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By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

The penultimate entry of our district preview series, which is running for three weeks up to the first official PIAA competition date on March 24, takes us to our last stop on the western side of the state. Each article includes a list of top prospects from amongst the cohort of schools, as well as write-ups of a number of teams in the cohort.

We received inquiries last year regarding how we decide which teams to detail. A team profiled in the article is less an indication of what type of season we expect it to have and more a function of how much information we are able to compile. For example, if we have not seen a team in person (there are over 600 baseball-playing high schools in the state), stats are not available on-line, and a school district spam filter gobbled up our e-mails to the coach that contained the questionnaire, we might not have enough information to write a full paragraph on that school.

[mouse over pics for player names]

PIAA District VII Class AAAA Top Prospects

1. Alex Kirilloff, 2016, OF/1B/LHP, Plum (Liberty)
2. Troy LaNeve, 2019, 3B/OF, Pine-Richland (Vanderbilt)
3. Jake Jessell, 2016, C, Woodland Hills (Pittsburgh)
4. Jon Dignazio, 2016, LHP, North Allegheny (Maryland)
5. Zach Kokoska, 2017, LHP/OF, Greater Latrobe (Virginia Tech)
6. Jordan Fiedor, 2017, OF/RHP, Hempfield Area
7. Tor Sehnert, 2017, OF, Peters Township (Coastal Carolina)
8. Cade Negley, 2017, RHP/3B, Butler Area
9. Connor Ollio, 2018, SS/RHP, Butler Area
10. Matt Tarabek, 2016, IF, Hempfield Area (Fordham)
11. Patrick Ferguson, 2016, 1B, Pittsburg Central Catholic (West Virginia)
12. Christopher Wallace, 2018, RHP, Norwin
13. Corbin Kessler, 2016, IF, Seneca Valley (Mercyhurst for football)
14. Dom Coconcelli, 2016, LHP, Penn-Trafford (Dayton)
15. Austin Hoffman, 2016, IF, Moon Area (Polk State)
16. Justin Wright, 2018, 3B, Hempfield Area
17. Jake Trautman, 2017, 1B, Pittsburgh Central Catholic
18. Daniel McCauley, 2016, C, North Allegheny (Ohio)
19. Jacob Rife, 2017, RHP, Hempfield Area
20. Ryan Okuda, 2017, LHP, Pine-Richland

Section 1

A whopping seven members of the Butler Area pitching staff logged double-digit innings last season, and a talented trio -- Negley (28.2 IP, 26 H, 16 BB, 27 K), West Virginia Wesleyan-bound LHP Zach Henderson (26 IP, 25 H, 13 BB, 24 K), and Ollio (15.1 IP, 19 H, 4 BB, 13 K) -- returns to anchor the staff this spring. Coach Todd Erdos saw six of his ten primary line-up contributors depart via graduation, but has a solid core around which to build, including Ollio (.300 AVG, 4 BB vs 4 K), Negley (.341 AVG), senior all-section outfielder Nathan Kibbie (.348 AVG, 10 BB vs 9 K), and junior outfielder Dallas Hays (.302 AVG, 9 SB).

As he begins his second decade at the helm, Pine-Richland coach Kurt Wolfe welcomes back his top three pitchers in the junior trio of projectable all-section Okuda (35 IP, 18 H, 14 BB, 32 K), LHP Tom Zbezinski (19.1 IP, 15 H, 6 BB, 11 K), and RHP Hunter Treece (20.2 IP, 22 H, 15 BB, 16 K). With two-thirds of the starting line-up departing via graduation, necessary reinforcements arrived in the form of junior shortstop Jacob Maggi (who missed 2015 due to injury), the uber-talented LaNeve, and freshman outfielder Tyler Johnson. Junior outfielder Maxx Harpalani and sophomore catcher Tyler Woodrow are expected to step into full-time roles after seeing sparse playing time last year.

Stud defender McCauley will manage a North Allegheny pitching staff that has a number of innings up for grabs. Seton Hill-bound Jake Fischbaugh will front the rotation, while his fellow senior RHP Ben Marsico is expected to earn an increased role for coach Andy Maddix. A good chunk of the line-up returns to join McCauley, led by the senior trio of shortstop Blake Young, second baseman Garrett Hagen, and all-section outfielder Keegan Phillips, plus junior third baseman Alex Mesaros. The ultimate trajectory of this season for the Tigers will likely hinge on the health of Dignazio, who did not pitch last spring and is questionable for this season as well.

