Mar 28, 2017 3 min read

A year ago, the Belle Vernon High School baseball team had a solid season as the Leopards had a 10-4 record, but the season abruptly ended with a first-round playoff loss to Chartiers Valley, which ended up going on to win the WPIAL Class AAA championship.

The returning Belle Vernon players have looked back and wondered “What if?” for the past 10 months. So this year’s mantra is “Why not us?”

The Leopards graduated five players who are currently playing college baseball but return eight starters and plenty of talent.

“The goals for this team are very high,” head coach Daryl Hixenbaugh said. “With a large number of seniors, our lineup will have a lot of experience. Pitching will be the key to our success and we have a chance to be very good both offensively and defensively.”

A year ago, Belle Vernon was solid on the mound and at the plate, but according to Hixenbaugh, it lacked defense and the Leopards have worked on improving that aspect of their game.

“We were disappointed in our defense,” Hixenbaugh said. “We have worked hard to improve it going into the season.”

Belle Vernon has plenty of depth on the mound for pitching coach Tony Watson to work with. The PIAA’s new pitching rules, which limit each player to 100 pitches per week, could work in the Leopards’ favor because of their depth.

“Our pitching staff has potential, but with the new pitching rules, throwing strikes and getting out of innings with the fewest number of pitches thrown will be critical,” Hixenbaugh said.

Of the 18 players on the varsity roster, 11 are seniors.

“This class is talented and we already have three guys who have (committed) to colleges,” Hixenbaugh said. “And there are three more who have not made firm commitments but are being recruited.”

Jake Callaway is headed to Potomac State, Jordan Zilka will play at Mercyhurst and Devin Judy is a Gannon recruit.

Callaway, who will play third base and pitch, and Zilka, the catcher, are three-year lettermen. Ben Cole and Tim Labuda are returning two-year lettermen. Cole is a pitcher/first baseman and Labuda is an outfielder. All are seniors.

Three other players, seniors Joel Engtstrom and Judy, and sophomore Josh Hoffman, lettered a year ago. Engstrom will see time at third base and is one of the Leopards’ many pitchers. Judy is a pitcher/outfielder. Hoffman will pitch and see time at both shortstop and second base.

Another part-time starter a year ago, senior Evan Johnston, returns as an outfielder and pitcher.

Other members of the pitching staff include seniors Jake Amatangelo, Derek Frolo and Nick Kingsland and junior Joe Sabolek.

Belle Vernon is competing in Section 3-AAAA with Elizabeth Forward, Keystone Oaks, McGuffey, Ringgold, South Park, Uniontown, and West Mifflin.

Hixenbaugh did not hesitate when asked who the Leopards’ top competitors should be.

“South Park has an experienced team with much returning talent,” he said. “Keystone Oaks is always powerful, even though they are moving up in class.”