Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Conference Preview: WPIAL Class A - Section 5

March 22, 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 A - Section 5

Preseason Favorite

Vincentian Academy (12-5)

The Royals have been building towards this year and are the clear favorite to win the section and could have success in the post season. Vincentian will be led by returning All-Section performers C Phil Madonna, RHP/OF Jay Cortese and OF Ian Taylor. Senior RHP/SS Greg MacQueen will team with Cortese to give the Royals a solid 1-2 combination at the front of their rotation. Vincentian's offense will be bolstered by the addition of freshman 3B/SS Christian Fedko. The Royals return eight starters from last year's 12 win club.

 

in the mix

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (20-4), Sewickley Academy (11-6)

The Chargers were hit very hard by graduation losing nine seniors, five of which were starters. Three of those seniors moved on to play college baseball. SS/RHP Santino Platt (2015) is a returning All-Section performer who hit .361 and went 3-1 on the hill. He will assume the No. 1 starter role vacated by Preston Falascino (Slippery Rock).

Sewickley Academy returns a deep roster of players with significant varsity experience. The Panthers will be led by returning All-Section IF Joe Nagel (2015).

 

Preseason Player of the Year

Philip MadonnaPhil Madonna, Vincentian Academy (Class of 2014)

Madonna hit .429 and scored 29 runs as a junior. The solid defensive backstop also showcased his foot speed by swiping 13 bases. For his career, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound Siena recruit has hit .458 with 74 total hits. If Madonna puts up similar numbers in his senior season the 100 hit plateau is a realistic possibility.

 

Top Prospects

Northgate

Mark Lodge, LHP/OF (Class of 2014)

Our lady of the sacred heart

Dan Bechek, 2B (Class of 2014)
Nick Kocent, C (Class of 2014)
Bill Mulcahey, OF (Class of 2014)
Kyle Seamon, UTIL/RHP (Class of 2014)
Santino Platt, SS/RHP (Class of 2015)

Sewickley

Joe Nagel, IF (Class of 2015)

Sto-ROx

 Jarell Kirkland, OF (Class of 2015) 

Vincentian

Gregory MacQueen, RHP/SS (Class of 2014)
Philip Madonna, C (Class of 2014)
Anthony Smaldino, OF (Class of 2014)
Jay Cortese, RHP/OF (Class of 2015)
Alex Madonna, SS/RHP (Class of 2015)
Ian Taylor, OF (Class of 2015)
Christian Fedko, 3B/SS (Class of 2017)

 

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

 

Additional PA news: