Veteran lineup looks to lead Quaker Valley baseball back to playoffs

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, March 31, 2024 | 11:01 AM

The Quaker Valley baseball team is looking for a return to the postseason.

The Quakers have qualified for the WPIAL playoffs eight times in the past 10 seasons that have been played and were section champs from 2013-16.

QV finished fifth in Section 1-3A last year behind Riverside (12-0), Neshannock (8-4), Shenango (8-4) and Mohawk (7-5).

Riverside is the defending WPIAL and PIAA champion in 3A. The Raiders racked up a 25-0 record in 2023 and defeated Neshannock, 6-1, in the WPIAL finals.

“We are looking forward to the season and testing our older, more seasoned baseball team in arguably 3A’s most competitive section,” QV coach Rich Garbee said. “We will play confident, competitive, gritty baseball day in and day out. This group has worked hard in the offseason in the skills area, but more importantly, in mental conditioning. Developing an elite mindset and standards of excellence that allow the players to develop better skills to enhance focus, preparation, self-awareness and leadership are arguably more important than the physical part we have worked on, and they are seeing results.

“Certainly, our goals are to win a sectional, WPIAL and state championship, but we constantly work on little things, both mentally and physically, that allow us to build and progress towards playing consistent, championship baseball. We look forward to playing baseball.”

QV’s second-year field boss anticipates another dogfight in section play. But he wants the Quakers to enjoy the experience.

“My philosophy is to teach winning habits, show 1% improvement every day, play aggressively, have fun and enjoy the experience,” Garbee said. “Our goals start with being the best team we can be. That is controllable. Then, certainly we aspire to compete and ultimately win our section while preparing to peak as we move closer to the postseason. The foundation for greatness is here.”

Senior leadership at QV this season will be provided by Gavin Fallgren (C), Michael Ponzo (2B), Jasper Gray (OF), Jack Szuba (OF), Nick Allan (DH) and Ethan Pesce (IF).

Fallgren, a second-year starter, missed his junior season because of an injury. He is a baseball commit to John Carroll, a member of the NCAA Division III Ohio Athletic Conference.

“We feel like we had a very strong offseason with a lot of guys making significant jumps and really stepping up on the field and in the weight room,” Fallgren said. “These jumps have given the team a lot of confidence in the day-to-day as well as our long-term goals of competing for three titles.

“We have a great chance to surprise a lot of people this year. Nobody knows what we are capable of, including ourselves, which is very exciting. If we take this season one day at a time, come June, I believe we’re going to be very proud of where we are (in the postseason).”

The Quakers’ starting lineup returned almost intact from 2023; there are 11 returning lettermen on this year’s club.

“We missed Gavin Fallgren last year due to an ankle injury right before the season started, but he is back at full strength,” Garbee said. “We are also very pleased with the addition of two seniors who didn’t play last year: Nick Allan and Ethan Pesce. Both model great leadership traits as well as being valuable baseball additions for us.

“We have an experienced, deeper team than a year ago, which will bode well with the schedule we are playing.”

A strong junior class is represented on the team by Ryan Finamore (OF), Oscar Roig (SS), Nolan Wagoner (1B), Jack Cindrich (IF), Joe Szuba (1B) and Kyle Rader (OF).

Roig, Gray and Jack Szuba were leading hitters on last year’s club. Roig led the team in runs scored and walks drawn.

The Quakers’ pitching staff consists mainly of Finamore, Wagoner, Kagle, Cindrich and sophomore Henry Zupanc. Finamore and Zupanc are left-handed hurlers.

Top sophomore players this spring include Todd Kagle (3B) and Brad Semonik (C/OF). Both saw varsity playing time as freshmen.

Sophomores Tristan Bemis and Andrew Irving and freshmen Noah Fardo and Jesse Howe round out this year’s team.

QV’s early season lineup has consisted of Allan (DH), Finamore (CF), Fallgren (C), Kagle (3B), Wagoner (1B), Fardo (LF), Jack Szuba (RF), Roig (SS) and Ponzo (2B).

“While we put out the same starting lineup in our first four games, I think nothing is set in stone,” Fallgren said. “It’s not that anyone is playing poorly, it’s just the team has that much depth.

“Everyone who’s not currently starting is competing day in and day out and giving our current starters competition, which is awesome and necessary for a winning team.”

QV was scheduled to open section play March 25-27 with a two-game series against Mohawk.

“We look forward to each series,” Garbee said. “Riverside has eight returning starters, Neshannock is always strong, and Mohawk returns all nine starters from a WPIAL qualifying team. Riverside, Neshannock, Shenango and Ellwood City have won WPIAL or state titles in the past four years and have veteran coaches with winning pedigrees.

“That is why we have scheduled a very robust nonsection schedule. We are excited about testing this team against all comers. It should make for some great baseball games.”

Four of the seniors — Fallgren, Szuba, Ponzo and Gray — are the Quakers’ co-captains.

Tags: Quaker Valley