They're the tops among backstops

We continue our top-10 baseball rankings with the best catchers in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

This subjective list, compiled with the help of area coaches and scouts, is based on defensive skills, including receiving and throwing; hitting abilities; and potential to excel at the next level.

Please note that we did not overlook La Salle's Chris Melillo. While the senior might end up being an everyday catcher at Notre Dame, he has played mostly first base for the defending PIAA Class AAAA state champs.

1. Jake Kennedy, Coatesville, senior. The power-hitting and strong-armed backstop snubbed inquiries from several Division I programs to get the chance to play early at Division II Shippensburg.

Through 15 games, Kennedy was batting .479 (23 for 48) with 18 RBIs, 5 doubles, and 4 home runs. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder had been walked intentionally 12 times.

2. John "Beef" Santospago, Archbishop Wood, senior. Santospago, ticketed for Kent State, was batting .491 with 22 RBIs, 19 runs, 6 doubles, and 3 homers. He had an .811 slugging percentage.

3. Kevin Mohollen, Strath Haven, junior. From the leadoff spot, Mohollen, a quarterback in football, was hitting .488 with 19 runs and 12 RBIs.

4. Steve Robinson, Malvern Prep, senior. For the two-time defending Inter-Ac League champion Friars, Robinson, a Penn State recruit, was hitting a team-best .438 with 26 runs and 25 RBIs.

5. Eddie Posavec, North Penn, senior. Posavec, a sure-handed receiver in football, has been a steady force for the Knights from the No. 3 spot in the batting order. He is headed to Binghamton.

6. Ben Hauser, Central Bucks East, senior. From the No. 3 position, the 6-1, 205-pounder was batting .389 with 19 RBIs, 13 runs, 4 doubles, and 2 homers. His next stop will be Northampton Community College.

7. Mike Kacergis, Pennridge, senior. With the aid of Kacergis, the surging Rams are 11-4 overall and 7-4 in the Suburban One Continental.

8. Dominic Hardaway, Devon Prep, sophomore. Keep an eye on this up-and-comer. Through 15 games, Hardaway was hitting .500 with 19 RBIs and 12 runs.

9. Clayton Harwick, Methacton, senior. The West Chester recruit went 3 for 4 with two RBIs in Friday's 11-7 win over Pioneer Athletic Conference rival Spring-Ford.

10. Shane Donnelly, Penncrest, senior. Donnelly was batting .475 with 15 runs and 13 RBIs. He passed for 1,548 yards in football last season.

Twenty others to watch, listed alphabetically: Nick Bein, Abington, sophomore; Kenny Bergmann, Penn Charter, sophomore; Brett Bernstein, Cheltenham, senior; Ryan Blough, Plumstead Christian, senior; Ryan Calhoun, Germantown Academy, sophomore; Jordan Della Valle, Penn Charter, junior; Pat Driscoll, Upper Moreland, junior; Dylan Evert, Bristol, junior; Mark Farley, Calvary Christian, junior; Morey Hershgordon, Upper Dublin, senior; Ryan Killion, Lower Moreland, junior; Kyle Langerhans, Unionville, senior; Brandon Liddick, Kennett, senior; Connor Macauley, Council Rock South, sophomore; Andy Moser, Bensalem, junior; Jon Mullin, Central Bucks South, senior; Hermes Paez, Church Farm, senior; Tim Rafter, St. Joseph's Prep, senior; Eduardo "Cheese" Sánchez, Frankford, senior; Jack Seibert, Holy Ghost Prep, junior.

Perfection. Blough pitched a seven-inning perfect game, striking out 15 of 21 batters, in Plumstead Christian's 9-0 shutout of Bicentennial Athletic League foe Morrisville on Thursday. The righthander threw 82 pitches, 60 for strikes.

For the season, Blough, who doubles as a catcher, is 2-1 with a 0.50 ERA and 23 whiffs in 14 innings. He is batting .529 (18 for 34) with 17 RBIs, 15 runs, and 9 doubles. He has a .941 slugging percentage and .564 on-base percentage.

Senior righthander Josh Sharik, a Rider signee, is Plumstead's ace. He is 2-1 with a 1.46 ERA and 42 Ks in 24 innings.