Phoenixville’s baseball team has started the 2009 season with a 1-1 record.

After starting the year with a 15-4 non-league loss to West Chester Henderson Friday afternoon at “Doc” Kennedy Field, the Phantoms won their Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC-10) opener Monday afternoon, 5-4, over Pottstown at Bobby Shantz Field in Pottstown.
Coach Jack Sturgeon is assisted by Rob Huston and Craig Jeffers with the Phantoms, who visit Pottsgrove Wednesday and host five-time defending league champion Boyertown Friday in the first of their busy, regular three-game weeks of games.
The three-game weeks are going to make pitching an even greater commodity this year than it already is anyway. Phoenixville will rely heavily on juniors Devon Landis and Jeremy Burgess with their experience on the mound. Left-handed veteran Jake Waller is sidelined until Senior American Legion season with a broken ankle. The legion season starts at the end of May around Memorial Day.
The younger pitchers will be looked upon to improve as they receive more game experience to contribute more depth to the staff..
PAC-10 baseball will also have its first-ever Final Four playoff this year, like some of the other sports do. It is particularly big for boys and girls basketball during the winter months.
The Phantoms look solid defensively in the infield with Burgess and Jon Wheel at third base, Thomas Romano at shortstop, Cal Milano at second base and John Wieland at first base. Derek “Duck” Ryan is a solid catcher.
In the outfield are Andrew Ewing in center, Sam McQuiston in right and Matt Cohen in left. That is also a solid defensive group.
Wieland and Ewing are the only two seniors on an essentially young squad.
Besides league play, Phoenixville also has its eye on the District 1 Class AAA playoffs.