Westmoreland high school notebook: Franklin Regional baseball player Yarabinetz commits to La Salle

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, October 20, 2024 | 5:56 PM

Purchase Photo Options

When he was a freshman, Brady Yarabinetz began to see a growth spurt in his baseball skills.

He realized he was adjusting quickly to the varsity level and started to see a potential future in the game.

Fast forward to his senior year, and the Franklin Regional outfielder is ready to perform at the college level. He recently announced a commitment to La Salle, a resurgent program in the Atlantic 10.

“I’ve always wanted to play D-I baseball,” he said.

Yarabinetz said La Salle liked his bat but also his ability to play the outfield. Arm strength is an asset for the 6-foot, 180-pounder.

“I have played all outfield positions throughout my life, and I could see myself playing any of them at La Salle,” he said.

Yarabinetz also had offers from Long Island, Farleigh Dickinson and Seton Hill.

He was drawn to a program that has had success in the past but also one that is starting a new chapter.

La Salle discontinued baseball in 2021 to save money but will reinstate it for 2025-26.

“One major thing that went into my decision was competitiveness,” Yarabinetz said. “I’ve always wanted to play for a school with a reputation for winning, and La Salle has been successful in the A-10 conference in the past.”

Last season, Yarabinetz hit .302 with a home run, 17 RBIs and 17 runs scored.

“Brady is a leader by example and a tireless worker on and off the field,” Franklin Regional coach Bobby Saddler said. “He is unselfish, extremely coachable and always puts the team first. Brady can play any outfield position. At the plate, he has a gap-to-gap approach, with pop.”

A Wow Factor Northeast alum, Yarabinetz wants his final high school season to be special.

“I want to hit the best I have throughout high school,” he said. “I want to try to hit in the .300 to .400 range.”

State golf

The PIAA golf championships are this week at Penn State. The individual finals are Monday and Tuesday, and the team competition is Wednesday.

Class 3A will be contested on the White Course, Class 2A on the Blue Course.

Local qualifiers are: junior Colin Holt of Franklin Regional and junior Jordan Mocello of Belle Vernon in Class 3A boys; senior Braden Riley of Greensburg Central Catholic in 2A boys; and sophomore Kennedy Kelly and junior Alayna Stawovy of Greensburg Central Catholic in 2A girls.

GCC in state golf

There will be local representation at PIAA team golf, after all. The Greensburg Central Catholic boys and girls teams were added to the field. Both finished as runners-up in the WPIAL 2A finals.

Once all district tournaments are finished, teams must meet a minimum score for state finals inclusion.

GCC met the requirement, but other district champions did not, so the PIAA pulled both teams in.

The state tournament is Wednesday at Penn State.

Furno commits

Norwin senior basketball player Bella Furno announced a commitment to Division II West Virginia Wesleyan.

Furno, a 5-foot-8 swing guard, was a key contributor to last year’s WPIAL 6A championship chase. She often came off the bench to give the team a spark.

Furno also had an offer from Shippensburg.

Alumni game

Jeannette will host a 7-on-7 flag football alumni game at 10 a.m. Nov. 30 at McKee Stadium.

The event will benefit the high school football program. Cost is $50 per player, or $500 per team (9-11 players). Total reduced to $30/$350 if items are donated to the concession stand.

Deadline to register is Nov. 1.

Contact: Shannon Steele, 724-953-3671 or Y2SLSS@gmail.com or Tom Paulone, thomaspauloneqb@gmail.com.

Recruiting

Latrobe senior soccer player Brady Kring, a staple in the Wildcats’ back line, will play at Pitt-Greensburg, a Division III program in the AMCC.

• Yough baseball player Landon O’Donnell will continue his playing career at Division III La Roche. The senior is a catcher who also pitches for the Cougars.

• Greensburg Salem senior Ender Cosgrove-Faust will throw the javelin and hammer in the PAC. He signed with Waynesburg.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Jeannette, Latrobe, Norwin