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PEOPLE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. A TEAM CAN MAKE A MIRACLE!
"It is not about you. It is about the team."
Bob Amalia
Head Baseball Coach
Blackhawk High School
"The higher level you go the more
the athletes become similar in
talent.This is when you must out
work and out prepare your opponent!"
-Coach Basile
Together Everyone Achieves More
Wednesday, July 15
Times Report of BEAVER COUNTY CHAMPS!
High five: Blackhawk prevails over Hopewell
By Bill Utterback
Times Sports Staff
Published: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 12:01 AM EDT
CHIPPEWA TWP. — The most electric, engrossing drama drags its heroes through harrowing adversity before providing epic opportunity.
Baseball provides the most delicious drama.
Blackhawk pitcher Colin Loughner, pierced by the sword of unimaginable adversity in the top the sixth inning, returned with a cavalry to trample adversity in the bottom of the inning.
Loughner’s two-run, two-out single turned Blackhawk’s 8-7 deficit toward a 9-7 victory Tuesday over Hopewell in the fifth game of the best-of-five 2009 Beaver County League championship.
“We all wanted to win so bad,” Loughner said.
Blackhawk, trailing 2-0 after Friday night’s loss at Hopewell, claimed three consecutive victories to secure the county’s American Legion championship for the first time since 2006.
“These kids have won a lot of games together,” manager Bob Amalia said. “But they’ve been runner-up a lot of times, too. I wanted them to have a championship.”
Tim Lipp, moving toward his sophomore year of college, ripped three hits.
Matt Emge, moving toward his sophomore year of high school, drove in three runs.
Mike Pearson won the game in relief of Loughner, and Ben Rawding earned a save when he ended the game with a strikeout while a runner stood at third.
Matt Royle’s three-run homer in the first inning pushed Blackhawk ahead.
But Hopewell persisted. Matt Boronsky, Kevin Welsh and Tyler Miller provided run-scoring hits as Hopewell trimmed its deficit to 6-4 entering the sixth.
Dylan Schwegler and Paul Rosenstern singled, and, with one out, Tom Lewis was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Adversity called a timeout.
Loughner blew strike three past Miller for the second out, and Miller returned to the dugout. A heartbeat later, the third base umpire asked for a conference and revealed to his partners that Hopewell manager Joe Colella had asked for, and been granted, a timeout.
Miller was allowed to return to the plate and was hit with the next pitch, forcing a run home. Loughner was replaced and Hopewell scored two more runs.
“It was probably the right call,” Amalia said.
Trailing 8-7, Blackhawk turned to face adversity again.
“There was a little doubt,” Emge said. “But there was no way we were going to lose the game because of that timeout. We became more focused.”
Lipp was the inning’s leadoff hitter.
“We kept coming back and coming back (in the series) and I knew we could do it again,” he said.
Lipp ripped a two-strike single to center field and Austin Wulf followed with an exquisite bunt that was mishandled. Lipp advanced to third and Wulf stood at first.
The cavalry was charging.
“When I got to third base, I could feel the energy building,” Lipp said.
With one out, Royle walked and Emge hit a shot up the middle that Miller gloved. But the Lipp scored as Emge was thrown out at first. Tim Denman walked.
Loughner moved toward home plate. Wounded by the sword, he carried a harpoon. In Sunday’s victory, he hit a two-strike home run. In this moment, he chose not to wait and ripped the first pitch to center field.
With an opposing pitcher struggling to throw strikes, Amalia typically asks his batters to take pitches until the umpire calls a strike. Drama, however, demands a more immediate response.
“Coach said if I see a fastball to capitalize on it, to drive it hard somewhere.”
A hero emerged. Adversity was forever extinguished. Rawding brought home the victory, Amalia was doused with ice water after leading Blackhawk to a county title for the eighth time. The celebration was both familiar and fresh.
“This one might be a little more special than the other ones,” Amalia said. “It’s because it’s such a great group of kids and they worked so hard to get it.”
The Team ended the season a combined 42 and 8.
Thursday, July 23
Regional Report From The Times
Legion: It's Blackhawk-Hopewell, Part VIII
By Staff reports
Published: Sunday, July 19, 2009 11:32 PM EDT
Like his Blackhawk Legion teammates, Colin Loughner has thrived under pressure in the last few weeks.
Loughner had a pair of two-out, two-run hits Sunday as Blackhawk, on the brink of elimination in the Region 6 Tournament, beat Shaler 14-4 in Uniontown.
“When our backs are against the wall, we step up,” said Loughner, who finished with five RBIs. “We’re more focused. Everybody on the team doesn’t want to stop playing.”
Blackhawk is coming off a Beaver County championship series in which it rallied to win three straight after spotting Hopewell a two-game lead.
On Saturday, it fell behind 11-0 to Bethel Park before being dropped into the loser’s bracket, 17-7.
“It seems like we play better when our backs are against the wall,” said coach Bob Amalia.
With the score tied 1-1, Blackhawk put up four runs in each the third and fourth innings.
Three more followed in the fifth, and Matt Royle’s two-run home run in the sixth ushered in the 10-run rule.
Tim Lipp continued his hot streak with three hits. Matt Emge and Tim Denman each added two RBIs, and Ben Rawding won his 18th game this year (9-0 high school, 9-1 Legion) with a complete game.
Blackhawk’s reward for Sunday’s win is an eighth meeting with Hopewell at 1 this afternoon. This winner advances to the loser’s bracket semifinals.
“You want to play a different team because you want to see both Beaver County teams play longer. This way, one will have to go,” Amalia said. “But we’ve got to play whoever’s on the bracket.”
Char Valley-So. Fayette 6, Hopewell 4 (11) Chartiers Valley-South Fayette had home runs to tie and win the game, dropping Hopewell into the loser’s bracket.
Ken Terpak, who had five hits, tied the game 4-4 with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth. Ken Morgan’s two-run home run in the 11th inning was the winner.
Max Vogel and Tim Kubis each drove in a run for Hopewell, which was out-hit 17-4.
Wednesday, July 15
UTTERBACK NAMES EMGE MVP!
Utterback: Emge impresses beyond his years
By Bill Utterback, Times Sports Staff
Published: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 12:05 AM EDT
Matt Emge rolls his wrists and reveals the source of the composure and maturity that lifted him to his MVP performance in the Beaver County League playoffs.
On white tape wrapped around his left wrist, Emge wrote the following phrase: “Matt. 6:33.”
It’s scripture from Matthew, from Jesus at the center of his sermon on the mount: “But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Emge smiles when asked how often he applies scripture to his wardrobe.
“Every game,” he said. “That’s the main reason I tape my wrists, so I have some place to write it.”
Emge, a catcher moving toward the 10th grade, is my MVP. There’s no trophy. No medal. Nothing but this column, which annually includes my all-tournament team and MVP. Nobody else gets to vote.
I saw some tremendous performances in the 2009 playoffs. But Emge was the most persistent. He ripped a run-scoring single in his first playoff at bat and drove in three runs in the final victory over Hopewell.
Overall, Emge batted .440 in the playoffs, .420 in the championship series, and was the only Blackhawk player to have at least one hit in every game of the championship series. He had at least one hit in 10 of his 11 playoff games. He contributed to decisive rallies in each of Blackhawk’s victories over Hopewell, including a double and three RBIs in the championship game.
“He has a chance to be one of the best catchers we’ve ever had,” Blackhawk manager Bob Amalia said.
The all-tournament team:
Mike Brougher, Hopewell: As a starting pitcher, was 3-0 in the playoffs.
Brad Kubis, Hopewell: The only Hopewell player with a hit in each game of the championship series, he also contributed two saves and three sacrifice bunts.
Cole Lentz, Unionville: Stopped Blackhawk’s 20-game winning streak with a two-hitter and a 2-1 victory.
Danny O’Leary, Unionville: Hit two home runs in a victory over Beaver Falls, and doubled in the decisive run in the victory over Blackhawk.
Mike Pearson, Blackhawk: While facing elimination, pitched eight innings to carry Blackhawk to a 3-2 victory in Game Three.
Ben Rawding, Blackhawk: Earned victories in each playoff series, including Game Four with Hopewell. Earned a save in Game Five.
Dylan Schwegler, Hopewell: Pitched five shutout innings in a victory over Center-Monaca in an elimination game, and then batted .545 in the championship series. The most persistently influential player over the course of the tournament and would have been the MVP had Hopewell won the title.
Kyle Starkey, Blackhawk: Runner-up to Emge as MVP. Batted .500 in the championship series and provided the game-winning hit that ignited Blackhawk’s three-game run to the title.
