Five teams from the WPIAL celebrated a diamond championship in either the WPIAL or in the PIAA in 2008. Now the quest begins for more gold in '09 for defending WPIAL champions Peters Township in AAAA, West Allegheny in AAA, Beaver in AA and Carmichaels in A, plus 2008 state champion Canon-McMillan in AAAA.

2008 WPIAL BASEBALL REVIEW:

2008 WPIAL Baseball Standings:

# - Clinched Section Title * - Clinched Playoff Berth
x - Eliminated From Playoff Contention

WPIAL Class AAAA:

Section 1: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Seneca Valley Raiders : (11-1) (17-2)
*-Shaler Titans : (9-3) (13-6)
*-North Allegheny Tigers : (8-4) (13-6)
*-Butler Golden Tornado : (8-4) (12-6)
x-Pine-Richland Rams : (4-8) (10-10)
x-North Hills Indians : (2-10) (5-13)
x-Kiski Area Cavaliers : (0-12) (0-18)

Section 2: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Hempfield Spartans : (10-2) (14-4)
*-Latrobe Wildcats : (9-3) (14-5)
*-Franklin Regional Panthers : (9-3) (13-4)
x-Norwin Knights : (5-7) (8-10)
x-Penn-Trafford Warriors : (4-8) (8-10)
x-Connellsville Falcons : (4-8) (5-12)
x-Albert Gallatin Colonials : (1-11) (5-13)

Section 3: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Canon-McMillan Big Macs : (11-4) (16-4)
*-Bethel Park Black Hawks : (9-6) (11-8)
*-Peters Township Indians : (9-6) (14-6)
x-Mount Lebanon Blue Devils : (9-6) (10-9)
x-Upper St. Clair Panthers : (7-8) (12-8)
x-Baldwin Highlanders : (0-15) (0-18)
((Bethel Park and Peters Township win tiebreaker over Mount Lebanon))

Section 4: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Plum Mustangs : (11-1) (17-3)
#-Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings : (11-1) (15-3)
*-Gateway Gators : (7-5) (11-7)
x-Woodland Hills Wolverines : (5-7) (8-10)
x-McKeesport Tigers : (4-8) (6-9)
x-Penn Hills Indians : (3-9) (3-14)
x-Fox Chapel Foxes : (1-11) (2-13)

WPIAL Class AAA:

Section 1: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Hampton Talbots : (11-1) (14-4)
*-Blackhawk Cougars : (10-2) (12-4)
*-New Castle Red Hurricanes : (5-7) (9-11)
x-Knoch Knights : (5-7) (9-8)
x-Mars Planets : (5-7) (8-11)
x-Highlands Golden Rams : (4-8) (7-10)
x-Ambridge Bridgers : (2-10) (4-14)
((New Castle record goes from 6-6 to 5-7 after WPIAL forces a forfeit in 5/5 win over Ambridge))

Section 2: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Laurel Highlands Mustangs : (12-2) (16-4)
#-Greensburg-Salem Golden Lions : (12-2) (14-5)
*-Derry Trojans : (9-5) (11-8)
x-Indiana Little Indians : (9-5) (11-7)
x-Kittanning Wildcats : (5-9) (9-10)
x-Mount Pleasant Vikings : (4-10) (5-12)
x-Yough Cougars : (4-10) (5-14)
x-Uniontown Red Raiders : (1-13) (1-16)
((Derry wins tiebreaker over Indiana))

Section 3: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-West Allegheny Indians : (11-1) (15-3)
*-Moon Tigers : (9-3) (16-4)
*-Chartiers Valley Colts : (7-5) (11-6)
x-Montour Spartans : (6-6) (9-8)
x-Hopewell Vikings : (4-8) (9-9)
x-South Park Eagles : (3-9) (7-13)
x-Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles : (2-10) (6-13)

Section 4: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-West Mifflin Titans : (13-1) (16-3)
*-Trinity Hillers : (11-3) (13-6)
*-Steel Valley Ironmen : (10-4) (13-5)
x-Thomas Jefferson Jaguars : (9-5) (11-7)
x-Belle Vernon Leopards : (5-9) (7-11)
x-Ringgold Rams : (3-11) (6-14)
x-Elizabeth Forward Warriors : (3-11) (5-14)
x-McGuffey Highlanders : (2-12) (3-12)

WPIAL Class AA:

