Three-peat a possibility for Bethel Park baseball
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Evan Holewinski brings the heat to the plate during PIAA Class 5A championship action. The Bethel Park ace tossed a three-hit, 5-strikeout shutout, 5-0, against Selinsgrove in the state final. Holewinski, who was 10-0 this spring with a 0.60 ERA, is one of 17 letter winners returning to the line-up next season.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Designated hitter Ray Altmeyer and his teammates signal as an out is recorded during Bethel Park’s 5-0 win against Selinsgrove in the PIAA Class 5A final. Altmeyer is one of the many veterans returning next season at the Hawks will attempt to claim their third straight state title.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Selinsgrove’s Josh Domaracki slips safely back to first while Bethel Park’s Nathan Vargo awaits the throw during PIAA state championship action. Though Domaracki reached base on a single, he was thrown out at second attempting to steal on catcher John Chalus. Vargo and Chalus are two of five starters returning for the Hawks as they will attempt to try for a third straight state title after having won the 2022 as well as the 2021 crowns.
Bethel Park’s baseball team featured 17 underclassmen, of which 13 were juniors and five of them starters. So there is no doubt what is on the minds of the two-time state champions.
“Three is the goal now,” Evan Holewinski declared.
“We are not going to count ourselves out because we know we have the experience and we know we have the talent. It all depends upon execution at the end of the day. We have enough trust in ourselves that we hope we are back here next year.”
The Hawks are certainly delighted to have Holewinski back in 2023. The rising senior was 10-0 with 0.60 ERA with 57 Ks on the mound this spring. In his two-year career, he is 16-1 with a 0.55 ERA.
Holewinski sparkled in the PIAA final, a 5-0 win against Selinsgrove. In hurling a shutout, the right-handed ace struck out five, walked none and scattered three hits.
“With an offense and defense like ours, it’s makes it easier and it’s not often you get nervous,” Holewinski said. “You stay in your own zone, stay focused and keep your eye on the prize.”
Because he is already committed to Kent State, Holewinski can direct his attention to honing the skills he will need to enable BP to challenge for a third PIAA title.
During the summer, he is playing AAU baseball with the Pittsburgh Stars. He competes for the Allegheny Pirates in the fall. Over the winter, he will concentrate on strength training and work on his pitches in an effort to “come back stronger” next spring.
Nathan Vargo will also be more seasoned. As a junior, he shared pitching and first base duties with Holewinski. Vargo was 3-3 overall with 36 strikeouts and a 3.65 ERA.
Ryan Walsh is already a Penn State commit and an asset on the mound, posting a 3-1 record with 28 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings. Walsh, who also can play in the outfield and batted .333, was one of two freshmen contributors for the 21-4 Hawks.
“In my opinion, Evan is one of the best pitchers in the state and in the country,” said BP manager Patrick Zehnder. “With him, Nathan and Ryan returning, it’s going to be exciting.”
Zehnder is thrilled to have Ray Altmeyer and John Chalus returning for their senior seasons.
Batting in the cleanup spot as the designated hitter, Altmeyer drove in 20 runs, including a tally in the PIAA final. He scored 14 times. With seven doubles and two round-trippers, he lifted his percentages to .527 (slugging) and .429 (on-base).
An all-state catcher, Chalus batted .333 with a .415 on-base percentage. He smacked five doubles and a triple, scoring 22 times and driving in 15 runs.
Altmeyer and Chalus are complete opposites and two reasons why the Hawks have been successful. Their talents and personalities mesh well together.
“Ray’s one of those heartbeat guys on the team,” Zehnder said. “He’s going to bring the emotion while Johnny is subdued, introverted,” added Zehnder.
While Altmeyer blossomed into one of the team’s most consistent hitters, Chalus has been one of the best defensive catchers in the state for two seasons.
Ryan Petras started in right field. He maintained a .410 on-base percentage. He scored 13 runs and ranked second on the team with 12 stolen bases.
Once he recovered from an ankle injury that nagged him since last summer, Jason Nuttridge proved an asset to the club again. Nuttridge, who started in the outfield on the 2021 championship club, was used as a pinch-runner for his speed. He swiped seven bases and scored 13 runs. In late-inning situations, his defensive skills proved an asset.
Among BP’s other juniors are: Evan Lejeune, Lucas Lybarger, Sebastian Schein, Nick Gasper, Nick Calano, Joshua Clunan, Coby Goelz and Gianni Magnotti.
Jack Edner and Santino Diulus were the sophomores on the roster.
So the ingredients are in place for another successful run next spring for the Hawks.
“We always know there is more in the tank,” Holewinski said. “We always say there is more to prove.”
Despite the back-to-back state titles, the Hawks have yet to demonstrate they are the best in the WPIAL. In 2021, they finished runner-up to Franklin Regional but went on to capture the PIAA title. In 2022, they placed third in the district before beginning their state march.
“The WPIAL championship is still out there,” Holewinski said. “We have that in mind but the medals are bigger and better at states.”
And that seems to be when the Hawks are at their best.
“These guys are a fantastic group. So easy to coach,” Zehnder said. “This team finds a way to win, especially on the biggest stage.”