Amanda Graves, Staff Writer

     Recently, the baseball field at Penn-Trafford High School underwent a facelift, including a new and improved backstop, a professionally sloped infield and new dirt for safe play.

    The project took longer than anticipated due to challenging weather conditions. With the baseball season quickly approaching, the team had to move their home location.

  The first few home games were held at Seton Hill University as well as Hempfield Park.  The renovation was completed in time for their recent home games, however.

    Head coach Dan Miller said, “The challenge playing at different fields is more mental than physical, [but] we prepare the same way and adjust to conditions that we cannot control.”

    Senior player, Jordan Sabol said that moving the home location did not bother him. He and his teammates even appreciate the opportunity to play at different fields.

    “[It is nice] when we get the chance to play on a turf college field like Seton Hill,”  Sabol said.

    Sabol added that their approach to gameplay does not change due to playing at a different field. Mario Disso, senior, agreed with Sabol.

    “Playing at different locations has not affected us at all. Any time [that] we get to play on a college campus, like Seton Hill as our home field, we will take it,” Disso said.

    The team has adopted the motto “WE before ME.” Teamwork and comradery have helped the team to stay focused under all conditions, according to Miller.

    “This year’s team has a certain chemistry that you cannot teach,” said Miller. “Great teams win, not great players.”

    Disso said the motto “WE before ME” fits the team really well. Everyone contributes to the success of the team.

    Both Disso and Sabol have high hopes for the rest of the season. The team takes each day as it comes. Sabol attributes some of the team’s success to the connection among the group and feels motivated by their success.

Disso said, “What motivates us every day is being underdogs. We don’t need rankings or anything, we go out and play like it’s our last game.”

    Sabol, Disso and Miller all agree that the coaches help to improve the players every day. The coaching staff is comprised of multiple coaches, each of which has their own duties and responsibilities. Lou Cortazzo is the infield and first base coach, Larry Vecchi is the outfield and bench coach and Dana Williams is the hitting/base running instructor and bench coach.

    Miller praised the staff saying, “All [of the] men offer distinct baseball knowledge and experience in the game. I am very proud of the staff we have assembled.”

    Players and coaching staff alike hope to go far in the season. The team’s record stands at 10-1 with only one loss.  Disso and Sabol said they believe that winning the WPIAL championship and making a deep run in playoffs is achievable.