California has experienced team as it moves to Class AA
Regardless of the situation, experience might be the best teacher in most aspects of life.
Heading into his ninth season as California High School’s head baseball coach, Nick Damico has plenty of experience to work with.
“I think this is the first time in my nine years that every senior who is a starter came through the program since they were freshmen,” he said. “They fed off of the senior group that won the WPIAL title in 2014. This will be an exciting season to see the results of what started back then.”
The Trojans, rich in tradition, are looking to pick up the second WPIAL title for this senior class.
Three of the seniors – four-year starter Nate Luketich, and three-year starters Johnny DeFranco and Alex Adams – were voted team captains.
“They are three core guys and things run through them,” Damico said. “They are our unquestioned leaders.”
The versatile Luketich started for the 2014 WPIAL championship team and will pitch or be the catcher. But he could play anywhere, if needed.
DeFranco is entrenched at shortstop and will be the pitching staff’s closer. Adams is the third baseman and also will be used a pitcher.
Four other seniors will play prominent roles for the Trojans, making them one of the most experienced teams in Class AA. California will play in Section 1 along with Bentworth, Beth-Center, Burgettstown, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston, Frazier and Fort Cherry. Enzo Mariscotti batted .500 a year ago. Tyler Jacobs is a two-year starter and can play the infield and outfield, Bob Harris will be in the outfield and Drake Johnson will pitch and play the outfield.
Two years ago as a sophomore, Johnson led the Trojan’s in ERA but did not pitch last season because of an arm injury.
Three juniors will provide skill and will play key roles.
Brandon Powell will play second base and be one of the main pitchers, lefty Richard Stimmel will provide innings out of the bullpen and be the designated hitter and Brendan Sheehan will see playing time in the outfield.
Damico is happy with his team’s pitching depth. But with new PIAA rules in effect this season that will place limits how many pitches can be thrown, depth on the mound will be something all coaches watch.
“We have experience on the mound, but some of the guys who will have to see time have not pitched before,” he said. “We will be tested real quick with how our schedule opens, and I like that because we’ll see how the guys respond.”
California opens its season with three games in three days against Waynesburg, Charleroi and Mt. Pleasant, weather permitting.
The Trojans move to Class AA this season because reclassification.
“We also play Serra, which won a WPIAL title last year,” Damico said. “Every game that we play is going to be a test and will be tough. We won’t have the record that we had in the past, and we will battle every day, but it will prepare us for the postseason. It will be rigorous with 14 section games compared to 10 last year. This is the toughest schedule we have had in the last decade.”
California won a section title in Class A a year agao but was upset in the first round of the playoffs.
Damico feels Chartiers-Houston and Carmichaels are the section favorites, but he also likes his experienced lineup.
“We need to be consistent on the mound and throw pitches where they are called,” he said. “We have to be disciplined, swing at strikes and put pressure on defenses as much as possible. If we do those things, we will be OK.”