Always dangerous Seneca Valley will lean on Kessler and junior catcher Mike Collins to spearhead the line-up, while Collins will handle a staff that features senior RHP Corey Laskey and sophomore RHP Andrew Funovitz as coach Eric Semega enters the back half of his second decade at the helm.

Virtually the entire pitching staff returns for North Hills, with four seniors -- Cuyahoga CC-bound RHP Brendan Burke (25.1 IP, 24 H, 14 BB, 26 K), RHPs Mike Serpa (25.2 IP, 30 H, 12 BB, 14 K) and Andrew Toplak (13.1 IP, 18 H, 3 BB, 11 K), plus Indiana of PA-bound LHP Alek Tesla (23.1 IP, 20 H, 10 BB, 17 K) -- again expected to log the most mound time. Junior shortstop Anthony Ruggieri, sophomore second baseman Stephen Miller, junior center fielder Brian Farabaugh will solidify the middle of the diamond defense for first-year coach Steven Long, while junior catcher Luke Chutko will step in behind the plate for a departed all-section performer.

Other schools and returning all-section players
Moon Area - senior infielder Austin Hoffman

Section 2

Hempfield Area graduated three all-section position players, but welcomes back a solid offensive core in Tarabek (.333 AVG, 14 BB+HBP vs 9 K), junior infielder Charlie Varriano (.333 AVG), the super-toolsy Fiedor, and senior catcher Mitch Golden (.349 AVG). All-section as a pitcher, Tarabek (33.1 IP, 38 H, 11 BB, 21 K) is the only holdover in good health on coach Tim Buzzard's staff to have logged double-digit innings last spring. Senior RHP Zayne Zalich and the intriguing 6-foot-6 Rife will have an opportunity to stake their claim to large roles. Keep an eye on the polished Wright to possibly force his way into the line-up somewhere as well.

A pair of junior all-section selections -- Kokoska and RHP/SS Jared Kollar -- are slated to once again lead Greater Latrobe on the mound and at the plate. Junior RHPs Tyler Kuhns and Ryan Shawley should also log innings for coach Matt Basciano, who will look for additional run production out of junior infielder Mason Petrosky, senior infielder Cody Helfrich, and Belmont Abbey-bound outfielder Vince Guerrieri.

Connellsville Area graduated its mound ace, but returns its other two pitchers who logged double-digit innings last year: senior LHP Jimmy Malone (39.1 IP, 29 H, 10 BB, 36 K) and California of PA-bound RHP Corey Fogle (20 IP, 16 H, 15 BB, 17 K). Senior RHP Shawn Smith and junior RHP Hayden Harvey should also get opportunities to toe the rubber. Senior catcher John Przybylinski (.314 AVG) will handle the staff and join junior shortstop Derek Orndorff (.351 AVG, 11 BB+HBP vs 8 K) and senior all-section outfielder Austin Puskar (.450 AVG, 4 BB vs 2 K) in  powering the offense for coach Rob Orndorff, who could see outfielder Harvey and senior second baseman Seth Bruner assume larger roles.

In his thirteenth season at the helm, Albert Gallatin coach Shawn Chory will lean on the trio of senior outfielder Joey Embacher, senior third baseman Cody Riggin, and sophomore outfielder Adam Simon for primary run production, while senior LHP Nate Torbich fronts the pitching staff on a roster that graduated only three seniors.

Armstrong is in its first year of existence as the result of a merger between former 3A school Kittanning and former 2A school Ford City. Junior catcher Eli Hickman (.326 AVG) and junior outfielder Zane Dudek (.418 AVG, 10 XBH, 14 SB) were both all-section at Kittanning and will be joined by Heidelberg-bound utilityman Nash Matson (.357 AVG) and sophomore C/Util Dawson Porter (.341 AVG) in powering the offense for coach Ed Morris. A young pitching staff expects quality innings from junior RHPs Andy Fennell (39.1 IP, 29 H, 18 BB, 33 K) and Jacob Parisi (27 IP, 32 H, 14 BB, 24 K), plus sophomore LHP Josh Leighton, while junior RHP Kyle Lazaroff could get the first crack at locking down the closer role.

