Ellwood City Baseball Wraps Up Impressive Fall Campaign

The Ellwood City High School baseball team wrapped up an impressive fall campaign, making a run in the single elimination playoff tournament before ultimately falling to defending WPIAL Champion Hopewell last weekend.

The Wolverines finished 8-4-1 earning a 3-seed in the playoff picture. Ellwood City defeated Beaver Falls and Riverside before falling 6-0 to the Vikings in the championship game.

Head Coach Chris Weisz said the playoff run brought everything full circle for his young team.

“Kids started to believe we would win, and we had to work through adversity and rely on all the hard work we put in during the fall to accomplish our goal of making the championship,” said Weisz. “The team became a family.”

The team had been practicing since July and the program saw 30-40 kids at many of the practices.

The high school level competed in the Beaver County High School League while the 7th and 8th graders played in a Pony League fall ball league.

“I believe we have started a winning culture from 7th -12th grade,” said Weisz.

Ellwood City varsity was anchored by a strong staff including Joey Roth (1.25 era this fall), Alexander Roth (0.70 era this fall) and Nick Magnifico, but according to Weisz another pitcher, Freshman Will Nardone, made a mark this fall.

“With the staff we have I wanted to see how he [Nardone] would fit in,” said Weisz. “We pitched him in a lot of big games. He showed very high compete levels and showed he belonged at this level.”

Another player of note for Weisz was Isaiah Lutz.

Lutz started as a freshman last year and was excellent according to Weisz, but the coach knew with a great summer and fall he could take the next step.

“He is a super hard worker, very coachable and will do anything asked of him,” said Weisz. “This year I needed him to step up and be able to be a part of the batting lineup.”

Also on offense, Joey Roth (batted .625), Lutz, (.428), and Freshman Sam Landis (.512) led the Wolverines along with Junior Chase Wilson (.525), and Nardone (.344).

Weisz praised his two seniors, Alexander Rother and Bucky Biskup, pointing out the hard work and the standards set by our two young men.

“My goal was to turn them from freshman and sophomores to juniors and seniors experience wise”, concluded Weisz. “It’s an exciting time for Ellwood City Baseball.”