Section 1: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Beaver Bobcats : (13-1) (14-4)
*-Center Trojans : (10-4) (14-5)
*-New Brighton Lions : (9-5) (10-9)
x-Freedom Bulldogs : (8-6) (10-8)
x-Avonworth Antelopes : (6-8) (8-9)
x-South Side Beaver Rams : (5-9) (6-11)
x-Quaker Valley Quakers : (4-10) (7-11)
x-Aliquippa Quips : (1-13) (3-14)

Section 2: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Brownsville Falcons : (9-3) (12-4)
#-Charleroi Cougars : (9-3) (10-4)
#-Washington Little Prexies : (9-3) (10-5)
x-Beth-Center Bulldogs : (7-5) (8-8)
x-Burgettstown Blue Devils : (5-7) (8-7)
x-Waynesburg Raiders : (2-10) (3-14)
x-Fort Cherry Rangers : (1-11) (1-14)

Section 3: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Burrell Buccaneers : (12-0) (15-1)
*-Ford City Sabers : (8-4) (11-5)
*-Valley Vikings : (7-5) (8-6)
x-Deer Lakes Lancers : (5-7) (9-7)
x-Freeport Yellowjackets : (5-7) (7-10)
x-West Shamokin Wolves : (4-8) (8-11)
x-Apollo-Ridge Vikings : (1-11) (3-13)

Section 4: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions : (11-1) (15-3)
*-Shady Side Academy Indians : (10-2) (13-6)
*-Riverview Raiders : (6-6) (9-9)
*-Southmoreland Scotties : (6-6) (9-9)
x-Jeannette Jayhawks : (5-7) (9-10)
x-South Allegheny Gladiators : (4-8) (6-10)
x-East Allegheny Wildcats : (0-12) (1-15)

Section 5: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Neshannock Lancers : (10-2) (16-4)
*-Riverside Panthers : (9-3) (12-6)
*-Mohawk Warriors : (9-3) (10-7)
x-Beaver Falls Tigers : (6-6) (10-10)
x-Shenango Wildcats : (4-8) (10-9)
x-Ellwood City Wolverines : (4-8) (5-14)
x-Summit Academy Knights : (0-12) (0-14)

Section 6: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Seton-LaSalle Rebels : (14-0) (17-0)
*-Bishop Canevin Crusaders : (10-4) (10-7)
*-South Fayette Lions : (9-5) (10-5)
x-North Catholic Trojans : (7-7) (9-10)
x-Northgate Flames : (5-9) (10-10)
x-Brentwood Spartans : (5-9) (7-10)
x-Carlynton Cougars : (4-10) (5-11)
x-Sto-Rox Vikings : (2-12) (4-13)

WPIAL Class A:

Section 1: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Carmichaels Mighty Mikes : (14-0) (17-1)
*-Geibel Gators : (10-4) (12-5)
*-Jefferson-Morgan Rockets : (9-5) (13-5)
x-Bentworth Bearcats : (8-6) (9-7)
x-California Trojans : (7-7) (10-8)
x-Frazier Commodores : (6-8) (8-8)
x-Mapletown Maples : (2-12) (6-14)
x-West Greene Pioneers : (0-14) (2-15)

Section 2: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers : (14-1) (15-3)
*-Avella Eagles : (11-4) (12-6)
*-Cornell Raiders : (7-8) (9-11)
x-Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chargers : (7-8) (8-10)
x-Monessen Greyhounds : (4-11) (4-15)
x-Clairton Bears : (2-13) (2-13)
((Cornell wins tiebreaker over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart))

Section 3: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Rochester Rams : (11-1) (15-4)
*-Monaca Indians : (8-4) (10-5)
*-Union Scotties : (8-4) (10-7)
x-Western Beaver Golden Beavers : (6-6) (6-8)
x-Laurel Spartans : (5-7) (7-9)
x-Sewickley Academy Panthers : (3-9) (4-14)
x-Quigley Spartans : (1-11) (3-13)

Section 4: (Section Record) (Overall Record)
#-Serra Catholic Eagles : (11-1) (19-1)
#-Springdale Dynamos : (11-1) (16-2)
*-Vincentian Academy Royals : (8-4) (10-7)
x-Elderton Bobcats : (4-8) (5-13)
x-Leechburg Blue Devils : (4-8) (4-11)
x-St. Joseph Spartans : (4-8) (4-11)
x-Wilkinsburg Tigers : (0-12) (0-12)


