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Conference Preview: WPIAL Class AA - Section 5

March 17, 2014

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

With the start of the high school season getting started we have been previewing conferences around the state leading up to opening day. In addition to a look at the top teams we will also highlight some of the top prospects in each conference.

           WPIAL Class AA - Section 5

Preseason Favorites

Laurel (10-9), Neshannock (14-6)

Both teams return the bulk of their rosters with significant talent in the junior and sophomore classes. Laurel will have to replace the innings vacated by ace RHP Brandon Ritchie (George Washington) if they would like to compete for the section title.

 

in the mix

Ellwood City (5-15), Shenango (10-10)

Shenango will count on seniors Brent McCormick and Tyler Booher to lead them. Ellwood City returns eight starters and their top three pitchers. Do not be surprised if these two teams find a way to make things a four-way race for the section title before all is said and done.

 

Preseason Player of the Year

Ray ScalaRay Scala, Laurel HS (Class of 2015)

Scala comes off a solid sophomore season at Laurel, hitting .340 with a .429 on base percentage and 10 stolen bases. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder has a strong enough arm to play on the left side of the infield and runs well enough (6.80) to also make the move to the outfield at the next level if need be. Scala gets out of the box well from the left side of the plate and has demonstrated the ability to use all fields with a prototypical lead-off hitter's approach at the plate.

 

Top Prospects

Beaver

Jordan Yates, OF (Class of 2014) 

ellwood city

Tony Joseph, OF/1B (Class of 2014)
Zach Mathias, C (Class of 2014)
Seth Mley, OF (Class of 2014)
Justin Vetica, 3B (Class of 2014)
Tanner Walsh, OF (Class of 2014)
Dillon Horgan, OF/RHP (Class of 2015)
Austin Richard, SS/2B (Class of 2016)
Collin Roth, RHP/2B (Class of 2016)

Laurel

Ray Scala, SS/2B (Class of 2015) 

neshannock

Ernie Berks, IF (Class of 2014)
Frankie Fraschetti, RHP/3B (Class of 2016)
Richie Serignese, 2B/3B (Class of 2016) 

riverside

Ross Maietta, 2B (Class of 2014)
Peyton Pacella, C (Class of 2015)
Kolby Wolf, 1B/RHP (Class of 2016)

Shenango

Brent McCormick, SS (Class of 2014)
Tyler Booher, 1B/RHP (Class of 2014, La Roche commit)

 

view all conference previews & preseason players of the year by conference

 

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