Logan Urtz, Center-Monaca: Earned a complete-game victory at Hopewell in the semifinals.
Kevin Welsh: The winning pitcher in the opening game of the championship series, he also played third base, shortstop, first base, and right field, and ripped six hits against Blackhawk.
One regret: Not finding a place for Josh Peters of A.B.E., who might have been the best hitter in the playoffs, but his opportunity to prove himself was too short.
Times sports writer Bill Utterback can be reached online at butterback@timesonline.com.
Monday, July 13
TIMES ARTICLES OF CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
By Bill Utterback
Times Sports Staff
Published: Sunday, July 12, 2009 11:36 PM EDT
HOPEWELL TWP. —- Colin Loughner sculpted the image that best reflects Blackhawk’s journey through the Beaver County League championship series.
Facing a two-out, two-strike challenge, he launched a two-run home run.
From the most obstinate block of granite, Loughner shaped the most exhilarating moment. His blast punctuated Blackhawk’s 8-3 victory Sunday at Hopewell and helped create a 2-2 tie in the best-of-five American Legion drama.
From the most unyielding rock, Blackhawk has created unimaginable opportunity. Trailing 2-0 after Friday‘s loss at Hopewell, Blackhawk has reshaped possibility. The 27th game of the season for both teams, to be played at 5:30 Tuesday at Chippewa Park, will produce a champion.
“Nobody on this team was ready to accept losing,” Loughner said.
Ben Rawding pitched a complete game, coaxing six outs from the final five batters, to push his scholastic/Legion record to 18-1. His only loss was to Hopewell in the opening game of the series.
“I felt like I needed to prove myself tonight,” Rawding, 28-2 over the past two seasons in a Blackhawk uniform, said. “Hopewell’s a great team, and they gave me my first loss, but I wanted to come back and prove I could win a game for us in this series.”
“We played a great game tonight,” manager Bob Amalia said. “It started with Ben, who was tremendous. And we played tremendous defense behind him.”
Blackhawk won Saturday’s game with a two-out single by Kyle Starkey in the eighth inning, and then scored six two-out runs in Sunday’s victory at Hopewell.
Tim Denman contributed three hits, including a two-out, two-run single, and a two-out single ahead of Loughner’s home run, the only home run so far in the series.
“Nobody wants to make the last out,” Loughner said.
“With two outs, everybody seems to get a little more focused,” Denman, who has six hits over the past three games, said.
Mike Pearson, who pitched eight innings to earn the victory on Saturday, made the defensive play of the game in the bottom of the second inning. He gloved a single in right field and threw a breathtaking strike to third base to get the lead runner.
In the top of the third, Kyle Starkey singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Greg Weatherly was hit by a pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Austin Wulf. With two outs, Pearson singled and started a rally that produced three more runs. Matt Emge and Denman singled to extend the rally.
Double by Hopewell’s Tyler Miller and Max Vogel, and a single by Tyler George, moved the score to 5-2 in bottom of the third inning.
In the fifth, Denman and Loughner provided their two-out lightning.
“I think Colin’s home run definitely put us over the top tonight,” Amalia said Bill Utterback
Times Sports Staff
Published: Sunday, July 12, 2009 12:12 AM EDT
CHIPPEWA TWP. — Conviction doesn’t consult clocks or calendars. It is not governed by time. It sits patiently at the crossroads of poise and purpose, waiting for a ride to another urgent moment.
Mike Pearson, Kyle Starkey and Matt Emge chauffeured conviction to the most urgent intersection in Blackhawk’s American Legion baseball season. It shaped Pearson’s longest performance, Starkey’s shortest at bat, and Emge’s unimaginable growth spurt.
Starkey ripped a two-out, walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning as Blackhawk defeated Hopewell 3-2 to extend the best-of-five Beaver County League championship series to a fourth game. Hopewell, after a 4-1 victory in Friday’s game, leads the series, 2-1.
Conviction will be awaiting a ride to today’s game at 5:30 p.m. at Hopewell.
Pearson (St. Peter’s) and Starkey (Allegheny) are 2009 Blackhawk graduates moving toward college baseball opportunities. Emge is a 15-year-old moving toward the 10th grade. Together, they drove Blackhawk toward possibility.
Pearson pitched a complete game, allowing one run over the final seven innings.
“Mike did an excellent job, a fantastic job,” manager Bob Amalia said.
“I wanted to come through for my teammates,” he said. “I felt like if I came through for them, they would come through for me, and that’s what happened.”
Emge ripped a run-scoring single in the fifth and a rally-starting single in the eighth. He earned six at bats during the high school season, batted over .500 in the Legion season, and has five hits in his past nine at bats in the championship series.
“I never felt like we were backed into a corner tonight,” Emge said. “I think we all felt like we would find a way to win this game.”
Few would have imagined the game would be shaped by a first-pitch single from Starkey, the league’s most patient hitter. He has a .700 on-base percentage in the series that includes four walks, a double and two singles. In nine previous at bats, he never swung at the first pitch.
“We had a plan,” Amalia said. “We were going to be more aggressive in that last inning.”
Hopewell’s Brad Kubis, who had saves in the first two games of the series, moved to the mound with runners on first and second and one out. He got an out, and then turned to face Starkey.
“Brad’s a great pitcher, but he knows we take pitches and he threw a fastball,” Starkey said. “Coach said if I saw a fastball, to go after it.”
Starkey lasered it into the gap in right-center field.
Hopewell’s Dylan Schwegler pitched 7 1/3 innings and forced conviction to respect both teams. Kevin Welsh and Max Vogel drove in runs.
Right fielder T.J. Lambert and second baseman Tim Lipp produced the game’s most vital defensive play when their relay from the fence nailed a runner at home to end the sixth inning. Hopewell shortstop Tyler Miller produced the game’s most electric defensive play when he glove a ball behind second base and the pirouetted to get the runner at first.
“This was a big character win for us tonight,” Amalia said. “But we’ve still got a long way to go.”
Wednesday, July 15
BEAVER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON!
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Wednesday, July 22
PG West: Blackhawk rallies for eighth Beaver County American Legion League title under Amalia
Before Colin Loughner stepped in the batter's box in the bottom of the sixth inning for Blackhawk in the final game of the Beaver County American Legion League championship series, manager Bob Amalia had a brief talk with him.Blackhawk trailed Hopewell by a run and had the bases loaded with two outs.To say Loughner, who will be a senior this fall at Blackhawk High School, was facing a crucial at-bat would be like saying the St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols is a better than fair hitter.To that point, it had not been Loughner's evening. He was hitless in three trips to the plate and, as the starting pitcher, had given up all eight of Hopewell's runs.So, what did Amalia tell Loughner?"Coach said to sit on the first pitch and drive it if it was over the plate," Loughner said.Which is what he did, lining a single to right-center that scored Austin Wulf and Matt Royle and put Blackhawk in front, 9-8. Ben Rawding then came on in the top of the seventh to keep Hopewell off the scoreboard and secure the victory and the county title.Blackhawk (24-3) had lost the first two games of the best-of-five championship series, but rallied for 3-2 and 8-3 victories against Hopewell to set up Tuesday night's thriller at jam-packed Chippewa Park Field.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09197/984080-139.stm#ixzz0M2TZe1Ra
Wednesday, July 8
Beaver County Times Report of Second Round
Blackhawk doesn't do losing well
By Bill Allmann
Times Sports Correspondent
Published: Monday, July 6, 2009 11:36 PM EDT
CHIPPEWA TWP. — In the realm of Blackhawk baseball, either at the high school or American Legion level, losses don’t happen often.
This season, the combined teams are 39-4, but one of those losses came Sunday night against Unionville, forcing an elimination game Monday at Chippewa Park.
“I wanted to play again that night after the loss,” said Blackhawk coach Bob Amalia. Instead, though, Amalia had to wait 24 hours.
The wait was worthwhile. Blackhawk scored in every inning and dispatched Unionville 12-1 in five innings to win the series two games to one and advance to the league finals.
“It was a long 24 hours,” said Blackhawk pitcher Mike Pearson, who allowed just two hits. “We didn’t play well (Sunday) and we were anxious to come out and play again. It wasn’t tough on the mound. The way my teammates were hitting the ball, I didn’t have to worry.
Pearson’s teammates had 10 hits and took advantage of eight walks and a hit batsman. Tim Lipp drove home the first run in the first inning with a sacrifice fly and Pearson followed with a run-scoring single.
