A rise in recruiting stature came with challenges for Aiden Drotos, admittedly so for the junior left-handed pitcher from Penn-Trafford.
His game developed and rounded into form over the summer. He was suddenly hitting 90-plus mph on the radar gun, and buzz began to swirl.
College coaches started showing interest, and social media accounts were posting videos of him.
“I made a big jump, and there were a lot of expectations,” he said. “I struggled a little with it at first and worried a lot. But I talked with some coaches, and they told me not to care, just throw. That really helped me out. It’s just go out and have fun.”
Drotos rallied to become one of the WPIAL’s top arms in the Class of 2027. And he has helped the Warriors (14-5) win a section title.
He committed last week to Penn State, reaching a Division I goal that created even more belief in himself.
“We started slow this season … but we woke up as a team,” Drotos said. “We’ve been a family since we were all 8 years old. This is for our seniors.”
Warriors coach Lou Cortazzo said the team has become sharper defensively, at producing offense and in running the bases.
“Our guys have been committed to workouts, so much better,” Cortazzo said. “Our communication has really improved, too, which I like to see. I like how we’re playing, but we have to put our latest games behind us and focus on the next game.”
Perfect storm
Greensburg Central Catholic did something no other team in program history had done: finish a regular season undefeated.
The 2006 team had one loss during the regular season, but the 2026 version finished 15-0 with a victory over Riverview on Thursday.
Freeport (17-0) and Fort Cherry (16-0) are the only other undefeated teams in the WPIAL playoff field.
Knight rises
Norwin senior Jake Knight injured his left wrist a few games ago but still has been able to help the Knights in a big way as a pitcher.
Knight pitched Norwin to an important, 2-1 win over Mt. Lebanon in the Section 2-6A series finale. He scattered six hits, struck out seven and walked three.
Despite the injury, which has kept Knight from playing the field or batting, he has found a groove as a first-year starter.
“It doesn’t hurt bad when I pitch, so I have been trying to focus on that,” Knight said.
Earlier in the season, Knight won his first start on the mound, going 5 1/3 strong innings in a 3-2 win at Hempfield.
No so close
Latrobe sophomore Aaron Gaskey nearly pitched a no-hitter in his team’s Section 1-5A finale.
Gaskey struck out 10 for the top-ranked Wildcats and kept No. 2 Plum hitless into the seventh. But he reached 100 pitches with one out in the final frame and had to leave the game.
Latrobe won 5-1 to spoil the Mustangs’ section-title hopes and likely add standing with the playoff seeding.
Gaskey said his fastball was dialed in from the start.
“If it’s on, it’s on,” Gaskey told Westmoreland Sports Network. “If I can get that (going), I know I am going to be in control. I am going out there like it’s any other game. … I thought I was on my game, and I just wanted to get that win.”
Section 1 fun
Section 1-5A did it again.
The top four teams again slugged it out until the final day of section play, with Plum and Penn-Trafford having a shot at the title.
Latrobe and Franklin Regional gave chase until the final two-game series were played.
Penn-Trafford shut out Franklin Regional twice, and Latrobe split with Plum, giving Penn-Trafford the outright section title, its first since 2019.
There also were traffic jams in the section in 2023 and ’24. Five teams were in the thick of the race all regular season.
In ’23, Penn-Trafford and Plum tied at 9-3, Fox Chapel was 8-4, Armstrong 7-5 and Franklin Regional 6-6.
In ’24, things got crazy with four teams tying for first at 9-3: Penn-Trafford, Fox Chapel, Franklin Regional and Plum.
“That’s what makes it fun,” Plum coach Carl Vollmer said. “Our section is difficult. A lot of good teams and a lot of good players. It’s entertaining for sure. Every year, it comes down to the wire.”
Even in 2022, the race was tight in a smaller section. Latrobe won at 8-2, while Franklin Regional and Penn-Trafford tied for second at 7-3.
Playoffs set
The local field of WPIAL playoff teams is ready for the start of the postseason.
The WPIAL will release brackets Friday.
Area qualifiers are Norwin and Hempfield in 6A; Penn-Trafford, Latrobe and Franklin Regional in 5A; Belle Vernon and Valley in 4A; Mt. Pleasant, Burrell and Ligonier Valley in 3A; and Greensburg Central Catholic in A.