Baseball Preview
McKeesport, Pa- Although their season ended without a second straight PSUAC championship, the Greater Allegheny baseball team still managed to compile a 28-15 record overall, while finishing 15-6 in the PSUAC. The 2012 squad also set a program record by winning 15 consecutive games. Sights now turn to 2013, where GA returns a strong nucleus composed of 9 key returners. As evident from their top ranking in the PSUAC preseason coaches poll, sixth-year head coach Jim Chester expects big things from this group, "We're returning the largest core-group in the program's history. This group, plus all the newcomers, projects as a very exciting team to watch and follow this spring."
Experience begins with the infield, as juniors Sam Weightman- a 2012 USCAA All-American- and Adam Wehr- a 2012 PSUAC 2nd-Team All-Conference performer- return with big bats to handle the designated hitter and first base roles, while senior Jason Paris moves over from the hot-corner, to play second base. Sophomore Aaron McGee rounds out the elder statesmen, and is set to aid at shortstop and on the mound. Freshman Victor Monroig steps in at third base, and is joined by fellow freshman Brian Colon as the infield portion of GA's trio of Puerto Rican newcomers. Freshman Luke Koshinksy, a W.P.I.A.L. AAA All-Star in high school, will also look to compete and add strong depth for Greater Allegheny. Senior Josh Kubisz will be back for his final season at catcher, with sophomore Clay Groff and Brian Colon manning the backstop as well. Coach Chester is looking forward to watching his infield flourish, stating, "Our infield hosts a mixture of youth and veterans, but is the most talented and deep a group of players we have had in recent years."
The trio of returning outfielders features two USCAA Honorable Mentions from 2012, led by senior Mike Visloski. The lefty ranked second on the team in batting average, at .371, and was also named PSUAC 1st-Team All-Conference last season. Sophomore Oliver Girman returns as the other member of the group with USCAA accolades, while fellow sophomore Zach Zeroski returns after appearing in 34 games in 2012. Junior Tyler Kugler will add depth and incredible speed on the base paths, with a trio of impressive freshmen each looking to contribute: Jose Bonilla enters as the third Puerto Rican addition, along with All-Section stars, Alente Johnson and Jon White. "Our outfield is a veteran group that displays not only defensive ability, but a great amount of offensive explosion," commented Chester. "The group is also very deep, and with the addition of some highly skilled freshmen, has a bright future."
The GA pitching staff is always one of the stronger groups in the PSUAC, and 2013 projects to follow that trend. Sophomore right-hander Eddie Emes fronts a stable of 12 capable arms, after a 5-3 2012 campaign in which he struck-out 53 batters in 52.1 innings. Fellow sophomore, right-hander Matt Klena, will look to build on a strong rookie year, as he went 3-0 in six starts and nine total appearances. Oliver Girman and Aaron McGee provide stellar options for coach Chester in relief, with three key additions- junior college transfers Evan James and Eric Schell, and freshman Zach Krivda- set to bolster the rotation. ""I really believe that nobody in our conference is going to match our pitching depth," Chester said. "We are going to be able to outlast teams with some of the things we like to do offensively and try to get into people's bullpens. But getting into our bullpen will be getting into our strength."
In what could be their strongest lineup of opponents ever assembled, the schedule features two NCAA Division-II schools- California (PA) and the University of Mary- with GA taking on NAIA World Series participant, Point Park, as well. The schedule also pits Greater Allegheny against USCAA World Series participants Clark State, Rochester, and Apprentice. In addition to the normal slate, GA will play a 16 game JV schedule. Despite some major tests looming, coach Chester is confident heading in, "The 2013 schedule is by far the most difficult in program history, and we wouldn't want it any other way. Our expectations do not change- every year we want to win the regular season, tournament, and national championships."