In the second inning, back-to-back doubles by Tim Denman and Kyle Starkey extended the lead. Batting eight and ninth, that pair reached base six times as Denman had three hits.
“We didn’t put pressure on ourselves,” said Denman. “We just had to play our game, we had confidence in Pearson.
“We don’t take losing too well at Blackhawk. I wouldn’t have gone home if we lost again.”
Blackhawk broke the game open with a six-run third. The big blow was a grand slam by Greg Weatherly, a power hitter who batted leadoff.
“I wasn’t thinking home run, I just wanted to get some runs in,” said Weatherly, who led the high school team in homers and also batted with the bases loaded in the fourth and drove home another run.
“After the loss, we just wanted to come back and play. We didn’t feel our back was to the wall, we just needed to come out and give a team effort.”
Blackhawk plays Hopewell on Wednesday at Chippewa Park in the Legion championship series. Both teams have already qualified for the regional championship.
“The regional won’t take the edge away from this week,” Amalia said. “The competitive juices will be flowing and we haven’t won it since 2006.
“These kids are aware of our tradition and they’re anxious to win.”
After all, Blackhawk isn’t used to losing
Sunday, July 5
AMALIA WINS 500th Legion GAME!
Legion: Blackhawk grabs 1-0 lead
By Staff reports
Published: Sunday, July 5, 2009 12:05 AM EDT
CHIPPEWA TWP. — Crockett and Tubbs were stalking Miami Vice, Barry Bonds was the leadoff hitter in the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup, and a USA Today/CNN poll reported that Michael Dukakis led George Bush in the race toward the White House.
On that same Friday in June of 1988, manager Bob Amalia led Blackhawk’s American Legion baseaball team to a victory for the first time.
Amalia has proven to be the most enduring.
Amalia secured his 500th victory as Blackhawk’s Legion coach Friday night. His team defeated Unionville, 11-1, at Chippewa Park in the opener of a best-of-three Beaver County League semifinal series.
Amalia’s first victory was a 15-0 triumph over Freedom at Chippewa Park. Bill Uber pitched a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts, and Tom Dickinson and Scott Knallay hit home runs.
“I remember it like it was yesterday,” he said.
Amalia also has 148 wins as Blackhawk’s varsity coach.
“I’ve had a lot of great players and a lot of great assistant coaches,” Amalia said. “I couldn’t have done this without their help.”
In the victory over Unionville, Ben Rawding and Mike Pearson provided the most help.
Rawding pitched a three-hitter and moved his record to 17-0 since the start of the varsity season. In two Legion playoff starts, he has pitched 10 innings, allowing four hits and one run.
Pearson drove in six runs. He had a three-run double in the first inning, a two-run double in the second inning and a run-scoring single in the fifth.
Colin Lougher hit a two-run homer, Matt Royle hit a triple and Austin Wulf and Matt Emge hit run-scoring singles, as Blackhawk moved to 20-0. The series resumes at 5:30 p.m. today at Freedom High School.
Wednesday, July 1
BCT Recap of First Round Games
Blackhawk 10, N. Brighton 0 Catcher Matt Emge, a month removed from his freshman year of high school, produced a run-scoring single in his first Beaver County League playoff at bat.
He later produced another run-scoring single, finished as the only player in the game with multiple hits and pushed his batting average to .600. Blackhawk moved to 18-0.
Ben Rawding pitched a one-hitter over five innings and pushed his Legion record to 6-0 and his combined varsity/Legion record to 15-0.
Tim Denman had a run-scoring single, giving him 11 hits and 11 RBIs in his past 17 at bats.
Austin Wulf, Kyle Starkey and Greg Weatherly also had run-scoring hits.
New Brighton’s Donnie Potts pierced the no-hitter in the top of the fourth inning.
Blackhawk 10, New Brighton 0 Colin Loughner pitched a one-hitter, losing his no-hitter with two outs in the fifth inning, as Blackhawk swept New Brighton and earned a place in the semifinals. Loughner pushed his record to 5-0 with a 0.62 earned run average.
In two games, Blackhawk (19-0) outscored New Brighton 20-0 while allowing two hits and two walks.
Tim Lipp finished with two doubles and 3 RBIs, and Austin Wulf contributed two hits and drove in two runs.
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2009/07/01/sports/high_school/doc4a4adeda8bc93384177887.txt
Sunday, June 28
BEAVER COUNTY TIMES RECAP
Blackhawk heads into Legion playoffs perfect
By Bill Utterback, Times Sports Staff
Published: Sunday, June 28, 2009 12:03 AM EDT
HOPEWELL TWP. — A long, slow sip of iced success can be welcome and refreshing during a demanding journey, but it won’t satisfy a thirst that’s been snarling for two years.
Blackhawk’s American Legion baseball team lost to Beaver Falls in the 2007 Beaver County League championship series and lost to Hopewell in the 2008 championship series.
This is how Blackhawk 2009 finished its regular season:
Blackhawk 20, Beaver Falls 2
Blackhawk 21, Hopewell 4.
Is there a message in the team’s breathtaking sprint to the finish line?
Most definitely.
Blackhawk, 17-0 after the win Friday at Hopewell, finished the regular season with an unblemished record for the fourth time in eight years. The 2002, 2003 and 2006 teams were also unbeaten.
“It means a lot to us to be remembered along with the guys who led the way for us in the past 10 years,” said second baseman Tim Lipp, also a member of the 2006 team. “But this is just one check mark on our list of goals.”
“It’s a great accomplishment,” said infielder Austin Wulf, who had two hits against Hopewell. “But we still have a lot more we want to accomplish.”
Blackhawk averaged 17.6 runs per game while collecting five victories in the final six days of the season.
Blackhawk also enters the county playoffs, which begin Monday, with a formidable pitching staff. Ben Rawding has a 5-0 record, while Colin Loughner is 4-0, Mike Sasser is 4-0, Mike Pearson is 2-0 and Tim Denman is 1-0.
Sasser pitched a complete game at Hopewell, allowing Amalia to keep Rawding, Loughner and Pearson fresh for the playoffs.
“Our pitching should be in good shape,” head coach Bob Amalia said. “Nobody’s pitched too many innings.”
Pitching is always confident when the lineup is scoring prolific amounts of runs.
Against Hopewell, the bottom four slots in the order drove in 13 runs.
Catcher Matt Emge, batting sixth, contributed two hits and drove in four runs. Loughner and Paul Kessler drove in three runs from the seventh slot. Denman had two hits and three RBIs in the eighth slot. Kyle Starkey and T.J. Lambert each had two-run singles in the ninth slot.
“This is the most unselfish team,” Lipp said. “Whatever the lineup is for the day, everyone accepts it and does his best for the team.”
“There are never any conflicts,” Wulf said.
Depth and determination will fuel Blackhawk’s postseason run.
“We’re focused on winning a county championship again,” Lipp said. “Maybe in the past couple of years, we started looking ahead to regionals too early. That’s not going to happen this year.”
BLACKHAWK 21, HOPEWELL 4
R H E
Blackhawk 7 3 6 4 1 — 21 14 1
Hopewell 1 0 2 1 0 — 4 7 2
Winner: Sasser ( 5 inns.) 2 strikeouts, 3 walks. Loser: Schwegler (2/3 inn.) 1 strikeout, 5 walks. 2B: Royle (BH), Pearson (BH), Lewis (H). HR: Vogel (H), Rubino (H). 2 or more hits: Wulf (BH) 2, Emge (BH) 2, Denman (BH) 3, Vogel (H) 2
Friday, May 15
COUGARS UPSET IN SEASON FINALI
WPIAL Baseball: Blackhawk bows out
By Bill Utterback, Times Sports Staff
Published: Sunday, May 17, 2009 12:05 AM EDT
ROBINSON TWP. — The final game reflected the journey. It began with electric possibility and ended in anguishing silence.
The Blackhawk Cougars were 17-1 and riding a 13-game winning streak when May 7 dawned, but they lost two of their final three games and were eliminated from the playoffs with an 11-5 loss to Chartiers Valley in a WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal played Friday at Burkett Field.
The Cougars produced six hits in the first two innings and built a 4-0 lead, but managed only two hits over the final five innings.
“Obviously, we weren’t playing our best baseball at the end,” coach Bob Amalia said. “I don’t know why that happens.”
Senior Austin Wulf contributed a double and two singles to lift his final batting average from .491 to .508.
Junior Greg Weatherly ripped a single to move his average to .515. He finished with membership in the unimaginable 30-30-30 club: 39 runs, 34 hits, 33 RBIs.
