By: Frank Maira, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director
MONT ALTO, Pa. – The Penn State Mont Alto baseball team finished the 2019 season with sour tastes in their mouths as they lost heartbreaking games in both the PSUAC Tournament and the USCAA Small College World Series. Despite graduating six seniors there is a solid core of returners and newcomers who are expected to step up as expectations remain the same for 2020. Head coach Shawn Kissel returns for his second season at the helm of the Nittany Lions.
"On paper this squad is just as talented as the one we had a season ago and I feel we have added a few more pieces that should help push us over the edge, "said Kissel.
Mont Alto's key returners include the cornerstones of the infield in sophomore first baseman Chayse Fisher (Mercersburg, Pa. / James Buchanan) and three-time USCAA All-American third baseman, Brady Topper (Littlestown, Pa. / Littlestown). Both bring powerful and dependable bats to the lineup and were honored as first team USCAA All-Americans a season ago. The middle infield will be manned by a pair of transfers in sophomore Hunter Reath (Mercersburg, Pa. / James Buchanan) and junior Jared Pine (Mercersburg, Pa. / James Buchanan). Pine played a season at Frederick Community College and was the Public Opinion Baseball Player of the Year in 2018. He led the state of Pennsylvania in many of the offensive statistical categories during his senior year of high school and is an even slicker fielder.
Entering his junior year, Chance McClure (Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg Area) has been moved to the outfield and will also see time on the pitching mound. McClure hit .323 in 2019, while racking up 27 RBIs and threw 17.0 innings. The other two corner outfield spots will be manned by a quartet of different athletes with Coach Kissel expected to ride the hot-swinging bats of Alberto Fabian (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic / KCAPA), senior Caleb Leggett (Williamsport, Md. / Williamsport), Michael Scott (Accokeek, Md. / Bishop McNamara) and AJ Millar (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin) who will also be relied upon as an innings eater.
Mont Alto welcomed a total of 10 newcomers, which included six freshmen. Tyler Moreland (Spring Mills, W.Va. / Spring Mills) and Luke Michaels (Newville, Pa. / Big Spring) are expected to make an immediate impact on the mound this spring along with junior Matt Huston (McConnellsburg, Pa. / McConnellsburg) who brings two years of collegiate experience from Allegheny Community College of Maryland. He pitched 104.2 innings and racked up 96 strikeouts for the Trojans.
"We have a strong pitching staff from top to bottom," added Mont Alto pitching coach Drew Betz. "The boys have worked hard this offseason and I have confidence in anyone we have on the mound. They each have the ability to contribute and I'm excited to see them succeed."
Penn State Mont Alto open their season with a pair of road doubleheaders, first against The Apprentice School (Feb. 15) and then will travel to Southern Virginia on Saturday, February 22. The Nittany Lions will once again travel to Myrtle Beach during Spring Break and will play 10 games in seven days as part of the trip. PSUMA will officially play in its home opener on Friday, March 20 hosting Penn State Greater Allegheny. The nine-inning contest opens conference play with Mont Alto playing a total of 15 conference games this season against PSUAC West opponents.
"This group of upperclassmen are really motivated to erase last year's bad postseason memories and have made it a goal to end their season in a dogpile," said Kissel. "We know we have a long season in front of us, but I know the guys are primed and ready for another exciting spring."
Be sure to check the schedule page throughout the spring season for any potential schedule changes as well as live stats for most games! Stay up to date on all your Penn State Mont Alto news, scores, and awards by following @PSUMAathletics on Twitter and by liking the "Penn State Mont Alto Athletics" Facebook page.
Click HERE to view the complete 2020 Penn State Mont Alto baseball schedule.