Greater Allegheny Baseball Embarks on Successful 2014 Campaign

McKeesport, Pa. - Head coach Jim Chester (@PSUbaseballGA) and the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's baseball team are ready to set sail on the upcoming 2014 expedition.

The 2012-13 season was a record-breaking one for the Penn State Greater Allegheny Nittany Lions. The team finished last season's bout not only Penn State University Athletic Conference regular season champions and PSUAC Tournament Champions, but also United States Collegiate Athletic Association's World Series runner-up. The squad finished their season with a record of 35-17, 19-3 PSUAC. A focal point of last season's successful run highlights twelve consecutive conference wins alongside a thrilling run in the USCAA World Series while eliminating five teams.

"The goals and objectives stay consistent through the years: contend for not only the PSUAC league championship, PSUAC tournament championship but also a national championship," said head coach Jim Chester, who is in his seventh year at the helm of the program.

The PSUGA catching staff is led by junior Clay Groff (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Allderdice), who appeared in 33 games as catcher last season, including 193 total chances with 161 put-outs. Joining Groff behind the dish are junior transfer Troy Ambros (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./West Browar) and freshman Francisco Del Rio (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy). Rounding out the core of the catching staff is sophomore Alex Dolce (Palm Bay, Fla./Brevard County), who provides excellent depth to the position. "These men consist of the best and the most deep catching core I have had the experience to work with in my seven years as head coach," said Chester.

The Greater Allegheny outfield returns Penn State University Athletic Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player junior Oliver Girman (Monroeville, Pa./Serra Catholic). Girman contributed 59 hits and 40 runs batted in, while hitting .404. Joining him off of a solid freshman campaign is now sophomore Jose Pablo Bonilla (Coto Laurel, Puerto Rico/Academia Santa Maria). Bonilla appeared in 30 games as he contributed 146 total putouts with a .987 fielding percentage. Bonilla posted 23 hits and 19 runs, while hitting .348. Transfer newcomers freshman Mark Hollis (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) and senior Braedon Pennington (Punxsutawney, Pa./Mercyhurst), along with freshmen Gabriel Casals (Miami, Fla./Southwest Miami), Jefry Meja Mercedes (Carolina, Puerto Rico/St. Francis) and Todd Weischedel (Rochester, Pa./Rochester) look to compete for innings through the 2014 season.

Leading the infield into 2014 are a pair of seniors who will lift Greater Allegheny's moral. Senior Sam Weightman (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford) played in 43 games, as he racked up 122 at bats, 40 hits, 38 runs batted in, while hitting .328. Senior Adam Wehr (Onefield, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) upgrades to the 2014 season after a hard-fought 2013 term, as he hit .288 in 160 at bats, recording 46 hits and 26 runs in 51 games. Providing experience and leadership up the middle are sophomore Tommy Williams (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford) and junior Aaron McGee (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford). Williams saw action in 27 games, while recording 62 at bats and 14 hits while hitting .178. McGee will return this year after a solid 2013 season, playing in 42 games, maintaining 34 put outs, 60 assists and 79 at bats, alongside managing a .304 batting average. Sophomore Victor Monroig (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Juan Quirindongo) returns to the infield after he appeared in 16 games through 2013.

Competing for innings providing talent to the infield are junior transfer Gianmarco Concepcion (Bayamon, Puerto Rico/Mercyhurst North East), junior transfer Matt Warhola (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Allegheny (Md.)), sophomore Bill Carter (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport Area), freshman Josh Arroyo (Toa Alta, Puerto Rico/Levittown Baptist Academy) and freshman Brian Casano (San Juan, Puerto Rico/International Baseball Academy).

"The strength of the 2014 season ahead relies heavily on the our pitching staff," said Chester. This season returns 290-innings on the mound from our experienced staff. The group was ranked 5th in the USCAA in ERA.

Leading the way for the GA pitching staff is Penn State University Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year sophomore Zach Krivda (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) and USCAA All-American senior Evan James (Harrison City, Pa./Western Oklahoma State). Krivda wrapped up his freshman season with the most innings pitched for the blue and white with 58, piled up 60 strike-outs, with a 2.64 ERA. Krivda finished 2013 with a 7-1 record, appearing in 15 games, including eleven starts. James pitched 55 innings for Greater Allegheny while appearing in 12 games, eleven started. James finished 2013 with a 7-2 record as he closed five games, highlighted by 70 strikes and a 3.44 ERA.

"Alongside James and Krivda, junior Matt Klena (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler), junior Eddie Emes (New Brighton, Pa./New Brighton) and transfer Pennington make up one of the deepest staffs in the USCAA," said Chester. Klena pitched in 49 innings through 13 games last season with 32 strike-outs. Emes appeared in 11 games, pitching 39 innings with 43 strike-outs.

"The GA bullpen is highlighted by some of the most talented relief pitchers in the conference such as senior Eric Schell (Linesville, Pa./Mercyhurst North East) and junior Oliver Girman," said the head coach. Schell appeared in 15 games in 2013 for 32 innings. With a 4.13 ERA, the senior had 26 strike-outs and had two saves. Girman appeared in 13 games, showing off in 21 innings with a 2-1 record and three saves. Juniors Aaron McGee and Matt Warhola add a unparalleled depth to the GA pitching staff.

The Penn State Greater Allegheny men's baseball program is set to open up their 2014 season on February 15th. Greater Allegheny welcomes Indiana University of Pennsylvania to Consol Energy Park for a double-header, which is set to begin at 1 p.m.

After that, Greater Allegheny is set travel to Florida for spring break. The Nittany Lions are scheduled to play March 8th at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla. before they play a string of contests in Vero Beach, Fla. Click here to keep up with the team during their road trip.