Bethel Park baseball ready to compete
With variety, Bethel Park intends to spice up the high school baseball season.
“We will use multiple line-ups with guys playing in various positions,” manager Tony Fisher said. “It’s not what we’ve done in years past, but if a player can contribute when it’s his turn and excel at certain roles, then we can be successful.”
The Hawks look to win with youth as they are replacing 11 seniors from last year’s 13-9 club that reached the quarterfinals in the WPIAL Class 6-A playoffs. The Hawks also tied for second place in Section 3 with Peters Township and Mt. Lebanon while Canon-McMillan took the banner with an undefeated 12-0 record.
BP’s line-up will feature five sophomores-Sean McGowan, a centerfielder; Magdiel Cotto, a first baseman; Anthony Chiccitt, second baseman; Brandon Cole, catcher; Kevin Kogler-and a freshman-Eric Chalus, a pitcher.
“We are a very young team this season,” Fisher said.
Top-notch veterans, however, will anchor the youthful Hawks.
For example, McGowan and Kogler do have experience.
McGowan lettered as a freshman and started several games. But, McGowan shifts to the outfield and takes over full-time in centerfield.
Kogler started at first base last spring. According to Fisher, however, he will play all over the infield.
Justin Meis should be one of the premier players in the league. The senior is a four-year letter winner that anchors the pitching staff. He plays shortstop when he is not on the mound. A Division I recruit, Meis is committed to Eastern Michigan.
“Justin is everything that is good about coaching high school sports,” Fisher said.
“You want to talk about a young man that works hard, is committed, leads by example, mentors younger players, and never puts his own interests above the team? That is Justin Meis.
“We hope he can hurl us into the playoffs again this season,” Fisher concluded.
The Hawks are also relying upon Ben Barnot and Adam Malecki, who is a Gannon University commit. The seniors are returning starters in left and right field respectively.
Senior Korey Patterson as well as juniors Anthony Strangis and Antonio Fontana are also new to the line-up. Patterson can play center field or any of the infield slots. While Stangis is a third baseman, Fontana handles the designated hitting duties.
Seniors Corey Fischer (pitcher) and Jake Wozniak (first base) along with juniors Shane Clunan (pitcher), Noah Tatum (infielder) and Payten Miller (outfielder) along with sophomores Evan Bromley (pitcher) and Sam Donaldson (infielder) add depth to the roster.
“This is a fun group of kids to be around,” Fisher said. “They work efficiently at practice day after day but they have fun. Their team chemistry is very good.”
While the early season results have not been so good-the Hawks lost to Seneca Valley, 4-2, and Pine-Richland, 4-3, in exhibition-due to lack of run production, BP has shown signs of being strong on the mound and solid on defense.
“Our team strength thus far has been our pitching,” Fisher said.
“Additionally, our defense has been strong so far and that tends to be a good sign,” he added.
Signs point to sunshine and seasonal temperatures for baseball this week as Bethel Park prepares to visit Upper St. Clair at Boyce-Mayview Park at 7 p.m. April 11 and Mt. Lebanon at Wildcat Field at 4:15 p.m. April 13. The Hawks are also scheduled to play Canon-McMillan at 4 p.m. April 16 at Consol Energy Park in Washington.
“I think this has been the coldest start to a season that I’ve experienced yet but we are excited to get the section started,” Fisher said.
“Canon-Mac is loaded with pitching and hitters. Mt. Lebanon is always a well-coached, gritty team that can beat anybody on any given day. Peters, USC and Baldwin are all playoff caliber teams and Allderdice has one of the top pitchers in the section with Tanner Jacobsen.
“There are no off days in this section,” Fisher said.
Unless, of course, there are weather postponements.
Fisher proposed a solution for the rough spring Western Pennsylvania high school baseball teams experience year after year.
“Tryouts should be April 2nd. Opening day April 20th and the state championships on June 30,” he said. “It works.”
Editor’s note: Bethel Park will honor its PIAA state championship team when it welcomes back players from that 1988 squad on May 5. Former players will be recognized prior to the Hawks’ game against Kiski at 1 p.m. at Purkey Field. Contact fisher.tony@bphawks.org if interested in attending.