Bushy Run has a new, but familiar, face running the American Legion baseball team.
After winning the team’s first state title, former coach Scott Peyman stepped down because of work. Former player Mario Disso has taken over.
The District 31 season got underway this weekend, and Bushy Run started 3-0, defeating Burrell (14-2), Young Township (14-2) and Mt. Pleasant (12-2).
“Nothing is changing,” Disso said. “The goals remain the same. This team won the District 31, the regional and the state title. It was a good group of kids that Scott built.
“We have one big addition, and that is Ethan Septak, who did not play last year but decided to join us. He is going to be a big bat in the lineup.”
Others returning include Jordan Whire, Evan Gigliotti, Evan Lawson, Caleb Kerstetter and Andrew McFarland from Penn-Trafford and Jayden Kennedy, Noah Rattigan, Amari Thomas and Dom Ponzetti from Jeannette.
“This group knows what it takes to win a state championship,” Disso said. “They understand the system. We are strong offensively, but our pitching needs to come through.”
Disso said he expects the team to score runs.
“We have plenty of offensive firepower,” Disso said. “Our pitching needs to improve. We have quality pitchers, but we lack depth.”
Gigliotti, Kennedy and Anthony Lawson are the top starters. Lawson one-hit Young Township on Tuesday.
Gigliotti and Septak each had three hits against Mt. Pleasant.
“Young Township has a really good team,” Disso said. “Latrobe is always competitive under Jason (Bush). Burrell is good, and Plum has five 19-year-old players.”
Disso was an assistant coach for the junior league team. This is the first time being the head coach.
“I just want to teach the players the right way to play the game,” Disso said “Hustle, determination, and grit.
“I want to share what I learned as an NCAA Division II and Division III player,” Disso said. “I played six years of college baseball and learned a lot about the game. I want to pass that knowledge on to the players.”
District 31 will be a little different this season. The league has expanded into Allegheny County as Plum and 14th Ward have joined.
They join Bushy Run, Burrell, Hempfield East, Homer City, Latrobe, Plum, Unity and Young Township.
Not fielding a team this season is Murrysville.
“The league is going to be strong,” Latrobe coach and District 31 President Jason Bush said. “We return a lot of players. Homer City is a combination of Homer-Center and Indiana. Plum is historically good, and Bushy Run is always good.”
Latrobe returns outfielder Mason Fridley, first baseman Cayden McCune and pitcher Tyler Smith along with pitcher Cole Short, catcher Josh Short, shortstop Ty Wisneiwski, infielder Grady Ruffner, pitcher Joe Razza and outfielder Mason Hrubes.
“The goal is to let them play and have fun,” Bush said. “Let their skills do all the work.”