Germantown Friends School's Spring Sports Season

It’s not every year that Germantown Friends School baseball coach Bob Bergholtz has to figure out a way to replace seven starters that he lost to graduation the previous year, including 6-foot-4, 225-pound left-handed pitcher Jesse Biddle, who was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round (27th overall) of last year’s First-Year Player Draft.

But that is the problem that has been awaiting the fifth-year coach all winter.

“Obviously it’s impossible to replace someone like Jesse,” Bergholtz said. “But we also graduated six others who were major contributors to the program. We have a number of guys who have had to wait for their chance to earn significant varsity playing time, but they will get their opportunity this year for sure.”

Guys like shortstop/pitcher Tyler-Clauson-Wolf and third baseman/pitcher Ben Rogers, the Tigers’ co-captains that Bergholtz is relying on to lead the team this spring.

“One of the main ingredients to our success has been the leadership of our captains and seniors and this year will be no different,” Bergholtz said.

Bergholtz noted that juniors Nick Rittler (outfield/pitcher) and Gilman Myran (first base/pitcher) are another pair of big guns returning to the Tigers this season.

Also, keep an eye out for sophomores Sam Rogers (catcher) and Andrew Becker (outfield/pitcher) as well as freshman infielder/pitcher Connor Biddle.

Last season, Germantown Friends went 21-8 overall and 11-1 in the Friends League. The Tigers beat Shipley, 6-0, to win their seventh consecutive Friends League title. They later lost to Germantown Academy, 14-4, in the Independent Schools League state championship game.

But despite the loss of seven starting seniors, Bergholtz is optimistic that this year’s squad can get the job done.

“We may hit a few more bumps in the road, particularly early in the season, but I have no doubt that this year’s group will have us there in the end,” he said.

Playoffs Or Bust

After going 3-13 (1-9 Friends League) last year and failing to make the playoffs, the GFS softball team is going all out this year to qualify for the postseason.

The Tigers’ goal will be tough, though, as they lost 10 seniors, including pitcher Jessica Moody, to graduation last June.

“We have a young, inexperienced team but we are also coming off of a disappointing season,” third-year coach Susan Robinson said. “We are determined to show improvement and have a team goal to make the Friends School League playoffs.”

Returning to the diamond this year are senior veterans Anita Thatchet (pitcher) and Jenna Goldstein (shortstop).

Tigers’ fans will also be introduced to freshman catcher Rachel Allison, who will have a chance to catch sophomore pitcher/outfielder Erica Heinz from time to time.

“We should be deeper at the pitching position with the consistency of Anita Thachet and the addition of Erica Heinz,” Robinson said. “We have a very solid infield with Jenna Goldstein anchoring it at shortstop.”

Robinson will look for her team to be more consistent, particularly on offense, this season as she conceded that her squad doesn’t have a lot of hitting or game experience.