STARS OF THE DIAMOND
Player of the Year Hugas leads All-Area baseball team
The 2023 Post-Gazette All-Area team features two sophomores, some outstanding two-way players, two state champions and four who helped their teams to WPIAL titles.
The All-Area is picked by the Post-Gazette scholastic sports staff and takes into consideration all players in the WPIAL and City League.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR Miguel Hugas • Shaler Position: P-OF| Year: Senior
When you consider what Hugas did as a pitcher, a hitter, an outfielder and how he led his team to great heights, Hugas had one of the best all-around seasons of any WPIAL player in recent years. “I can’t think of a player with a better stat line for pitching, hitting and winning. It’s like the perfect season,” Shaler coach Brian Junker said. Hugas came to Shaler from Venezuela as a sophomore. Was 11-0 as a pitcher with a 0.72 ERA this year. Had 91 strikeouts in 78 innings and allowed only 54 hits. As a hitter, he had a .444 average, with 11 doubles, five homers, 31 runs and 34 RBIs for a team that won WPIAL and PIAA Class 5A titles. Has signed with the University of Alabama, but is expected to be taken in the MLB draft.
Evan Holewinski • Bethel Park Position: P-1B | Year: Senior
One of best two-way players in WPIAL. Was 4-2 as a pitcher with 0.96 ERA, 59 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings. Had a .440 batting average with eight home runs, 38 RBIs. For his career, was 20-3 with a 0.68 ERA and a .439 batting average. Will play next season at Kent State. Two -time All-Area selection.
David Shields • Mt. Lebanon Position: P-OF |Year: Sophomore
Already committed to University of Miami. Was 6-2 as a pitcher, with three postseason wins, including no-hitter in WPIAL championship. Helped team win second consecutive WPIAL title. Fastball clocked at 90-91 mph. Threw 67 2/3 innings, struck out 106 with only 32 hits. Had 0.94 ERA and bat-ted .338.
Gio LoNero • Seton LaSalle Position: SS-P | Year: Junior LoNero helped the Rebels win the WPIAL 2A championship. One of the leading hitters in WPIAL, he batted .565 with a .971 slugging percentage. He had 10 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 31 RBIs. Also scored 30 runs. Did not strike out once. Has committed to North Alabama. Full first name is DiMaggio.
Christian Lucarelli • Riverside Position: P | Year: Sophomore
Was a dominant pitcher in helping Riverside become first WPIAL team to win a state title with a perfect record. Finished 8-0 with 1.07 ERA. Allowed only 21 hits in 65 2/3 innings and struck out 129. Winning pitcher in state quarterfinals, semifinals and title game. Is already committed to Duke.
Jack Natili • Peters Township Position: C | Year: Senior
Jack jacked balls over the fence with regularity for Peters Township this season. Led the WPIAL in home runs with nine in 21 games. Also had nine doubles, 29 RBIs and an OPS of 1.508. This after missing most of his junior season because of an elbow injury. Will play next season at Rutgers.
Madden Clement • Butler Position: P-1B | Year: Senior
After suffering broken ankle in basketball season, Clement rounded into form after first few weeks of the season and became one of best pitchers in WPIAL. Was 3-1 with 1.32 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings. Allowed only 13 innings. Hit .300. Had 15-2 career record. Will play next season at Virginia Tech.
Austin Lafferty • South Park Position: OF-P | Year: Senior
Lafferty was among the WPIAL regular-season leaders in several hitting and pitching categories. Finished with a .500 average, nine doubles, six home runs, 31 RBIs, 30 runs scored. Was 5-2 as a pitcher with 40 strikeouts in 31 innings. Signed with Akron. His cousin Drew made P-G All-Area team last year.
J.D. Costanzo • North Allegheny Position: P | Year: Junior
Pitched very little last season but turned into one of the most impressive pitchers in the WPIAL’s largest classification this season. Had a 4-1 record, with only loss in PIAA quarterfinals. Had 1.84 ERA., 91 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings and opponents batted only .170 against him. Committed to West Virginia.
Austyn Winkleblech • Canon-McMillan Position: P-OF | Year: Senior
Pitt recruit led CanonMcMillan to section title. Excellent two-way player who was 5-2 as pitcher with 2.60 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 62 innings. Hit almost .300 and is excellent defensively. Competed in two sports this spring and finished second in 100 meters at WPIAL 3A track championship.