After 6 years, a new dream

Six years ago, eight of Council Rock North's current players received plenty of attention, including an appearance on ESPN, while playing on the Council Rock-Newtown squad that advanced to Williamsport, Pa., in the 59th Little League World Series.

Their dream wasn't fully realized, however. The Mid-Atlantic Regional titlists went 1-2 in pool play at Lamade Stadium and were eliminated from the 16-team international tournament.

Now, Ryan Hartley - whose father, Bill, managed that group of 12-year-olds - Darren Lauer, and company are looking to make another highly memorable run. This one, they hope, will end in Altoona with state-championship medals hanging from their necks.

With base-path speed, solid hitters throughout the order, and a trio of Division I-bound pitchers, including Lauer, the Indians, ranked No. 1 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, have what it takes to capture the PIAA Class AAAA crown.

As he was for Council Rock-Newtown, Hartley, headed for the University of Delaware, is a fixture at shortstop; Lauer, a hard-throwing righthander committed to Elon, is back as the ace.

The six other C.R. North seniors forever linked to the win-splashed march to Williamsport are catcher David Pine, first baseman Keith Terry, third baseman Mike Festa, leftfielder Dan Denton, centerfielder Mike Tentilucci, and rightfielder Benn Parker.

"There's kind of a special bond we have," said the 6-foot, 170-pound Lauer. "We grew really close from the experiences we shared."

What's new is the head coach. Matt Schram took over for Dan Kusters, whose contract was not renewed following the 2010 campaign.

Schram, 43, went 77-23 in five seasons at New Hope-Solebury. In 2009, the Lions repeated as District 1 Class AA champs and advanced to the state quarterfinals. "We did a good job of putting baseball on the map there," he said.

After landing the job, Schram, the dean of students at C.R. North, met with former and longtime Indians manager Pete Lucente.

"I wanted to talk to him about what his vision of Council Rock North baseball is and what his experiences were while coaching here," Schram said. "It was nice to pick his brain."

Schram's assistants are Russ Lyons, Dan Krapf, and ex-C.R. North backstop Ryan Engelhardt. Carl Loadenthal, who starred as an outfielder at William Tennent and Rider University and played double-A ball, is helping out on a volunteer basis.

"My kids sprint on and off the field at all times," Schram said. "I want everyone watching to know they love this game."

Last season, the Indians went 23-3, finished atop the Suburban One League National Conference, and claimed the program's first district crown since 2003. They were ousted by District 3's Lower Dauphin in the first round of states.

Hartley, the National Conference's player of the year, batted .472 with 26 runs and 25 RBIs; Tentilucci hit .524 with 32 runs and 25 RBIs; and Lauer, whose fastball is clocked in the 84- to 86-m.p.h. range, went 6-0 with a 1.49 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 52 innings.

C.R. North also has top-notch arms in hard-throwing senior righthander Pat O'Leary, bound for Winthrop, and junior southpaw Jake Drossner, ticketed for Maryland.

Back at second base is senior Ryan Henritzy, a second-team all-league pick. Terry, who pitched for Council Rock-Newtown; third baseman Alex Sable; and Phil Marks will help out on the hill.