Upper St. Clair’s historic WPIAL run revives memories
As Upper St. Clair was battling South Fayette for its second WPIAL baseball title in school history, Sean Casey and Mike Junko sat in the seats at EQT Field in Washington on May 27. They soaked up the scenery and reveled in the Panthers’ 3-2 triumph in the Class 5A championship game all the while recalling their own glory days on a similar evening in 1992 at Flaherty Field in New Castle.
“We reminisced about the old times,” Junko said. “We talked about how proud we were of this group of kids and how the memories they made will be something they will share with each other for the rest of their lives. It was a really special moment to get to see a new generation lift that trophy.”
Thirty-four years ago, Casey and Junko, as well as guys like Mike (Buck) McHugh and Tim (Gooch) McGarvey, were teenagers setting the WPIAL on fire with their baseball prowess just like this year’s Panthers.
Casey and McHugh would be selected in the MLB amateur draft after exceptional careers at the University of Richmond and Penn State University, respectively. While McHugh would thrive in the minor league system of the Texas Rangers, Casey would compete for 12 years in the big leagues. He played first base for five different clubs, including the Pirates in 20026 after eight years with Cincinnati (1998-2005). A three-time MLB all-star, he was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame.
“For all the baseball playing I did in the big leagues, some of my greatest memories are from my 1992 team,” Casey said. “Winning the WPIAL was a big deal, bigger than states, and I did that with buddies I grew up with and played with throughout Little League. Such cool memories of celebrating together with your teammates.”
Winning a WPIAL crown for the 1992 as well as the 2026 clubs was just as challenging as becoming a professional athlete.
“I remember it being tough and I felt like their journey too was difficult, filled with challenges along the way and overcoming adversity but that brings you together,” Casey reasoned. “It’s not an easy road.”
McHugh concurred. “Championships are hard to get. So you don’t forget them or the hard work you put in to get one. Even for them to get this notch on the belt took a lot of behind-the-scenes teamwork and coaching. It’s a fond memory for sure.”
The 2026 Panthers barely qualified for the playoffs out of the competitive Section 2 in Class 5A with a 6-6 record and entered the WPIAL tournament as the No. 12 seed. They upended No. 5 Plum, 16-5 in the playoff opener before edging No. 4 Moon, 10-9, in the quarterfinals. They beat No. 8 Montour, 13-10, in extra innings after blowing a 10-1 lead in the seventh stanza.
Junko, who had a standout football career at Akron University, attended many of this year’s baseball games, including those during the playoff run. As a social studies teacher at the high school as well as the varsity football head coach, Junko followed their regular season as well. He gained insight into the baseball squad’s fortitude.
“Watching these guys you quickly found out that they didn’t quit easily,” said Junko.
The 1992 Panthers won their title when the WPIAL had only two classifications (AAA and AA) in baseball. They blanked Laurel Highlands, 1-0, in the quarterfinals and slipped past Blackhawk, 5-4, in the semifinals before beating Butler, 7-2, for the school’s first district title.
“For us the championship game was a special moment, but much like this year’s team we had so many memorable games along the way,” Junko said. “We were made up of a bunch of guys that loved playing together and had a feeling like we were destined to do something special.
“This year’s team had an up-and-down season that made them a more close knit group. They really gave our school and community something to be proud of. They really did remind me a lot of our ’92 group.”
The 1992 crew grew up when Major League was still popular at the box office and “Life is A Highway” was the ubiquitous anthem. The players kept little voodoo dolls called trolls in their dugout to ward off bad luck as well as used an Easton bat dubbed “Black Magic” to help them at the plate.
“Everybody used it when we batted,” Casey confirmed.
Years ago, McGarvey found the bat and gave it to Casey. When invited to address this year’s team a few days before the WPIAL championship game, Casey gave the bat to the Panthers. They took batting practice with it and placed it in a prime spot in the dugout during the finals.
After seeing a text message containing a photo of the bat, Casey was thrilled.
“I was excited,” he said. “It was so cool to see that but it was even better to watch those kids win. They seemed like a good group and they worked so hard. Reminded me of us and it feels like it’s been too long.”
