Cougars working all facets in early success
Entering its third week of play, the Blackhawk baseball team’s experience has shown, though coach Bob Amalia knows to be wary of the small sample size monster.
The Cougars outscored opponents, 45-2, in wins against Erie Cathedral Prep, Highlands, Ellwood City, Neshannock and Ambridge, and rolled over New Castle, 13-4, on Wednesday. So far this season, Blackhawk has had success across every facet of the game.
“Right now, they’re really meshing, working hard as a team so far,” Amalia said after that mighty fourgame start, before the Cougars added a narrow 2-0 win against Ambridge Monday. “It’s early, because it’s only four games in, but we’re getting pretty good pitching, good defense and timely hitting.”
The Cougars returned six starters from last year’s team, which advanced to the WPIAL 3A championship before falling to Chartiers Valley, 4-3. Younger players saw playing time deep into the playoffs, even if they weren’t starters, according to Amalia.
“Experience always helps,” Amalia said.
Through those first four games, Blackhawk limited itself to two errors, coming on a pickoff attempt and foul ball, and otherwise fielded the ball cleanly.
Infielder Michael Turconi is batting .625 (10 for 16) with 8 RBIs, 4 doubles and 2 home runs while also acting as a reliever. On the mound, Turconi has struck out eight and has yet to give up a run in four innings, while tallying two saves. Jimmy Nixon is batting .667 (8 for 12). Amalia named Mark Engel, Andrew McClymonds and John Nixon as starters who have shown consistency so far.
McClymonds is 3-0 and has 22 strikeouts and an 0.54 ERA in 13 innings.
Greensburg C.C.
When you lose a player who hit .745 his senior season, chances are you’re going to feel his absence at the plate the next year.
After leading the WPIAL in hitting, Tommy Pellis left Greensburg Central Catholic for Penn. Pellis wasn’t just talented, coach Dennis Reist said, but had a good work ethic and helped younger players improve.
“He’s an exceptional ballplayer,” Reist said. “You don’t replace somebody like him. His leadership, too, also helped the younger players say ‘Hey, we can work at this and become better.’ Tommy worked, too. He was very talented, but he also worked.”
Lucky for Reist, he has pitcher-shortstop Jack Libatore, who signed with Ohio, and outfielder-pitcher Neal McDermott, who signed with Seton Hill, to pick up the slack. The duo act as his Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, Reist said, stepping up as leaders on the team.
“They just work. They’re great leaders. When I get to the school, they have everyone ready.”
Due to rain-outs, the Centurions opened the season with a 15-0 win against Monessen on Monday in Class 1A Section 2, backing up pitcher Neal McDermott’s no-hitter with some run support, and added a 19-1 win against Mapletown Wednesday.
Reist and assistant coach Nick LoNigro switched titles this year, with LoNigro’s new teaching job at McKeesport taking up more time in his schedule. After struggling to attract enough players last year, the Centurions now have the numbers to have a varsity, junior varsity and junior high team, Reist said.