Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Joel Spishock
School: Carmichaels
Class: Senior
Sport: Baseball
Spishock’s week: The Mikes’ senior captain played a big part in Carmichaels extending an undefeated start by leadimg the Mikes to two wins, going 5-for-8 with two home runs, 10 RBI and four runs.
Most of the damage done by Spishock came to the dismay of Section 1-AA opponent Beth-Center as he collected eight RBI to give the Mikes its first section road win, 17-6.
Spishock’s three hits – two coming from home runs in the first and fourth innings – were among his three runs scored.
“It is definitely a game to be remembered,” Spishock said. “It was extra special because it’s during my senior year and something I will carry with me. I was just trying to be the best I could be at the plate, keep our guys in and grind out a section win. We came out with the win and that’s all that matters.”
Carmichaels was able to get off on the right foot in its section opener earlier in the week with a 5-1 victory over highly regarded Bentworth.
Spishock went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI to help the Mikes secure the win.
“Joel is one of our two captains and has been a very strong captain for us,” said Carmichaels head coach Richard Krause. “He’s a fine young man, has a great grade-point average and does a lot of things the right way. He is the kind of young man in the community who we are proud of and we want him to be successful, not only in baseball but in the classroom. He is a good model for kids, especially younger ones, and happens to be a very good baseball player, too.”
Big junior season: The lefty first baseman is a known commodity after his .543 batting average last year to lead all local hitters and ranked eighth in the WPIAL.
That has led to teams, especially in section play, being more cognizant of how they pitch – or don’t pitch – to the most dangerous hitter in the Mikes’ lineup.
“We told him going into the year that he has to understand that until one of our younger kids behind him is a dominant hitter then other teams are going to do that,” Krause said. “Collin Reynolds has been hitting the ball behind him but isn’t a known too much because he’s only a sophomore.”
Having to adjust to a deeper scouting report and more intentional walks, Spishock is managing to still find a way to better the high marks set last year by hitting .562 with a .667 on-base percentage through six games.
“I just did a lot of hitting in the offseason,” Spishock said. “I wanted to get my bat speed up while still having a little more control. A lot of games and batting practice over the summer really helped with that. Going into this year I wanted to have a better plan at the plate and know what I’m doing. I am just trying to focus more on the logistics of hitting. Those little things matter.”
More leadership: Spishock’s role in the Mikes’ success extends outside the batter’s box as he takes the responsibility of being one of the few players with significant varsity experience for a group that lost eight senior starters from last season.
“As a young group, mostly freshmen and sophomores, not a lot of them have too much in-game experience,” Spishock said about being a leader to 20 underclassmen on Carmichaels’ youthful roster. “Whether one of my teammates just made a good play or an error, you want to keep that energy up and make sure everyone is focused about what’s in front of them.”
Compiled by Luke Campbell