Bethel Park successfully navigates Section 5A to claim banner
South Fayette manager Ken Morgan summed up Section 2 baseball in Class 5A of the WPIAL as a “gauntlet” that enables the survivors to prevail in the playoffs, which commence May 12 and culminate in the championships to be held May 27-28 at EQT Park in Washington.
“For years, it seems like this little southern belt section has been a gauntlet. It’s good preparation for the postseason if you’re fortunate enough to get there.”
As of April 30, only Bethel Park (9-3, 14-4) had clinched a playoff berth in the division that includes Peters Township (6-4, 11-6), South Fayette (5-5, 9-6), Upper St. Clair (5-5, 7-6), Trinity (4-6, 7-8), Chartiers Valley (3-6, 6-10) and Moon (4-6, 4-10). Only the top four teams qualify for the postseason.
“It’s a shame someone from this section has to miss the playoffs,” said BP manager Patrick Zehnder.
With their triumphs against Chartiers Valley, 8-1 and 2-1, the Black Hawks sealed their 37th section banner in program history.
Bethel Park has reached the WPIAL finals 12 times and the PIAA championships six times. Under Zehnder they have captured two state crowns but no district banners although they competed in the 2021, 2023 and 2024 WPIAL finals.
“We expect to be in contention to earn WPIAL and PIAA championships,” Zehnder said. “We know the road is never easy.”
The 2025 campaign has been a challenge. The balanced division has yielded 11 splits in meetings between the teams. Seldom have there been sweeps. The Black Hawks went 2-0 against arch rival USC as well as Moon and Chartiers Valley.
While BP leads the league in sweeps over opponents, the victories have been by one- or two-run margins.
“Absolutely,” Zehnder said. “Playing close games against so many quality teams week in and week out definitely prepares us for the playoffs where every game is close.”
Zehnder noted that the Hawks have been in extra-inning games. They have been up early and down early.
“Pretty much every situation you can be in, we have experienced it in our regular season.”
While the Black Hawks entered the season as favorites because they returned seven starters from last year’s WPIAL runner-up squad that finished 16-8-1 overall after falling to Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs, they experienced several setbacks to key personnel this spring.
Starting left fielder and pitcher Ryan Walsh was lost for the season when he had a rib removed because of a blood clot in his lung. The senior, who suffered a knee injury his sophomore year, is a Virginia Tech recruit.
“No one puts more time into caring for their body than Ryan does, and he has suffered multiple big ‘freak’ injuries over the last four to five years that could have derailed his dreams of playing big-time baseball,” Zehnder said.
“He continues to battle through that adversity with the mental toughness and attitude that few people have of any age. He has every excuse to feel sorry for himself and let it affect the way he interacts and leads others, but he continues to make the best of the way things have turned out for him. When he is on the other side of this, he will be an unstoppable force.” Zehnder predicted.
The Black Hawks could be unstoppable in the playoffs if several other players continue to bounce back.
Dylan Paul, the team’s No. 2 pitcher, has battled arm issues since the Peters Township series, a 6-4, 1-6 split back in mid-April. The Hawks hope Paul can at least “swing” the bat because he has been one of the team’s top hitters in the playoffs last year.
Noah LeJeune has returned from a shoulder injury. He starts at first base. He is one of four players batting over .400 for the Hawks. He also leads the team in on-base percentage and is second in slugging percentage.
“Noah has continued to be one of the most clutch and dependable hitters for us all season,” Zehnder said.
Caden Stokes had been starting in right field but has dealt with back spasms that kept him out of the lineup recently.
Additionally, Joey Levis ran into a fence trying to catch a fly ball and only recently returned to the lineup.
“He is a big part of our team both offensively and defensively,” Zehnder said.
A stomach virus also ran through the team, putting the Black Hawks one to two guys down per week.
“We have had our share of bumps and bruises that are normal for playing three games in a week over a month’s span,” Zehnder said. “Hopefully, we are on the other side of it because we feel we have the experience and talent to make our goals happen.”
The Black Hawks happened to believe good things are within their grasp thanks to Ryan Petras, Ethan Stanhoff, Mike Bruckner and Jack Bruckner.
A four-year starter, Petras anchors the defense at shortstop. As the lead-off batter, he ranks No. 1 on the team in stolen bases and runs scored. An all-state performer, Petras was a starter in the outfield on BP’s state championship squad in 2022.
Stanhoff, who manages the pitchers from behind the plate, and the Bruckners lead the team in RBIs along with LeJeune.
Eric Miehl and Aaron Hofbauer have shored up BP’s outfield while Nick Rillo solidifies the infield at second base.
BP possesses depth on the mound.
While Dylan Schumacher is the ace with the most wins and lowest ERA (under two runs) followed by Paul, Mike Bruckner, Rillo, Owen White, Mason Stewart, Matthew Hughes and Tyler Stewart have submitted quality innings.
Cody Roberts, Chase White and Levis are additional arms upon which the Black Hawks can rely while Owen Turoski, Brian Bitkowski, Brady Bruckner and Colton Fisher add depth to the squad.
Despite their tradition, the Black Hawks have flown under the radar this spring. Pine-Richland, with its pitching ace Keegan Deihl, a Baylor recruit, as well as Shaler have been the top-ranked clubs in Class 5A ahead of Plum and Fox Chapel.
According to Zehnder, Deihl is one of the best arms in the WPIAL and the Rams have the depth to handle the rigors of the playoffs but he insists the Class 5A tournament is wide-open.
“Six to eight teams have a great chance to win championships,” he said. “On any given day, anyone can be beaten in baseball. It’s not the most talented team that wins. It is who the best team is that day.”
Because of their commitment, the Black Hawks have as good a chance as any team to win in the postseason.
“We work every day to maximize our chances of success,” Zehnder said. “We are taking it one day at a time and looking forward to the playoffs.”
PT CLINCHES
Peters Township defeated Trinity, 6-1, to move into sole possession of second place in Section 2 in WPIAL Class 5A baseball. With the sweep of the Hillers, the Indians improved to 6-4 in the section and 11-6 overall. They also clinched a playoff spot.
In the victory, Nathan Skroupa and Reese Clarke led the offensive attack. Skroupa tripled and drove in two runs while doubled and drove in another pair of runs.
Zach Miner, Brady Pirosko and David Oberschelp combined for the win on the mound, scattering just two hits, both by Matt Robaugh, who also scored Trinity’s lone tally.