Deep pitching staff to lead Hempfield baseball

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 | 4:00 PM

New PIAA pitch-count rules did not have much of an effect on the Hempfield baseball team last season. Even though the rotation was new and had thin experience, pitchers rarely ran into limitations.

This season, coach Tim Buzzard might lose count of his actual pitchers because he has so many.

It's a call to arms at Hempfield.

“Last year we didn't have those returning pitchers,” said Buzzard, who is in his 11th season. “Now we do and we're hoping that will be one of our strengths. We have a lot of guys looking to give us innings.”

A trio of all-section seniors will provide leadership and game experience in twins Nick DiAndreth (CF/P) and Isaiah DiAndreth (SS) and Justin Wright (3B/P).

Wright is a St. John's recruit, Nick DiAndreth is headed to IUP and Isaiah DiAndreth to Seton Hill.

“They all have that experience and are really good teammates,” Buzzard said. “They have helped set the expectations for the program.”

Wright will be a key pitcher, along with seniors Jack Anderson and Tyler Dancu, Nick DiAndreth; juniors Lance Daley, Shane Stuchell and Reed Hipps; and sophomore Tyler Wiederstein, who has big expectations having committed to Michigan.

Dancu, who had a 2.47 ERA last year, logged the most innings, at 28 ¹⁄₃, and Wright pitched 28 and struck out 25.

Dancu had 23 strikeouts.

“We have a lot of leadership,” Wright said. “Last year we weren't as close as we wanted to be. Pitching can really be our strong point.”

Wiederstein, who played on the junior varsity team last year, has a mid-80s MPH fastball. He will play second base when he's not on the mound.

“Tyler is a really talented kid, and he's in the mix,” Buzzard said.

Hempfield went 12-9 last season, finished tied for second in Section 2-6A with Plum and lost to Mt. Lebanon in the first round of the WPIAL tournament, 5-0.

“One of the big things we want to improve on is consistency game to game,” Buzzard said. “Last year we were affected by some routine mistakes. We can't take those little things for granted.”

Said Wright: “We know it's those (fundamentals) that could be the difference between getting knocked out in the first round or moving on. If we take care of business every day, (success) will come.”

Senior Justin Sliwoski is playing this season for the first time since his freshman year.

“It's senior year,” Sliwoski said. “Why not play?”

A future preferred walk-on quarterback at Pitt, Sliwoski could see time at first base.

“Justin is a great team guy to have around,” Buzzard said. “We're glad he came out.”

Other potential contributors include senior Traynor Granatire (C), sophomore Reno Brasili (1B/P), junior Jake Allison (1B/C) and senior Tommy Katonka (OF), who is recovering from a broken hand.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Hempfield Area