After suffering a difficult loss on Friday to Kittaning during severe weather conditions, the GS baseball team hoped to recover during a section match up Monday night against Southmoreland. Senior pitcher Ben Yasika proved that GS will not bow when facing adversity after pitching a complete game shutout in a 6-0 victory.
Yasika allowed zero runs on 3 hits in a 7 inning outing in which he struck out three. Throughout the game, GS struggled to get timely hits with runners on base and the team needed Yasika's near perfect performance to overcome a fine pitching performance by Southmoreland's pitching staff. GS got on the board in the bottom of the first inning with a single by senior Nate Sphon, scoring seniors Dan Ranieri and Nick Diehl. The Lions went quiet until the third inning when Ranieri drove in Diehl on a single after a hard hit triple by Diehl earlier. Senior Vinnie Mongelluzo capped the scoring in the fifth with a two RBI double, scoring Yasika and junior Jordan Truscott. Despite the lack of offense, GS showed solid pitching depth behind Sphon who is considered the ace of the staff. Pitching will be key if the Lions hope to contend for a WPIAL championship later this spring.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Two of Us
The GS baseball team enters the 2010 season with high expectations stemming from a solid offensive lineup and a full rotation of pitchers. If Thursday's game against Greensburg Central Catholic was any indication of the teams prospects for the season, the future is looking bright.
The Lions scored 5 runs in the first inning headed by a double by Senior Vinnie Mongelluzo off of GCC junior pitcher Nick Draghi which scored three runners. Never looking back, the team proceeded to score 16 runs in a route over the outmatched Centurions. The GCC lineup was stifled by the pitching of senior Steve Watt who allowed 2 runs on 2 hits late in the game. Dan Zerbini provided relief in the fifth inning and gave up 4 runs though the ten run rule came into effect, ending the game preemptively. The Lions were also lead by junior Jordan Truscott who batted 3-4 with a single, double, and triple while driving in one runner.
The Lions scored 5 runs in the first inning headed by a double by Senior Vinnie Mongelluzo off of GCC junior pitcher Nick Draghi which scored three runners. Never looking back, the team proceeded to score 16 runs in a route over the outmatched Centurions. The GCC lineup was stifled by the pitching of senior Steve Watt who allowed 2 runs on 2 hits late in the game. Dan Zerbini provided relief in the fifth inning and gave up 4 runs though the ten run rule came into effect, ending the game preemptively. The Lions were also lead by junior Jordan Truscott who batted 3-4 with a single, double, and triple while driving in one runner.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Reveling in the Rivalry
The GS Girls' lacrosse team entered the season knowing that in order to compete in their section, they would need strong play by their experienced and talented senior class. If tonight's contest was any indication, they will have no trouble competing at all.
Lead by a 6 goal effort by Lauren Vernail, the Lions had little trouble dispatching their crosstown rival, Hempfield Area. Along with Vernail's tallies, the Lady Lions had goals from seniors Hillary Dzialowski (2), Laura Laubham (2), and Claire Stewart and Emily Gabriel with one apiece. The Lady Lions controlled the ball in the offensive zone for long periods at a time and Hempfield was able to generate little offense due to the defensive efforts of sophomore sensation Kelly Dzialowski and the goal tending of senior Dakota Buhrman. Kayla Lent and Jessica Gerhardt lead Hempfield with 2 goals apiece the stagnant offense shown by Hempfield throughout the contest. While it was only the first match of the year, the results are certainly promising. The team appears to have the offensive weapons to contend for a playoff spot in the section and they will certainly be a forced to be reckoned with this year and in the future.
