Norwin baseball in good position despite having ‘big shoes to fill’

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, March 23, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

Second-year Norwin baseball coach Craig Spisak admits there are still new things that he is learning while coaching a much larger program at the Class 6A level.

But overall, he feels his “system” is taking root and the players are collectively on board.

Norwin finished 8-12 last season and tied Hempfield for third place in Section 2.

The Knights, who scored 90 runs and allowed 118, fell to North Allegheny in the first round of the playoffs, 3-0.

A return trip to the postseason top priority for the Knights.

“I feel very comfortable with the kids and the program in general,” Spisak said. “These kids have bought into weight training and putting in the work in the offseason. They are committed and I look forward to see our growth. “

Five starters return for Spisak, who coached Yough for six seasons. They are senior catcher Ty Cupp, senior second baseman Keegan Carr, junior shortstop Nate Silberman, senior third baseman Nolan Ryan, and junior pitcher Ethen Culbertson.

“We lost a large portion of our pitching staff, first base and entire outfield,” Spisak said. “We have a lot of big shoes to fill. We will do our best with a younger group of players to fill those spots.”

Carr batted .436 and scored 16 runs last season, while Ryan had three home runs and 19 RBIs.

Other players looking to make an impact are senior pitcher Nate Helphenstine and senior infielder and designated hitter Will Griffiths.

“We should be strong defensively,” Spisak said. “I like our team chemistry and our guys are unselfish.

“We have many juniors and sophomores who will have an opportunity to play varsity for the first time. We will need them to play up to that competition.”

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

Tags: Norwin