Battle-tested South Hills ready for Pony League World Series
Chris Peters pitched six seasons in the major leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos. So the Peters Township native knows baseball and talent.
Together with assistants, John Kanche and John Koutsogiani, Peters put together one of the area’s top Pony League teams. In less than two months, the club qualified for the Pony League World Series that begins Friday at Lew Hays Pony Field in Washington Park.
Players nominated by their coaches attended a tryout on June 13 and Peters and his staff picked who they thought were the 13 best players for the South Hills club. The squad scrimmaged once and held a couple of practices before competing in the Host Area qualifying tournament for the World Series.
“In general, we have pretty talented kids,” Peters said. “I’m impressed with how mature they are and how well they have gotten along together. It seems like they have been playing together for years.”
South Hills is a compilation of players from Peters Township, Bethel Park, South Park, Baldwin and Castle Shannon.
Declan Wicker, Jonah Koontz and the Snyder brothers, JT, 14, and James, 13, hail from Peters Township.
Drew Opferman, Dylan Koehler and Brody Curry represent Bethel Park while Brody Cole, Johnny Parris and Cameron Lavery are from South Park.
Castle Shannon’s Lino Andraca along with Baldwin’s Gavin Stock and Tyler Carick round out the roster.
“They’re kids who have played against each other but have gotten to know each other and like each other,” Peters said. “It’s been fun to watch them come together. It’s cool and exciting seeing them hang out together.”
Sleepovers, swim parties and batting practices at C-Side Sports Academy in Washington have strengthened the team’s alliance. Winning has solidified the squad further.
South Hills compiled a 6-1 record in a 14-team qualifying tournament, hosted by Mt. Lebanon.
South Hills blazed through its tournament slate with an almost unbeaten run, starting with a dominant 17-0 shutout over NCAA. After a 2-1 loss against Youngstown, Ohio, the team blanked Butler 10-0. South Hills stayed hot with a 7-2 win over 376 Pony League and kept the bats alive in a 13-3 victory over Mt. Lebanon.
South Hills survived a scare against Youngstown, winning in a thriller, 6-5. The squad then won the rubber match with Youngstown, 13-6.
South Hills clinched its spot in the World Series by edging Johnstown, 6-5, in the tournament’s championship contest.
Pitching, defense and versatility established South Hills as a contender in the World Series.
The pitching rotation involves five to seven arms. Peters mentioned Parris, Cole, Stock, JT Snyder, Koehler and Koontz among the team’s aces. He noted that Opferman, the team’s catcher, can even pitch. “But we didn’t need him,” Peters said in the qualifying tournament.
“All the players can pitch, Peters added. “It’s been a strength without a doubt. That’s one of the exciting things about my team.”
South Hills players like Cole, who tagged four home runs in the qualifier, Opferman, who was 4-for-4, and Parris, who tagged a three-run homer in the championship game, all carry big sticks. They are the team’s lead-off, No. 3 and cleanup batters. The potent lineup also includes Gavin in the No. 2 slot, Koehler and Koontz at No. 5 and 6 followed by JT Snyder, Lavery, and Andraca.
“We have a lot of good sticks. Some are strong and powerful. Some that can fly and do it all. Guys that not only have solid bats but can play good defense, too,” added Peters.
“We have flexibility on defense depending upon who is pitching. We have the ability to move kids into different spots and not miss a beat. That has been another factor in our success.”
In preparation for the World Series competition, the South Hills team focused on scrimmages under the lights and sharpened game-day chemistry. “We’ve practiced as much as possible and got reps under the lights so the guys were comfortable,” said Koutsogiani. “At this point, it’s about staying focused and not getting distracted by everything going on around the tournament.”
In addition to the games, players have the opportunity to participate in a Home Run Derby and Fastest Runner Contest. Those will be held Friday morning.