Senior pitcher Ben Rawding, who pitched a shutout in the playoff opener and was unavailable for Chartiers Valley, finished with a 9-0 record and a 0.43 earned run average.
“These kids set a lot of school records,” Amalia said. “This group of kids might be the greatest group I’ve ever coached. They battled to the end. They were high-fiving each other when we scored in the last inning.”
The Cougars had been to the WPIAL final four and the PIAA playoffs in each of the past two seasons.
Chartiers Valley joined Hopewell and Moon Area to give Section 3-AAA three representatives in the WPIAL final four. Hopewell and Moon meet Tuesday in the semifinals.
“That’s a very good team,” Amalia said. “Once they started hitting, we just couldn’t stop them.”
Matt Royle’s two-run double gave the Cougars a lead in the top of the first inning. Singles by Tim Denman, Kyle Starkey and Wulf pushed the lead to 4-0 in the second inning.
But senior Ken Terpak retired nine consecutive batters through the third, fourth and fifth innings and finished with a complete game victory. His teammates scored in five consecutive innings and accelerated into the semifinals.
“We’re disappointed,” Amalia said. “But we finished at 18-3 and we made the WPIAL quarterfinals for the eighth straight year. It’s been a good season.”
Thursday, May 14
PG West: Blackhawk's Pearson takes his game to another level when a championship is on the line
Thursday, May 14, 2009
By Nicholas Tolomeo, Tri-State Sports & News Service
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Blackhawk High School senior Mike Pearson works to a Hampton batter in a Section 1-AAA game recently at Chippewa Park field.
The WPIAL title game experience that Blackhawk brings with it into each and every postseason is perfectly exemplified by Mike Pearson.
The Cougars headed into the WPIAL postseason with a group of multi-sport athletes who have competed for WPIAL gold at Heinz Field, A.J. Palumbo Center and CONSOL Energy Park.
Pearson watched on from the dugout as a sophomore when Blackhawk lost to West Allegheny, 6-3, in the WPIAL title game two years ago. In 2008 at the Palumbo Center he scored 20 points in a WPIAL title win against Hopewell and this past November at Heinz Field he scored one of two Blackhawk touchdowns in a 34-14 loss to Thomas Jefferson in the Class AAA final.
"That is huge and I always stress that is why I like multi-sport guys," Blackhawk baseball coach Bob Amalia said.
"They have been through the pressure. We have a lot of multi-sport guys and I think it is huge because they know how to handle the pressure in big games."
In these playoffs Pearson hopes to accomplish a rare trifecta -- scoring in three different sports in their respective WPIAL title games. With the regular season Blackhawk put together, it looks as if Pearson will have a good chance to do that. The Cougars went 17-2 overall this year and 11-1 in Section 1-AAA to win the section crown.
"It helps a lot being in all those big games," Pearson said. "We have all been there. Whether it is baseball, basketball or football, we all experienced the playoff atmosphere before. The thing with Blackhawk is that we have so many guys who play different sports. They know what it's like to play in those big games."
That showed Tuesday when Blackhawk edged Elizabeth Forward, 1-0, in a first-round playoff game with Pearson making an outstanding catch in the outfield. The Cougars will play Chartiers Valley, a 3-0 winner against Greensburg Salem, at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Burkett Complex in Robinson.
This season Pearson led the team with a .545 batting average hitting from the cleanup spot. He also drove in 31 runs with 6 doubles and a pair of home runs. Pearson started in center field last season but since Amalia was expecting this 6-foot-1, 185-pound lefty to log plenty of innings pitching this year, he moved him to right field rather than having to switch his center fielder routinely. Greg Weatherly, a junior moved to center field this year in place of Pearson.
On the mound Pearson throws his fastball in the low 80s mph with a solid curve. He went 5-1 this year while striking out 37 over 331/3 innings with an ERA of 3.99.
"He has been a good pitcher his entire career," Amalia said. "He has been a good hitter in his career, too, but this year he has just been outstanding. He had a tremendous year pitching, in the field and hitting. He has just done everything for us."
Pearson has struck out only twice at the plate this year while drawing 14 walks and along with staff ace Ben Rawding, another lefty, has given Amalia the best pitching duo he has had since 2002. The comparison to Amalia's 2002 staff puts Rawding and Pearson in select company as the Cougars had Brian Omogrosso and Shaun Butler on the mound that season. Butler established school records for most strikeouts in a game, in a season and in a career and Omogrosso is with the Chicago White Sox organization at the Class AA level in Birmingham, Ala.
Rawding finished the regular season 8-0 with 66 strikeouts in 42 innings. Only giving up three runs all season he finished with a 0.50 ERA. Junior Colin Loughner gave the Cougars another option on the mound. He pitched 132/3 innings this year without yielding an earned run. He struck out 13 and went 2-0 with two saves.
So far, four Blackhawk players have committed to play baseball in college. Pearson accepted a scholarship to play at St. Peter's College in New Jersey, while Rawding is headed to Mercyhurst. Left fielder Kyle Starkey will play at Allegheny and second basemen Austin Wulf, the owner of four school batting records, is going to Tennessee Tech. Senior outfielder T.J. Lambert has also received college interest but he has not decided on a school yet.
Wulf hit .491 this season with 23 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Lambert hit .396 with 16 RBIs and Starkey hit .353 from the second spot in the lineup.
First published on May 14, 2009 at 12:00 am
Tuesday, May 12
RAWDING, WULF, STARKEY ELIMINATE EF
Baseball: Blackhawk wins pitchers' duel
By Bill Utterback, Times Sports Staff
Published: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:23 AM EDT
ROBINSON TWP. — Sometimes, the most precious dream is a teammate’s dream.
Ben Rawding, Austin Wulf and Mike Pearson worked to extend each other’s senior season as Blackhawk claimed a 1-0 victory over Elizabeth Forward in a WPIAL Class AAA first-round playoff baseball game Tuesday evening at Burkett Field.
Rawding pitched a one-hitter, retiring the final 10 batters in succession as he pushed his record to 9-0. He had nine strikeouts, at least one in each inning. The top four hitters in Elizabeth Forward’s lineup were 0-for-12.
Wulf contributed a run-scoring single with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Pearson made the Cougars’ defensive play of the year when pulled a triple from the night sky above right-center field.
“Coach always says we have to be ready to run through a wall for each other, and that’s what we were doing tonight,” Rawding said. “This was our toughest game.”
Coach Bob Amalia added Kyle Starkey to the list of seniors who shaped the evening. After Greg Weatherly drew a leadoff walked in the six, Starkey provided the sacrifice bunt that moved Weatherly into scoring position.
“Everybody’s going to remember Austin’s hit, but Kyle’s bunt set everything up,” Amalia said.
Rawding nearly pitched a no-hitter. With two outs in the fourth inning, EF catcher Buddy Wilson lobbed a soft shot down the right field line. Wulf, playing second base, nearly gloved it at the end of a long, back-to-the-infield sprint.
“I should have had it,” Wulf said. “I wanted it for Benny. He was pitching a wonderful game and he deserved it. He’s a great pitcher and he’s going places.”
In the fifth inning, Louis Simon of EF lasered a shot into the right-center field gap. Pearson, a prolific wide receiver, made an over-the-shoulder catch.
“I lost it in the lights,” Pearson said. “But I wanted to get it for Ben. He’s come through for us all year, and I wanted to come through for him tonight. “
The catch was rooted in his football experience.
“The ball’s a little smaller, but it was a little bit like making a Hail Mary catch at the end of the game.”
Thursday, May 7
Walks Win for Bridgers
An unprecedented 11 walks for Blackhawk (17-2) was the ruination of a perfect section record (11-1) as the Bridger’s beat the Cougars 9-7. Eight of the eleven walks eventually scored for Ambridge. In the bottom of the sixth the Bridger’s scored four runs with two outs and no one, using walks and an outfield single. Greg Weatherly lead off the game with a towering homerun at Ambridge and added a double. Mike Pearson also had two hits and drove home a run in the fourth inning. Colin Loughner tripled home three runs. Kyle Starkey singled in the seventh at Park Field although the meat of the Cougar line-up couldn’t bring him home.
|
Team
|
Conf.
