Latrobe baseball rebuilding lineup after claiming WPIAL, PIAA titles

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 16, 2018 | 8:39 PM

Senior Griffin Clark and a few of his teammates pound foam yellow baseballs into a net on a cold winter afternoon, somewhere in the belly of Latrobe Memorial Stadium.

The ceiling tile above has holes in it from pop-ups and an old, oriental rug beneath the hitting tee is scuffed from use.

Not quite the state-of-the-art carpet of Graham-Sobota Field, but whipping winds and freezing temperatures have kept the Wildcats off their home field and inside for preseason practice.

The problem is, if there ever was a team that needed game-like repetitions on an actual field during its “spring training,” it's this one.

“This is not the year to be hampered by weather,” said coach Matt Basciano, who is beginning his 15th season. “We have so many open positions so we need the time on the field. It will make us better as a team. Scrimmages and exhibitions will be huge this year. It may take a couple section games before we really know what we have.”

The ceiling couldn't get any higher last season, the carpet any greener.

Latrobe capitalized on a superior senior class and rolled to WPIAL and PIAA Class 5A baseball championships, finishing 24-2. It was a banner year to rival any in Latrobe sports history.

But a depleted roster will have to be restocked quickly as the season opener approaches March 24. The team lost 10 seniors, eight of whom were starters.

Among those gone are standouts Zach Kokoska (Virginia Tech), Jared Kollar (Seton Hill) and Ryan Shawley (Chatham), the big three that helped put the Greater in Latrobe.

A number of newcomers are vying for positions. If pressed today, Basciano might have to rely on roughly educated guesses to make a lineup card.

“I am really pleased with how they have been working,” Basciano said. “They have been pushing each other. They know the harder they work, the better we can be. We cannot get complacent and rest on the past.”

But the pressure to be better than last year's team is more of an unreasonable burden than a potential reality — unfair even. Then again, this is not an exercise on one-upmanship; it's trying to mold a completely new team into competitive form.

Like the Route 981 detour out of town due to bridge construction, Latrobe will simply have to take a different path to the postseason this year.

Getting newcomers acclimated to varsity baseball is a key.

“Last year we had such a fantastic group,” Basciano said. “So coachable and just no quit in them. They found ways to win. We had one heck of a run. It was a lot of fun and an amazing journey. But it's over and time to get back to work.”

Clark, who hit .375 last year, and junior infielder Isaac Echard, are the only returning starters. Senior catcher Preston Boerio, a part-time starter, also returns.

“We're still a pretty laid-back group,” said Clark, a first-team all-section designated hitter who will be a center fielder and pitcher this season. “Coach Bas tells us what to work on, and we get to work. Last year was amazing; we knew it was our year to win it all. We took it and ran with it. I knew I would probably have to be a leader this year, and I am looking forward to that. I take it as a compliment.”

Clark is the likely No. 1 pitcher, with his best friend, Boerio, set to catch for him. Boerio, who hit .276, is known for his famous walk-off hit-by-pitch against Laurel Highlands.

Other potential pitchers include seniors Andy Bradford and Adam Wolford, juniors Matt Henderson and Noah Belak, and sophomores Jake Bradish, Ben Rafferty and Donny Shimko.

Clark and Bradford are the only returnees with pitching experience: a grand total of eight innings.

Others set to contribute include junior outfielders Connor Mondock and Ben Shaw, senior DH John Mylant, senior infielder Tate O'Barto, and senior outfielder Hunter Stumpf.

Small ball was the catalyst in many wins last year and that strategy will probably come into play again this year.

“Oh for sure, that won't change,” Basciano said. “That's what we do.”

The Wildcats open the season against Penn-Trafford at 11 a.m. next Saturday at home.

Basciano thinks Section 3 is wide open.

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

Tags: Latrobe