The baseball season for Norwin has come with ups and downs as the Knights clinched their spot in the WPIAL playoffs with a 9-9 record with just one game remaining in the regular season. Seniors have led the way for the Knights with Catcher Ty Cupp (9), 3B Nolan Ryan (13), DH Will Griffiths (15), P/1B Nathan Helphenstine (11), and 2B/SS Keegan Carr (3).
“The younger guys rely on our experience,” said Cupp. “That’s big for us right now and for the season we want to have going forward.”
Norwin has had tough losses against North Allegheny 5-4 on Mar. 28th, Seneca Valley 6-4 on Mar. 25th, and Mt. Lebanon 4-1 on Apr. 15. These losses have given Norwin the opportunities to bounce back stronger. Norwin has responded with an 11-run victory against Connellsville on Mar. 27th, a double-header victory(s) against Baldwin on April 7th, and more opportunities throughout the year.
“Playing the best teams in the WPIAL has helped us battle through adversity,” said Cupp. “Facing teams like that gets us ready and things are going to pick up soon. It’s a long year.”
Norwin has more than made up for tough losses with last week’s sweep of the Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings and an important victory against Hempfield Area on Monday, April 29th to clinch their spot in the playoffs.
The final game of the series against the Vikings was senior night for the Knights. “Senior night was fun,” said Ryan. “I saw myself last year as a junior and to walk across the pitcher’s mound with my family hit me all at once.”
Norwin’s strength throughout this season has come through junior pitchers Ethan Culbertson (10) and Matthew Rivera as the 2 pitchers have combined for a 2-2 record, with Rivera adding 2 saves. The Knights also have 7 fielders with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
Leading hitter and IUP commit Keegan Carr has led the offensive unit this season with 16 RBIs and a whopping .418 average through the team’s first 16 games. Two-hole batter Nathan Silberman. Boasts an impressive .328 average himself with junior 1B Ben Geissler nearing .300 at .298.
“The game is never over with us,” said Geissler (2). “We are ready to play at any time, no matter the weather and it starts with the locker room. Compliments to the seniors.”
The Knights lost their most recent series after a multitude of high-scoring efforts by both sides against the Hempfield Spartans. Norwin took game 1 at Hempfield 10-8, but a barrage of home runs in game 2 led to a 14-3 defeat. Game 3 ended on a Hempfield walk-off hit to take the series, putting Norwin back at .500. Norwin’s defense has slipped in the past 2 out of 3 series as the team looks to focus on a stronger defensive effort come playoff time.
Norwin finishes their regular season on the road against the Baldwin Fighting Highlanders on May 6 at 4:00 pm. The WPIAL baseball playoffs kick off on Monday, May 13th. Norwin’s opponent is yet to be determined.