Record |
Conf. % |
Overall
Record |
Overall % |
| Blackhawk |
11-1 |
0.917 |
17-2 |
0.895 |
| Ambridge |
9-3 |
0.750 |
11-7 |
0.611 |
| Hampton |
6-6 |
0.500 |
8-9 |
0.471 |
| New Castle |
6-6 |
0.500 |
8-9 |
0.471 |
| Knoch |
6-6 |
0.500 |
7-11 |
0.389 |
| Highlands |
2-10 |
0.167 |
4-14 |
0.222 |
| Mars |
2-10 |
0.167 |
4-15 |
0.211 |
| Final Section 1 -AAA |
Tuesday, May 5
RAWDING, WEATHERLY, WULF, KO KNOCH
Ben Rawding (8-0) struck out eleven batters, walked one, and threw a one-hit shutout as the Cougars frustrated Knoch by the score of 5-0. In 42 innings this season, Rawding has now allowed only three runs (.50 ERA) and struck out 66. In the last 21 innings Rawding has allowed only two hits!
Greg Weatherly had two hits including the game winner in the fourth. Mike Pearson (also doubled), Austin Wulf, and Colin Loughner also had two hits each. Timmy Denman, Kyle Starkey, and T.J. Lambert added hits. Paul Kessler and Starkey added sacrifices bunts that lead to runs. Matt Royle reached base twice. Wulf and Weatherly added stolen bases.
Pearson, Wulf, and Royle added web Gems. Coach Boyer called his tenth shutout of the season! Coach Basile got scolded. Ben Rawding was the Silver Athlete of the week for the Beaver County Times. Coach Sean Conley signed with an Illinois Independent League team!
The parents had a Pizza Party honoring the seniors and team-YUMMY! The team takes on the Bridger’s of Ambridge at May Field tomorrow weather permitting.
Monday, May 4
WEATHERLY, LOUGHNER, WULF, CLINCH SECTION VS.HAMPTON
As Reported by the Beaver Valley Times:
Blackhawk 12, Hampton 5: Colin Loughner pitched 4 1/3 innings in relief, allowing one hit and no runs, as the Cougars secured unencumbered possession of the Section 1-AAA championship. Greg Weatherly hit a three-run home run and moved his average to .509, while Austin Wulf used three hits to move his average to .521.
Notes: T. J. Lambert also had three hits.
Mike Pearson, Weather,Loughner (including a double), and Paul Kessler had two hits each.
Loughner struck out five while walking only one.
Derek Kurkiwitz, and Ryan Hoey scored runs.
Tim Denman reached base twice and added two Web Gems as did Matt Royle.
David Janicki, Wulf, and Kessler added Web Gems.
The Cougars had 16 hits .
Wednesday, April 29
RAWDING, WULF, PEARSON, ROYLE ,MASH MARS
Scholastic Highlights: Another no-hitter for Blackhawk
| As Reported by the Beaver County Times |
| |
By Staff reports
Published: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 11:57 PM EDT
Saturday, Mike Pearson pitched the fifth no-hitter in Blackhawk High School history. That number didn’t last long as senior Ben Rawding matched that feat, pitching a no-hitter Wednesday against Mars, 7-0.
In 35 innings this season, Rawding has now allowed three runs and struck out 55.
Pearson provided some of the offense to back up Rawding’s pitching as he stroked a two-run homer in Blackhawk’s five-run fifth inning. Austin Wulf also had a two-run double in the fifth as Blackhawk stayed unbeaten in Section 1-AAA.
Notes:
Matt Royle had two hits,reached base three times and made two web gems!
Greg Weatherly also reached base three times.T.J Lambert and Colin Loughner twice.
Paul Kessler caught his second no-hitter of the season. Kessler also had two sacrifice bunts and hit a 375 foot flyout.
Kyle Starky also had two Web Gems and a bunt basehit.
Timmy Denman also added two hits.
Coach Boyer called his second no-hitter and his ninth shutout of the season!
Coach Amalia called Pearson's ten pitch at-bat out vital to the game as Austin Wulf stole second,and went to third on a wild pitch.
Ranked by the Post Gazzette in Class AAA at No. 2, Blackhawk is 15-1 and 9-0 in Section 1 play.
The Cougars takes on Knoch today, hoping to clinch the Section 1 Title, at Park Field weather permitting.
Monday, April 27
Loughner, Lambert Weatherly, Denman, HAMMER HIGHLANDS
Blackhawk 17, Highlands 0 Greg Weatherly had three RBIs and T.J. Lambert added three hits as the Cougars beat Highlands by the 15 run Rule in three innings. Both Weatherly and Lambert added doubles. Colin Loughner, Tim Denman and T.J. Lambert had two hit in the third, when the Cougars sent 20 batters to the plate. Denman also started off the scoring with a sacrifice bunt that lead to two runs in the second inning. Loughner allowed one base runner, a single in the first inning, and needed only 32 pitches for his first complete game. Matt Royal, Austin Wulf, Mike Pearson, Kyle Starkey, and Paul Kessler added to the 15 hit attack. Derek Kurkiewicz, David Janicki, Matt Emge added web gems. Zack Peck and Ryan Hoey scored runs. Blackhawk travels to mars this Wednesday for a 3:45 game. The Cougars are now 14-1, (8-0 Section 1-AAA) and clinched its eighth consecutive playoff appearance.
Saturday, April 25
Pearson tosses no-hitter / as reported by the Beaver County Times
By Staff Reports Beaver County Times
Published: Sunday, April 26, 2009 12:21 AM EDT
Mike Pearson, who has scored in WPIAL basketball and football championship games in the past 14 months, is leaving an indelible impression on Blackhawk’s baseball history, too.
Pearson, a senior, pitched the fifth no-hitter in program history as the Cougars defeated New Castle 16-0 in a game stopped after four innings by the 15-run rule. He also hit two doubles as Blackhawk moved to 12-1 overall, 7-1 in Section 1-AAA.
“He was impressive,” Blackhawk coach Bob Amalia said.
Pearson, now 5-0, was supported by second baseman Austin Wulf, who gloved a slow roller and, without using his throwing hand, flipped the ball to Dave Janicki at first to prevent an infield hit in the last inning.
Greg Weatherly used a double and a triple to drive in four runs. Over three games, he has reached base in 10 consecutive at bats. He has scored eight runs in the past two games. Wulf has driven in seven runs in the past two games.
NOTES: Weatherly, Wulf, Pearson, Paul Kessler, and T.J Lambert had two hits each. Kessler added a double each.
Kessler caught Pearson's No-Hitter. It was Coach Boyer's second no-hitter calling pitches.
Janicki, Colin Loughner, Matt Royal,and Derek Kurkiwietz scored two runs each. Loughner and Royal added RBIs. Kyle Starkey and Paul Kessler added a sacrifice bunt and an RBI each.
The JV squad also no-hit the JV team from New Castle 2-0. Brett Alberti pitched the first five innings for the win and Mike Sasser pitched the last two innings for the save. Coach Wolber called the pitches. Matt Emge was the catcher. Zach Peck, Emge, Ryan Thelemen, Nico Pappan, Garrett Swanson,Ryan Shoop, and Ryan Hoey had web jems for the team. Coach Wolber got 19 players into the game.
The team plays at Highlands Monday 4:00.
Thursday, April 23
COUGAR WIN OVER BRIDGERS as reported by the Beaver Valley Times
Blackhawk outshines Ambridge, former player
By Bill Utterback, Times Sports Staff
Published: Friday, April 24, 2009 12:17 AM EDT
CHIPPEWA TWP. — The view from the visiting dugout at Chippewa Park was disorienting for Scott McGee, who invested years in Blackhawk’s baseball program before accepting responsibility for Ambridge’s future.
The Blackhawk kids, whose maturity McGee encouraged as a varsity and American Legion assistant, surged.
His Ambridge kids, for a day, struggled.
“There was a lot of emotion out here today,” McGee, the Bridgers’ first-year head coach, said.
Seniors Mike Pearson and Austin Wulf drove in seven runs, and senior pitcher Ben Rawding allowed one hit over six innings as Blackhawk claimed a 10-2 win Thursday in a game twice postponed earlier this week.
The Cougars, with an eight-game winning streak, is 12-1 overall, 6-0 in Section 1-AA.
The Bridgers, 1-11 in section games a year ago, entered the day with a chance to claim a share of first place. Instead, they slid to 6-6 overall, 4-2 in the section.
The Cougar celebration was muted.
“It’s been a tough day,” Blackhawk coach Bob Amalia said. “Scott was with us for so long. It’s hard to see him on the other side.”
“It’s different,” Pearson said. “He was my JV coach, and helped us with the varsity and the Legion teams.”
Rawding was nearly untouchable, allowing only a two-run, two-strike, two-out single to Joe Savage in the fourth inning.
“He didn’t have his best stuff, but he knows how to get through,” Amalia said.
