Now that the Penn State Fayette baseball season has concluded, first-year coach Ryan Encapera recently sat down to reflect on the 2022 season, to look at the offseason and into the future. He led the team to a 9-19 record, including going 6-9 in Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) play, and led the team to the program's first PSUAC tournament berth since 2016.
"Our season had plenty of ups and downs," Encapera said. "Fortunately, we found a way to come through when it mattered most and finish on a high note of making the PSUAC Playoffs. As the year went on, our team made adjustments and learned from early mistakes to be competitive in every game. From the beginning of the season to the end, our lineup was our strength and our guys hit and gave us a chance in every game we played. We were able to count on our hitters to get on base and score runners no matter who we faced this year. Although our pitching staff was thin in numbers, our guys maxed out their efforts and gave us some outstanding performances. As the season went on, our defense improved and much of that improvement helped us to finish games that we let go early on."
Several players put up tremendous numbers, and none more than Nate Zimcosky (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands HS). The sophomore led the entire United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), as well as the PSUAC, in Batting Average (.537), On Base Percentage (.614) and Slugging (.853). Luis Monte De Oca Veras (Bryant & Stratton, and Albany) finished second in the nation with a .480 average, 37 points behind Zimcosky. He was among the USCAA leaders in hits (tied for 14th with 51 and tied for the lead in the PSUAC), home runs (tied for 15th with five and tied for third in the PSUAC), RBI (tied for 60th with 22 and tied for 16th in the PSUAC) and runs scored (tied 34th with 31 and fourth in the PSUAC). Zimcosky's numbers and rankings would have been higher had the team not been limited to 28 games, one of the lower numbers in all of USCAA.
For individual leaders in the PSUAC, Zimcosky won the batting title by 112 points over second place Cole Bannan (.429) from Penn State Scranton. On top of the PSUAC rankings listed above, Zimcosky also finished third in doubles (11) and tied for third in triples (three). Although Jared Pine (Penn State Mont Alto) tied Zimcoksy for the conference lead for hits with 53, Pine played in nine more games.
Zimcosky was a first-team USCAA All-American, All-PSUAC and won the PSUAC John Fritz Award.
While Zimcosky moves on after two years, Encapera spoke highly of the Uniontown native.
"Zimcosky's at bats during the last week of the season to finish number one in the USCAA was a major highlight (of the season)," Encapera said. "It was probably one of the best weeks a college baseball player could have at the plate. He had a historic two-year career with Fayette. His 2022 season will go down as one of the greatest individual seasons a hitter could have in the USCAA. Not only was Nate an exceptional player for us, he was a first-class student and teammate. In the final two weeks of the season Nate reached base nearly every time by way of a hit, walk, or intentional walk. Nate's career path is taking him to University Park next year and he is hopeful to try out and make the team for Penn State next year. We were so fortunate to have a player as talented as Nate in our program and we wish him all the best in his future."
Cade Warrick (Mill Run, PA/Connellsville HS) was an Honorable Mention player in both the USCAA and the PSUAC after hitting .375 with 33 hits and 27 RBI. Josh Burns (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands HS) made the PSUAC All-Conference team after hitting .393 with 33 hits while Chris Rendulic (Port Vue, PA/South Allegheny HS) was a PSUAC Honorable Mention pitcher. Encapera spoke about Rendulic, a transfer from Penn State New Kensington.
"Chris came to Fayette as a transfer in 2020," he said. "Chris emerged as the ace of our pitching staff. Even though he is a quiet guy, he is an intense competitor who would battle every inning on the mound and finished nearly every game he started this year. His five wins this year were among the PSUAC and USCAA leaders. His six complete games and 62 innings pitched will be hard to replace. His versatility being able to play infield or outfield was important for us in the games where he didn't pitch. Chris is a reliable hard worker who will use his baseball experience with his future career."
The 2023 team will return 10 players from this season's roster, with the five players moving on being Zimcosky, Rendulic, Matt Morgan (Eighty-Four, PA/Ringgold HS), Bobby Wolfson (Pittsburgh, PA/Baldwin HS) and Kaleb Scott (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands HS). Encapera had spoken earlier about Zimcosky and Rendulic, so he spoke about the other three moving on.
"Matt has been with Fayette longer than I have, his defense provided stability and leadership to our team over the last several years," Encapera said. "Over his time at Fayette, he has come through with many clutch hits and managed the pitching staff. He was one of the best defensive catchers in the PSUAC for the last 4 years. Our team will be much different without him around and we thank him for his time, effort and passion he brought to the program. Bobby came back to the team this year after not participating in 2020 and 2021. He is a great gentleman and a fine teammate. He worked his way into the lineup midway through the year and spent time in right field and as the designated hitter. He also helped to pitch some innings when we were in need at times, was always helpful and easily one of the friendliest players in the program. Bobby was not only one of the most likeable players but one of the most respected by the team. Bobby will be successful in his future because of his work ethic and top-notch people skills. Kaleb Scott had a great two-year career with Fayette. In 2021, he had a great year at the plate seeing time at catcher and in right field before his season was shortened by a collision at home plate. In 2022, he was like Macgyver for us playing multiple positions (catcher, outfield, pitcher) and giving our team a chance to win no matter where he played. As a hitter he had a number of big games and big hits. As a pitcher he was at his best in relief, saving three games and winning two others. Kaleb always played as if he had something to prove and his intensity and work ethic will be hard to replace. With two years of eligibility left, we are hopeful that he may change his mind and come back but as of press time he is moving on to his career in the workforce."
When asked about the offseason, Encapera did not hesitate on what will be happening.
"We will be recruiting heavily to replace (the five players not returning) and add to what we have," he said. "The focus will be pitching. Right now, we have been in constant contact with numerous local high school coaches. "We attended high school games locally and have been to some WPIAL playoff games. In June, we will be attending or sending someone to the WPIAL showcase, PBR Futures Games (at Dubois), Perfect Game WWBA in Atlanta (GA) and Gametime Prospects High Point, NC. In July, we will be at the Buckeye Elite Tournament, the Pennsylvania American Legion Regional, the Best in US Showcase Bradenton FL and at Gametime Prospects at Seton Hill. As of today, we have 11 guys signed and committed for next year and we are hoping to get at least six or seven more before July 1."
Not only will Encapera have a busy summer, but he is also looking at changes to the team's schedule for next year.
"Next year, our schedule will be different," he said. "We will add more non-conference games due to a bigger roster, and we are hoping to return to Florida for our spring trip."
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.