Trib HSSN baseball team of the week for May 18, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, May 19, 2024 | 6:32 PM

Trib HSSN baseball team of the week — South Park

Coach — Corey Fischer (first season)

Records — South Park finished in third place with a record of 7-3 in Section 2-3A and is 13-7 overall

#Earned — South Park rookie head coach Corey Fischer is a battler, and his team showed that same fight in coming back to beat Shady Side Academy in the opening round of the Class 3A playoffs. Fischer, a former standout pitcher at Bethel Park, was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, during his senior year at Waynesburg University. He continued to play during treatments and received the good news that his cancer was in remission. He got the head coaching job at South Park in the offseason, however on a season-opening trip to Myrtle Beach, he fell ill and discovered the cancer had returned. He missed little time during the season while continuing to undergo chemotherapy treatments. Trailing the Bulldogs 2-0 on Tuesday, the Eagles rallied for two runs in the sixth inning and another in the seventh to win 3-2 and advance.

Standout performer — Youth was served for South Park in the win over Shady Side Academy. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Cooper Hochendoner came up big for the Eagles on the mound and at the plate. He picked up the win, striking out 16 Bulldogs, and knocked in the winning run in the top of the seventh with a double.

Last Year — In the final of three seasons under former coach Brad Smamitko, South Park finished in second place in Section 2-3A, one game behind section winner Avonworth and two games ahead of third place South Allegheny. The Eagles finished the regular season strong, winning eight of their last nine games. However, the postseason was short and not so sweet as South Park lost in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs to Shenango, 6-3.

Remember when — It was only two years ago when South Park was the king of the hill in Class 3A. Drew Lafferty shut down the Mohawk batting order while the Eagles lineup pounded out 12 hits in a runaway victory for gold, 11-1 in only six innings. The result of South Park’s second district championship run was a lot different than their first title nine years earlier. The Eagles needed extra innings but won the WPIAL 3A crown with an undefeated record, beating Hopewell in the finals, 4-3 in eight innings. A bases-loaded walk to Adam Thompson brought home the golden run. Randy Dobnak got the win in relief.

2024 Trib HSSN Baseball Teams of the Week

Week 6: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chargers

Week 5: Plum Mustangs

Week 4: Valley Vikings

Week 3: Pine-Richland Rams

Week 2: Eden Christian Academy Warriors

Week 1: Shady Side Academy Bulldogs

Tags: South Park