West Allegheny has a great record, a talented lineup that includes one of the most highly regarded juniors in the country, and an excellent pitching staff.
But coach Bryan Cornell isn’t sure if the Indians have “it,” that being the often talked about “it factor” that he thinks might be needed to win a WPIAL championship.
“Last year we had it. We played with a sense of urgency,” said Cornell, whose team reached the WPIAL and PIAA semifinals. “We’re just not getting up for every game like we should. The product that we’re putting on the field, I know it’s good, but I also know that it’s not a championship product. We need to get better.”
West Allegheny, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A, took a 13-2 record into Thursday’s play. The Indians improved to 10-0 in Section 3 and clinched a section title after thumping second-place Laurel Highlands, 13-3, Wednesday.
As good as the results have been, West Allegheny is still a work in progress. Star junior outfielder-pitcher Austin Hendrick continues to work himself back into form as he recovers from hernia surgery in February. Hendrick, a Mississippi State recruit, pitched in a game for the first time Monday. He tossed one inning, giving up one run and striking out two in a 12-1 five-inning win at Carrick. Last season, Hendrick went 5-2 and struck out 46 in 40 innings.
“We gave him the start and wanted to give him 15-20 pitches. We’re hoping to use him again later this week,” Cornell said Monday.
Hendrick has made all of his other starts in center field and has shined as the team’s leadoff hitter, boasting an on-base percentage of .529. He homered twice Wednesday. Junior Cameron Pankyo Morris, the No. 9 hitter, is batting a team-best .452. Following Hendrick in the lineup are senior second baseman Logan Scheider (.400), senior outfielder Logan Matalak (.343) and sophomore catcher Luke Lambert (.394).
Freshman right-hander Gavin Miller has been outstanding on the mound. He’s 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 19⅔ innings. When he’s not pitching, Miller starts at shortstop.
“He’s a gamer,” said Cornell. “The sky’s the limit for him. I can’t even say I’m surprised. This is something we expected.”
Thomas Jefferson
Tim Vickers experienced a lot of success at Steel Valley, where he went 142-81-1 and led the Ironmen to 10 WPIAL playoff appearances in 12 seasons.
Vickers has now brought his winning ways to Thomas Jefferson.
After going 6-14 last season, Thomas Jefferson improved to 10-5 overall (8-3 in Class 4A Section 3) after defeating Uniontown, 2-0, Wednesday.
“It’s the kids,” said Vickers, who is in his first season. “Obviously, we came in with a system. We’re employing almost all of the same things. They’ve done everything we’ve asked. The kids have worked on their game. They bought in with the hitting approach and the pitchers have been ridiculous.”
Offensively, Thomas Jefferson has been led by junior first baseman Mike Huber, sophomore outfielder Preston Zandier and junior third baseman Dom Pearson. Entering the week, Huber was batting .500 with 12 RBIs and 18 runs, Zandier .455 with 16 runs, and Pearson .387 with 11 RBIs and 10 runs.
“That kid rakes,” Vickers said of Huber. “The crazy part is in section play he’s batting .682. I honestly don’t remember the last time he got out.”
Promising freshman right-hander McClain Flinn has been one of Thomas Jefferson’s top pitchers. He’s 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA.
Three of Thomas Jefferson’s losses have come by one run (including a 6-5 setback in 10 innings Monday against section-leader Ringgold) and the other was against Class 5A power West Allegheny.
Peters Township
Mark Lehman was the winning pitcher and recorded the final three outs of Peters Township’s 4-3, 10-inning win at Bethel Park on Monday. The victory gave the Indians sole possession of first place in Class 6A Section 3.
Stepping up in big moments is nothing new to Lehman, a junior who has come through in the clutch in two sports this year. His two-run double broke a 1-1 eighth-inning tie in a 5-1 win at Canon-McMillan on April 18. Lehman also plays hockey, and scored the winning goal in double overtime as Peters Township defeated Mt. Lebanon, 3-2, in the PIHL Class 3A semifinals.
And get this: The flare for the dramatic runs in the family. Lehman’s twin sister, Mackenzie, was a starter on Peters Township’s undefeated basketball team. In the WPIAL championship against North Allegheny, Lehman sent the game to overtime by scoring a basket with seven seconds left and then scored her team’s lone field goal in the extra period.
Allderdice
Allderdice pulled off a stunner Monday when it grabbed a 6-1 win at Seneca Valley. Allderdice came into the game 0-5 in Class 6A Section 1 and its most recent section win had come in 2017. Since then, the Dragons had dropped 20 section games in a row. Meanwhile, Seneca Valley entered the game 9-3 and won at Allderdice, 12-1, in six innings three weeks earlier.
Brad Everett: beverett@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BREAL412.
First Published: May 2, 2019, 12:30 p.m.
