Bethel Park baseball to rebound from Shaler loss
Overcoming errors that resulted in four unearned runs was just another obstacle Bethel Park encountered this baseball season. These unfortunate mistakes, however, were too much to bear as the Black Hawks dropped a 6-3 decision to Shaler in the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 5A tournament.
“When two very good teams and programs meet, the one that makes fewer mistakes wins,” said BP manager Patrick Zehnder. “That was Shaler.
“Credit them for putting together some long and tough at bats. Especially in that first inning, they battled at the plate and had good approaches,” he added of the three walks that set up Matt Saban’s misplayed fly ball to right field that cleared the bases with two outs.
“I am proud of the fight our team showed to bounce back. We played good baseball after that but still did not do enough to win. I would like to have seen how the game would have gone if we played better baseball, but that is how it goes sometimes.”
For the better part of the spring, things didn’t go well for the Black Hawks. Yet, they prevailed and produced a section banner, a third-place showing in the WPIAL and a 20-6 record.
Injuries plagued the Black Hawks. They lost three of their pitching arms, two of which were also more than reliable hitters.
Ryan Walsh was lost for the season when he developed a blood clot in his lung and lost a rib to surgery. A Virginia Tech recruit, he also started in left field in addition to pitching.
Dylan Schumacher was BP’s ace until suffering a back injury during the WPIAL semifinal loss to Pine-Richland.
“Dylan’s a guy that makes his impact on the team in so many different ways and I know it really hurts him not to be able to help the team on the field,” Zehnder said.
Despite those departures, the Black Hawks “refused” to relent. They did not surrender to adversity.
“They didn’t let that be an excuse to give in. They kept working, improving and stuck together admirably to continue the winning standard that has been established here.”
Zehnder noted that the injured players found ways to make an imprint on the team. Their presence, knowledge and encouragement powered the players through the successes and failures experienced throughout the season.
“I am so proud of the whole group for the perseverance, grit, and determination they showed consistently throughout the ups and downs this year. I am also proud of the way this team handles themselves, and how they treat each other. There are many moments to remember from this season.”
A dozen seniors provided the brightest highlights. In addition to Walsh and Schumacher, Brian Bitkowski, Jack Bruckner, Aaron Hofbauer, Noah Lejeune, Joey Levis, Dylan Paul, Ryan Petras, Cody Roberts, Ethan Stanhoff and Owen White graduated on June 12, the day the PIAA Championships were held at Penn State University.
The group combined for 74 victories in 98 games. The unit won three section banners and finished with two WPIAL runner-up trophies. Bethel Park won a state title in 2022.
Petras leaves a legacy as he set three school records. An all-state performer, he holds the all-time marks for stolen bases (80) as well as career hits (113) after only playing the last six games of his freshman season. He also set the single season record for stolen bases with 27.
“Ryan has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest athletes to ever come through Bethel Park, no matter how the rest of his career goes,” Zehnder said of the Duquesne University football recruit. “He is so gifted athletically, but a lot of people are. He separates himself by the work he puts in that few people see, along with his mature mindset and competitive drive.”
Bruckner was equally gifted. Like Petras, he also excelled in football. In addition, he played basketball. He was a team captain in all three sports.
On the diamond, he was a two-time all-section outfielder. He tagged a two-run double in the loss to Shaler. He also walked and singled in two other at bats.
In football, Bruckner was a two-time all-conference selection at wide receiver and defensive back. He was the recipient of the Shawn O’Mara Memorial and Bethel Park Football Scholar-Athlete scholarships. He will play football at Carnegie Mellon.
“Jack is a great athlete, but more importantly a special human being,” Zehnder. “He epitomizes our motto that things turn our best for those who make the best of the way things turn out.
“He handles himself with dignity and class no matter what circumstances he is facing. He isn’t worried about looking “cool” or putting others down to raise himself up. He treats people with respect, and uses his positivity to uplift those around him.”
Bruckner typifies the senior class.
“Not only does he leave a legacy of success, but more importantly, he’s doing things the right way through success and failure,” Zehnder added. “Those traits ensure that he will be successful in his future. Whether that is in football at CMU or in his future job or family life, Jack is going to make a great impact with any group of people he interacts with.”
Zehnder had equal praise for Walsh and LeJeune.
He noted that LeJeune was another “great human being” that happened to be really good at baseball. He started at first base for the Black Hawks and owned the best on-base percentage (.552) on the team. He ranked second on the team in RBI (19) and batting average (.426).
Zehnder noted the impact Walsh had on his teammates. After every practice, a question is presented to the players. According to Zehnder when asked recently to name someone or something that inspires them, they responded Ryan Walsh. “That says all that needs to be said about his impact and influence on this team.”
While Zehnder will long recall the 2025 team as “one of the most special groups of players” to come through the baseball program, especially for more than what they did on the field, he looks forward to the future.
The Black Hawks return three starters in second baseman Nick Rillo, left fielder Eric Miehl and third baseman/pitcher Mike Bruckner as well as seasoned throwers in Matthew Hughes and Mason Stewart.
Other rostered players looking to return and battle for vacated starting positions are: Brayden Bruckner, Jace Rendulic, Chase White, Tyler Stewart, Colton Fisher, Owen Turoski and Caden Stokes.
Mike Bruckner is a Division I prospect. He led BP in RBI with 22 and slugging percentage (.603) thanks to eight doubles, one triple and two home runs. He also had 35 strikeouts in 24 innings of pitching to go along with an 0.29 ERA and 3-0 record.
“Mike is a great centerpiece to build around,” Zehnder said. “He is already one of the best hitters and pitchers in the WPIAL, and with the work he puts in, he will be ready to take his game to another level next year.”
Zehnder also recognizes the value of having Rillo and Miehl as veterans along with the other rising talent in the program.
“The cupboard is far from empty for Bethel Park baseball,” he enthused. “There are many players whose roles were elevated due to the numerous injuries and illnesses this year. We will have multiple starters returning, along with multiple arms that played large roles this year. We also have multiple other soon-to-be seniors that have great leadership qualities that will ensure this team continues handling themselves the right way and staying in the thick of things for WPIAL and state championships.
“The future of BP baseball is bright not just because of the talent we have in the system and the strength of the community programs, it is also because of the high quality people in Bethel Park and the players who have come through setting the standard and culture.”