The top of Blackhawk’s order — Greg Weatherly, Kyle Starkey, Wulf and Pearson — was unrelenting, accounting for eight hits, nine RBIs, seven runs and two sacrifice bunts.
Weatherly reached base four times, with two hits and two walks, and scored four runs. Kyle Starkey provided two sacrifice bunts and a two-run single. Wulf contributed a two-run single and an RBI double, and Pearson hit a two-run homer and a run-scoring single.
Notes:
Colin Loughner pitched another scoreless inning.
Tim Denman had an RBI single.
Loughner, Matt Royal, Denman, and catcher Paul Kessler reached base twice.
Kessler also added a sacrifice bunt.
Austin Wulf added a stolen base.
Derek Kurkiewicz and David Janecki made an appearance.
The bench made another special effort!
The team is at New Castle Saturday at 3:00 P.M.
Tuesday, April 21
Do You Remember Scott McGough?!
When Scott McGough played shortstop at Plum, he made even the toughest, one-hop grounders look easy.
His transition to Division I college baseball seems just as effortless. Just ask McGough.
"Honestly, it hasn't been that hard at all," said McGough, who is getting into games as a freshman for the Oregon Ducks. "I thought I'd be home sick being so far away from home, but I haven't."....
Saturday, April 18
BACZEK, STARKEY, WEATHERLY, SCALP MOHAWK
Jake Baczek (1-0) struck out six batters for his first varsity win and Kyle Starkey pitched two scoreless innings of relief as the Cougars beat Mohawk 5-4. With Blackhawk down 4-2 in the fifth, Greg Weatherly hit a three-run homer. Matt Royal, Colin Loughner, Tim Denman, T.J Lambert, Paul Kessler, Matt Emge and Austin Wulf also had key plate appearances for Blackhawk in the exhibition win (11-1 overall). Mike Pearson and Weatherly doubled, both had multiple hits. Blackhawk is currently ranked fourth in the WPIAL AAA by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and third by the Tribune Review and NSN Sports.
Friday, April 17
Cougars show GUTs in Hampton Win
(As Reported by the Beaver County Times)
Paul Kessler’s two-out, run-scoring single in the bottomn of the fifth broke a 5-5 tie and shoved Blackhawk toward a 6-5 victory over Hampton Friday. Matt Royle’s leadoff single and T.J. Lambert’s bunt created opportunity for Kessler. Greg Weatherly hit a home run.
Colin Loughner pitched the final two innings without allowing a hit or a run, earning his second save as the Cougars moved to 10-1 overall, 5-0 in Section 1-AAA.
Note: Mike Pearson (3-0) got the win on three days rest.
Matt Royal Doubled.
Royal, Weatherly, and Kessler had mutiple hits.
Thursday, April 16
Cougars Beat Knoch as Reported in Beaver Valley Times
Blackhawk 16, Knoch 1.
In an easy romp in Section 1-AAA, Ben Rawding continued his pitching mastery with no less than five pro scouts watching. Even though he did allow a run for the first time this season, the senior left-hander improved to 5-0 and has now struck out 43 batters in 22 innings.
Greg Weatherly knocked in four runs for Blackhawk (9-1, 4-0) while Matt Royle was one of three other Cougars with three RBIs. Royle’s RBIs came on a three-run homer in a seven-run third-inning outburst.
Note:2B Matt Royal, Kyle Starkey./ 3B: Mike Pearson / Home Runs: Matt Royal.
Two or more Hits:Matt Royal, Mike Pearson,Greg Weatherly.
Monday, April 13
PEARSON, KESSLER, WULF, CAPTURE PLANETS
Mike Pearson struck out six while walk one batter, and scattered three hits in five innings of shutout baseball as the Cougars mercy ruled Mars 10-0. Pearson also had an RBI single in the fourth inning. Catcher Paul Kessler blasted a two out three run homer. Kessler and Pearson also reached base via base on balls. Austin Wulf had two -RBI doubles and a stolen base. Matt Royal, T.J. Lambert and Tim Denman also had RBI singles. Denman also added a stolen base. Colin Loughner had a two run single. Garret Swanson scored his first varsity run. Greg Weatherly also scored as did Derek Kurkiewicz. Kyle Starkey also added to the hit parade. Congratulations to Kyle who will continue his baseball career at Allegheny College in Meadville. The Cougars (3-0 /8-1) take on Knoch (2-1 Overall: 3-6) Wednesday at Pullman Park 4:00.
Saturday, April 11
STARKEY, WEATHERLY, EMGE, NIP NEW BRIGHTON
Senior lefthander Kyle Starkey pitched 4 1/3 inning with out giving up an earned-run as Blackhawk (7-1) edged New Brighton (2-0 Overall: 4-5) by the score of 6-5. Starkey (1-1) struck out two and walked two before giving way to Colin Loughner who earned his second save of the season. In the sixth inning with two outs-no one on-and the score tied 4-4, freshmen catcher Matt Emge hit his second single of the game. Senior Paul Kessler walked moving courtesy runner Ryan Hoey to second base. Junior Greg Weatherly doubled in both runners as Kessler raced around scoring from first base. Kessler and Emge both reached base three times. Timmy Denman made his first varsity start on the bump and pitched well. Right Fielder Mike Pearson made two magical catches in the exhibition game. Congratulations to Ben Rawding for making the Post Gazette WPIAL All- Section team in basketball. The team resumes Section AAA 1 play when they takes on the Planets of Mars (0-2 Overall: 2-5), Monday 4:00 at Park Field.
Wednesday, April 8
JUNIORS JUMP START COMEBACK
Juniors Greg Weatherly and Colin Loughner had 4 RBIs each as Blackhawk stormed back from a 6-0 deficit to mercy rule Highlands by the score of 16-6 in six innings. Loughner hit a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning to break the shutout, and later in the fourth, Greg hit a two-out, three-run home run over the left field trees to bring the Cougars within one run of the Rams.
Colin gave the Cougars the lead for good in the fifth inning with another two-run double. Loughner and Weatherly each drove in four runs and knocked in or scored 11 of Blackhawks 16 unanswered runs. Loughner also pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth inning.
Timmy Denman had three hits and a clutch play at third base to keep Blackhawk in the game. Junior letter winner Derek Kurkiewicz made his first start of the season at third base. Juniors Ryan Hoey and Chuck Lipp scored runs, although Lipp was injured while sliding into to second base.
Seniors Matt Royal had three hits and three RBIs. Mike Pearson added two hits and three RBIs. Paul Kessler and T. J. Lambert added two hits. Kyle Starkey and David Janicki also reached base.
Ben Rawding pitched two more scoreless innings to record his fourth win of the season. Rawding also had his first two varsity at bats! For the season Ben has struck out 34, walked four, allowed only eight hits and has given up ZERO runs in 18 innings of pitching! Rawding credits the bench coach “for not screwing him up too much” during his final Colt season.
The Cougars (6-1, 2-0) take on New Brighton this Saturday at 11:00 AM at Park Field. Players are to report at 9:30. The Lions pushed their record to 2-0 in Section 2-AA, and share first place with Freedom.
Saturday, April 4
RAWDING, LAMBERT, ROYLE, WULF, NUKE NEW CASTLE
Blackhawk, the No. 3 team in the Tribune Review Class AAA rankings, won its Section 1 opener (15-0 in 4 innings) on the strength of Ben Rawding's two-hit shutout. Rawding has struck out 30, walked three, allowed only seven hits and has given up ZERO runs in 16 innings of work. “He is big time and obviously one of the best we have had.” said assistant coach Joe Boyer when asked about calling pitches on Rawding’s scoreless inning streak. Rawding (3-0) credits the team defense that made its first error in six games. Ben said the catching of Paul Kessler has added much to his success.
Colin Loughner, Austin Wulf, Matt Royle, doubled and T.J. Lamert had two singles, walked twice and drove in three runs for Blackhawk (5-1, 1-0). All four had two hits and Royal and Wulf knocked in two runs as did centerfielder Greg Weatherly. Kessler added TWO sacrifices and an RBI. Mike Pearson, Tim Denman, and Kyle Starkey added to the hit parade.
Coach Amalia (120-61) said after the game, “I Kind of wished it would have lasted longer to reward the outstanding work of the bench!” This includes: Robbie Kurkiewicz, Chucky Lipp, Zak Peck, Jake Basic, Ray Hoey, Garrett Swanson, and Matt Emge. All were warming up to go in until Hoey scored the game ending run. Coach Basile also praised the bench including the defensive effort of David Janicki. Basile said, “If it wasn’t for the efforts of the team, fathers, Tony, and tarp we would have never gotten on the field. I think I am going down the line and kiss the tarp.”