Despite the decades, the vivid memories remain, as clear as if they happened yesterday.
Casey recalled all his at bats, including clubbing what he thought was a double to left center in the championship game but because it was a “bullet” off the second baseman’s knee it was ruled an error. He also remembered McHugh being the winning pitcher. And as well the Laurel Highlands game when he also walked the bases loaded with one out.
“During a timeout, we all went to the mound and Buck said, ‘I got this’ and I said ‘you do?’ Well Buck struck out the next three batters. Then we beat Blackhawk and I felt like the WPIAL final game wasn’t even close.”
McHugh noted additional details about the Laurel Highlands game, which proved the pivotal playoff win. He recalled scoring the game-winning run.
“The craziest thing, and nobody talks about it, was how important winning that game was,” he said. “I gave up one hit but I also walked. They had me picked off first by a mile but the throw was wild and I got around second and then there was another overthrow and I scored.”
McHugh also pitched all seven innings in the WPIAL championship contest. He noted that he shared starting pitching duties with Grant Jackson throughout the season and reeled off the lineup, positions and contributions of other starters.
“Case, (Erik) Goff and McGarvey had the big hits,” he began. “Goff played second. Gooch was at third. Rick West started in right field. He went on to play at Vanderbilt,” he noted. “Gabe Smith was at shortstop. Mike Phillips was the left fielder and “Junk” and Tomko were both quarterbacks on the football team that caught for our team.”
Ironically, Matt Clement, then a junior, was behind the plate for the Golden Tornado. Clement, like Casey, went on to have an all-star career in the Major League Baseball. He pitched for the San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox during a career that spanned nine seasons from 1998 to 2006.
Oddly another future MLB pitcher did in the 1992 Panthers.
During a PIAA quarterfinal contest, USC lost to Dubois to end its state title hopes. Because the game was called because of lighting and thunder, the teams had to complete the contest the following day. This afforded James Pittsley an opportunity to finish the game because he had been used previously in the first round of the playoffs. The extra day of rest enabled him to enter the contest. Drafted by the Kansas City Royals, Pittsley struck out the side and the Beavers went on to defeat the Panthers.
The 2026 Panthers met the same fate. They too lost to Dubois in the quarterfinals of this year’s PIAA playoffs.
“Before the game, Sean (Casey) and I talked about his 1992 team and that was mentioned,” said USC skipper Jeff Donati. “It’s ironic, but we avoided their ace, who’s a commit to Connecticut. There certainly are similarities between the two teams and the 1992 team reminds me of us. Both had great personalities and got along and cared for each other.”
Junko and Casey concurred.
“We had a lot of big personalities and we were always busting each other’s chops. A lot of winners who went on to do a lot of great things. We were all friends and crazy enough people who thought we could do it,” Casey said of winning a WPIAL title.
“We were made up of a bunch of guys that loved playing together and had a feeling like we were destined to do something special,” Junko added.
Both Junko and Casey cited Donati for leading the Panthers in the right direction, particularly after Jerry Malarkey retired after 37 seasons at the helm in 2021. Malarkey owned 433 career wins. He managed the 1992 WPIAL championship club.
“Coach Donati has done a great job of building a real special culture in that dugout,” Junko said.
“Jerry set the standard,” Casey admitted. “Coach Donati is running a great program. It’s a passion for him and good things happen for good people.
“Everybody is excited for Jeff and the program. We just hope it doesn’t take as long to get the next one,” he continued. “With the talent they have coming back, I don’t think it will happen though.”
Malarkey, himself, is thrilled for Donati and excited about the program’s future. The former manager attended every single section game this spring and several of the playoff contests, including the WPIAL championship.
“When I took the job, I wanted to take the program and move it forward. I am so happy to see that Jeff’s doing that too. I’m so proud of the direction the program is going.
“What’s true of the 1992 team is true of this year’s team,” Malarkey continued. “What makes all teams successful is that they enjoy being around each other. I am so happy for the whole program and I told Jeff that I appreciate what a smooth transition he made and I support what he is doing.”