Other schools and returning all-section players
Norwin - senior infielder Nick Amendola
Penn-Trafford - none

Section 3

Defending district champ Pittsburgh Central Catholic welcomes back its top three pitchers -- juniors Jack Tumulty (41.2 IP, 37 H, 17 BB, 36 K) and Nolan Martino (42 IP, 46 H, 15 BB, 30 K), and Case Western Reserve-bound Cam Coco (32.2 IP, 28 H, 10 BB, 27 K) -- to help first-year coach Frank Craska ease into his transition from assistant. On the flip side, the offense was gutted by graduation, including that of three all-section honorees, which leaves the powerful Ferguson in the role of primary run producer. Keep an eye on other hitters with some juice, such as Trautman, Thiel-bound Christian Aldrich, and senior Alex Hundiak, to potentially make an impact as well.

State semifinalist Shaler Area welcomes back eight of nine position player starters, including the senior all-section duo of infielder Alex Ficorelli (.355 AVG) and outfielder Nick Fugh (.376 AVG), who will be joined in the run production by senior center fielder David Pietropola (.350 AVG), junior second baseman Anthony Venizia (.378 AVG), and senior first baseman Noah Seelhorst (.375 AVG). On the flip side, the pitching staff graduated its top two innings-eaters, so coach Brian Junker will turn to the senior RHP combo of Brennan Keilor (21 IP, 12 H, 8 BB, 22 K) and Sammy Ireland (21 IP, 13 H, 7 BB, 26 K) to step up a couple rungs on the depth chart.

A senior-laden team returns for section co-champ Fox Chapel Area, which welcomes back four of its five pitchers -- all-section LHP Patrick Monteverde (58.1 IP, 39 H, 31 BB, 48 K), and the RHP trio of Virginia Wesleyan-bound Jacob Pilarski (15.1 IP, 17 H, 12 BB, 18 K), Ryan Humbert (32 IP, 36 H, 12 BB, 13 K), and Michael Marsico (32 IP, 28 H, 19 BB, 25 K) -- who logged double-digit innings last spring. Coach Michael Frank has three primary offensive contributors to replace, but can still lean on senior catcher Zachary Burkhart (.268 AVG, 17 BB vs 9 K), senior all-section shortstop Josh Anderson (.344 AVG, 13 BB vs 3 K), and junior utilityman Josh Kieffer (.305 AVG, 20 BB vs 9 K) for run production.

In his third season, Kiski Area coach Joe Culler has the Cavaliers right where he wants them, as virtually the entire roster is back. A senior-laden pitching staff will feature California of PA-bound RHP John Bowser (45.2 IP, 38 H, 20 BB, 48 K), and the Wheeling Jesuit-bound RHP duo of Josh Bell (35.1 IP, 42 H, 18 BB, 32 K) and Nick Luciano (14 IP, 21 H, 9 BB, 7 K), while junior LHP Tyler Baum will get his first crack at varsity innings. Junior shortstop Korey Shoupe joins of host of returning senior position players, including the three RHP above, plus first baseman Noah Hansen, outfielders Jordan Weaver and Nick Sofaly, and C/OF Jake Poremski.

Other schools and returning all-section players
Penn Hills - none
Woodland Hills - none

Section 4

Early-round draft prospect Kirilloff (.452 AVG, 16 XBH, 13 BB vs 3 K), junior C/3B Alex Terrell (.250 AVG, 3 BB vs 1 K in limited action), Patrick Henry CC-bound outfielder Ethan Winesburgh (.391 AVG, 12 XBH), and senior outfielder Taylor Vivino (.333 AVG) comprise a strong returning line-up core for Plum, which solved just about everyone except for state semifinalist Shaler Area (two of three losses came against the Titans) last spring. Kirilloff (33 IP, 25 H, 16 BB, 33 K) and senior RHP Zac Nolan (23.1 IP, 19 H, 8 BB, 29 K) will reprise their significant roles on the staff, while coach Brian Junker will ask untested RHP Winesburgh and polished sophomore LHP Ryan Kircher to log significant innings.

