Buzzworthy Hempfield baseball team flashing signs of being contender

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, April 4, 2024 | 5:09 PM

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With a coach whose nickname is “Buzz,” the Hempfield baseball team is beginning to generate some of it in the WPIAL’s largest classification.

The Spartans are 6-0 overall and 2-0 in Section 2-6A heading into the final game of their three-game series against Central Catholic. They are averaging 9.5 runs.

To coach Tim Buzzard, a hot start is a nice bonus for an experienced group. The trick is carrying the momentum into section play and beyond while enhancing all of the moving parts and putting sound, fundamental baseball on repeat.

“The more important thing has been getting a lot of players in the mix to make sure they are prepared for section play,” Buzzard said. “Offensively, we have had a high percentage of quality at-bats. We have had a lot of different contributors and have done a nice job of getting to bullpens early.”

Hempfield had outscored its opponents 57-17, piling up 11 or more runs three times. The team won twice against out-of-state teams at the Ripken Experience — 3-0 against Whitney Young (Ill.) and 11-1 over Chardon (Ohio) — before defeating Blackhawk, 15-4, Latrobe, 9-6, and Central Catholic, 13-2 and 6-4.

The Spartans were hitting .318 as a team and had 14 extra-base hits. But the pitching staff shows a crisp 1.79 ERA behind a defense with a .929 fielding percentage.

“Our pitching staff has done a nice job so far,” Buzzard said. “I feel the depth we have on the mound is a real strong point for this year. Our team has a lot of confidence in so many different guys. Including our two scrimmages, we have been able to use 11 different guys.”

Senior Jack Kurdziel was 2-0 with a 0.78 ERA in three appearances. Senior Parker Donsen was 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA, and junior Dylan Firmstone, a Penn State commit, had a 1-0 mark with a 0.00 ERA.

Firmstone also is a key infielder.

Three other players are college-bound, including senior outfielder Ethan Minerva (Cal Pa.), Donsen (Pitt-Johnstown) and senior infielder/catcher Carson Shuglie (Seton Hill).

“They are very good players and leaders for us,” Buzzard said of the college-level talent. “We have many other strong senior leaders on this team, as well, that are not committed to schools.”

Included in that vein are senior all-section catcher Caden Biondi, senior Adam Hess (first base) and senior Max Short (third base).

Short and junior Quinn Wilkins were leading the team with a .500 batting average and each had seven RBIs, and Shuglie was hitting .412 with a home run, eight RBIs and seven runs.

Minerva was at .444 with eight runs.

“I believe what really ties our team together to win a lot of our games is our team chemistry and how good we work together, even in tough situations,” Firmstone said. “I know we had the ability to come out to a strong start from Myrtle Beach, and it was great seeing our guys execute in those games.

“We are looking to be great contenders this year, and I think we can have a great season if we stay true to what our team is known for doing and execute in tight games.”

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

Tags: Hempfield