Joe Capobianco has never torn a baseball program down and built one back up before. The 1996 Penn Hills graduate is learning on the job with his alma mater.
The Indians coach also admits that he may be learning things about himself.
Penn Hills is off to an 0-4 start and has been outscored 65-5. Following a 18-0 loss to Franklin Regional at home March 25, Capobianco acknowledged he is working on a new challenge.
“It’s very difficult when you are a competitor to try and stay patient,” Capobianco said. “I think we’re all put here for a reason. Maybe my reason is to learn to be more patient.”
The Indians were no-hit by Franklin Regional’s Jonah Willochell during the second game of their Section 3-5A series. Penn Hills (0-4, 0-2) lost the first game of the series, 18-3. Catcher Anthony Sipple drove in a run and doubled twice, while first baseman Kevin Buckner also doubled for the Indians.
Buckner, who is starting after being on the junior varsity team last season, said he believes Penn Hills will find its footing eventually. While the Indians have several returning starters, they also have several first-time players who are learning the ropes.
“It’s definitely a struggle,” Buckner said. “We have to find the momentum and roll with it, that’s all.”
Penn Hills didn’t get an opportunity to ease into the season. The Indians opened with Shaler, which is a perennial WPIAL title challenger, before taking on Gateway, which has scored 10 or more runs in its first three games.
Capobianco thought that the Indians had benefited from beating McKeesport in a scrimmage before the season started.
“We came back in that game,” Capobianco said. “Even though it was an exhibition game, we played every game as if it was a real game. I thought getting a win was important. I thought we competed for the first three innings against Shaler. We got out of a jam early in the game. The wheels fell off after that.”
Buckner, who has played baseball since he was little, said he has targeted areas for improvement. He turned an unassisted double play in the second game against Franklin Regional.
“I would like to hit to the opposite field better,” Buckner said. “If I could get faster, I would help the team.”
Capobianco said Penn Hills had plenty of players put in work during practices in the offseason. He’s hoping their work is rewarded.
“We have to keep rolling and being confident,” Capobianco said. “They have to realize that the effort and all the little things mean something.”