4 lead baseball team
HAMBURG. Wallkill Valley has an overall record of 13-5 so far this spring.
Hamburg /
| 17 May 2025 | 02:59
WB1 Seniors Zack Clarken (9) and CJ Collins (6) are among the leaders of the Wallkill Valley Regional High School baseball team. (Photos by Eli Wosneski)
WB2 Junior Ryan Miller (13) just earned his 100th career strikeout.
WB2 Junior Tyler Haberstroh (3) has a .444 average with 24 hits.
The Wallkill Valley Regional High School baseball team may not have official captains, but there are a number of true leaders on the roster this season.
Seniors Zack Clarken and CJ Collins and juniors Ryan Miller and Tyler Haberstroh fit the profile.
“These four guys are excellent leaders. Their work ethic is all top-tier,’’ head coach Connor Kopnik said. “They consistently do the small things right and focus on the ‘team first’ mentality. This goes for on the field, in the classroom and outside of school.’’
All four have been impressive in several categories on the baseball field this year.
“Zack Clarken has thrown two no-hitters this season,’’ Kopnik said. “CJ Collins is hitting .420 with 19 stolen bases. Ryan Miller just earned his 100th career strikeout and currently has a 2.97 ERA with 47 strikeouts to 10 walks. Tyler Haberstroh currently has a .444 average with 24 hits and on the mound he holds a 1.89 ERA.’’
All four continue to improve as well-rounded players.
“Both Clarken and Collins have grown as young men to be young leaders,’’ the coach said. “Haberstroh has greatly improved on his consistency. Miller has grown as a pitcher and has gotten better every day.’’
They are strong students in the classroom and they encourage their teammates as well.
“All four of these players lead by example,’’ Kopnik said. “They are constantly looking to improve not only themselves but everyone around them. They are servants that look for any opportunity to help those around them.’’
The Rangers have an overall record of 13-5 and they are 7-2 in the always challenging Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Colonial Division.
They lost to Hunterdon Central, 6-0, in the quarterfinal round of the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament on May 7 after defeating Hackettstown, 10-4, in the second round May 2.
Several players have contributed to the team’s success this spring.
“This team is off to one of the best starts in program history,’’ Kopnik said “We have been carried by a lot of team success as opposed to individual success. Our team ERA is currently 2.08.’’