East Xtra: Team's success bodes well for Penn-Trafford
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Despite the seeming paradox in terms, there are some dilemmas that could be considered good problems.
Take for example the predicament that Penn-Trafford varsity baseball coach Ron Evans will soon encounter.
This year's Penn Township Colt "A" team, which is made up of 15 to 18 year olds, just completed a flawless 19-0 campaign. The 14- and 15-year-old PT Junior American Legion baseball team won its region playoff title and advanced to the state tournament.
Similarly, the Penn Township's Legion squad, which features 16 to 19 year olds won the District 31 title and reached the Region 7 semifinals.
Yes, the future looks bright for the 2012 Warriors baseball team ... and thereafter. Narrowing the talent-laden field to 15 varsity spots, however, may prove to be a difficult task for Evans.
"I saw a lot of good things that the teams were able to do this summer," Evans said. "There's going to be higher expectations next year. We want to get deeper in the [WPIAL] playoffs."
Last year, the Warriors finished with a respectable 9-9 record. Their season ended on a sour note, however, as they lost, 10-0, in the postseason opener, falling victim to Butler Area's Tyler Slepski, who tossed a masterful no hitter.
Evans returns four starters in Zach Emerick, Pete Nestor, Tommy Williams and Ross Orgera. The Warriors also return Drew Bruno, who contributed throughout the season and was instrumental in their 16-5 playoff-clinching win against Laurel Highlands by belting two home runs.
"We have a lot of good kids to choose from," said Evans, who will be entering his 24th season at the helm of Penn-Trafford. "There is going to be a lot of competition for the varsity team."
Perhaps intensifying the competition for varsity playing time are the members of the unbeaten Colt squad moving up to the varsity level this year. Despite balancing players' summer activities and vacation schedules, coach Mark Raco's team managed to field a squad that ran the table this season.
In notching an unbeaten record, the Colt squad blistered its competition. Raco estimated that his team averaged between 12 and 13 runs a game, while surrendering a mere 2 to 3 runs per outing.
The Colt team relied on a six-man pitching rotation, featuring Jordan Puskar, Joseph Raco and Bruno.
"I knew they were going to be a strong team," Raco said. "But teams such as Plum and Norwin are always really good. This team was really committed to the Colt squad the whole season."
Although they showered runs against their competition throughout the season, the Penn Colt team produced a season-low scoring output in the Colt "A" championship game against traditional rival Norwin.
After scorching Norwin, 13-3, Penn Township narrowly outlasted their county rivals, 2-1, in the second of the best-of-three format to claim the title and complete the unbeaten season.
Whether it's the Colt squad's perfect mark or Penn Township's Legion teams advancing deep into the postseason, without doubt a concentration of baseball talent is emerging for Penn-Trafford High School.
"Penn Township as a community is very talented and deep in baseball," Raco said. "Especially in this age group."
First Published August 11, 2011 12:00 am