2008 WPIAL Baseball Playoffs:

WPIAL CLASS AAAA:

2008 WPIAL Class AAAA Championship Game:

Peters Township Indians 10 - Plum Mustangs 4 (MSA)

Consolation:

Canon-McMillan Big Macs 5 - North Allegheny Tigers 4 (MSA)

Semifinals:

Peters Township Indians 4 - North Allegheny Tigers 3 (MSA)

Plum Mustangs 6 - Canon-McMillan Big Macs 5 in 8 Innings (MSA)

Quarterfinals:

Peters Township Indians 1 - Seneca Valley Raiders 0 (MSA)

North Allegheny Tigers 8 - Bethel Park Black Hawks 5 (MSA)

Plum Mustangs 5 - Butler Golden Tornado 4 (MSA)

Canon-McMillan Big Macs 1 - Shaler Titans 0 (MSA)

First Round:

Seneca Valley Raiders - BYE

Peters Township Indians 16 - Latrobe Wildcats 1 (MSA)

Bethel Park Black Hawks 5 - Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings 0 (MSA)

North Allegheny Tigers 14 - Hempfield Spartans 2 (MSA)

Plum Mustangs - BYE

Butler Golden Tornado 3 - Franklin Regional Panthers 1 (MSA)

Canon-McMillan Big Macs - BYE

Shaler Titans 12 - Gateway Gators 2 (MSA)

WPIAL CLASS AAA:

2008 WPIAL Class AAA Championship Game:

West Allegheny Indians 4 - Trinity Hillers 1 (MSA)

Consolation:

Blackhawk Cougars 11 - Moon Tigers 6 (MSA)

Semifinals:

West Allegheny Indians 5 - Blackhawk Cougars 3 (MSA)

Trinity Hillers 1 - Moon Tigers 0 (MSA)

Quarterfinals:

West Allegheny Indians 9 - Laurel Highlands Mustangs 6 (MSA)

Blackhawk Cougars 10 - West Mifflin Titans 0 (MSA)

Trinity Hillers 2 - Hampton Talbots 0 (MSA)

Moon Tigers 10 - Greensburg-Salem Golden Lions 1 (MSA)

First Round:

West Allegheny Indians - BYE

Laurel Highlands Mustangs 9 - Steel Valley Ironmen 1 (MSA)

West Mifflin Titans - BYE

Blackhawk Cougars 7 - Derry Trojans 2 (MSA)

Hampton Talbots - BYE

Trinity Hillers 7 - Chartiers Valley Colts 2 (MSA)

Moon Tigers - BYE

Greensburg-Salem Golden Lions 9 - New Castle Red Hurricanes 6 (MSA)

WPIAL CLASS AA:

2008 WPIAL Class AA Championship Game:

Beaver Bobcats 4 - Bishop Canevin Crusaders 3 (MSA)

Semifinals:

Bishop Canevin Crusaders 2 - Seton-LaSalle Rebels 1 (MSA)

Beaver Bobcats 7 - Burrell Buccaneers 4 (MSA)

Quarterfinals:

Seton-LaSalle Rebels 3 - Ford City Sabers 2 (MSA)

Bishop Canevin Crusaders 5 - Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions 4 (MSA)

Burrell Buccaneers 12 - Center Trojans 11 (MSA)

Beaver Bobcats 13 - Mohawk Warriors 3 (MSA)

First Round:

Seton-LaSalle Rebels 5 - Southmoreland Scotties 1 (MSA)

Ford City Sabers 4 - Shady Side Academy Indians 3 (MSA)

Bishop Canevin Crusaders 9 - Neshannock Lancers 4 (MSA)

Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions 10 - Brownsville Falcons 0 (MSA)

Burrell Buccaneers 10 - Riverview Raiders 0 (MSA)

Center Trojans 7 - Washington Little Prexies 4 (MSA)

Beaver Bobcats 5 - Riverside Panthers 1 (MSA)

Mohawk Warriors 6 - Charleroi Cougars 0 (MSA)

Preliminary Round:

Southmoreland Scotties 1 - Valley Vikings 0

Riverview Raiders 4 - New Brighton Lions 3 (MSA)

Riverside Panthers 3 - South Fayette Lions 2 (MSA)

WPIAL CLASS A:

