The Sewickley Academy baseball team has four returning starters and each is expected to play an important role for the Panthers this season.
Billy Pietragallo is a senior infielder/outfielder and is joined in the starting lineup by junior Jacob Stanislaw (OF/P) and sophomores Austin Fritz (P/INF) and Charlie Scally (C).
“Billy Pietragallo has appeared in 47 games and holds a .375 career batting average,” Sewickley coach Andrew Petruska said. “He will look to cap off a strong career while providing leadership for the team.”
Stanislaw, who plays center field, led the club last season with a .426 batting average. Fritz anchored the 2025 pitching staff and is expected to hold a similar role in 2026.
“Jacob will be a key piece for us, anchoring the outfield while contributing on the mound and even behind the plate when needed,” Petruska said. “On the mound, Austin Fritz and freshman Logan Bereznay (P/INF) are expected to lead the pitching staff.”
The Panthers’ hurlers will be tossing to Scally behind the plate this season.
“Charlie will look to solidify the catcher position,” Petruska said.
Sewickley is a member of tough Section 3-A again in 2026. Three teams tied for the top spot with 8-2 records last year — Serra Catholic, Eden Christian Academy and Bishop Canevin.
Serra Catholic won the WPIAL championship. Eden Christian advanced to the district semifinals and finished as the PIAA runner-up. Bishop Canevin was a WPIAL quarterfinalist.
Sewickley qualified for postseason play as the fourth-place team in the section with a 4-6 record. The Panthers lost to Greensburg Central Catholic in the WPIAL first round to end up 5-13 overall.
This year, Sewickley has “a mix of youth and leadership as the program continues to grow,” Petruska said. “Four freshmen could play key roles this spring, while the team will rely on several juniors to step up and provide leadership throughout the season.
“With a young roster that lacks extensive varsity experience in the junior and senior classes, (we) are excited about the opportunity for players to grow into larger roles and compete each day.”
Pietragallo and Niko Frazzini (OF) are the only seniors on the squad, which is bolstered by a half-dozen juniors: Stanislaw, Grant Karlik (INF/P/OF), Cooper Jackson (OF), David Young (INF/P), Gio Domenico (UTL) and Alex Sanfilippo (UTL).
“We are hoping our biggest class steps up for us,” Petruska said.
Scally, Fritz and Carter Jackson (INF/P/OF) are sophomores; the freshman class is led by the likes of Bereznay, Justes Mull (INF/OF), Caden Hawkins (1B/3B) and Richie Defallo (OF).
“The coaching staff is focused on continuing to build the program day by day by emphasizing doing the right things both on and off the field,” Petruska said. “With a hardworking group that is eager to improve, we are excited about the development of this young team and the opportunity for players to grow throughout the season.
“The ultimate goal is to help these young men develop both as baseball players and as people, preparing them for success long after they leave Sewickley Academy.”
Petruska’s assistants are Jon Coyne, Craig Edmunds and David Foy.
Sewickley opens the season March 23-24 with back-to-back games against Bishop Canevin.