Oct 26, 2023 3 min read

Wild Things hire pitching coach

The Washington Wild Things announced the addition of 2019 Frontier League Manager of the Year Cam Roth to the staff as pitching coach. Roth spent the 2023 season in the same role with the Atlantic League’s Lexington Counter Clocks.

Roth played professionally for the Schaumburg Boomers in 2012 after spending two seasons in the Baltimore Orioles’ farm system. He worked on the Boomers’ coaching staff before being hired as manager of the Lake Erie Crushers in the middle of the 2016 season. He stayed there through 2019 and was back with the Crushers in 2022. In between tenures with the Crushers, Roth worked in the Detroit Tigers’ farm system and with the Gateway Grzzlies.

Roth’s Crushers won the East Division title in 2019 and he was named the Frontier League’s Manager of the Year. He has 284 wins as a Frontier League manager.

“We want to welcome Cam to the Wild Things’ staff. Cam brings a wealth of knowledge, not only as a pitching coach, but also as a former manager,” said Wild Things manager Tom Vaeth. “We are excited to see how he cultivates and develops the younger arms on our roster. His experience and time spent in the Baltimore and Detroit organizations should greatly benefit who we are and what we want to be as an organization and playoff contender.

“I’ve always enjoyed going head-to-head with Cam and now to have him in my dugout, and on our side. I’m sure will only make us stronger.”

Roth replaces Alex Boshers, who spent three seasons with the Wild Things. His contract was not renewed after expiring at the end of the season.

PSAC basketball preseason polls

California was tabbed the women’s basketball favorite in the PSAC’s West Division on Thursday when the league’s preseason poll of coaches was released.

The Vulcans received five first-place votes after finishing last year with a 21-11 overall record. Cal placed second in the West before winning the PSAC tournament.

Gannon, which led the conference with 29 victories last year, received a pair of first-place votes and ranked second in the poll. IUP was third, garnering one first-place vote. Edinboro was fourth. Pitt-Johnstown received the remaining first-place vote and was fifth.

In the men’s poll, California, which returns all five starters, was picked to finish second. The Vulcans received four first-place votes. It is Cal’s highest preseason spot in 11 years.

IUP is the preseason favorite with five first-place votes. Following the Vulcans were Mercyhurst, Slippery Rock and Pitt-Johnstown.

Girls soccer

Fourth-seeded South Fayette scored two goals in the second half and pulled away for a 3-0 victory over third-seeded Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals Thursday night on the Jaguars’ home turf.

Emily Sinton gave South Fayette (12-4-2) the only goal it would need in the first half, which ended with the Lions on top 1-0.

Freshman Abbey Spalla scored off a free kick to make it 2-0 in the second half and Olivia Renk added an insurance goal.

Boys soccer

Trevor Kovatch scored his 49 goal of the season, and 86th of his career, but Belle Vernon was eliminated from WPIAL Class 2A playoffs by Avonworth, 4-1.