Delco Community College Phantoms Start New Season Saturday

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Baseball season is upon us, and the Delaware County Community College Phantoms are gearing up for their season to kick off this weekend.

The team will travel to Maryland Saturday for their season opener against the College of Southern Maryland at 2 p.m.

This away game will start their 36-game schedule, which features opponents in Divisions II and III in the National Junior College Athletic Association. The team will face opponents in other conferences, as well.

The Phantoms will host their home opener at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16 against Central Penn College at the baseball field on the Marple Campus, 901 S. Media Line Road in Media.

The team returns just two players from last year and has an all-new coaching staff headed by first-year head coach Ryan Hunter. Hunter, who joins DCCC from Williamson College of the Trades, is known for his strategic hitting approach and commitment to player development.

Hunter is optimistic about the team’s prospects this season. He named returning players Cidrik Navas and Jake Miller as team captains, along with newcomers Hunter Whitten and Cole DeRosa, to lead the Phantoms on and off the field.

"These young men embody my philosophy of being truly dedicated to putting in the work to get better daily, and their collective leadership will drive this team," Hunter said.

West Chester Henderson graduate Whitten and Danny Guinan of Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School are expected to provide a 1-2 punch at the top of the pitching rotation, per the college. First-year student Benjamin Beasley, a graduate of Upper Darby High School, brings defensive prowess to the middle of the infield, the college said.

Eric Engesser of Downingtown West High School will add much-needed power to the middle of the batting lineup, college officials said. DeRosa, a transfer student from Williamson College of the Trades, "will be an anchor for me, which is why I named him a captain," Hunter said.

While the team is young, their ambitions are high, according to the college. The coaching staff has focused on building a cohesive unit, emphasizing teamwork and communication on and off the field, officials said.

Visit the Phantoms' website here for more information on the team and season.