Congratulations to JV Coaches Sean Conley and Kip Riehel for making their first varsity appearance stepping in for Coach Wolber who was away on Military Duty. Also congratulations go to Michael Pearson and Ben Rawding for making the All- Section Team in basketball. New Castle fell to 2-3, 0-1. Blackhawk has outscored its opponents 64 to 10. The Cougars play at Highlands (2-3) this Wednesday at 4:00.
http://www.post-gazette.com/highschoolsports/stats/roster.asp?TeamID={DBEA343D-18F8-11D5-A781-003048215596}&TeamTypeID=2&seasonid=10
Sunday, April 5
PG SOUTH ARTICLE & Trib Ranking
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09092/959794-363.stm
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/highschool/s_619314.html
Wednesday, April 1
Juniors Shine In Loss to Hopewell
Junior Greg Weatherly reached base in all four plate appearances, contributed three hits, including a two-strike, bases-loaded triple in the second inning although it wasn’t enough as the Cougars (4-1) dropped a 9-8 decisions to the Vikings (5-0). Junior Colin Loughner used a two-run double to give Blackhawk a 6-4 lead in the fourth inning. Loughner also added a single and was intentionally walk. Colin also pitched a scoreless sixth inning. Austin Wulf added a run-scoring double in the fourth inning. Junior Chuck Lipp started his first game of the season and had a nice defensive effort. In the last inning Matt Royal doubled and Loughner was intentional walk. Jake Delmonico and Ray Hoey came into the game as pinch runners, although the Cougars could not get them (tying and winning runs) home.
The Cougars open the Section 1 play at Park Field this Friday against rival New Castle (2-2).
Tuesday, March 31
PEARSON,WEATHERLY, ROYAL, TRAP BOBCATS
Michael Pearson threw a two-hitter and struck out five batters in route to his second win of the season as the Blackhawk Cougars (4-0) Mercy-Ruled the Beaver Bob Cats by a score of 11-1. Pearson has struck out 11 batters, allowed only one run, and allowed only three hits in ten innings of work. Junior Lead-off man Greg Weather added three hits, including a two-out, two run single to end the game. Weatherly also scored three runs and added four RBIs. Junior Chucky Lipp came back from injury to score two runs as did Derek Kurkiewicz. Ryan Hoey score a run for his third straight game. Timmy Denman and Matt Royal added RBI doubles. Austin Wulf had an RBI single as did Kyle Starkey, Paul Kessler, and Colin Loughner. Royal, Wulf, Denman, and David Janicki played solid and steady defense as Blackhawk played there fourth error free game of the season. Shortstop Royal made a magical play in the hole, one of the best Coach Basile has seen in his 29 years of coaching Scholastic Baseball. Blackhawk has outscored its opponents,41-1. The Cougars open the Section 1 season at Park Field this Friday against rival New Castle (2-2).
Saturday, March 28
SENIORS SHAKE SHENANGO
Ben Rawding has thrown 11 shut-out innings this spring including five Saturday in an 11-0 drubbing of Shenango. Rawding has stuck out 21 batters in these eleven innings. Ben retired the last 15 batters. Austin Wulf doubled in three runs and Colin Loughner tripled in three runs. Greg Weatherly and T.J. Lambert also doubled. Wulf, Loughner, and Lambert had multiple hit games as did senior outfielders Kyle Starkey and Mike Pearson. Matt Royal, Tim Denman, and Paul Kessler also added to the eleven-hit hit parade. Juniors Derek Kurkiewicz and Ryan Hoey scored another run. Freshmen catcher Matt Emge grounded out in his first varsity plate appearance. Blackhawk (3-0) has not made an error this season. The Cougars take on Beaver this Tuesday 4:00 at Park Field.
Tuesday, March 24
PEARSON, STARKEY, LAMBERT, LAMBASTE LANGLEY
Mike Pearson pitched a one-hitter over five innings added two hits and doubled in three runs for the Cougars (2-0). Kyle Starkey also added two hits, two RBIs, scored two runs and doubled. T.J. Lambert also doubled in two runs and had three RBIs. Juniors Timmy Denman and Colin Loughner also doubled as did senior catcher Paul Kessler. Catcher Matt Emge became the first freshmen to make a varsity appearance in the Amalia era as he caught the last inning. Senior Jake Delmonico stole his first base and scored his first varsity run. Junior letterman Derek Kurkiewicz made a web gem at third base to preserve Pearson’s one-hitter as did senior infielders Austin Wulf (2B), Matt Royal (SS), and third basemen David Janicki. The Cougars had their second error free game. Junior Ryan Hoey made his first varsity appearance as a pinch runner in the fifth as did letterman Chucky Lipp. Zach Peck and Logan Gruber dressed their first varsity game and contributed from the bench. Senior leaders Jake Baczek and Ben Rawding captained the bench for the team. Blackhawk plays at Beaver Falls Thursday at 4:00.
Saturday, March 21
Rawding, Loughner, Pearson, Belt Butler
Ben Rawding struck out 12 batters in six innings of work, and Mike Pearson’s three RBIs led Blackhawk’s offense in its season-opening win over Butler 9-0. Colin Loughner, making his first varsity start, added a pair of RBIs and pitched a scoreless seventh inning. Seniors Kyle Starkey and shortstop Matt Royal added two hits each. Austin Wulf reached base three times, scored two runs, and added a stolen base. Dave Janicki, Tim Denman, and T.J. Lambert made there first varsity starts. Janicki and Denman added an RBI, Denman and Lambert had their first varsity hits. Jake Delmonico made his first varsity appearance and junior letterman Derek Kurkiewicz scored a run. The Cougars had 11 hits and did not commit an error. The team plays Langley High at Park Field Monday 4:00.
Thursday, April 23
BLACKHAWK HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
3/20 VS Butler Area Senior
3/23 VS LANGLEY
3/26 AT **Postponed - Beaver Falls
3/28 VS Shenango
3/31 VS Beaver Area
4/1 AT Hopewell Senior
4/3 VS **Postponed - New Castle Senior
4/4 VS New Castle Senior
4/8 VS Highlands Senior
4/11 VS New Brighton Area
4/13 VS Mars Area Senior
4/15 AT **Postponed - Knoch
4/16 AT Knoch
4/17 VS Hampton
4/18 VS Mohawk Junior/Senior
4/20 AT **Postponed - Ambridge Area
4/21 AT **Postponed - Ambridge Area
4/22 AT **Postponed - New Castle Senior
4/23 VS Ambridge Area 4:00PM
4/25 VS **Cancelled - Hopewell Senior 11:00AM
4/25 AT New Castle Senior 12:00PM
4/27 AT Highlands Senior 4:00PM
4/29 AT Mars Area Senior 3:45PM
4/30 VS Knoch 4:00PM
5/4 AT Hampton 3:45PM
5/6 VS Ambridge Area 4:00PM
Monday, March 2
JUNIOR VARSITY SCHEDULE
3/20 VS Butler Area Senior 4:00PM
3/23 VS Beaver Area 4:00PM
3/26 VS Beaver Falls 4:00PM
3/28 VS Shenango 11:00AM
4/1 VS Hopewell Senior 4:00PM
4/3 VS New Castle Senior 4:00PM
4/11 VS New Brighton Area 10:00AM
4/13 VS Mars Area Senior 4:00PM
4/15 VS Knoch 4:00PM
4/17 AT Hampton 3:45PM
4/18 VS Mohawk Junior/Senior 11:00AM
4/20 VS Ambridge Area 4:00PM
4/22 AT New Castle Senior 4:00PM
4/25 AT Hopewell Senior 10:00AM
4/29 AT Mars Area Senior 3:45PM
4/30 VS Knoch 4:00PM
5/4 VS Hampton 4:00PM
5/6 AT Ambridge Area 4:00PM
Monday, March 2
FRESHMAN BASEBALL SCHEDULE
3/20 VS Butler Area Senior 4:00PM
3/23 VS Beaver Area 4:00PM
3/26 VS Beaver Falls 4:00PM
3/30 VS North Hills Senior 4:00PM
4/1 AT North Allegheny Senior 4:00PM
4/3 VS New Castle Senior 4:00PM
4/13 VS Mars Area Senior 4:00PM
4/17 VS North Allegheny Senior 4:00PM
4/22 AT New Castle Senior 4:00PM
4/25 VS Hopewell Senior 11:00AM
4/27 VS North Hills Senior 4:00PM
4/29 AT Mars Area Senior 3:45PM
Friday, February 6
Wulf Earn National Recognition
Wulf, Adams earn national recognition
By Staff Reports
Published: Thursday, February 5, 2009 12:10 AM EST
WULF: ALL AMERICAN
The most cherished prizes are secured at the end of the scholastic baseball season, but February provides a few rewards, too.
