Reloaded rotation makes North Allegheny baseball a WPIAL contender again

By: John Grupp
Saturday, March 15, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The North Allegheny baseball team is armed and dangerous.

Despite losing a trio of Division I pitchers, the defending WPIAL Class 6A champion Tigers will again be trotting out a deep and talented staff.

“I love our depth on the pitching end,” coach Andrew Heck said. “It’s amazing on paper, the depth that we have. We’ve got seven or eight guys that we like a lot.”

Graduation claimed David Posey (Navy), who went 7-0 with a 2.40 ERA and no-hit Mt. Lebanon in last year’s WPIAL title game; and left-handers Charles Mau (Penn State) and JD Costanzo (West Virginia), two prolific strikeout pitchers.

“Last year, you kind of knew what you had at the top, but you questioned a little bit after that,” Heck said. “I think the same applies this year, but it’s deeper. We’re just going to have to see how things play out. I feel very confident and comfortable with a lot of them.”

Senior Nico Varlotta, a North Alabama recruit, is poised to take on a bigger role. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-hander went 1-1 with a save and a 2.14 ERA in 19 2/3 innings last season. As a sophomore, he no-hit Allderdice.

“I’m really excited about it,” Varlotta said. “I’ve gotten a pretty good amount of innings the last two years. I feel like I have good experience under my belt.”

Varlotta, who said his fastball was clocked at 94 mph last month, has an impressive slider and worked this offseason to improve his changeup.

“I got some more movement on it and more spin on it,” Varlotta said. “I’m able to locate it. … It’s come along really well. Better than I expected.”

Said Heck, “I think he’s looked the best. He’s worked his butt off to get into the shape that he’s in. I think all of his pitches have really improved.”

Senior righties Nate Persinger (2.10 ERA), a Cal (Pa.) recruit, and Colin Moore and Gannon-bound left-hander Jackson Walsh (2 saves, 3.30 ERA) also return from last season’s 17-7 team, which won the program’s second WPIAL title in four years and a league-best ninth overall.

Other arms include senior left-hander Ben Wilcox (LaRoche) and juniors Lucas Manczka and Nate Surman.

In the field, the Tigers bring back senior infielders Mason Smith (.343, 21 runs, 9 SB), Augie Maslo (.270, 9 SB) and Miles Pealer (.400). Smith, whose home run accounted for the lone run in last year’s WPIAL title game, was named all-section at second base last season and has signed with Dartmouth. Maslo (St. Joseph’s) and Pealer (Lycoming) will also play in college.

Sophomore JJ Mancuso (10 RBIs, 13 runs, 8 SB) returns in the outfield.

The biggest uncertainty is who will be catching the Tigers’ pitching staff. Senior Sean O’Donnell and juniors Grant Husky and Ben Kowger are vying for the starting job following the ineligibility loss of Cal (Pa.)-bound catcher Michael Hershberger, who hit .324 last season as a junior.

“That’s a big question for us,” Heck said. “It’s kind of an open tryout right now.”

Varlotta said the Tigers, slated to open against former section foe Pine-Richland on March 19, remain motivated after winning last year’s WPIAL championship and losing to Wilson, 2-0, in the PIAA first round.

“No one is content,” he said. “No one feels complete that we won last year. Everyone wants to get back to it. Winning it last year was an amazing feeling. I think it will be even better this year.”

Tags: North Allegheny