Apr 7, 2015 4 min read

Frank Jezioro had an impromptu batting practice session in a friend’s backyard as a 12-year-old. The Peters Township senior took swings as a right-hander, his natural side, then tried hitting a baseball from the left side.

It looked like he was swinging a garden hose.

“I gave it a shot, but it was pretty terrible,” Jezioro laughed. “It felt pretty awkward. I couldn’t hit a thing.”

Practice might not make perfect, but in Jezioro’s case, it made him a complete baseball player who became one of the most dangerous hitters in the WPIAL.

The switch-hitting center fielder can start a game batting left-handed against a right-handed pitcher, and switch the next time up, if need be.

After making first team on the Observer-Reporter All-District Team as a junior in 2014 – leading Peters Township with a .439 average, 25 hits and 21 RBI – Jezioro picked up where he left off. He is leading the Indians (1-0, 5-2) in five offensive categories.

Jezioro is batting .455 with two home runs, three triples, two doubles, 10 RBI, 12 runs and eight stolen bases.

Peters Township head coach Joe Maize is willing to admit when he regrets a decision. His resumé includes two WPIAL titles, eight section titles and 13 playoff appearances, but Maize calls his decision to not start Jezioro as a sophomore “a huge mistake.”

He corrected it the past two seasons, starting Jezioro in center field and often batting him third in the order.

“Even guys at the tail-end of the order are getting on base and he’s been producing runs,” Maize said of Jezioro. “He’s playing very well and does a nice job in the outfield. He’s got a gun and he can cover a lot of ground. He’s swinging the bat well from both sides.”

Being able to hit with consistency from both sides of the plate was an afterthought for Jezioro six years ago. Practice changed that. He trains at C-Side Sports Academy in North Strabane Township in the summer and spends his fall seasons playing baseball, most recently with the Allegheny Pirates in Green Tree.

With power to the gaps, speed on the base paths and an ability to drive the ball to the opposite field, the 5-11 Jezioro is quickly developing into an all-around player, while making his smooth swing look effortless.

“I’m seeing the ball pretty well so far,” Jezioro said. “I saw a change in my game after the first round of section play last year. The pitching was better and varsity isn’t as laid back as junior varsity. I knew I wanted to play in college, so I had to start getting it together.”

Mission accomplished. Jezioro accepted a baseball scholarship offer from Slippery Rock University, which has appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament 13 times.

His ability at the plate caught the attention of college scouts, but Jezioro’s speed on the base paths has drawn the frustration of opposing pitchers and catchers. After stealing just four bases in 21 games last season, Jezioro has eight in seven games.

With Jezioro on base, the two hitters behind him in the order – Tim Swoope and Brett McIntosh – are batting .435 and .385, respectively.

Maize compares Jezioro to former Canon-McMillan standout Mike Hull, who before he was the Big Ten’s top linebacker at Penn State was a demon on the baseball diamond as a right fielder.

“When (Hull) got on the bases, you couldn’t stop him and Jezioro is the same way,” Maize said. “We’ve given him the green light. He’s smart when he’s at second base. When he sees that off-speed pitch coming, he takes off. We’re not going to slow him down right now.”

That’s the way Jezioro likes it and his game might not have been the same if it weren’t for that day in the backyard. As a toddler, his left hand was the dominant one, but his parents had him begin using his right.

Batting practice can change a few things.

“It was hard at first, but it became more natural and I’m glad it did,” Jezioro said. “It changed everything.”

His ability at the plate, in the field and on the bases is partially why Peters Township is seen as a contender in Class AAAA.

His plan is to help the Indians advance past the first round of the WPIAL playoffs, where they suffered a devastating, 5-4 loss to Pine-Richland last spring.

“I feel like our team is stronger this year than we were last year,” Jezioro said. “If we can cut down on physical and mental mistakes, the sky is the limit.”