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O-R’s All-District Baseball Team

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Rohaley was one of the keys to the Big Macs’ undefeated section record (12-0) to earn them a first-round bye in the WPIAL Class 6-A playoffs. He played a huge part in separating C-M from the rest of the section, earning wins on the mound in three of the four games he pitched against second-place finishers Peters Township and Mt. Lebanon. The junior right-hander went 7-0 with a 0.75 ERA in the 42 innings he pitched, including his 5 1/3 scoreless innings against Penn Trafford in the WPIAL quarterfinals. Rohaley was also steady in the C-M lineup, finishing the season with a .360 batting average and 10 RBI.

After a transformative junior season, the lefty first baseman followed it up with a similarly impressive performance this year. His .473 batting average was supplemented with 26 hits, including eight doubles and four home runs, all team highs. The Potomac State College recruit also led the Mikes with 28 RBI.

Bright spots might have been few and far between in the Rangers’ 7-12 season. One bright spot was the consistency of the junior first baseman. His staggering numbers began with a 1.531 OPS, .905 slugging percentage and reaching base more than 62 percent of the time. Schaub also led the Fort Cherry with a .509 batting average with 27 hits and 19 RBI. He hit three of the Rangers four home runs and scored a team-high 24 times.

With a fastball touching the low 90s, Weston came into his own during his sophomore season to form a one-two punch with Zach Rohaley. Weston developed pitches other than his fastball to be a regular starter after assuming the closer role as a freshman. Posting a 5-0 record with a 1.25 ERA, Weston struck out 55 batters and in his 34 1/3 innings. The Michigan University oral commit also developed a strong presence in the lineup, maintaining a .375 batting average with two home runs and 17 RBI.

Relied on for consistent pitching and hitting, Simonelli did it all for the Eagles. He had a 4-4 record with a 3.00 ERA on the mound, but did most of his damage in of the batter’s box with a .477 batting average. The senior led Avella in hits (21) and RBI (15). Simonelli had multiple hits in six games , finishing the last three games of the season 6-for-9 with four RBI.

Focusing strictly on first base and continuing to be a strong hitter, Hess greatly improved from his .380 batting average as a junior. Hess led C-M with a .509 average, collecting three home runs and nine doubles. Timely hitting from Hess assisted Big Macs’ pitching. He had 27 RBI and scored 27 times.

The do-it-all junior was vital to the Rams’ WPIAL playoff berth and advancement to the quarterfinal round. With a .369 batting average and 24 hits, a team high, Varley scored 17 runs. He also did damage after getting on base, stealing 18 bases on 18 attempts. He grew into an ace on the mound for Ringgold, only giving up five earned runs and striking out 57 batters in 43 1/3 innings. In his nine appearances, he went 5-1 with a 0.81 ERA.

One of the most feared and consistent hitters in the Trojans’ lineup throughout his career, Luketich ended an impressive senior season with a .403 batting average with 29 hits for the WPIAL Class AA champions. He led California in doubles (11) and RBI (28), and scored 17 runs. Luketich had the lone home run for the Trojans in a 13-5 victory over Mt. Pleasant, where he went 5-for-5 with six RBI. He was dominant on the mound with a 5-1 record, including two wins against section rival Chartiers-Houston, and a 1.51 ERA.

The multi-positional senior helped the Rockets diversify their lineup to capture a section title. Hitting in the heart of J-M’s order, Clark collected 20 hits and batted .370. He also scored 27 runs and had 18 RBI. It didn’t stop there for Clark, who was the ace of the Rockets’ pitching staff with a 7-1 record. While his ERA eclipsed four after the final PIAA play in-game against Union, it was below that mark the entire season.

John DeFranco, California

The leadoff hitter set the stage for the potent California offense, tying a team-high with a .403 batting average and leading the group in hits (31). The smooth-fielding shortstop was even more dangerous after getting on the base paths, stealing 31 bases in 32 attempts. DeFranco’s sacrifice fly to right field brought home the game-winning run in the WPIAL championship game. He also had 19 RBI and scored 28 runs.

After making nine appearances for the Cougars, the left-handed pitcher ended the season with a 3-1 record and a 1.41 ERA. He also helped Charleroi advance to the WPIAL playoffs with a .385 batting average, which was tied for team high with Josiah Fisher. Anden easily led the Cougars in RBI (19). He also finished tied for second on the team with 20 hits.

The pitch count didn’t bother the effectiveness and might have helped Robinson on the mound for the Raiders. He had 68 strikeouts a year ago, ranking fourth in the WPIAL. This year, he topped that number with 80 strikeouts through 55 innings. In his first five appearances, Robinson didn’t allow an earned run, which eventually led to a 5-1 record and 0.51 ERA for the senior. Robinson only allowed hitters a .124 batting average against him.

The catalyst for the football team transferred that success to the spring. Using his speed, Rush hit four triples and three doubles en route to a .571 average. Leading the team in average, hits (24), runs (27) and RBI (15), Rush was a constant threat in the Mapletown batting order. He also stole 39 bases.

In seven of his first 13 games, the senior recorded multi-hit games to help the Indians to an 11-2 start. Finishing with a .349 batting average, 22 hits and 22 RBI, Riotto’s senior leadership wasn’t only felt in the batter’s box. Taking the hill whenever needed, he went 4-3 with a 3.29 ERA in 11 appearances.

Batting in the heart of the Leopard order, the senior third baseman hit .469 with a team-high six doubles and two triples. Callaway also scored 19 runs and had 17 RBI, helping Belle Vernon to two, five-game winning streaks and a second-place finish in Section 4-AAA.

He was the spark plug for the Greyhounds, especially when it was his turn in the batting order. Posting a .488 average, the junior was at the top of many statistical categories for Monessen, including hits (20) and runs scored (19). He also had six doubles, three triples and one home run.

The junior second baseman was relied on for the big bat for the Bucs. Leading C-H in hits (25), runs scored (16) and RBI (15), he made opposing pitchers’ lives difficult and only struck out three times. Whitfield’s on-base percentage was highest on the team at .493.

At 5-8 and 140 pounds, his size didn’t deter a lack of production against opposing lineups. The senior pitcher went 6-1 with a 0.56 ERA in his eight appearances for the Leopards, whose balanced rotation also featured Evan Johnston, Joel Engstrom and Jake Amatangelo.

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