Burrell baseball looks to continue consistency
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Sunday, March 11, 2018 | 6:39 PM
Burrell baseball has been a model of consistency under Mark Spohn, making the playoffs in 18 of his 19 years at the helm.
And while making the playoffs is fun, getting a postseason win last season for the first time in six years was a satisfying and positive step for the program.
The Bucs topped New Brighton, 2-1, in the first round before losing to eventual WPIAL champion Riverside in the quarterfinals.
With several key members returning and some younger players ready to fill in for those who graduated, Burrell is ready to go.
“Every year, the coaching staff does a good job preparing us for our section,” said senior pitcher/third baseman Jake Okopal. “It's fun. We always have a good time, and I have to give our coaching staff a lot of credit. They know how to get us to the playoffs, and they continuously do it year after year.”
The Bucs will have to replace seniors Nick Kaminski, Dean Edwards, Bobby Wenger and Max Garda. Edwards was the team's ace the last two seasons.
“It's going to be tough to replace (Edwards), but we'll see what happens,” Spohn said. “We got some younger guys who could be OK.”
Junior Luke Virag will see a lot of time on the mound along with Okopal and sophomore left-handers Zach Miller and Tanner Spohn. Virag is coming off a sophomore season in which he posted a 1.75 ERA in nine appearances.
“One thing about Luke is he's very dedicated to baseball,” Okopal said. “In the offseason, he trains consistently. He lives for baseball, and I admire the amount of work he puts in. It shows when he plays because he's one heck of a ballplayer.”
Okopal, Corey Christie, Nick Hwostow, and Drew Cambal are seniors who are a part of a balanced lineup.
Juniors Mashall McKallip and Virag and sophomores Miller and Tanner Spohn also are expected to produce.
Having a good mix of younger players to go with seniors is not new for Burrell, and it's part of why the team continues to compete at a high level.
“When we were underclassmen, we had a very good group above us, and they showed us what Burrell baseball is all about,” Okopal said. “My buddies who are seniors and I are looking to do the same thing with our underclassmen. They look promising, and I'm sure they'll continue the success in years to come.”
Burrell placed second behind Steel Valley in Section 1-3A last year. Shady Side Academy, Valley, East Allegheny and South Allegheny also reside in the section.
“It's going to be a really good section,” Spohn said. “Shady Side Academy didn't really lose anybody. Steel Valley only lost a handful of players, and they had a bunch of very good sophomores last season. Valley will be pretty good. South Allegheny has a good pitcher coming back, and I don't really know too much about East Allegheny.”
Burrell has a difficult nonsection schedule that includes Freeport, South Fayette, Greensburg Central Catholic, Gateway and Armstrong.
Jerin Steele is a freelance writer.
Tags: Burrell
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