Westmoreland H.S. baseball preview: New-look Penn-Trafford eyes another title run

By: Paul Schofield
Thursday, March 13, 2025 | 9:50 PM

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Can the Penn-Trafford baseball team repeat as WPIAL Class 5A champions?

History will say no, but that’s OK with third-year Warriors coach Lou Cortazzo.

“We were not ranked in last year’s preseason poll, and we won,” Cortazzo said. “And we are not ranked this year. That is OK, I like being the underdog. We can use that as motivation.”

The Warriors did graduate 14 seniors and numerous starters from the historic 2024 squad. But what has Cortazzo excited is a deep pitching staff that features numerous hard throwers.

“We have a few guys that could be pushing 90 (mph),” Cortazzo said. “I am excited to see how things develop.”

The staff includes junior Zach Feldman, senior Dom Delio, senior Jon Lovre, senior Braden Kane, junior Nico Casiato, senior Hunter Brown, junior Bryce Ruby and senior Rob Andrews.

Delio and Feldman are two of the starting pitchers back.

Key losses include last year’s ace, Brandon Roher (Westminster). Also gone are catcher Ian Temple (Westminster), outfielder Jason Sabol (Saint Vincent), outfielder Carmen Metcalfe (Slippery Rock), first baseman Chuck Fontana (Saint Vincent), third baseman Tyler Freas (Pitt-Greensburg) and shortstop Brody Hoffman (Duquesne).

“That was a great group to coach,” Cortazzo said. “They played the game right, and we were winners. We have a nice nucleus returning.”

The key returning starters are senior first baseman Ethan Septak, who had five home runs as a junior, senior shortstop and three-year starter Brayden Stone and junior center fielder Logan Matrisch.

“Pitching will be our strength,” Cortazzo said. “I’m not going to overwork my pitchers.

“We also have a lot of competition at all positions. A lot of the pitchers are fighting for position spots, too.”

Sophomore Aiden Drotos, a standout on the school’s hockey team, is a candidate for an outfield spot, while junior Colton Tyburski will start at catcher. Sophomore Konnor Korinko senior Matt Stewart are battling for spots in the infield.

Penn-Trafford defeated Bethel Park, 4-3, in the WPIAL championship game and then defeated Lower Dauphin in the PIAA playoffs before losing to Hollidaysburg on a controversial call in the second round.

The Warriors (21-4) open the season Friday at home against rival Norwin. They will then head to Vero Beach, Fla., for two scrimmages and two nonsection games.

They are in a tough Section 1-5A that includes Armstrong, Franklin Regional, Latrobe, Kiski Area, Penn Hills and Plum.

Class 6A

Hempfield (14-7, 10-5, Section 2-6A): The Spartans finished second in Section 2-6A in 2024 and were in the running for the section title but faltered down the stretch.

The Spartans, who lost to Seneca Valley in the opening round of the WPIAL playoffs, have some holes to fill.

Veteran coach Tim Buzzard (18 years) will be counting on senior pitcher Dylan Firestone (Penn State), sophomore pitcher Chase Sikorski, senior shortstop Quinn Wilkins and senior designated hitter Colin Polechko to lead the way.

Buzzard said Canon-McMillan and Norwin have a lot back, and Mt. Lebanon is always tough.

Norwin (11-10, 8-7, Section 2-6A): The Knights qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for the second consecutive season under third-year coach Craig Spisak and lost to North Allegheny, 3-0, both times.

Spisak, who spent seven seasons at Yough, will be relying on his top three returning pitchers — senior left-hander Ethen Culbertson, senior Matt Rivera and senior Braden Wardzinski — to lead the way. Senior shortstop Nate Siblerman (Seton Hill), who batted .405, and senior first baseman Ben Geissler look to carry the offense.

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

Spisak said senior Jake Sincak (center field), junior Tristyn Taveras (second base), junior Trevor Vistas (catcher) and junior Jake Knight (third baseman) are vying for starting spots.

Class 5A

Franklin Regional (15-9, 9-3, Section 1-5A): Veteran coach Bob Saddler (15 years) said he’s excited about this year’s squad, which returns five starters from a team that tied Fox Chapel, Penn-Trafford and Plum for the Section 1-5A title, finished third in the WPIAL playoffs and dropped a 4-2 game to Hollidaysburg in the PIAA playoffs.

Saddler will be counting on center fielder Brady Yarabinitz, third baseman N.J. Ramchandran, shortstop Luke Williams, second baseman Chase Lemke and catcher Ryan Catello to pick up the slack.

Yarabinitz hit .288 and had 14 RBIs; Ramchandran batted .368, had 21 hits and 13 RBIs and was 3-2 with a 1.97 ERA; Williams hit .350, scored 21 runs, had 21 hits, had 18 RBIs and 10 extra base hits (five, doubles, one triple and four home runs); and Lemke hit .262 and had 16 hits.

