Seniority system has Central Valley poised for a run

There is something about a senior athlete in high school or college that makes them more goaloriented.

They want to prove something in their final year. The find that extra juice that propels his or her team to the next level.

That is the point at which the Central Valley baseball program finds itself this season. With a first year coach in Ray Antonelli, the Warriors are composed of a seniorladen team looking to make noise in Section 1-AAA.

“We have an older team,” Antonelli said. “I am starting pretty much eight seniors and we have 11 on the team. We expected to get off to a pretty good start and so far we have.”

The Warriors started the season in fine fashion with a 5-0 record and 2-0 mark in the section. Their three non-section wins came in Orlando, Fla., with back-to-back wins against Shady Side Academy and ended the trip with a victory against Sidwell Friends of Washington, D.C. After returning home, the Warriors picked up section wins against new section foes Ellwood City and New Castle.

“That was huge to get off to that start,” Antonelli said. “This senior group has had a couple of rough years. We knew it was important to get off to a fast start. We are in good position.”

Even before the season started, the Warriors odds for winning a section title went up because defending champ Blackhawk had to replace its phenomenal pitcher, Brendan McKay.

Although the Warriors finished last season fourth in the section, Antonelli believes that even without McKay, the Cougars still remain the team to beat.

“It definitely opens things up,” Antonelli said. “The talent is more spread out. It is more helpful that West Allegheny is out but I would still say that Blackhawk is the frontrunner in our section.”

The number one reason the Warriors came running out of the gates is their pitching. Central Valley’s rotation has yielded just six runs in its first five games and has yet to give up more than two runs in a game.

“Our pitching is so strong,” Antonelli said. “It is an excellent luxury to have. I feel like I have five or six aces whom I can throw out.”

Leading the front end of the rotation are seniors Rocco Martini and Chris Anastas.

Martini has pitched two complete games and picked up wins against Shady Side Academy and Ellwood City. Anastas has started the year pitching 11 scoreless innings and only allowed one hit. He is committed to play at Slippery Rock University next year,

Offensively, seniors Christian Sepos, Matt Mecchiorre and Chase Milidin have provided the spark. Milidin has already recorded multiple three-hit performances while Mecchiorre and Sepos have had their share of multi-hit games.

It isn’t hard for Antonelli to motivate his players. After missing the playoffs again last year, the Warriors have their sights set on returning to postseason play for the first time since 2010.