Austin Wulf, a senior at Blackhawk, has been named to the Louisville Sluggger preseason all-America high school baseball team, selected and published by College Baseball magazine.
Wulf, who has made an NCAA Division I commitment to Tennessee Tech, was a first-team selection as a second baseman. As a junior, he batted .533 with 18 extra-base hits and 23 RBIs in 22 games. He had a 22-game hitting streak and once hit for the cycle.
Seven players from the area made the “players to watch” in Pennsylvania roster, also published by College Baseball: Blackhawk’s Ben Rawding (P) and Mike Pearson (P/OF), Hopewell Dylan Schwegler (P/OF) and Max Vogel (P/OF), Rochester’s J.C. Figueiredo (P), Center’s Cory Wagner (P/OF) and Moon Area’s Phil Bondi (P/SS).
ADAMS: FIFTH IN NATION
Ashley Adams, a senior at Freedom and the reigning WPIAL AA champion, is ranked fifth in the nation in the shot put, according to the Dyestat Elite 100 ranking of the top scholastic performances in the 2008-2009 indoor track season.
Adams produced a throw of 45 feet, 9 inches at a Tri-State Coaches meet on Jan. 24. It was the top throw by a Pennsylvania athlete
Friday, February 6
Blackhawk Baseball's College Triple Play
Blackhawk baseball's college triple play
By Bill Utterback, Times Sports Staff
Published: Thursday, November 20, 2008 12:37 AM EST
Mike Pearson and Austin Wulf are focused on their championship football opportunity this weekend, and Ben Rawding has joined the championship basketball team’s practices, but the Blackhawk seniors have committed their futures to baseball.
Pearson, a senior pitcher, has accepted a scholarship from St. Peters College, an NCAA Division I program that competes alongside Iona, Sienna, Marist, Manhattan and other schools in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Wulf, a senior infielder, has accepted a scholarship from Tennessee Tech, an NCAA Division I program that competes alongside Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois, Samford and the schools of the Ohio Valley Conference.
Rawding, a senior pitcher, has accepted a scholarship from Mercyhurst College, an NCAA Division II program in Erie. He drew interest from several Division I programs, including Duquesne, Tennessee Tech and Gardner-Webb.
“Ben drew as much (Division I) interest as anybody, but he really liked Mercyhurst,” Blackhawk baseball coach Bob Amalia said. “He got a great offer and it’s a very good program.”
“It just seemed like a good fit for me,” Rawding said.
Wulf and Pearson will compete with Blackhawk’s football team in the WPIAL Class AAA championship game against Thomas Jefferson Saturday at Heinz Field.
Pearson, who has caught touchdown passes in each of Blackhawk’s three playoff victories, accepted his baseball opportunity after visiting the Jersey City, N.J., campus.
“I liked the school, I liked the program, and the offer was better than anything I expected,” he said. “I was happy with everything.”
Pearson is a power-hitting outfielder who emerged as a prime-time pitcher during his junior year. He had a 2-2 record with Blackhawk’s varsity and a 6-1 record with Blackhawk’s American Legion team.
“I’ve always wanted the opportunity to pitch in college, so to have a Division I opportunity is really exciting for me,” he said.
Wulf batted .533 for the varsity and .418 for the Legion team. He had a 36-game hitting streak that spanned both seasons. He will join former Blackhawk teammate Adam Liberatore at Tennessee Tech.
“It’s a program on the rise,” Wulf said. “The coach (Matt Bragga) has been there five years. He won 18 games in his first year and 35 games this past year. They beat the University of Tennessee and were competitive with Vanderbilt. So it’s a program that’s going places.”
Wulf, who has caught seven passes and scored aTD in three playoff games, plays second base at Blackhawk, but his versatility and his bat drew the opportunity at Tennesse Tech.
“They said I will have an opportunity to play left field as a freshman.”
Rawding was 4-0 with the varsity and 5-1 with the Legion team. He will join former Blackhawk teammate Craig Denman at Mercyhurst.
Since 2000, Blackhawk baseball players have earned 23 scholarships, 12 at the Division I level.
But baseball is not batting leadoff among the priorities of Pearson and Wulf this week.
“Baseball is my first love, but I love playing football, too,“ Wulf said. “We’re having a great week of practice and preparation and we’re looking forward to playing again this weekend.”
“Everybody’s focus is on football now,” Pearson said.
Wednesday, June 4
TIMES REPORT OF SEASON ENDING
PIAA Baseball: Blackhawk looks to future
By Bill Utterback, Times Sports Staff
Published: Tuesday, June 3, 2008 12:38 AM EDT
SLIPPERY ROCK — Bob Amalia embraced the past and looked with encouragement toward the future after Blackhawk’s baseball season reached an electric but uncomfortable conclusion.
Juniors Kyle Starkey and Austin Wulf hit singles, and junior Paul Kessler reached safely after an error, as the Cougars loaded the bases with one out in their last at bat.
“At the end of the game, we had seven underclassmen in the lineup,” Amalia said.
The drama accelerated when sophomore designated hitter Greg Weatherly was hit in the calf with a curveball and trotted toward first base. Starkey started toward home.
But the home plate umpire recalled Weatherly, insisting his effort to avoid the pitch was less than satisfactory.
The rally, and the game, ended with consecutive air balls, and Hickory claimed a 6-2 victory over the Cougars in a PIAA Class AAA first-round game Monday at Slippery Rock University.
“We made it to the state playoffs for the third time in five years. There were only 16 AAA teams playing today. It was a good accomplishment to get here, but that doesn’t help much right now,” Amalia said. “It hurts.”
Wulf ripped a double and a single and extended his school-record hitting streak to 22 games. It began last season and will extend into next season’s opening game.
Starkey finished with three hits in three at bats.
The Cougars took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third when Wulf doubled and, with two outs, Tim Lipp followed with a run-scoring double through the right-center field gap. Ryan Verlihay followed with a run-scoring single.
Nick McCowin carried a two-hit shutout into the fifth inning, when a double, a walk and a bunt single loaded the bases.
Hickory catcher David Shafer hit the first pitch in his at bat over the left-field fence. His grand slam sparked a six-run rally.
“One bad inning, one hit, was the difference,” Amalia said.
Hickory reliever Tyler Armstrong retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced, then survived the Cougars’ uprising in the final inning.
In the moment following the loss, Amalia embraced departing seniors Garrett Sieger and Ryan Verlihay.
Lipp, Verlihay, outfielder Tyler Nalesnik, Sieger and McCowin graduate, as well as classmates Cam Davies, Steve Liberty, Sean Deafenbaugh and Matt Harkins.
“They’ve given a lot of leadership,” Amalia said. “Our success is a credit to them, to the ones who played and to the ones who were leaders in the dugout.”
HICKORY 6, BLACKHAWK 2
R H E
Blackhawk 0 0 2 0 0 0 0—-2 7 1
Hickory 0 0 0 0 6 0 X—6 7 1
Winner: Armstrong (4 inns.) 1 stgrikeout, 0 walks. Loser: McCowin (4 1/3 inns.) 5 strikeouts, 4 walks. 2B: Wulf (B), Lipp (B), Saluga (H) Shafer (H). HR: Shafer (H). 2 or more hits: Starkey (B) 3, Wulf (B) 2, Shafer (B) 2, Saluga (B) 2.
Thursday, March 27
PG WEST Article on 2008 Team
PG West: As usual, Blackhawk figures to be a contender for WPIAL baseball honors
Thursday, March 27, 2008
By Rich Emert, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Coach Bob Amalia is usually cautiously optimistic when talking about the Blackhawk High School baseball team at this time of year.
That's because the Cougars haven't been outdoors much and Amalia learned a long time ago there is a big difference between players looking good in the gym and doing well in the great outdoors.
Still, there was a hint of excitement in Amalia's voice. That could mean trouble for the other teams in WPIAL Section 1-AAA in particular and Class AAA in general.
Blackhawk came on strong the second half of last season and went to the.........
Friday, July 14
2006 Album
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Thursday, May 24
Read NC News Account of the Game and view Photos Album
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Also go to the Album section of this web site to view more pictures.
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