The Emmaus High School baseball team had one of its best seasons in program history last year. The Green Hornets won both the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District 11 Class 6A championships in 2021. It was their first conference crown in over a decade, first district title since 2005 and just the third in program history.

Emmaus then won a first-round game in the state tournament before falling in the second round. The Green Hornets finished the year 22-6 overall and 12-4 in the EPC. In the postseason, they defeated Bethlehem Catholic 4-3, Parkland 9-6 and Pleasant Valley 4-1 to win the EPC championship. In districts, they beat Pocono Mountain West 10-2, Easton 3-2 and Parkland 7-6 to win the district title. In states, Emmaus took down Governor Mifflin 2-1 before falling to eventual state champion La Salle College in the second round.

Emmaus is looking to accomplish the same goals in 2022 and more entering this season.

“Last year was arguably the best season in our program’s history,” said head coach Jeremy Haas. “We accomplished a lot and won both golds in leagues and districts and even won a game at states. This year we’re aiming for more and want to bring home a state championship.”

Haas has a talented group returning from last year’s team. Some of those players include seniors Dominick Chiego (C/OF; .984 fielding percentage), Colin Foley (P/1B; All-EPC Second Team Pitcher), Anthony Viola (SS), Tyler LePage (3B/P; All-EPC First Team IF), Jaden Gallagher (OF/P; All-EPC First Team OF), Alex Pion (P/OF) and Luke Deschenes (P/DH; 95k’s in 67 IP), and sophomores Colin Wilson (U/P) and Noah Hogan (OF/P).

Sophomore Josiah Williams (Corner IF/P) is a newcomer that Haas expects to contribute this season.

“We have a strong leadership group with the amount of seniors back this season,” Haas said. “We will count on them for their experience and talent, but then we also have some underclassmen that will contribute as well.”

Emmaus opened its 2022 season last weekend with a couple of nonconference victories over Blue Mountain and Warwick. The Green Hornets begin conference play this week with four games. Haas says he wants his team to continue to play with an edge even after the success they had last season.

“Avoiding complacency is key in 2022,” said Haas. “A consistent approach to growth and development throughout the season should help this team to qualify for district and league playoffs.”