By Anthony Esbensen

Whether it’s a 20-degree day or a balmy one that promises spring is coming, the Delaware County Community College Baseball team heads to the field to prepare for the 2022 season.

The team hopes for a better season after finishing 2-11 last year. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic ruined the season. But, this spring, there is hope. The Phantoms have some players to watch.

Kahreem Cunningham, the team’s head coach, hopes some players will stand out. He first mentioned starting catcher Cidrick Navas as “a big part of our team.”

Coach Cunningham talked about other players, too.

Jonathan Martinez is the starting infielder. He went to Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School.

Wayne Stewart attended Commonwealth Charter High School. He is the only sophomore on the roster and the Phantoms’ starting pitcher. “He is one of the biggest leaders on the team,” said Cunningham.

Second baseman Anthony Georgette from Preparatory Charter High School recently transferred from Penn State Brandywine. Cunningham said Georgette should get plenty of playing time at DCCC.

Another one of the team’s strongest leaders is Wilton Castro from Samuel Fels High School. “He has [already] played a big leadership role” for the team.

Cunningham is “very excited” about his team members, not just as players but also as individuals. “As a head coach, I believe getting to know the person, knowing their family, knowing what ticks them off. It is important…I consider myself not only a coach but also a teacher.”

To Cunningham, the season has already been a success because of the people. They are a “good group of young men.” But, he added that the people they will become in society matter just as much, if not more, than the players they are on the field.

Developing a new team every year is tough on coaches. This year, our players are freshmen, except for Stewart, the starting pitcher.

Cunningham looks on the bright side: “It’s challenging, but you get a lot of new players in the program.” He added someone like Georgette gets a chance for more playing time at DCCC than in the past.

 The team is still recovering from the lost 2020 season. Cunningham had high hopes that season “because we had one of the best teams I’ve ever coached.”

But, as a new season dawns, so does hope that 2022 will be a positive one.

The Phantoms start their season playing away games. They face Montgomery County Community College in a doubleheader on April 2.

The DCCC home-opener is April 12 against Union County College.

Hopes are high for Coach Cunningham and his DCCC Phantoms to have a good season.

Click this link for the DCCC baseball season schedule.  

Update: The new home opener date is April 19, 3 p.m., when the Phantoms will face Camden County College.