Apr 11, 2024 By Jonathan Guth 3 min read

Avella is one of four undefeated baseball teams in the Observer-Reporter coverage area, but Eagles coach Jason Fogg knows there are plenty of tough games ahead.

The Eagles are 4-0 in Class A Section 1 and 5-0 overall. Section opponents Carmichaels (2-0, 4-0) and Fort Cherry (2-0, 4-0) are unbeaten in the young season, which has been hampered by inclement weather.

“It is definitely early, but we have been strong so far,” Fogg said. “The games against Carmichaels and Fort Cherry will be a measuring stick for us. It will also be tough to get many non-section games in due to all the postponements because of the weather.”

The Mikes and Rangers were scheduled to play Thursday, and are set to play this afternoon at Fort Cherry, but the conditions haven’t been ideal for baseball.

Fogg said he will be juggling his pitchers, but will not rest a pitcher in preparation for the next day’s game.

“If I have to throw my best guy to win, I will,” Fogg said. “I am not going to worry about the next game until I win the first one. We are fortunate this year with our pitching depth. This is the most pitchers I’ve had in my 18 years at Avella.”

Seniors Isaiah Bradick and Brian Martos are the two veterans on Avella’s staff, but Martos suffered a shoulder injury and has been used more often in a closer’s role. Sophomore Bryce Wright has filled the void.

“With his injury, Brian has taken over as our version of (Aroldis) Chapman or (David) Bednar,” Fogg said. “Bryce has really stepped up for us.”

Waynesburg sits in first place in Class 3A Section 4 at 3-0. The Raiders are 4-0 overall.

Carmichaels and Chartiers-Houston could be on a collision course to decide the Class A Section 2 softball championship. The Mikes are 2-0 in section play and have outscored their league opponents 30-0 while the Bucs have outscored their competition 44-0 in three section wins.

Both teams have one loss in non-section play, as Carmichaels lost a game in Florida to Middleton, Wisc. Chartiers-Houston lost to a Class 5A team in Thomas Jefferson in a game the Bucs trailed 4-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.

On the track

If anyone wants to get in their track and field fix, there is a full slate of meets Saturday.

Chartiers-Houston will host an 18-team invitational. Local teams Bentworth, Beth-Center, Burgettstown, California, Fort Cherry, McGuffey, Washington and West Greene are scheduled to compete.

The Tri-State Track Coaches Association Championship is scheduled for Saturday at West Mifflin. Belle Vernon, Canon-McMillan, Peters Township, Ringgold, South Fayette, Trinity and Waynesburg will look for success against more than 45 teams.

Ringgold’s Ryan Pajak raced last week in Arcadia, Calif., and finished fourth in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 8:38.02, which broke a state record for the senior and Notre Dame commit.

Banco to East Tennessee

Trinity senior Jase Banco will continue his academic and football careers at East Tennessee State University.

Banco helped the Hillers average 187 yards per game rushing and was a key lineman on a defensive unit that posted two shutouts, including one over North Catholic in the playoffs.

Banco was first-team all conference on both offense and defense, and a member of the Observer-Reporter Terrific 22 football team. Jase Banco’s brother, Ty, plays for Texas A&M.