In his first year as Northampton’s Connie Mack manager, Chad Werkheiser has high expectations.

The Konkrete Kids’ 2025 squad finished with an overall 18-6 record, and they notched a third-place finish in the state tournament. Werkheiser was an assistant coach last year under former skipper Mike Biechy. The Kids hit. 349 as a team, and their team ERA was 3.11 last season.

Werkheiser has been involved with Connie Mack for several years. He was the manager of a Junior Connie Mack team in Lehigh Township.

With a strong returning unit this season, Werkheiser is optimistic the team can get back to the state tournament.

“This season, I have high hopes of returning to states this year as most of our boys from last season have returned,” said Werkheiser. “We have a good number of hitters, and we have a good number of pitchers who can help us.”

The Kids already are off to a fast start. Through their first eight games, they posted an overall 6-1-1- record with their lone tie being a 9-9 contest with Lower Macungie.

They have dispatched in convincing fashion Northern Valley (12-0), Moore Township (18-1), Freemansburg/North Bethlehem (12-3), Emmaus (9-2), Saylorsburg (14-0), and Northern Lehigh (3-2). Their lone loss was a 10-0 setback to Nazareth.

In the process, the Kids have outscored their opponents, 77-27. They are hitting .346 as a team and have a sterling 1.93 ERA.

The Kids had six players hitting .400 or better led by Matt Buskirk, who is hitting .667 with a team-high 12 hits.

Braxton Bigelow was at .660, Kayde Ibarra at .538 with a team-high 10 RBIs, Garrett Allabach at .500, William Burrell at .412 with six RBIs, and Mason Martisofski at .400. Dan Spengler was at .385 with eight RBIs.

On the mound, Jake Raysely was 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a team-high 27 strikeouts in 12 innings. Allabach also had a 2-0 mark with a 2.33 ERA and nine strikeouts. Buskirk had a 1-0 record with a 2.73 ERA and 11 strikeouts. Luke Stopay was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA.

The Kids will host Forks Township Friday, travel to Southern Lehigh Monday, and travel to South Parkland next Friday.

“We’re off to a good start,” added Werkheiser. “We’re looking forward to a good season.”