Andy Richter, Christopher Dock's ace righthander, does not approach the mound with a strikeout-first mentality.
"I just try to keep the ball down and induce ground balls," he said. "When I do that and let my infielders do their jobs, I'm usually successful."
Richter, a senior and three-year varsity member, has a 5-3 record with a 1.80 ERA. He mixes three pitches: a four-seam fastball, curveball and split-finger fastball.
From the No. 3 spot in the order, the 6-foot, 200-pounder is batting .382 (21 for 55) with 20 RBIs. When not pitching, he is a designated hitter.
"Andy is a very intense player, brings a lot of enthusiasm to the game," Dock coach Bill Sigmans said.
After a stellar start, Richter and the Pioneers slumped toward the end of the regular season and had to settle for a three-way tie for the Bicentennial Athletic League big-school championship with Holy Ghost Prep and New Hope-Solebury. Each finished with a 13-3 league record.
"We're grateful for where we are, but we've been struggling lately," Richter said. "Our opponents deserve credit, though. We've run into some tough pitching."
Dock, 15-5 overall, is now preparing for the PIAA District 1 Class A playoffs. The Pioneers have earned the district crown in three of the last four seasons. In 2005 and 2006, they won state championships.
As a sophomore, Richter served the squad as a pinch-hitter and relief pitcher. Behind ace Greg Folgia, now at Missouri, the Pioneers went 20-5 and became just the fourth program to win back-to-back state titles.
"That was an incredible experience," Richter said. "The talent on that team was phenomenal. There was great chemistry, too."
Dock's other leaders this season are senior second baseman/pitcher Galen Halteman (5-0 record, 0.97 ERA), sophomore catcher Ryan Seiz (.357 batting average, 23 RBIs), and freshman leftfielder Drew Mininger (.441 batting average, .571 on-base percentage).
Richter, who lives in Perkasie, will continue his career at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va. He plans to major in business administration.
"I went down there and fell in love with the campus and the people," the 18-year-old said. "It's a tight-knit community."
Eastern Mennonite has two former Dock players on its roster: sophomore catcher Zach Polloni and freshman pitcher Eli Detweiler.
Banner season. With a strong finish, including Tuesday's 12-3 win over Dock, New Hope-Solebury earned a piece of the Bicen title.
"We really did turn it on toward the end," third-year coach Matt Schram said. "We were getting a lot of clutch hits."
Vinny Voorhees has starred for the Lions (15-3 overall) as a pitcher and outfielder. The senior southpaw has a 6-2 pitching record. From the leadoff position, he is batting .449 in league play.
Alex Azar is also a dual threat. After missing last season with a dislocated shoulder, the shortstop/pitcher is batting .326 in the league, with eight doubles, and has a 5-0 record on the mound.
Junior centerfielder Matt Maiorelli (.438 batting average in the league, 22 RBIs, 19 stolen bases, 5 home runs) and senior catcher Paul Bako (.429, 19 RBIs, 3 HRs) are the team's other standouts.
Extra bases. In 130 plate appearances, Malvern Prep leadoff man Tyler Young has been hit or walked 51 times. The sophomore shortstop has scored a school-record 41 runs and has a .545 on-base percentage. Friars teammate Chris Gosik is batting .505 with 42 RBIs and eight homers. . . . Council Rock North first baseman Scott Runzer is batting .569 with 21 runs and 18 RBIs. . . . Central Bucks West shortstop-pitcher Jon Gyles was named Suburban One League Continental Conference player of the year. . . . Germantown Academy catcher Joe Conaway had a team-record seven homers going into yesterday's Inter-Ac game against Chestnut Hill Academy. . . . In 42 innings, Owen J. Roberts ace Matt Murray has 76 strikeouts and a 0.50 ERA. . . . For Monsignor Bonner, Rob Benedict is hitting .446. Teammate Matt McGillian has 13 stolen bases. . . . Lower Moreland hurler Jerry Dougherty, a La Salle signee, is 6-2 with a 1.00 ERA. In 56 innings, he has 67 strikeouts.
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.