Lead by a 6 goal effort by Lauren Vernail, the Lions had little trouble dispatching their crosstown rival, Hempfield Area. Along with Vernail's tallies, the Lady Lions had goals from seniors Hillary Dzialowski (2), Laura Laubham (2), and Claire Stewart and Emily Gabriel with one apiece. The Lady Lions controlled the ball in the offensive zone for long periods at a time and Hempfield was able to generate little offense due to the defensive efforts of sophomore sensation Kelly Dzialowski and the goal tending of senior Dakota Buhrman. Kayla Lent and Jessica Gerhardt lead Hempfield with 2 goals apiece the stagnant offense shown by Hempfield throughout the contest. While it was only the first match of the year, the results are certainly promising. The team appears to have the offensive weapons to contend for a playoff spot in the section and they will certainly be a forced to be reckoned with this year and in the future.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Batting Down the Competition
Coming into the season, the GS baseball team appears to have one of the most stacked squads in the WPIAL. MSA, a radio partner with the WPIAL, has GS ranked number one in the the league coming into the season along with 5 players on their "Players to Watch" list. I interviewed senior Ben Yasika on his opinions of the promising bunch.
Pat:What are your expectations for the season?
Ben:I think if there is any year that we could go far, this is the year.
P:Do you feel that the team has the potential to win a WPIAL championship?
B:Yes.
P:What do you feel is the teams' strength?
B:We have a solid outfield and our pitching is superb.
P:How has the team improved since last season?
B:Since we had underclassmen play last year, we have solid infield depth.
P:How do you deal with the high expectations for the team this season?
B: I think if we work as hard as we have in the preseason and remain calm we will do well.
P:What do you feel is the teams' most glaring weakness?
B: We don't have a weakness, we are solid all around.
Pat:What are your expectations for the season?
Ben:I think if there is any year that we could go far, this is the year.
P:Do you feel that the team has the potential to win a WPIAL championship?
B:Yes.
P:What do you feel is the teams' strength?
B:We have a solid outfield and our pitching is superb.
P:How has the team improved since last season?
B:Since we had underclassmen play last year, we have solid infield depth.
P:How do you deal with the high expectations for the team this season?
B: I think if we work as hard as we have in the preseason and remain calm we will do well.
P:What do you feel is the teams' most glaring weakness?
B: We don't have a weakness, we are solid all around.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Roaring Rackets
The GS boys' tennis team faces a struggle each year to compete against other WPIAL schools. Due to the talent pool at GS and the competition from other spring sports, the tennis team has struggled to create stability at the varsity. Jeff Breakey, a member of the team since his freshman year, believes that the team has a chance to be competitive in the near future.
Pat: What are your expectations for the season?
Jeff: I have high expectations for the for the team. We will go to the matches and do what we have to do.
P: How has the team improved since last season?
J: Our conditioning has improved greatly since last season.
P:In your opinion, why has the tennis team struggled as mightily as they have in recent seasons?
J: Most of the teams that we play have a wider pool of talent along with a better program.
P: Do you feel that the creation of a middle school team is crucial for success on varsity in the future?
J:Yeah, I do because it teachs future prospects the skills needed to play on varsity.
P: Who do you feel are the key members of the team this year?
J: John Munsch along with all of the other senior players. We are, pretty much, the mortar that holds the bricks together.
P: Do you feel that the tennis teams recieves as much regard as other boys' sports teams?
J: No, but it doesn't really matter because we continue to play regardless.
P: Do you believe that it is posible to atract athletes to the team?
J: The tennis team is an elite society that requires an invitation. If skilled athletes want to be invited then they must speak with the coach.
Pat: What are your expectations for the season?
Jeff: I have high expectations for the for the team. We will go to the matches and do what we have to do.
P: How has the team improved since last season?
J: Our conditioning has improved greatly since last season.
P:In your opinion, why has the tennis team struggled as mightily as they have in recent seasons?
J: Most of the teams that we play have a wider pool of talent along with a better program.
P: Do you feel that the creation of a middle school team is crucial for success on varsity in the future?
J:Yeah, I do because it teachs future prospects the skills needed to play on varsity.
P: Who do you feel are the key members of the team this year?
J: John Munsch along with all of the other senior players. We are, pretty much, the mortar that holds the bricks together.
P: Do you feel that the tennis teams recieves as much regard as other boys' sports teams?
J: No, but it doesn't really matter because we continue to play regardless.