SUNY Maritime-bound all-section LHP Luciano Besh will front a Franklin Regional pitching staff that graduated its other top three pitchers and has no other holdover who logged significant innings last season. Senior RHP Ben Ramey, junior RHP Noah Weiner, and sophomore LHP Alex Frey should each get an opportunity to earn a major role on coach Robert Saddler's staff. Penn State Behrend-bound infielder Ramey, outfielder Besh, and junior shortstop William Constantin return as position players starters in a line-up that will need utilityman Weiner and junior catcher Michael Haley to step up an fill a major production void left by graduation.

The departure of ten seniors leaves a lot of holes to fill at Allderdice, where senior RHP/Util Sam Greenberg and junior shortstop Chris Hough are the only returning starters, while the addition of LHP/OF Cole McCombs via transfer from Serra Catholic should help soften the blow some. Senior RHP/3B Matt Gayda is also expected to have a two-way impact for coach Jeremy Askin who will additionally look to get innings out of senior RHP Phoenix Rouse and run production from sophomore 2B/C Tanner Jacobson.

Senior RHP/IF Tyler Sherrell and sophomore IF/RHP Tom Sposito are expected to make a two-way impact for an inexperienced roster at Brashear. Freshman RHP Jim Kottler could get a chance to make an early career impression for coach Brian Matts, who will also turn to senior infielder Julian Pennix and senior outfielder Steve Porco to be primary run producers.

Other schools and returning all-section players
Gateway - none
McKeesport Area - senior catcher R.J. Harris

Section 5

All-section honoree Piechnick, a starter since his freshman year, will handle a Canon-McMillan pitching staff that returns its top four innings eaters -- Pitt-Greensburg-bound RHPs Matt Mish and Austin Bergner, junior LHP Ian Hess, and junior RHP Zach Roahley -- and adds to its stable with freshman RHP Cam Weston. Athletic sophomore second baseman Nick Serafino and La Roche-bound shortstop Connor Coleman provide more experience in the middle of the diamond, while 1B Hess will also contribute offensively for first-year coach Tim Bruzdewicz.

A solid quartet of returning starters -- Slippery Rock-bound outfielder Bo Williams, senior outfielder Tylar Shoemaker, and the junior left side of the infield in third baseman Rob Morosetti and Colin Loughman -- who will form the core of the line-up for a Bethel Park team that was one win away from a state tournament berth last spring. Coach Tony Fisher has more question marks on the mound, where the inexperienced duo of junior LHP Zack Straub and sophomore RHP Justin Meis will have their feet put to the fire.

A pair of all-section selections -- Indiana of PA-bound outfielder Chris Eisel and junior first baseman Jon Kozarian -- power a Baldwin offense that will also feature junior shortstop Anthony Rago, senior outfielder Vince Perschietti, and senior third baseman C.J. Huber. Coach Dan Caponi's senior-laden pitching staff will be fronted by Allegheny-bound LHP Sean Kealey, with Eisel, senior RHP Ryan Rotjas, and Rago all slated for work as well.

Carrick coach Bill Schneider welcomes back an experienced roster that will feature a quintet of juniors -- RHPs Evan Rump and Justin Tresatti, LHP Edison Soto, catcher Lou Orth, and outfielder Spencer Cebula -- in impact roles.

Other schools and returning all-section players
Mt. Lebanon - senior infielder Eddie Jenkins, senior outfielder Dante D'Alesandro
Peters Township - none
Upper St. Clair - none

Season Preview Schedule

3/2 - PAISAA
3/3 - PIAA District V
3/4 - PIAA District IX
3/5 - PIAA District VI
3/6 - PIAA District IV
3/7 - PIAA District X
3/8 - PIAA District III (Class A & AA)
3/9 - PIAA District VII (Class A)
3/10 - PIAA District VII (Class AA)
3/11 - PIAA District II
3/12 - PIAA District XI
3/13 - PIAA District I (Class A, AA & AAA)
3/14 - PIAA District III (Class AAA)
3/15 - PIAA District VII (Class AAA)
3/16 - PIAA District I (Class AAAA)
3/17 - PIAA District III (Class AAAA)
3/18 - PIAA District VII (Class AAAA)
3/19 - PIAA District XII