Grove City Eagles
Baseball
Coach (season, record): Pat Forese (25th season, 320-153-1)
2011 overall record: 18-3
2011 region record (place): 10-0 (champion)
2011 playoff results: Defeated Corry (7-3) and Warren (8-3) to win the District 10 Class AAA championship. Grove City then defeated Chartiers Valley 6-3 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs and lost 3-2 to Elizabeth Forward in the quarterfinals.
Top players lost: Jon Anderson, Jeff Revesz, Jason Revesz, Alex Miklos, Jordan Orlowski
Top returning players: Brian Murone, Tyler Devine, Josh Doody, Gavin Herald, Chauncey Miller, Torin Smith, Matt Gordon
Assistant coaches: Jim Anderson, Bill Limberg, Mike DeCola, Pat Devine, Keith Johnson
Outlook: Grove City had plenty of success in 2011, including the District 10 Class AAA championship and a run to the PIAA quarterfinals. The Eagles lost a heart-breaking extra-inning game to Elizabeth Forward on an error. Grove City will have some work to do to repeat that success as Jon Anderson, Jeff Revesz, Jason Revesz, Alex Miklos and Jordan Orlowski have all graduated. All five players were impact players throughout their careers. Coach Pat Forese will have a few seniors back to lead the way, including Brian Murone, who hit .444 last year, Tyler Devine, Josh Doody, Gavin Herald and Chauncey Miller. Torin Smith and Matt Gordon are also back, while Ben Lucas, Ryan Grace, Marcus DePeal, Collin Lawson, Dylan Osborne and Dustin Maine are new players looking to make a difference on the varsity level. The Eagles will have lots of inexperience in their lineup and on the mound this spring. Grove City will need to develop as a team quickly in order to turn back into a contender.
Schedule
March
28 at New Castle 4
29 at Fort LeBoeuf 4
April
2 at Hickory 4
4 Sharon 4
9 Central Tech 4
10 at Neshannock 4
13 at Commodore Perry* 3
16 Oil City* 4
18 at East 4
20 at Slippery Rock* 4
23 General McLane 4
25 Meadville* 4
27 Franklin* 4
May
2 Commodore Perry* 4
3 at Oil City* 4
7 Cathedral Prep 4
9 Slippery Rock* 4
11 at Meadville* 4
14 at Corry 4
16 at Franklin* 4
*Region games
Softball
Coach (season): Katie Calano (1st season)
2011 overall record: 7-12
2011 region record (place): 5-5 (tied for second)
2011 playoff results: Defeated Jamestown 10-6 and lost to Warren 7-1 in the District 10 Class AAA playoffs.
Top players lost: Tori Sheffel, Cassoundra Folk
Top returning players: Theresa King, Nicole King, Lauren Bovard, Kara Franklin, Anna Bell
Assistant coaches: Sue Greaves, Marty Ruley
Outlook: Grove City will look for success under new head coach Katie Calano this spring. The Eagles return several talented players, including Theresa King, Nicole King, Lauren Bovard, Kara Franklin and Anna Bell. Grove City lost Tori Sheffel and Cassoundra Folk to graduation but Maddie Elberty and Cassie Feather are up-and-coming players that could make an immediate impact. Grove City is in a winnable region once again and managed to force its way into a play-in game last spring. The Eagles made their way to the semifinals before losing to eventual D-10 champion Warren. If Grove City gets used to its new coaching system and works on developing the lower levels, the Eagles could find itself back in the postseason.
Schedule
March
23 Saegertown 4
27 at Wilmington 4
29 Sharon 4
April
2 at West Middlesex 4
3 at Reynolds 4
5 Commodore Perry 4
10 Titusville 4
12 at Franklin* 4
14 Meadville* 10 a.m.
19 at Slippery Rock* 4
24 Jamestown* 4
26 Hickory* 4
28 Sharpsville 4
May
1 Franklin* 4
3 at Meadville* 4
8 Slippery Rock* 4
10 at Jamestown* 4
15 at Hickory* 4
17 Mercer 4
*Region games
Later today: Harbor Creek
– Tom Reisenweber