2008 WPIAL Class A Championship Game:

Carmichaels Mighty Mikes 4 - Rochester Rams 3 (MSA)

Consolation:

Serra Catholic Eagles 10 - Union Scotties 0 (MSA)

Semifinals:

Rochester Rams 12 - Union Scotties 2 (MSA)

Carmichaels Mighty Mikes 7 - Serra Catholic Eagles 3 (MSA)

Quarterfinals:

Union Scotties 4 - Springdale Dynamos 1 (MSA)

Rochester Rams 6 - Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers 4 (MSA)

Serra Catholic Eagles 6 - Geibel Gators 2 (MSA)

Carmichaels Mighty Mikes 5 - Vincentian Academy Royals 4 in 9 Innings (MSA)

First Round:

Springdale Dynamos - BYE

Union Scotties 10 - Avella Eagles 3 (MSA)

Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers - BYE

Rochester Rams 6 - Jefferson-Morgan Rockets 0 (MSA)

Serra Catholic Eagles - BYE

Geibel Gators 5 - Cornell Raiders 3 (MSA)

Carmichaels Mighty Mikes - BYE

Vincentian Academy Royals 5 - Monaca Indians 4 (MSA)


2008 PIAA Baseball Playoffs:

PIAA CLASS AAAA:

2008 PIAA Class AAAA Championship Game:

Canon-McMillan Big Macs 10 - Spring-Ford Rams 2 (MSA)

Semifinals:

Canon-McMillan Big Macs 14 - Central Mountain Wildcats 0 (MSA)

Spring-Ford Rams 9 - Landisville Hempfield Black Knights 3

Quarterfinals:

Canon-McMillan Big Macs 8 - Peters Township Indians 0 (MSA)

Central Mountain Wildcats 4 - Conestoga Pioneers 3

Landisville Hempfield Black Knights 3 - Frankford Pioneers 2

Spring-Ford Rams 3 - Red Land Patriots 2 in 8 Innings

First Round:

Peters Township Indians 10 - Erie McDowell Trojans 0 (MSA)

Canon-McMillan Big Macs 8 - Allderdice Dragons 7 in 9 Innings

Central Mountain Wildcats 9 - Plum Mustangs 7

Conestoga Pioneers 9 - Warwick Warriors 6

Landisville Hempfield Black Knights 6 - North Penn Panthers 5 in 8 Innings

Frankford Pioneers 3 - Avon Grove Red Devils 1

Spring-Ford Rams 10 - Whitehall Zephyrs 2

Red Land Patriots 7 - Williamsport Millionaires 6

PIAA CLASS AAA:

2008 PIAA Class AAA Championship Game:

Berwick Bulldogs 6 - Somerset Golden Eagles 2

Semifinals:

Somerset Golden Eagles 1 - Trinity Hillers 0 (MSA)

Berwick Bulldogs 3 - Blue Mountain Eagles 2

Quarterfinals:

Somerset Golden Eagles 7 - West Allegheny Indians 2 (MSA)

Trinity Hillers 15 - Hickory Hornets 6 (MSA)

Berwick Bulldogs 2 - Muhlenberg Muhls 0 in 8 Innings

Blue Mountain Eagles 9 - Fleetwood Tigers 3 in 10 Innings

First Round:

West Allegheny Indians 15 - Perry Commodores 1 (MSA)

Somerset Golden Eagles 7 - Susquehanna Township Indians 2

Trinity Hillers 1 - Punxsutawney Chucks 0 (MSA)

Hickory Hornets 6 - Blackhawk Cougars 2 (MSA)

Muhlenberg Muhls 8 - Marple Newtown Fighting Tigers 3

Berwick Bulldogs 5 - Montoursville Warriors 4 in 8 Innings

Blue Mountain Eagles 14 - West Philadelphia Speedboys 0

Fleetwood Tigers 1 - Sun Valley Vanguards 0

PIAA CLASS AA:

2008 PIAA Class AA Championship Game:

Loyalsock Lancers 8 - Burrell Buccaneers 3 (MSA)

Semifinals:

Burrell Buccaneers 8 - Sharon Tigers 1 (MSA)

Loyalsock Lancers 7 - Brandywine Heights Bullets 6

Quarterfinals:

Burrell Buccaneers 4 - Bishop McCort Crimson Crushers 3 (MSA)

Sharon Tigers 11 - Seton-LaSalle Rebels 7 (MSA)

