Norwin baseball ready to make another playoff push

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, March 22, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Norwin made the WPIAL Class 6A baseball playoffs last season and has stewed over another first-round loss to North Allegheny for nearly a year.

But the Knights return nearly enough starters to fill out a lineup and start a new playoff push.

Six of the eight returning starters are seniors, which bodes well for third-year coach Craig Spisak, who is 2 for 2 in playoff appearances since coming to Norwin from Yough, where he led the Cougars for seven years.

They include left-handed pitcher Ethen Culbertson, right-handed pitcher Matt Rivera and first baseman and pitcher Brayden Wardzinski — a trio that will lead the staff.

“We have a tight-knit team,” Spisak said. “They have great team chemistry.”

Also back are Ben Geissler (IF/OF), Jake Sincak (OF), Nate Silberman (SS), Matt O’Neil (P/OF) and Tristyn Tavares (2B).

O’Neil and Tavares are juniors.

Silberman can produce offense. He hit .405 last season.

Top newcomers will include juniors Jake Knight (3B), Trevor Vitsas (C), Caden Sivrich (P/OF), Colton Gounder (IF/OF), Jayden Marcius (3B/P), Aiden Catterall (P), Derek Berger (OF), Tyler Faust (P/OF) and senior McKenzie Mills (C/OF).

Jackson Huss, a returning letterman and outfielder, opted out of baseball after sustaining shoulder injuries in football.

Huss is running track instead this spring.

With most of its pitching back, Norwin expects to be competitive in many games.

“For us to be successful, our pitching has to continue building from last season,” Spisak said. “Our defense has to be able to make routine plays routinely. And timely hitting.

“Strength of the team should be pitching. Everyone is back, but you never know in high school from year to year.”

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

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