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2014 Team Preview: Parkersburg Catholic HS

January 29, 2014

By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

As we prepare for the upcoming 2014 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Parkersburg Catholic
Nickname: Crusaders
Class: 1A
League: Little Kanawha Conference
Head Coach: Tom Harvey
2013 Overall Record: 20-13 (Lost in regional finals)

TOP PLAYERS:

Jake Ullman, SS/RHP, Class of 2014 (2nd Team All-State 2013)
Austin Luther, 2B/RHP, Class of 2014 (Wheeling Jesuit commit)
Jake Boice, C, Class of 2015 (Special Honorable Mention All-State 2013)
Cary Casto, 1B/RHP, Class of 2016, (340 avg., 30 RBI as a freshman)
Andrew Cinalli, RHP/OF, Class of 2015, (8-2, 3.56 ERA in 2013)

SEASON OUTLOOK:  

The Crusaders went 20-13 in 2013 and saw there season end in the regional final with a loss to Charleston Catholic, the eventual Class A state champs. Coach Tom Harvey will have to find a way to replace two-time Class A All-State selection Mitch Davis who has moved on to West Virginia Tech. With the core of the lineup in tact for 2014, look for Parkersburg Catholic to make another run at a regional title and potentially a state title as well.

ACCORDING TO THE COACH:

Defensively we should be strong especially up the middle.Jake Boice (C) Jake Ullman (SS) Austin Luther (2B) and Payton Sturm/Nick Roedersheimer (CF) will solidify that area. Cary Casto returns at 1B and P. Andrew Cinalli returns after wining eight games on the mound and will play RF when not pitching. We should fare well at the plate. With Ullman .500, 37 RBI, 9 2B; Boice .394, 36 RBI, 5 2B; Casto .340, 30 RBI, 4 2B; and Luther .337, 30 RBI, 9 2B leading the way. Sturm should help on the mound, we need to receive quality innings from he and Casto. We will need to find pitching depth. We lost Mitch Davis, a two-time 1st team All-state performer in CF and leadoff hitter. He will be tough to replace after hitting .495 with 32 RBI, 15 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR and had 56 IP on the mound. Tony Borelli gave us great innings in relief last year and won our sectional champ game. He was 3-2 in 32.1 IP mostly in relief but had a complete game win against Williamstown in the sectional final. We really need to get guys to step up on the mound. They should receive solid defensive play behind them and good run support. In the LKC North/pod depending how its aligned we will face some stiff competition, Ritchie (AA), Ravenswood (AA) Williamstown (A) and a loaded St Marys (A) will all be tough. The sectional will be another battle with Williamstown and Doddridge. If we can survive that, Gilmer or Wirt await in the regional semifinals so it doesn't get any easier. And of course another tough one then with Charleston Catholic, Buffalo, or Wahama in the regional final to get to Charleston. It should be an exciting season and we hope to build on the past couple of years and take the next step.

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COACHES PRE-SEASON QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate all help provided by high school coaches across the state assisting with our preseason coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches' preseason questionnaire online by CLICKING HERE.


Previous team previews: