Spring is upon us, and that means that baseball is right around the corner, and the BPHS baseball team is gearing up to rebound in WPIAL play this year after having a playoff-less year last season.

Tony Fisher, who is heading into his fifth year as the team’s varsity baseball manager, will once again lead the team.

Coach Fisher is very enthusiastic about the upcoming season, and he expressed his emotions about his team to us.

“The Hawks have been working hard this off-season, and are eager to improve upon last year’s finish.” He went on to say, “We are a battle tested bunch that are looking to make a run this year.”

The team will be without six seniors from last year’s team, which includes: pitcher, Bailey Fertig; designated hitter, Carmen Jansante; outfielder, Luc Jansante; catcher, Connor Nave; outfielder, Mitch Nordstrom; and first baseman, Harry Siwik.

With the majority of players returning for another season, it should help the team see an increase in wins throughout the 2015 season.

Some of the returning players include: first-team all-section pitcher/shortstop, Zac Forsyth (team captain); second-team all-section pitcher/first baseman, Corey Augenstein; and second-team all-section pitcher/outfielder, Joe Zufall.

Key Players:

Along with being the team’s captain, Forsyth has the capability to swing the stick for a high average at the plate, compiling a .352 average last season. Not to mention, he has a vacuum for a glove at SS. If that’s not enough, he can pitch too. Coming out of the bullpen, he amassed a 1.91 ERA and held opponents to a .167 BAA. Furthermore, he was the only player on the 2014 team to be named first-team all-section. Recently, he’s made the decision to continue his baseball career at Div. 2 baseball powerhouse the University of Tampa. Forsyth will be on the shelf for the beginning of the season until April at the soonest.

Once Forsyth returns to the lineup, expect him to be one of the forces in the middle of it.

Augenstein, who is committed to playing baseball at Pitt next year, will be back in the varsity rotation for his third and final time this year. He’s a flame-throwing left-hander who has been known to touch 90 MPH at times. Once again, he will lead the rotation out of the gates in 2015 and be leaned on as the go-to guy on the mound for a second straight season. Last season, he led the team with 39 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched. Despite his 1-3 record, he was dominant on the mound compiling a 2.35 ERA and opponents could only muster a .235 BAA the entire season.

Expect Augenstein to have another stellar year on the mound, and lead the Hawks to a playoff run down the stretch.

Finally, Zufall is a five-tool player in center field and a horse in the rotation. In 2014, Zufall led the team in average hitting .379 and tied for the lead in doubles with 7 total. Not only did he rake at the plate, but he, without a doubt, also pitched spectacularly for the team last season. He led the team in wins with 3 and led all starters in ERA, which was 2.33 for the year. This winter, Zufall signed his NLI to continue playing baseball at Lock Haven University.

Anticipate Zufall to really open some eyes around the baseball world with his cannon of an arm and a consistent bat at the plate.

In addition to these three players, expect the likes of: senior catcher, Louie Ridgeway; senior pitcher/second baseman, Luke Hahey; junior pitcher/outfield, Tylar Shoemaker; sophomore pitcher/third baseman Colin Loughman, and others to play a pivotal role in the team’s 2015 success.

Hopefully, if all goes right, the team will be playing deep into June and can add another year to the baseball state title banner.