For local coaches, watching their former players in the College World Series is a ‘special moment’

While watching Alabama vs. St. John’s in the Tuscaloosa Super Regional, Moorestown High School baseball coach Mike Appalucci spotted a familiar face as the Crimson Tide punched their ticket to Omaha, Neb., for the men’s College World Series.

It was his former player, Chase Kroberger, a freshman at Alabama.

Kroberger is one of six locals competing in the College World Series, which starts on Friday with West Virginia vs. Troy (2 p.m.) and North Carolina vs. Ole Miss (7 p.m.). On the other side of the bracket, Alabama will face Ole Miss (3 p.m.) and Georgia takes on Texas (8 p.m.) on Saturday.

While each of the eight teams hail from the Southern U.S., these players were raised by South Jersey and Philadelphia baseball.

Kroberger plays with Evan Taylor, a freshman two-way player from Ocean City, and Jon Young Jr., a sophomore infielder who graduated from Cherry Hill West. He’s also former high school teammates with Ryan Lynch, a sophomore righty at North Carolina.

Texas junior outfielder Aiden Robbins and West Virginia freshman right-handed pitcher David Perez round out the Philly-area players. Robbins starred at Holy Ghost Prep, while Perez graduated from Archbishop Ryan. Perez led the Mountaineers in saves this season with six but hasn’t played since April 25 because of a knee injury.

For the high school coaches, it’s been special to watch their former players compete on college baseball’s biggest stage. Even being a “small part of their success” has added to the excitement of the tournament, Appalucci said.

“You got two really awesome kids that are great ambassadors for Moorestown baseball,” Appalucci said. “Both love Moorestown baseball. Both are at their dream school to go play college baseball. I just hope they enjoy every moment of it because it’s really unique to have two guys going out there at the same time.”

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Kroberger, an outfielder, was ranked the No. 2 outfielder and No. 7 recruit in New Jersey last year, according to Prep Baseball Report.

During his first season with the Crimson Tide, he put up a .148 average in 27 at bats. Still, each opportunity has allowed Kroberger to grow, Appaluci said. He’s also been a defensive replacement in some of Bama’s recent games.

“He’s getting valuable experience, but he’s also getting some time in, and it looks like they trust him enough to play him defensively, and I’m sure he’ll get some ABs at some point,” Appaluci said. “Chase is such a competitor, such a gamer, but he looks so happy to be there.”

Taylor was Perfect Game USA’s top-ranked right-handed pitcher and the No. 3 prospect in New Jersey. He did not pitch for Alabama this season.

Young, the third-ranked shortstop in the state by PBR, appeared in 14 contests for the Crimson Tide last season but did not play this season.

As for Kroberger’s former teammate, Lynch, he has had plenty of success with the Tar Heels this season.

Lynch has a 4.22 ERA in 89⅔ innings (17 games, 16 starts) this season after primarily coming out of the bullpen as freshman.

Named a freshman second-team All-American by D1Baseball and Baseball America, Lynch transitioned to a starting role during the postseason last year. And his high school coach said he was “built for those moments.”

“They knew that they were getting a great pitcher in Ryan,” Appaluci said. “He’s going to do great in Omaha.”

Appaluci added that he’s received several messages about the two and has been asked about them “nonstop” by his eighth graders.

“It’s just an inspiration for everybody. All the little kids know both Ryan and Chase,” Appaluci said. “They’ve been following these guys for years. “Everyone’s following these kids, and I’m sure they’re going to get a lot more attention now being out there in Omaha.”

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Robbins joined Texas this season after spending two years at Seton Hall, where he led the team in batting average, runs, hits, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, among other stats.

Robbins is one of the Longhorns’ leading hitters in average (.342) and runs (65). He also leads in hits (77), total bases (162), and slugging percentage (.720).

His former high school coach, Greg Olenski, said Robbins has “exploded” this year, notably in his ability to hit with power to all parts of the field, as he enters his draft-eligible year. He also said that Robbins performs his best when more eyes are on him.

“To see what he’s done this year and accomplished, I’m really not surprised,” Olenski said. “His work ethic is unmatched, and he’s only gotten better. I’ve told a few different people that I don’t even think he’s reached his peak yet. But it’s pretty incredible to see a former player of mine, just only a few short years ago, is now in Omaha. So a pretty special moment.”

When he was with Seton Hall, Olenski said Robbins became a fixture in his high school team’s dugout and on the bus to away games. While he couldn’t do the same this year at Texas, Robbins’ presence is still a fixture at Holy Ghost Prep, especially with how his career unfolded.

“I think the relatableness [in] interviews and then how close he was to our players, our guys feel like that’s in their reach right now,” Olenski said. “I think it’s really cool to see, especially him coming from Yardley, Pa., a local guy.”