Four for 2011 (Part 2)

A day after we revealed two teams that we think are capable of causing serious trouble in the playoffs, we're adding two more to the list.

Carlisle (10-10 in 2010; District 3-AAAA participant)
The Herd made some great strides this spring by finishing the regular season with a winning record (10-9) for the first time since 2005 and placing fourth out of seven teams in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division.

Now, the key for coach Brett Livingston is to build on the momentum. With the exception of John Blank, Zeb Thorson and Kyle Scott, the team will return largely intact next spring.

That's great news for a program that hadn't been to the District 3-AAAA playoffs since 2005 and had seemingly grown comfortable in the Commonwealth's basement.

Livingston should have a sunny outlook with standout Tyler Weary (.426 average, nine RBIs) back for his senior year and a quality group of young players that includes Eric Dukes (junior in 2010), Harris Glenn (junior) Brian Goodling (freshman) and Kyler Brown (freshman).

Dukes batted .273 this spring with 14 RBIs, three home runs and two doubles while Goodling, Brown and Glenn were reliable on the mound. Brown (above) compiled a 4-1 record with 30 strikeouts against 18 walks in 36.2 innings and finished with an ERA of 4.64. Goodling went 2-2 with 26 strikeouts, 26 walks and a 5.12 ERA in 28 innings while Glenn was 2-4 with 23 strikeouts, 28 walks and a 4.54 ERA win 26.2 innings.

Improvement is a must if this team hopes to win at least one playoff game, but Carlisle is on the right track.

Plus, Livingston said after the season that he has some other players ready to move up from the junior varsity and contribute in 2011.

The Commonwealth, as always, will be anything but easy so if the Herd can escape the regular season, this could be a team to keep your eye on not just in 2011 but for the next few years.

Mechanicsburg (13-8 in 2010; District 3-AAAA participant)
Over the last two years, coach Clay McAllister's team has compiled a record of 29-15, won a Mid-Penn Keystone Division title and played for a Mid-Penn Conference title.

But, for how successful the Wildcats have been lately, they only have a 2-2 record in the District 3-AAAA playoffs with hard-to-swallow first-round losses to Hempfield in 2009 and Cedar Crest in 2010.

Next spring, Mechanicsburg will return to the Class AAA level and might have a shot to do some damage. McAllister needed to replace six seniors from the 2009 team that won the division and pushed Northern to the limit in the MPC championship. This time, the number of seniors graduating is nine.

Picking the Wildcats here is a risk, to be sure.

But consider: this team returns its top offensive threat in Jimmy Spanos (.452 average, six doubles, two triples, three home runs, 24 RBIs) and three of its top four. Justin Tate (.400, five doubles, two triples, 10 RBIs) and Alex Holbert (.373, two doubles, 11 RBIs) will join Spanos as the catalysts for the offense.

Tate is also reliable as a pitcher (2.44 ERA in 17.2 innings) and will help solidify the rotation behind ace Sal Purpura, who compiled a 3.03 ERA in 53 innings with 51 strikeouts and 22 walks.