After navigating section grind, Fox Chapel baseball heads into playoffs with experience

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, May 4, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Coach James Hastings knows that every game the Fox Chapel baseball team plays is going to be a grind in Section 1-5A.

The fact that WPIAL baseball changed its scheduling a few years back to make those games back-to-back like a series added to the challenge. It now isn’t possible to throw your top pitcher as the starter in both games against in-section foes, unless there is a rainout or postponement of some sort.

The Foxes, who are 13-3 overall and 8-2 in section, entered the last week of the season with an opportunity to compete for the section title. Fox Chapel was a game behind Penn-Trafford and tied in the standings with Plum, which it was scheduled to face in a two-game series against to close out section play.

“It makes it more intense,” Hastings said. “It also makes it more of a grind. Especially when you beat a team in the first game of the series, they are deperate to win the second one and earn a split.”

Fox Chapel, which advanced to the second round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs last season, has continued to show improvement this season. The number of players the Foxes brought back has made those efforts easier.

“We have about 75 percent or 80 percent of the kids back who played in the postseason last year,” Hastings said. “We are excited for the opportunity.”

The Foxes have seven seniors on this year’s roster. Christian Wilkinson, Logan Hoffman, Ryan Inglis, Troy Susnack, Ben DeMotte, Mitchell Epstein and Justin Ling have all filled important roles this season.

Jeremy Haigh has continued to pitch well and established himself as one of the top pitchers in the WPIAL.

Fox Chapel has given itself opportunities with a more refined approach at the plate. The Foxes have been focused on being practical when they are up to bat.

“We don’t want to do too much in the batter’s box,” Hastings said. “We want to stay within yourself and put the ball in play. It always takes time a the beginning of the season to see where the kids are.”

Tags: Fox Chapel