MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown Post 2 manager Tyler Barnette didn’t know what his roster would look like when it opened the 2021 season, mainly due to the high school baseball state tournament running right into the start of the American Legion season.
The high school baseball season was delayed about three weeks, and is instead happening this weekend at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston rather than the first weekend in June.
Post 2 is also getting off to a later start, opening its season at 7:30 p.m. Friday against defending Maryland state champions Funkstown Post 211 at Mylan Park. But with smaller wiggle room as is, the American Legion season had to get under way, so there was potential players would not be available until the high school season was over.
Morgantown High was the likely candidate to reach the state tournament, and if so, players from MHS could not play for Post 2 until the Mohigans were eliminated from postseason play.
With nearly half of Post 2’s roster consisting of MHS players, Barnette had a contingency plan if needed, using Post 2’s JV roster to fill the gap through this weekend’s WAJR Wood Bat Classic — Friday vs. Funkstown, Saturday’s doubleheader vs. Uniontown (Pa.) and Cumberland (Md.), and Sunday’s championship game.
MHS entered the Class AAA Region I championship series with a 21-4 record to face Bridgeport, but the Indians took care of business, winning the best 2 of 3 series in two games.
Barnette’s possible roster dilemma sorted itself out, although it was at the expense of the Mohigans’ season.
The coaching staff, led by head coach Andy Altemus in his second season, finalized the roster Thursday, and the final breakdown includes nine players from MHS, seven from University High and two collegiate players — Jacob Spearen (West Virginia State) and Brent Robinson (Seton Hall).
Of the 18 on the roster, 12 are returners from last season.
Altemus took over coaching duties from Barnette last year during a non-American Legion affiliated campaign due to COVID-19. The MHS, WVU and Post 2 alum was also a pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization in 2010.
“We have a good mix of experience,” Altemus said. “We have guys who have been through it and have an understanding of what we do. And then we have some new guys who are ready to compete. It’s an exciting time to be around our program. Our numbers are high and there is a ton of talent on our younger teams. With the new stadium and the regional tournament coming through Morgantown, our program is in a really great place.”
2021 Post 2 roster
- Jake Kennel, OF, Morgantown
- Zach Owens, INF, Morgantown
- Ty Galusky, C, Morgantown
- Domenic Colasante, INF, Morgantown
- Zach Brennan, UTIL, Morgantown
- Brent Robinson, C/INF, Seton Hall
- Park Croyle, C, University
- Avante Neal, UTIL, University
- Tony Marsh, LHP, University
- Reed Bailey, LHP, Morgantown
- Cody Thomas, INF, University
- Zach Harman, LHP, University
- Caleb Cottle, INF/RHP, Morgantown
- Gregory Eddy, LHP, Morgantown
- Conner McDonough, RHP, University
- Ethan Smith, OF, Morgantown
- Jake Spearen, INF/RHP, West Virginia State
- Aaron Forbes, INF, University
