The Northwestern Lehigh baseball ended last season against pitching juggernaut Cole Hubert of Saucon Valley in the District 11 3A semifinals game and the junior was nearly unhittable, allowing just two hits to the Tigers as the Panthers ended Northwestern’s season in a 5-0 shutout.

Northwestern’s Shaun O’Donnell did all he could do on the mound, but eventually, Saucon Valley was able to get to him and secure the victory.

Fast forward to 2025 and the news is not great. Hubert was only a junior and is still around, but O’Donnell was a senior and graduated last spring.

O’Donnell was one of five players who all contributed on the field for the Tigers, who graduated, and second-year coach Brian Polaha now has the task of filling those holes.

“I think we can replace some of that middle of the order offense,” said Polaha. “But replacing the pitching and the defense that those players gave us will be the tougher part.”

Besides O’Donnell, pitcher Chase Moyer also graduated and Josh Lichman who split time between first base and the mound has also moved on. Bobby Croneberger became a big part of the team both offensively and defensively and anchored third base and Justin Augustus was one of the better catchers in the league.

Even with the loss of nearly 70 innings of pitching, Josh Farber and Aidan Freeman are still around and will pick up added innings, as will senior Watson Church and junior Brady Krimmel. Sophomore Luke Runnells will also fill some of the innings and freshman Jesse Neupauer has been impressive this spring and could fit into the rotation.

Cole Dynda gave Northwestern strong play at shortstop as a freshman and will take on the added role of pitching in his sophomore season.

Dynda pitched in summer ball and was impressive.

“We have to realize,” said Polaha. “That when we move Cole in to pitch or some of these other guys, we have to fill that defense and that’s not easy. It’s especially tough when you have to replace Croneberger at third and Augustus behind the plate.”

After huge seasons in football and basketball, senior Eli Zimmerman will end his high school athletic career on the baseball field.

The outfielder is not only a premier athlete but was honored as a scholar athlete over the winter.

“Our offense is good up and down the order,” said Polaha. “And we have some guys on the bench who can swing the bat, too. With that and the pitching that we have returning plus the young guys, we’re in good shape in those areas. We have quite a bit of talent coming back and have the potential to be very good, but we did lose a lot of key players, and I think filling those spots is the key.”

To replace Augustus, there is a battle, but Polaha will have some options. Junior Cannon Fitch and sophomores Rennells and Brady Zimmerman are all listed as potential catchers on the roster.

The Tigers finished 17-5 last season and fell to Wilson 3-2 in the league finals at DeSales University last season before falling in the quarterfinals at districts. Northwestern still has plenty of weapons in its arsenal for 2025 and look to take bigger steps this season.