Team-first mentality key for Mon Valley Pony All-Stars
To find success and win the Pony League World Series, the Mon Valley Pony All-Stars will need a total team effort, according to the coaching staff.
“It seems the boys find a way to win,” said manager Jason Plymire. “They pick each other up and don’t seem to ever get down. We have a great attitude as a team.”
Assistant coach Tony Watson added: “We’re getting contributions from top to bottom. Our pitching depth has been a blessing. This has been a total team effort.”
Mon Valley twice defeated Youngstown (Ohio) in the Host Area Tournament, including a 4-3 win in the deciding game, to advance to the Pony World Series. Mon Valley defeated Youngstown, 14-0, to reach the championship round.
The team went 4-0 in Host Area play and won the Washington Pony All-Star tournament early in July, winning five games and defeating Washington County, which automatically enters the Pony World Series as the host team. Mon Valley defeated Washington County, 5-0.
The team enters PLWS play with a 9-0 record.
Mon Valley’s roster includes Camden Matusic, Benjamin Lilley, Jack Crovak, Lucas Kear, Jesse Sobczak, Demaris Tolliver, Michael Green, Zachary Plymire, Connor David, Kennedy Nash, Cameron Black, AJ Watson, Derek Dunlevy, Cooper Cetera and Braylon Schoch.
The team represents the Mon Valley Youth Baseball Association and team members represent the following communities: Redstone, Rostraver, Elizabeth Forward, Ringgold and Donora.
School districts represented in addition to Ringgold and Elizabeth Forward are Brownsville and Belle Vernon Area.
Jason Plymire and Tony Watson are joined on the staff by business manager Barry Lilley.
Mon Valley opens Pony World Series play at 4:30 p.m. – the first game of the World Series – Aug. 9 at Lew Hays Pony Field against South Zone champion Palmview (Texas).
“We expect every team to be good,” Jason Plymire said. “It’s going to be a tough road.
If Mon Valley can defeat Palmview, it would face Chinese Taipei in its next game. Chinese Taipei is a multiple-time champion of the Pony World Series.
“It’s the draw we have and we have to run with it,” the manager added. “Obviously, this comes down to how we play and how our opponents play.
“The Pony World Series and Pony Baseball should be celebrated more than it is nationally. It’s a better brand of baseball, in my opinion, than Little League. It’s a much better league for the development of players.”
In clinching their spot in the Pony World Series, Mon Valley got a two-run, game-winning single from Zach Plymire in the sixth inning. The team’s two other runs came in the first inning when AJ Watson stole home and Matusik hit an RBI single.
Crovak was the winning pitcher, working three innings in relief of Matusik.
Watson, the head coach at Belle Vernon High School, said the individuals of the team came together early on and have developed chemistry and togetherness.
“Some of these guys have played together for five or six years now or played against each other that long,” Watson said. “They are battle tested.
“I told them to enjoy every second of this opportunity and experience. I hope each one can soak it all up and have fun playing in such a showcase event. This is once in a lifetime.”
How can Mon Valley find success?
Said Watson: “Pitching well, playing good defense, defending small ball situations and taking advantage of situations is the key for us.
“I’m proud of our kids. It’s nice to see a resurgence of youth baseball in the Mon Valley.”