New coach putting Geibel through paces
CONNELLSVILLE – If enthusiasm and optimism were the only ingredients needed to win baseball games, Geibel would already have a big running start against their opposition. New coach John Leonard has a very enthusiastic and optimistic group of Gators working out every day at the field adjacent to the high school, getting ready for their exhibition opener. Geibel is slated to open its schedule Friday at Belle Vernon, then make its home debut at 1 p.m. Saturday in a match with Southmoreland.
Actually, it’s hard to tell who is the most enthusiastic, the Gator players or their coach. But right at the moment, it’s safe to call the situation an even draw.
The Gators have a new coach this year in John Leonard, of Dawson, successor to long-time coach Dan Kupets. Leonard is a 1974 graduate of Connellsville High where he pitched three years for the Tom Sankovich-coached Falcons, then pitched collegiately at Yavapai, Arizona, and Southwest Louisiana University.
His assistants are his son, Tyler Leonard, now attending California University of Pennsylvania; Mark Riggen, also a California student, who plays summer baseball for Bud Murphy’s in the Fayette County League and Bob McGuinness, long time local baseball player-coach, and former head coach at Geibel.
Their first task is to replace five seniors lost from last year’s team – pitcher-shortstop Leonard, now at California; catcher Bob Jerabek, at Pitt-Greensburg; and first baseman Bill Gabonay, outfielder Bill Charles and second baseman Kerry Bell, all at Penn State-Fayette.
The Geibel prospects include:
Seniors – Pitcher-shortstop Phil Gratchic, first baseman-catcher Zack Leonard and John Bokat, catcher-infielder Jordan White, and outfielders Andrew Stroh, Dan Chorba, Dave Menendez, and B.J. Palmer.
Juniors – Matt Mascia, third base-pitcher-first base; Earl Gilbert, shortstop-pitcher-outfielder; Josh Britt, first base, and Pat McCulloch, outfield-infield.
Sophomores – A. J. Ardebell, pitcher-third base-first base; Rob Ramsey, center field-pitcher-infield; and Jordan Whetsel, outfield-first base.
Freshmen – Bill Bradley, infield-outfield; Sam Manna and Dean Lewandowski, second base; Nick Mulchin, infield; Jeff Baluch, pitcher-infield; and Tim Peterra, outfield.
Watching his prospects working out, Leonard said, “I think we have some good talent here. We have a good nucleus of seniors, and we have some good freshmen and sophomores. Phil Gratchic is an experienced pitcher. He and Tyler shared pitching and shortstop duties last year and being the leaders of our staff. We are going to have a couple of young pitchers in sophomore Ramsey and freshman Baluch. Both have good velocity and both are projected as starters.”
Leonard also said, “We appear to have good baseball mentality, thinking on the basepaths. That was a big factor in winning our exhibition game last week, that and some good pitching. Our hitters also did well.”
Like all the other teams, the Gators were victimized by the winter’s snow and cold weather. Leonard said, “We did a lot of work inside, especially conditioning.”
At the same time, Leonard says, “Some of our players need to get a little more experience, but that will come as we go along. Overall, I think this is a well-disciplined team; their speed is good, and it looks like we are going to have a solid outfield. Right now, it looks like we might have several underclass starters. I’m pleased with the progress we have made so far.”
The WPIAL didn’t do the Gators any favors by giving them only four section opponents – eight games in this respect, with Beth-Center, Bentworth, Frazier and California.
Leonard said, “California looks strong, and Frazier is always competitive, no matter what the sport is. But I don’t know that much about Beth-Center and Bentworth.”
The key to the Gator hopes will be “pitching and defense. I’m pleased with the pitching staff we have and now we have to develop a defense to back up the pitching efforts. I’m hoping to have a three-man pitching staff.”
For the first time in several years, there will be a junior varsity team playing a six or eight game schedule, and all four coaches will work with the group.
Overall, Leonard said, “I like to think that we can surprise a few people. These players have put in a lot of extra work getting ready for the season, and they are tired when they come off the field.”
Not to mention optimistic and enthusiastic.
The Gator exhibition schedule (all games 4 p.m. unless noted):
March 21, at Belle Vernon; March 22, Southmoreland (1 p.m.); March 25, Albert Gallatin; March 26, at Jeannette (3:45); March 27, Waynesburg; April 1, at South Fayette; April 2, at Chartiers-Houston (3:45); April 17, at Washington; April 21, at Albert Gallatin and April 28, Charleroi.
Section games (4 p.m.):
April 4, Beth-Center; April 8, at Bentworth; April 10, Frazier; April 12, at California; April 22, at Beth-Center; April 24, Bentworth; April 28, at Frazier; April 29, California.