1-run loss puts abrupt end to stellar season for Fox Chapel baseball

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Jeremy Haigh knows the nature of a single-elimination playoff format for baseball is likely to bring heartbreak at some point.

The Fox Chapel senior pitcher was hoping the Foxes would be able to avoid that feeling for a little longer.

The eighth-seeded Foxes struggled to hit Latrobe pitcher Cole Short and fell short in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs May 14 at Plum, losing 2-1.

Fox Chapel (15-6) made two errors and couldn’t plate enough runs to tame the Wildcats (15-6).

“I think that was the story of the game,” said Haigh, who drove in the only run for the Foxes. “They played solid defensively the entire game. I think both of their runs were unearned. We gave them the win.”

Haigh, who threw all seven innings for the Foxes, will pitch at Wagner College next year. Fox Chapel coach Jim Hastings said he appreciated what Haigh brought to the table.

“He’s a one-of-a-kind kid,” Hastings said. “He’s one of the best kids I’ve had to coach. He’s a great leader.”

The Foxes were stung by bad luck in the fourth inning. Latrobe went ahead when Eli Boring scored on a throwing error. Short then dropped down a perfect bunt that stayed just inside the third-base line.

Fox Chapel watched, hoping it would scoot across the line, but it stayed put. Hayden Porterfield then singled in a run to double the lead.

Hastings wasn’t too worried about the deficit.

“We battled all year long,” Hastings said. “We always battled adversity. They weren’t going to back down. We were in dogfights all year long.”

The sixth inning was where Fox Chapel had its opportunity. Franco Pistella got on base with a double. With two outs, Haigh drove him in with a double of his own.

The Foxes then loaded the bases when Tristan Blum got hit by a pitch and Kristofer Bandurski drew a walk. With the bases loaded, Short got Blake Krushinski to ground out to end the inning.

The Foxes finished with five hits.

“I think the entire game we were out in front and tried to do too much with the baseball,” Haigh said. “We hit well all year. Today, we hit five balls to the warning track, and if any of them fall, it’s a different game.”

Fox Chapel didn’t seriously threaten scoring in the seventh inning.

“I told them yesterday that we had a good year, let’s win and have a great year,” Hastings said.”We didn’t come through today. But 15 wins isn’t something to sneeze at. It’s tough, but we have to keep grinding and keep going.”

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