Franklin Regional has won three WPIAL titles, the last in 2021.

Latrobe (18-4, 8-2 (2-4A): The Wildcats moved from Class 4A to Class 5A Section 1.

The Wildcats finished second in Section 2-4A last season and qualified for the WPIAL playoffs, where they defeated Hopewell, 3-2, but fell to Montour, 9-5.

The new section is loaded with great teams: Franklin Regional, Penn-Trafford, Plum and Kiski Area.

“We have our work cut out for us in this great section,” Latrobe coach Matt Basciano said. “Every team returns a lot of kids, is well coached and has great programs.”

Basciano, who has been coaching for 22 seasons, will rely on six returning starters. That group consists of senior second baseman Brody Rumon, senior shortstop Cooper Basciano, senior pitcher Jack Stynchula, senior left fielder Mason Leonard, senior center fielder Eli Boring and left-handed pitcher Luke Nipar-Smith.

Class 4A

Belle Vernon (13-4, 9-1, 2-4A): The Leopards were seeded No. 1 in the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs but were upset by Blackhawk. Coach Tony Watson hopes his team rebounds from that loss.

He has numerous key players returning led by left-hander pitcher Parker Lind (Kent State commit) and Lucas Judy (Pitt-Greensburg). Also back are outfielder Cole Matusik, third baseman Connor Bergman and outfielder Kole Doppelheuer.

Lind was 2-1 with 49 strikeouts, and Judy was 3-0.

“We will be working hard to defend our section title,” Watson said. “We lost a great rival in Latrobe, but we welcome back Elizabeth Forward and West Mifflin. We need to rely on balanced contributions from both starters and some of our younger guys.”

The teams in Section 2-4A are Albert Gallatin, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold and Uniontown.

Derry (6-11, 4-8 (3-3A): The Trojans missed the postseason last spring, but coach Tom Kelly will rely on six starters to get them back to the playoffs.

Returning are the senior trio of outfielder Mason Fridley, outfielder John Wasnick and outfield Collin Barkley, junior infielder Cason Long and the sophomore duo of infielder Max Doherty and catcher Anthony Sacco.

Derry was moved to Class 4A, Section 3. Kelly feels Indiana is the team to beat.

Greensburg Salem (8-9, 8-4 (4-3A): The Golden Lions are switching sections, moving to Class 4A, Section 3 with Derry, Indiana, Valley, Highlands and Knoch. Greensburg Salem lost a WPIAL playoff game to Avonworth last year.

Golden Lions coach Anthony Manley will rely on three-year lettermen Braedon Leatherman (senior pitcher/infielder) and Peyton Chismar (senior third baseman/pitcher) to carry the load. Pitcher Tyler Martin, a two-year letterman, also is back along with senior Keegan Young (catcher), senior Tyler Davis (first baseman), senior Dom Rosensteel (outfielder), senior Logan Dunkerly (pitcher), senior James Hugus (outfielder) and junior Ayden Crissman (pitcher).

Class 3A

Ligonier Valley (6-11, 4-8 (3-2A): Ligonier Valley looks to return to the playoffs, but they will be in a new section (3-3A).

Rams coach Jason Bush will count on senior pitcher Tyler Smith, junior first baseman Gavin Moore, junior infielder Jacob Petalino, sophomore shortstop Noah Knupp and senior pitcher Duncan Foust to lead the way.

Smith hit .375 with 16 RBIs and was 2-4 on the mound. Foust hit .354 and was 2-2.

Junior pitcher/outfielder Austin Harr is new to the program.

“I am familiar with Burrell, Yough, Mt. Pleasant and Southmoreland,” Bush said. “The section appears to be balanced.”

Mt. Pleasant (13-5, 11-1, (4-3A): The Vikings were section champions but fell to Burrell in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. This is Chris Firmstone’s 10th season as coach.

“I’m going to rely on the seniors to carry us in a new section,” Firmstone said. “They have many years of experience.”

The Vikings are in Section 3-3A along with Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport, Ligonier Valley, Southmoreland and Yough.

The returning lettermen include senior Cole Chatfield (pitcher/infielder), senior Connor Drzal (pitcher/infielder), junior Dane Firmstone (infielder), Jacob Kitz (pitcher/infielder), senior Levi Hixson (infielder), junior Jordan Grieff (infielder), sophomore Quinn Painter (outfielder), junior Sonny Marne (outfielder) and junior Carter Strayer (designated hitter).

Southmoreland (4-12, 2-10, (4-3A): First-year coach Drew Ledbetter inherits a team looking to make a move upward.

The Scotties return five starters: first baseman Blake Forsythe, catcher Jacob Govern, pitcher Bredon Geho, outfielder Leyland Stallone and pitcher Joe Bentz.

“The team is young, and this is definitely a rebuilding year,” Ledbetter said.

The Scotties are in Section 3-3A with Burrell, Freeport, Deer Lakes, Mt. Pleasant, Ligonier Valley and Yough.

Yough (6-12, 5-7 (4-3A): The Cougars look to bounce back from a tough season.

Yough is in a new section with familiar faces (Mt. Pleasant, Southmoreland and Ligonier Valley).

The Cougars are led by junior pitcher Nathaniel Bell, senior catcher Sammy Smalich, sophomore center fielder Tyler Burkett and sophomore shortstop Johnny Steban.

Bell hit .391 and was 2-1 on the hill. Steban batted .339.

Coach Dan Palm hopes new faces will give the Cougars some punch in the lineup.

Class A

Greensburg Central Catholic (12-6, 10-2 (3-2A): The Centurions opened the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs with a win against Washington, but the season ended with a loss to Burgettstown.

The Centurions dropped to Class 1, Section 1 this season and look to contend for the Class A title.

They return six starters, including Penn State commit Anthony Grippo, a junior catcher who batted .562 with 15 RBIs. Junior third baseman Ian Shipley (.358, 18 runs scored) and junior pitcher Tyler Samide (.375 and 5-3 record with 1.78 ERA) are other key players.

GCC coach John Boyle is excited about the return of senior pitcher Nick O’Mahoney, who missed the 2024 season with an ankle injury.

Monessen (0-17, 0-12 (3-A): First-year coach Frank Repasky takes over a program that hit rock bottom in 2024, as a lack of players forced the Greyhounds to forfeit games.

But Repasky said he’s excited about an impressive freshman class that he can combine with five starters: pitcher R.J. DiEugenio, outfielder Matthew Moore, pitcher Christian Scherer, outfielder Christian Williamson and catcher Giovanni DeStefano.

The Greyhounds are in Section 3-A with Bishop Canevin, Clairton, Cornell, Eden Christian Academy, Serra Catholic and Sewickley Academy.

Jeannette (7-10, 5-7, (3-2A): The Jayhawks made a return to the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs in 2024 and were beaten by Burgettstown.

Now the young Jayhawks are in a new section and new classification: Section 1-A with Greensburg Central Catholic, Avella, Carmichaels, Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown and West Greene.

Jeannette has no seniors or freshmen on the squad. Markus Clarkson, who has been the Jayhawks head coach for 21 seasons, must replace three starters: Michael Mason, Brayden Luttner and Nick Rattigan.

Clarkson is counting on juniors Jayden Kennedy (pitcher/first baseman), Amari Thomas (shortstop), Noah Sunder (left fielder), Noah Rattigan (center fielder), Wyatt Schaeffer (third baseman), Evyn Yargeau (pitcher/first baseman) and Kenny Himes (catcher). Sophomore Dominic Ponzetti (second baseman) is competing for a starting job.

Players to watch

Brayden Stone, Sr., SS, Penn-Trafford

Zach Feldman, Jr., P, Penn-Trafford

Dylan Firmstone, Sr., P, Hempfield Area

Quinn Wilkins, Sr., SS, Hempfield Area

Nate Silberman, Sr., SS, Norwin

Ethen Culbertson, Sr., P, Norwin

N.J. Ramchandran, Sr., 3B, Franklin Regional

Luke Williams, Jr., SS, Franklin Regional

Jack Stynchula, Sr., P, Latrobe

Cooper Basciano, Sr., SS, Latrobe

Parker Lind, Sr., P, Belle Vernon Area

Lucas Judy, Sr., P, Belle Vernon

Mason Fridley, Sr., OF, Derry Area

Collin Barkley, Jr., INF, Derry Area

Tyler Martin, Sr., P, Greensburg Salem

Braedon Leatherman, Sr., P, Greensburg Salem

Tyler Smith, Sr. P, Ligonier Valley

Duncan Foust, Sr., P, Ligonier Valley

Connor Drzal, Sr. P, Mt. Pleasant

Jacob Kitz, Sr., P, Mt. Pleasant

Blake Forsythe, Sr. 1B, Southmoreland

Jacob Govern, Jr., C, Southmoreland

Nathaniel Bell, Jr., P, Yough

Johnny Steban, So., SS, Yough

Anthony Grippo, Jr., C, Greensburg Central Catholic

Ian Shipley, Jr., 3B, Greensburg Central Catholic

R.J. DiEugenio, Sr., P, Monessen

Giavanni DeStefano, Sr., C, Monessen

Jayden Kennedy, Jr., 1B, Jeannette

Noah Rattigan, Jr., CF, Jeannette

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.