Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week

Name: Nick Riotto
School: Trinity
Class: Senior
Sport: Baseball
Riotto’s week: Riotto helped the Trinity baseball team to three wins – the final one clinching a berth in the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs – by showcasing his left arm and bat.
He had a three-hitter with 10 strikeouts during a 4-0 win over Keystone Oaks April 30; the next night, he was 4-for-5 with two triples and an inside-the-park grand slam, helping the Hillers to a 13-4 victory over Waynesburg; and he finished the week in style, hitting a triple and going 3-for-4 to carry Trinity to a 6-4 win over McGuffey, clinching a playoff spot.
Getting his stroke back: Trinity coach Scott Henson doesn’t know the exact details of Riotto’s slump to start the season, but it was pretty much one hit … in more than a few at-bats.
It’s a distant memory now, though, as Riotto worked through it by tweaking his mechanics, most recently adjusting the position of his bat and how he taps his front foot, a timing mechanism.
“I found a little bit of a groove,” Riotto said. “Started hitting the ball real hard to all parts of the field. It’s been nice to finally get a few to fall.”
Riotto, who will play college baseball at Penn State next season, is hitting .396 with one home run, five triples, 19 RBI and 11 runs scored.
“He has really starting squaring the ball up here lately,” Henson said. “He hits it into the right center field corner at Consol (Energy Park) and doesn’t stop.”
Headed to the playoffs: Riotto’s teammates have certainly taken notice – of the good and the bad.
“He’s our leader,” Henson said. “With him hitting and doing the things he does, it takes a lot of pressure off the other guys. They see him pressing a little bit, and they start pressing.
“He’s comfortable. He’s relaxed. I think the whole team is more relaxed.”
Good thing, too, as Trinity tied South Fayette for second place in Section 3-AAA with a record of 6-4.
The Hillers (9-8 overall) will learn their playoff fate when the brackets for baseball and softball are released Thursday.
Getting to pitch: Riotto was 2-0 as a pitcher last season, helping the Hillers to their first section win over Keystone Oaks, before shoulder inflammation forced him to abandon pitching and play only center field.
After an offseason of rest and rehab, the shoulder has been 100 percent so far this spring. Riotto is 4-1 with an ERA just north of 1.00 with 35 strikeouts and seven walks.
“He’s come back real strong,” Henson said. “He’s always right around the plate. He always has command of his pitches. He’s definitely a baseball player. That’s his deal. Penn State is getting a good one, that’s for sure.”
– Compiled by Jason Mackey