Baseball to rely on solid mix
With three All-Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference players back, it is easy to understand why second-year Penn State Fayette baseball coach coach Ryan Encapera was excited to get official practice started on January 31.
"Our fall season was productive and we learned a lot about our strengths and weaknesses," he said. "We started with 27 players, including 18 newcomers. As the fall progressed, injuries, eligibility, and the grit of being a student-athlete wore down our roster to 18 total players. The toughest and most passionate about baseball remains. For the adversity we faced, we are battle tested and a gritty group of guys."
Because the team had a full six-week's worth of work in the fall, Encapera and company could not get a jump earlier in January. Regardless, he knows what to expect from first baseman and catcher Cade Warrick (Mill Run, PA/Connellsville HS), infielder Andrew Despot (Moon, PA/Moon Area HS), and infielder Josh Burns (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands HS).
"Cade was All-PSUAC and All-USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) Honorable Mention," Encapera said. "A two-year starter, he is a consistent hitter for average and power. Andrew is also a two-year starter and is one of our top hitters and baserunners. Josh was All-PSUAC and will be counted on to drive in runs and have clutch hits like he did in 2021."
Other returning players include outfielder and right-handed pitcher Dylan Bohna (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands, PA), outfielder Kyle Ridley (Connellsville, PA/Connellsville HS), and right-handed pitcher Jorge Palmas (Upper St. Clair, PA/Upper St. Clair HS).
"Dylan had a great 2021 until an injury in practice ended his season," Encapera said. "He will be a starting outfielder and one of our top pitchers. Kyle is an experienced player who has been a starter for most of the last three years. Jorge is the anchor of the pitching staff and a senior team leader."
Catcher Sawyer D'Andrea (Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park HS) is a transfer from Bethany.
"He will be our starting catcher and has become a team leader," Encapera said.
The team has a deep pool of freshmen, and Encapera mentioned three who will see time in the field in utility fielder and right-handed pitcher Braeden McKnight (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands HS), infielder Ethan Rendulic (Port Vue, PA/South Allegheny HS) and freshman Johnny Iannou (Plum HS/Plum HS).
"Braeden is a talented athlete who can play any position," Encapera said. "Ethan is a powerful left-handed bat who will add instant offense and Johnny is a solid hitter who gets on base, can steal and can make things happen."
Encapera mentioned four freshman pitchers in lefty Jonathan Gaynor (Miami Beach, FL/Miami Beach HS), righty Noah Matthews (Uniontown, PS/Laurel Highlands HS), righty and first baseman AJ Segarra (Mt. Lebanon, PA/Mt. Lebanon HS), and righty and third baseman Kaleb Shultz (Connellsville, PA/Connellsville HS).
"Jonathan will be one of our starting pitchers, he has good command and movement from the left side," Encapera said. "Noah will get plenty of innings and will have an important role on our pitching staff. AJ had a fantastic fall and will be relied on to drive in runs at the plate as well as be one of our top relievers. Kaleb is a hard worker who will be one of our top relief pitchers."
Another freshman pitcher, Riley Henck (Fredericktown, PA/Beth-Center HS), had surgery in November and will miss the 2022-23 season.
Encapera didn't hesitate to discuss expectations.
"Our lineup is strong and will get guys on base and score," he said. "Our hitting will be our strength and hope that will carry us. We are hoping to improve on our defense and save runs. We want to finish in the top half of our conference and be a playoff team. Our team will have to be consistent with our defense and pitching. Will need to continue to score runs with our lineup. If we stay healthy and can come through in clutch situations, we will be successful."
Encapera said Penn State DuBois and Penn State Mont Alto look to be the best teams in the conference on paper.
The team opens the season on February 25 when they host Westmoreland County Community College before heading down south for games from March 8-12 in the Russ Matt Invitational in Auburndale, FL.
For more information on the Penn State Fayette baseball team, go to https://www.psathletics.com/sports/bsb/index or follow the team on Instagram @fayetteathletics
By: Bill Hughes