P: Do you believe that it is posible to atract athletes to the team?
J: The tennis team is an elite society that requires an invitation. If skilled athletes want to be invited then they must speak with the coach.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Track and Field: Sucess Shall We Yield?
Last season, the GS track and field team struggled to compete in their section, with formidable foes such as Hempfield Area High School. Despite the struggles of last season, team members feel that this season could be a season of change. Young talent has provided optimism for players and coaches. I interviewed senior Ethan McElhinny on his opinion on the fortunes of the team this season.
Pat:What are your expectations for the season?
Ethan:I feel like we have a chance to do as well as last year. We have a lot of good, new athletes this year.
P:Who do you expect to be key members of the team this season?
E:Benny Miller in the 800 meter, R.J Walton in the 2 mile, and Jake Matthews in the high jump.
P:What would you say is a realistic goal for the team this season?
E:Section Champions
P:What teams do you feel will provide you with the most competition in the section?
E:Definitely Hempfield and Latrobe due to their size.
P:Who was your biggest loss from last season?
E:Mike Kepple and Brian Criado without a doubt.
P:What has prevented the team, in recent years, from achieving the success that it had earlier in the decade?
E:To be honest, it's our size. We only have 20 members and it is hard to compete with larger schools in the section.
Pat:What are your expectations for the season?
Ethan:I feel like we have a chance to do as well as last year. We have a lot of good, new athletes this year.
P:Who do you expect to be key members of the team this season?
E:Benny Miller in the 800 meter, R.J Walton in the 2 mile, and Jake Matthews in the high jump.
P:What would you say is a realistic goal for the team this season?
E:Section Champions
P:What teams do you feel will provide you with the most competition in the section?
E:Definitely Hempfield and Latrobe due to their size.
P:Who was your biggest loss from last season?
E:Mike Kepple and Brian Criado without a doubt.
P:What has prevented the team, in recent years, from achieving the success that it had earlier in the decade?
E:To be honest, it's our size. We only have 20 members and it is hard to compete with larger schools in the section.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
LAX: No, Not the Airport
The GS girls' lacrosse team has faced stiff competition and difficult seasons since its inception. Despite the struggles, the team continues to draw a large number of girls to tryouts and team members are optimistic over the future of the team. I was able to interview senior co-captain Carolyn Bringe on her hopes for the team this season and beyond.
Pat:What are your expectations for the season?
Carolyn:I feel that we will have a winning season and that we have a chance to win three fourths of our games.
P:Who do you expect to make an impact this season?
C:Alyssa Garofolo should have a predominant role on offense along with Sarah Orr. I see Sarah as being one of our better defenseman due to her experience.
P:Do you feel that the large number of players trying out will help the team improve?
C:I think that it could be a disadvantage to find playing time but 15 seniors are graduating so there will be experience next year.
P: After struggling last season, do you feel that the team has a chance to contend for the playoffs?
C:All of the players who were on JV are now filling in the places of departed seniors. The team unity from JV will be intertwined with varsity skills.
P:What is the biggest challenge that the team faces?
C:Ourselves because women's sports tend to be more personal than mens' sports. What goes on outside the team should not affect on field performance.
Pat:What are your expectations for the season?
Carolyn:I feel that we will have a winning season and that we have a chance to win three fourths of our games.
P:Who do you expect to make an impact this season?
C:Alyssa Garofolo should have a predominant role on offense along with Sarah Orr. I see Sarah as being one of our better defenseman due to her experience.
P:Do you feel that the large number of players trying out will help the team improve?
C:I think that it could be a disadvantage to find playing time but 15 seniors are graduating so there will be experience next year.
P: After struggling last season, do you feel that the team has a chance to contend for the playoffs?
C:All of the players who were on JV are now filling in the places of departed seniors. The team unity from JV will be intertwined with varsity skills.
P:What is the biggest challenge that the team faces?
C:Ourselves because women's sports tend to be more personal than mens' sports. What goes on outside the team should not affect on field performance.
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