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Thursday, April 25, 2024 | 7:26 PM
Leechburg’s Rocco Vigna waits to tag out St. Joseph’s Gabe Maltese Tuesday, April 16, 2024 in West Leechburg.
Leechburg reliever Jaden Floyd throws against St. Joseph Tuesday, April 16, 2024 in West Leechburg.
Leechburg’s Mason Bertino beats the throw at third base under St. Joseph’s Matt Tomayko Tuesday, April 16, 2024 in West Leechburg.
Leechburg baseball coach Heath Shimer has never had a roster with no seniors before this season, but he didn’t change the goals he had for his team.
He wants his Blue Devils to compete for section and WPIAL titles.
Shimer has watched his team grow up as the season has progressed, and it is on the verge of marking the playoffs after a two-game sweep of Springdale this week.
Leechburg is in third place in Section 2-A with a 6-4 record. The easiest way for the Blue Devils to clinch a playoff spot is with one win against Rochester (4-4) during their two-game series next week.
“We’re starting four freshmen each game after graduating seven from last year,” Shimer said. “It’s a big task to undertake, but I didn’t change my expectations of my players and the freshmen have answered the bell. Granted, we’ve had some hiccups along the way, and we’re trying to prevent those going forward, but there’s a lot to be said about a 15-year-old going out there and competing with 18- and 19-year-olds.”
The sweep of the Dynamos came after two tough one-run losses in a doubleheader against Union, which has won two of the previous three WPIAL Class A titles.
It wasn’t without drama, and the freshmen made an impact.
The second game was a 10-inning marathon. Freshman Mason Bertino plated the go-ahead run with a single in the top of the 10th. Another freshman, Steven Senjan, got the start and pitched 5 2/3 innings and did not allow an earned run. Jayden Floyd, a junior, finished the game on the mound and got the win.
“That’s the longest game I’ve been involved with at the helm of Leechburg,” Shimer said. “It was a very interesting game that was a seesaw back and forth.”
Leechburg took the opening game 4-2. Floyd had a key RBI triple. Chase Henry earned the win on the mound, and freshman Garrett Jones got the save.
Shimer said Henry, a junior, is a team leader. He has done well as a two-way player, hitting .385 to go with a 3.50 ERA on the mound.
“Chase is the glue,” Shimer said. “They listen to him. I think the world of Chase Henry. He’s a kid that any coach would love to have on their team.”
Shimer also credited Floyd for his professionalism on the field as well as sophomore catcher Rocco Vigna.
Vigna leads Leechburg in .432 batting average, a .580 on-base percentage and has 15 stolen bases.
Floyd is hitting .422 and has a 1.31 ERA. Bertino has a .405 batting average.
“Jayden Floyd all-around is a great kid,” Shimer said. “I’ve had him from kindergarten all the way through now. It’s great to have a Jayden Floyd on your team.
“I’m fortunate to have a sophomore (Vigna) that I don’t have to worry about. That makes life a little easier.”
Jaxon Vargo, the fourth freshman who starts, is hitting .391. The Blue Devils are hitting .321 as a team and have 25 doubles. Floyd and Vigna have five doubles each.
“We’re 2-to-1 in runs for compared runs against, so I think we’re in a pretty good spot,” Shimer said. “I think the pitching rotation sets up well with starters and relievers. I have four solid arms, and at the Single-A level, you need a minimum of four to compete with the back-to-back series.”
Jerin Steele is a freelance writer
Tags: Leechburg