Loyalsock Lancers 3 - Lancaster Catholic Crusaders 2

Brandywine Heights Bullets 10 - Pine Grove Cardinals 3

First Round:

Bishop McCort Crimson Crushers 6 - Beaver Bobcats 2 (MSA)

Burrell Buccaneers 4 - Redbank Valley Bulldogs 2

Seton-LaSalle Rebels 4 - Bald Eagles Eagles 2 (MSA)

Sharon Tigers 7 - Bishop Canevin Crusaders 2

Lancaster Catholic Crusaders 7 - New Hope-Solebury Lions 4

Loyalsock Lancers 10 - Scranton Prep Cavaliers 8

Pine Grove Cardinals 11 - Philadelphia Prep Charter Huskies 1

Brandywine Heights Bullets 10 - Everett Warriors 5

PIAA CLASS A:

2008 PIAA Class A Championship Game:

Camp Hill Lions 2 - Carmichaels Mighty Mikes 0 (MSA)

Semifinals:

Carmichaels Mighty Mikes 6 - Serra Catholic Eagles 2 (MSA)

Camp Hill Lions 6 - Williams Valley Vikings 3

Quarterfinals:

Carmichaels Mighty Mikes 7 - Homer-Center Wildcats 0 (MSA)

Serra Catholic Eagles 4 - Rochester Rams 2 (MSA)

Williams Valley Vikings 8 - Reading Holy Name Blue Jays 3

Camp Hill Lions 13 - Christopher Dock Pioneers 12

First Round:

Carmichaels Mighty Mikes 10 - Keystone Panthers 0

Homer-Center Wildcats 6 - Curwensville Golden Tide 2 (MSA)

Serra Catholic Eagles 3 - Cameron County Raiders 2

Rochester Rams 2 - Villa Maria Victors 1 (MSA)

Reading Holy Name Blue Jays 6 - Old Forge Blue Devils 4

Williams Valley Vikings 11 - Sayre Redskins 7

Christopher Dock Pioneers 16 - Girard Academic Music Program Pioneers 1

Camp Hill Lions 9 - Northern Bedford Panthers 5


2008 MSA Sports Diamond Studs All-Star Team:

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
JORDAN JANKOWSKI
Peters Township - Catcher-Pitcher - Senior

Jankowski is the most prolific home-run hitter in WPIAL history. He finished his career with 36 home runs, believed to be a WPIAL record. Many teams didn’t want to
pitch to him and walked him. He had close to 30 base on balls this season for the WPIAL Class AAAA champion Indians.

“I think one of the best things he learned was to be patient,” said Peters Township coach Joe Maize. “That’s not an easy thing to do. He really became much more of a
real hitter the last year or so.”

Jankowski hit at least four home runs all four years of his high school career. He also finished with 132 career RBIs. This season, he led the WPIAL in home runs for the second year in a row with nine, and also finished with eight doubles and 35 RBIs. He had a .540 batting average and a 1.095 slugging percentage. As a pitcher, he was mostly a closer the past few seasons, but developed into a stellar starting pitcher this year, going 6-1 with an ERA of 2.00. He struck out 73 in 49 innings.

Jankowski has signed with Miami of Ohio, but he also was drafted in the 34th round by the Houston Astros.

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
ZAK SINCLAIR
West Allegheny - Pitcher - Senior

Sinclair led West Allegheny to two consecutive WPIAL Class AAA champions and was the winning pitcher in the title game both years. He was 8-2 with a 1.29 ERA this season
and averaged close to two strikeouts and inning, with 97 in 59 2/3 innings. He allowed only 29 hits. Sinclair’s pitches have been clocked around 90 milers per hour.

“He has always been a good pitcher,” said West Allegheny Bryan Cornell. “But the thing about him is he really became a hitter this season, too.”

Sinclair hit .382 with six doubles, nine home runs and 24 RBIs.

Sinclair has signed with North Carolina State, but he also was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 34th round. He said he will probably decide at the end of the summer whether to sign with the Red Sox, but is leaning toward going to college.

CORY MAZZONI
Seneca Valley - Pitcher-First Baseman - Senior

Mazzoni was winning games for the Seneca Valley varsity since his freshman year. The past two seasons, he was 18-2. This season, he was 7-2 with 89 strikeouts in 55 2/3
innings. He allowed only 21 hits, nine earned runs and had a 1.13 ERA. He helped Seneca Valley to a section title and lost a tough, 1-0 decision to Peters Township in the WPIA AAAA quarterfinals. He has signed with North Carolina State, but also was drafted in the 26th round by the Washington Nationals.

QUENTIN WILLIAMS
Pittsburgh Central Catholic - Outfielder-Pitcher - Senior

Williams gained notoriety as a talented football player and earned a football scholarship to Northwestern. But he also might try to play baseball at Northwestern – and for good reason. He is a standout outfielder who helped Pittsburgh Central Catholic to a section title this season. He hit .536 with three doubles, five triples, two home runs and 23 RBIs. He also was 2-2 as a pitcher with a 1.22 ERA. Was drafted in 38th round by Toronto Blue Jays.

SCOTT MCGOUGH
Plum - Shortstop-Pitcher - Senior

One of the best defensive shortstops in the WPIAL. Possesses an outstanding arm, which is the main reason he was used as a closer. He had a 3-0 record. In 10
appearances, he had 22 strikeouts in 15 innings. He has excellent speed, evidenced by his 27 stolen bases. He also batted .413 and had an on-base percentage of .522 for the WPIAL Class AAAA runner-up.

MANNY CUTLIP
Beaver - Pitcher-Shortstop - Senior

Cutlip was Mr. Versatility for the WPIAL Class AA champion Bobcats. He did everything well – hitting, pitching and fielding. He had a .603 batting average with five home runs, 35 RBIs and 40 runs scored. He was unbeatable as a pitcher, going 8-0 with 84 strikeouts. He will attend IUP to play football.

DEREK LAW
Seton-LaSalle - Pitcher - Senior

Seton-LaSalle laid down the Law against a number of teams. He was 8-0 with an ERA of 0.94. He allowed only 35 hits in 67 innings, and struck out 132. He walked only 14. He was a force as a hitter also, batting .418 with 15 runs scored and 22 RBIs.

SETH NAPIERKOWSKI
Burrell - Pitcher-Outfielder - Senior

Napierkowski was the driving force in Burrell’s run to the PIAA Class AA championship game. He had an 11-1 pitching record, with the only loss coming in the PIAA final to Loyalsock. He also came through with a number of big hits this season. He was also a talented quarterback in football and will attend Carnegie Mellon for football.

BRIAN BILLIGEN
Bishop Canevin - Pitcher - Senior

Billigen came through with a big season and the Crusaders rode him to the WPIAL Class AA final. During the regular season, Billigen hit .468. He was a standout pitcher, too, a 6-0 record and 65 strikeouts.

JOBY LAPKOWICZ
Carmichaels - Pitcher-Outfielder - Junior

Led Carmichaels to the WPIAL Class A championships. Suffered a broken ankle in the PIAA semifinals. Before that, he had a perfect 10-0 record and almost two strikeouts an inning. He had 112 strikeouts in 61 innings. His ERA was 0.96. He was a tough out as a hitter, hitting .492 with 29 runs scored.


2009 WPIAL BASEBALL PREVIEW:

MSA Sports Preseason Top Ten:

(final 2008 overall record in parenthesis)

CLASS AAAA:

1) CANON-McMILLAN BIG MACS (22-5)

2) NORTH ALLEGHENY TIGERS (15-7)

3) PLUM MUSTANGS (19-5)

4) PITTSBURGH CENTRAL CATHOLIC VIKINGS (15-4)

5) PINE-RICHLAND RAMS (10-10)

6) SENECA VALLEY RAIDERS (17-3)

7) PENN-TRAFFORD WARRIORS (8-10)

8) UPPER ST. CLAIR PANTHERS (12-8)

9) BETHEL PARK BLACK HAWKS (12-9)

10) LATROBE WILDCATS (14-6)

CLASS AAA:

1) BLACKHAWK COUGARS (15-6)

2) TRINITY HILLERS (18-8)

3) MOON TIGERS (17-6)

4) LAUREL HIGHLANDS MUSTANGS (17-5)

5) WEST ALLEGHENY INDIANS (19-4)

6) HAMPTON TALBOTS (14-5)

7) HOPEWELL VIKINGS (9-9)

8) DERRY TROJANS (11-9)

9) WEST MIFFLIN TITANS (16-4)

10) SOUTH PARK EAGLES (7-13)

CLASS AA:

