One game short of a WPIAL title last year, Norwin enters the end of the season with something to prove. Following a 1-0 loss to Seneca Valley in the Class 6A WPIAL championship last year, Norwin looks to make another run back to the championship game, but this time with the goal of finishing the job.
The Knights have already clinched a 6A WPIAL spot following a series sweep over Woodland Hills in mid-April and now turn their focus to building momentum in the playoffs.
Led by a senior-heavy roster, Norwin aims to end the regular season strong in a pivotal series against Mt. Lebanon, one that will determine section seeding and set the tone for the upcoming playoffs.
“The goal for our team is to make it back to the WPIAL Championship and win the section,” said senior pitcher Matthew O’Neil. “On a personal level, my goal is to make all-section team and put my team in a prime position to win games when I am pitching.”
O’Neil has recently committed to Mercyhurst University and plans to continue his baseball endeavors in Erie. As of now, O’Neil makes an effort to make the most of the final weeks as a Norwin Knight.
“Off the field, I look to enjoy the last remaining weeks of playing with my childhood friends,” said O’Neil. “And spend as much time with our guys as possible, as this is the last time we will ever put on a Norwin Uniform.”
The biggest strength of this season for the Knights has been their pitching, particularly their starting pitching rotation. However, as the playoffs inch closer, the team knows there’s room to improve.
“Our approach as we get closer to the playoffs is to continue to improve in all aspects,” said head coach Craig Spisak. “[Pitching, defense, hitting and baserunning] and playing our best baseball. We would also like to continue to improve our hitting, work pitchers deeper into counts, and grind out at-bats and find ways to make contact and less strikeouts.”
One of the unique parts of the team is that the roster is primarily seniors. The seniors continue to be the leaders of the team as the season progresses.
“Our goal as a senior class is to not only win the Section,” said O’Neil. “But be good role models to help the underclassmen on and off the field in the years after we graduate.”
That leadership has helped fuel noticeable growth over the course of the season
“Our energy and mindsets at games have grown a lot since the beginning of the season,” said senior outfielder Derek Berger. “[Our whole team] is more focused.”
Norwin has one final series remaining before the playoffs against section opponent Mt. Lebanon, whom the Knights currently have a one-game lead over in their Section. This series will determine the seedings for the playoffs, and the Knights are fully confident in their ability to come out on top.
“We control our own destiny,” said Berger. “This last week of the season is coming up, and playoff seeding all comes down to us.”
The opportunity is right in front of the team. The Knights now know exactly what it takes, as well as what they still need to prove, going into the postseason a year after narrowly missing out on a championship.
