Bethel Park preparing to ascend the baseball mountaintop
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Evan Holewinski should be the ace of the Bethel Park pitching staff after compiling a 6-1 record with a 0.50 ERA last year. The Hawks were the 2021 PIAA Class 5A champions.
David Kessler (3) returns as starting shortstop as well as leading hitter for Bethel Park, which is preparing to defend its PIAA title this spring.
Although Patrick Zehnder added a state championship to his baseball cap last June, the Bethel Park manager admits to being green as grass when it comes to coaching at the scholastic level.
“I still have a ton to learn,” said Zehnder, who is 33 years old heading into his second full season as manager. “I believe it is extremely important to never stop growing and learning.
“If you think your way is the only way and everyone else is wrong, that just means other people are passing you by,” he continued. “I look forward to continuing to learn from our players and coaches, as well as from other coaches and teams we compete against.”
The primary lesson Zehnder and his Black Hawks must learn this spring is how to stay on top.
In 2021, BP compiled a 22-4 record. The Black Hawks were undefeated section champions (10-0) as well as WPIAL runners-up before making their PIAA run. Last June, BP won its first state title in 31 years, beating Red Land, 4-2, in the Class 5A championship contest.
“Our goals are still the same as every season we enter. First win the section. Then make the playoffs. Win the WPIAL and PIAA,” Zehnder said.
“The guys all understand that this is a new season. We will have to climb back to the mountaintop one step at a time.”
The ascent won’t be so difficult because the Black Hawks return seven starters: shortstop David Kessler, third baseman Cody Geddes, second baseman Bo Conrad, catcher John Chalus, outfielders Jason Nuttridge, Ben Hudson and Ray Altmeyer, who also serves as a designated hitter.
Kessler was the team’s leading hitter last spring. He finished with a .458 batting average, .547 on-base percentage, .653 slugging percentage, four doubles, two triples, two home runs, 47 total bases, 29 RBI, 27 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.
“I expect the team to work as a cohesive unit like they did last year,” Zehnder said. “Each individual needs to make positive contributions to the team no matter what their role is on a given day. The group needs to ensure that the quality of the work they put in matches their high expectations and goals for the season.”
Evan Holewinski perhaps has the biggest role to play. He started at first base when he wasn’t on the mound last year.
Holewinski was BP’s No. 2 pitcher, compiling a 6-1 record complete with a 0.50 ERA. He averaged a strikeout per inning and allowed only three earned runs all season.
Though a junior, Holewinski is already committed to Kent State, where last year’s ace Eric Chalus is currently excelling. Chalus also started in center field. So, that’s a hole the Hawks also still need to fill.
“We need to fill a large vacancy left by Eric and Evan looks to answer a great season as our No. 1 pitcher,” Zehnder said. “We also need to fill vacancies at first base as well as in the leadership roles that our seniors assumed last year. They did a great job.”
The Hawks will look to freshman Ryan Petras in the outfield along with junior Lucas Lybarger and sophomore Santino Diulus. Juniors Coby Goelz and Nick Calano are infielders.
While Geddes led BP with five saves last season, including a seventh-inning stint that preserved the state title, he is expected to focus just on third base this year.
However, there are remnants from last year’s pitching staff returning including: Will Sokira, Nathan Vargo, Evan LeJeune and Sebastian Schein.
The Hawks will also rely upon Ryan Walsh, Dylan Schmude, Nick Gasper, Josh Clunan and Jack Edner to provide depth, fill gaps and enable BP to contend for postseason opportunities because of their talent.
“Because many hitters are returning from last year, we are looking for consistent offensive output. Our veterans will use their experience to help but they also understand that adjustments will need to be made throughout the season,” Zehnder said. “While defense looks to continue to be a strength for us, we need to rebuild pitching depth and establish new roles for starters and relievers.”
The Black Hawks were scheduled to open Section 4 action on April 4 against Trinity at Ross Memorial Park and then host the Hillers the following day at Purkey Field. First pitch will be thrown at 4 p.m.
The section also includes Peters Township, Connellsville, Thomas Jefferson as well as Albert Gallatin. The Indians, like the Hawks, reached the state playoffs last year and the Falcons and Jaguars put a scare in higher seeded opponents in the 2021 WPIAL playoffs. AG gave BP two of its toughest regular season games last year.
“Our section is very though,” Zehnder said. “All the teams are well-coached and do not beat themselves. We are excited to stick with the two section games versus the same opponent in the same week against this year. We will see if any strategies evolve with that.”
Zehnder’s current approach has not wavered. He says he cannot with to get going this year and is thankful to the have the opportunity to work with great kids.
“They are so coachable and respond well to adversity they face,” he added. “The maturity, camaraderie, and consistency they showed last year is a model for us moving forward.”