1) BISHOP CANEVIN CRUSADERS (13-9)

2) SETON-LaSALLE REBELS (20-2)

3) BEAVER BOBCATS (18-5)

4) RIVERVIEW RAIDERS (10-10)

5) WASHINGTON LITTLE PREXIES (10-6)

6) STEEL VALLEY IRONMEN (13-6)

7) SHADY SIDE ACADEMY INDIANS (13-7)

8) GREENSBURG CENTRAL CATHOLIC CENTURIONS (16-4)

9) CENTER TROJANS (15-6)

10) BURRELL BUCCANEERS (20-3)

CLASS A:

1) CARMICHAELS MIGHTY MIKES (23-2)

2) ROCHESTER RAMS (19-6)

3) SERRA CATHOLIC EAGLES (22-3)

4) NESHANNOCK LANCERS (16-5)

5) SPRINGDALE DYNAMOS (16-3)

6) CHARTIERS-HOUSTON BUCCANEERS (15-4)

7) GEIBEL GATORS (13-6)

8) CALIFORNIA TROJANS (10-8)

9) UNION SCOTTIES (12-9)

10) OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART CHARGERS (8-10)

2009 WPIAL Players to Watch:

CLASS AAAA:
Nate Antone - Kiski Area
Nick Berger - Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Jackson Boyd - North Allegheny
Roberto Capriotti - Upper St. Clair
Mike Cima - Penn-Trafford
Brad Comport - North Allegheny
Mitch Elliott - Pine-Richland
Nick Kendrick - Seneca Valley
T.J. Kuban - Pine-Richland
Phil Morrissette - Pine-Richland
Richard Navari - Plum
William Nelson - Kiski Area
Vinny Nittoli - Pine-Richland
Matthew Parnes - Seneca Valley
Matt Pierpont - Canon-McMillan
Kyle Sasala - Seneca Valley
Jon Wilson - North Allegheny
Chris Rasky - Penn-Trafford
Spencer White - Latrobe
Jimmy Meyer - Bethel Park
John Rende - Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Steve Vranka - Gateway
Ryan Davis - Pittsburgh Central Catholic

CLASS AAA:
Phil Bondi - Moon
Mike Mroz - West Mifflin
Mike Pearson - Blackhawk
Ben Rawding - Blackhawk
Dylan Schwegler - Hopewell
Tarren Senay - South Park
Max Vogel - Hopewell
Austin Wulf - Blackhawk
Corey Young - Ringgold
Scott Brady - Hampton
Zak Nichi - Ambridge
Mike Newhouse - Laurel Highlands
Nathan Kohuth - Derry
Scott Dixon - Derry
Ethan Mildren - Laurel Highlands
Nate Spohn - Greensburg-Salem
Mike Visloski - West Allegheny
Evan Bukowski - Trinity
Alex Frey - Trinity
Nick Miller - West Mifflin
Sean McKnight - Trinity
Tyler Schrader - Trinity

CLASS AA:
Derek Law - Seton-LaSalle
Karl Benusa - Riverview
Tim Giel - Shady Side Academy
Eric Jutca - Bishop Canevin
Cory Wagner - Center
Alex Filippi - Center
Jeremy Herzog - Freedom
Cole Lentz - Freedom
Chris George - Beaver
Turner Gorby - Washington
Mark Wise - Washington
Sean Tunno - Burgettstown
J.J Paskert - Washington
Brian Ohler - Brownsville
David Miller - Greensburg Central Catholic
Brett Eliott - Jeannette
Sean Hannon - Shady Side Academy
Dan Mioni - Mohawk
Dave Ginand - Beaver Falls
Matt Gori - Steel Valley

CLASS A:
Ben Bechtol - Neshannock
Ben Carson - California
J.C. Figuerido - Rochester
Chuck Gasti - Carmichaels
Joby Lapkowicz - Carmichaels
Dave McNeil - Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Brendon Costantino - Geibel
Nolan Zavora - Geibel
Jason Paris - Chartiers-Houston
Derek McIllvaine - Chartiers-Houston
Ryan Parker - Chartiers-Houston
Derek Gallagher - Rochester
Chad Pennington - Rochester
Jason Burkes - Union
Rudy Spielvogel - Laurel
Vinny Beatty - Rochester
Grant Faulkner - Quigley
Oliver Girman - Serra Catholic
Bret Basilone - Springdale