members of the 2009 squad graduated — third baseman A.J. Tilmes, star pitcher Shane Sapp, catcher Johnny Michael and reservist Josh Campos.
“We’re a young team this year,” Nichols said. “But many of our young players are still experienced. They were freshmen or sophomores on that division champion squad. They know what they’re doing.”
The only graduate who didn’t have a replacement waiting in the wings was Michael, who caught nearly every pitch the Bucs threw in 2009.
“Catcher is wide open,” Nichols said. “We’re looking at everyone, giving them a chance, and we’ll see who steps up.”
Without Sapp, the pitching rotation is young, and anchored by 2009 starters Nick Grant and Michael Pyne, along with Hunter Whalen and Georgie Michael. Whalen is back after shoulder surgery ended his year last April, and hoping to make an even bigger mark this year.
“Our pitching staff is really young, but they’re very talented,” Nichols said.
While the pitching staff is young, the heart of last year’s high-flying offense is in peak condition, with Jerell Allen, Adam Darling, Connor Luff and Devon Reed all in their prime. Reed and Allen both took the basketball season off to train for baseball, and both are in good condition and completely healthy as the season gets ready to begin.
“Everybody’s worked real hard,” Nichols said. “Offensively, we’re as good as anybody in the division. We hit real well and run fast too. We’ll score runs.”
While another division championship would be big, the goal is bigger. Last year’s team was one-and-done in the state playoffs, falling to Sussex Central in the first round. This year, just getting into the state tournament won’t be good enough.
“We want to keep going further and further every year,” Nichols said. “Our expectations are high, and our kids are experienced. I’m sure they can live up to the goals we’re setting.”
With construction continuing on new baseball and softball fields at Milford High School, the Bucs home field will again be the Milford Little League park, near the Parks & Recreation building off Southeast 2nd Street.
“A lot of these kids have played more games here than at the high school, between last year and their Little League careers,” Nichols said. “This is definitely home for us.”
