New baseball coach is old friend to Susquehannock Warriors

Kevin Krebs is the new head baseball coach at Susquehannock High School.

But no introductions were needed when the Warriors gathered with Krebs yesterday, the first official day of practice for spring sports.

The coach knows the players and they know him.

"I'm pretty close to these kids, I've coached them at some point," Krebs said. "The fact that I know them will make for a smooth transition. They know my expectations."

Krebs paid six years' worth of dues in the Warriors' program before earning the promotion to the top varsity job. He was an assistant varsity coach, assistant junior varsity coach and head JV coach.

Krebs also coached the Glen Rock American Legion team for two years.

"Fundamentally, the game is the same when you're talking about JV and varsity," Krebs said. "But the game pace at the varsity level is a little quicker, and you see all the premier players from every school at each game."

The 30-year-old Krebs, who was a two-year starter during his high school career at Susquehannock, will have some premier players on his side. Six starters return from the team that won the school's first-ever District 3 baseball championship under previous head coach Jeff Forbes.

Mason Heyne, Josh Heyne, Andy Rosenzweig, Chris Sokalski, Tyler Troxell and Travis Lear were key members of last year's 18-6 team that captured the Class AAA crown.

Rosenzweig and the Heynes, who are cousins, will provide the Warriors with three veteran pitchers. Mason

Heyne also is a third baseman, and Josh Heyne is
a shortstop. Sokalski is a first baseman, Troxell, an outfielder, and Lear, a catcher.

Mason Heyne crushed the ball for a .561 average during the 2006 regular season. Sokalski batted .396, Rosenzweig, .351, Troxell. 333, Josh Heyne, .300, and Lear, .296. Rosenzweig recorded a 5-1 pitching record with two saves and a 1.30 earned-run average.

Mason Heyne has two Division I schools, Rider and VMI, on his list of potential colleges.

"We have a core of good baseball players back," Krebs said. "It's important to have the experienced players, but you need good senior leadership, too, plus you can't let your heads get too big."

Mason Heyne isn't concerned that complacency will set in on the team that won league (York-Adams Division II) and district titles last season.

"We know that we have a target on our back, and we'll definitely be ready to play," Heyne said. "I've been with the same kids since SYC (Southern York County youth program), and we've always come to play."

Heyne is pleased that Krebs will be guiding he and the other seniors in their final high school season.

"He was our JV coach, and we had the best JV record in school history," he said. "We all know his philosophy. Of course, there's only so much he can do. We have to play."

Dick VanOlinda covers high school sports for The York Dispatch. He can be reached at dvanolinda@york dispatch.com or at 505-5407.