Player of the Year
Luke Williams
Sr., SS, Franklin Regional
Franklin Regional senior shortstop Luke Williams may face a difficult challenge in a few weeks.
The Westmoreland County TribLive Baseball Player of the Year might get drafted in the upcoming MLB Draft.
He is committed to playing college baseball at Vanderbilt.
“I will have a decision to make,” Williams said.
Williams originally committed to Virginia, but after the coaching staff left for Mississippi State, he reopened his recruiting and landed in Nashville.
“I wanted a college that had good academics and good baseball,” Williams said. “Vanderbilt was a perfect fit. I fell in love with the place.”
Williams had a tremendous senior season for the Panthers.
He batted .465 with 33 runs scored, 33 hits, eight doubles, four triples, four home runs, 17 RBIs and 33 stolen bases. He led the WPIAL in runs scored and stolen bases.
He played a key role in getting the Panthers into the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. He played in one of the toughest sections in the state. He was a four-year starter for the Panthers.
“He is a five-tool player,” Franklin Regional coach Bobby Saddler said. “He can hit for power, can run, has an outstanding arm and is an amazing person.
“He is a great person on and off the field. He is confident but humble. He is an amazing baseball player and a great human being.”
Williams was selected as the top player over Greensburg Central Catholic senior Tyer Samide, Jeannette senior Noah Rattigan and Latrobe senior Colt Short.
“We had an amazing season,” Williams said. “My goal this season was to have fun playing baseball with my friends.
“Everyone stepped up this season. The underclassmen were mentally tough. Franklin Regional has a bright future. The underclassmen are mature, and they managed adversity. It was also fun to mentor the younger players.”
Williams will attend the MLB Draft Combine, scheduled for June 22-27 at Chase Field in Phoenix. He is one of 334 players invited.
Williams said one area of his game he constantly works on is “trusting his process.”
It’s a process that’s working so far.
First team
Connor Bergman
Sr., 3B, Belle Vernon
The Leopards infielder batted .500 with 33 RBIs and two home runs. He helped the team qualify for the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs.
Dom Delio
Sr., P, Penn-Trafford
He went 7-1 with an ERA of 1.78. In 47 2/3 innings pitched, he struck out 47. He helped the Warriors to the Class 5A section title and a win against Fox Chapel in the playoffs.
Tanner DeStefano
So., 3B, Penn-Trafford
The sophomore infielder batted .418 with 28 hits, including 13 extra base hits and 34 RBIs.
Anthony Grippo
Sr., C, Greensburg Central Catholic
The senior catcher had another outstanding season in helping the Centurions reach the Class A finals. The Penn State commit batted .580, scored 29 runs and drove in 25 runs.
Ian Kovalcik
Sr., C, Hempfield
The senior catcher batted .288 with five doubles, four home runs and 22 RBIs. He also threw out eight of 15 runners attempting to steal.
Cason Long
Sr., SS, Derry
The senior played a key role in helping the Trojans reach the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals. He earned saves in two playoff wins. He batted .500 with four home runs, five doubles and three triples. The Shippensburg commit had 17 RBIs.
Anthony Mitchell
So., INF/OF/P, Franklin Regional
The talented sophomore batted .379, scored 18 runs, had 25 hits, including eight doubles and three triples, and had 21 RBIs.
Noah Rattigan
Sr. CF, Jeannette
The senior batted .633 with five runs and 20 RBIs. He had 28 runs scored, 31 walks and 18 stolen bases. He is a Westmoreland County Community College commit.
Tyler Samide
Sr., P/1B, Greensburg Central Catholic
The senior had a fabulous season. During the regular season, he was 7-0 and didn’t allow an earned run. He also batted .545 with 18 runs scored, 24 hits, including eight doubles and five home runs, and had 36 RBIs. He is committed to Chatham.
Ian Shipley
Sr., SS, Mt. Pleasant
The Mercyhurst commit batted .475 with 17 RBIs and 13 runs scored. He helped the Vikings make the WPIAL playoffs.
Cole Short
Sr., P/1B, Latrobe
The senior led the Wildcats to a berth in the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. He batted .419 with 31 hits, 12 doubles and 21 RBIs. He was 7-3 on the mound with an ERA of 3.72. He is committed to Patrick and Henry Junior College.
Caden Sivrich
Sr., P/OF, Norwin
The senior was 3-3 on the hill with an ERA of 3.35. In 31 1/3 innings pitched, he struck out 47. The Pitt commit batted .323 with four home runs and 20 RBIs.
Second team
Derek Berger, Sr., OF/INF, Norwin
Liam Bernadowski, So., OF, Franklin Regional
Tyler Burkett, Sr., SS, Yough
Caleb Chismar, Jr., CF, Greensburg Salem
Max Doherty, Jr., P/INF, Derry
Aiden Drotos, Jr., P, Penn-Trafford
Dane Firmstone, Sr., 2B, Mt. Pleasant
Aaron Gaskey, Sr., P, Latrobe
Austin Harr, Sr., OF/P, Ligonier Valley
Jake Knight, Sr., P, Norwin
Carson Kramer, Fr., 3B, Greensburg CC
Logan Matrisch, Sr., CF, Penn-Trafford
Honorable mention
Nate Kostelnik, Sr., INF, Belle Vernon
Tim Pirone, So., P/1B/OF, Franklin Regional
Stephen Kochis, Jr., INF/P, Greensburg Central Catholic
Zach Smith, Sr., C, Greensburg Salem
Drew Jones, Sr., P/OF, Hempfield
Amari Thomas, Sr., SS, Jeannette
Grady Ruffner, So., 2B, Latrobe
Santino Marne, Sr., CF, Mt. Pleasant
Tristyn Tavares, Sr., 2B, Norwin
Zach Feldman, Sr., SS/P, Penn-Trafford
Colton Tyburski, Sr., C, Penn-Trafford
Nate Bell, Sr., INF/P, Yough