Latrobe baseball takes team-first mentality to heart

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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The team concept in sports is often overstated and cliche, trendy at times and even hyperbolic.

But the Latrobe baseball program thrives on it. You might say the Wildcats have cornered the market on taking one for the team.

In fact, the word “Team” is stitched into or printed on every piece of team gear. If it were up to the coaching staff, every player would wear the same number.

With Latrobe, think of an army of soldiers. A brigade of firemen. Rows of Star Wars Stormtroopers.

The only identity the players have is they are Latrobe Wildcats, and the their closeness seems to tighten with each passing spring. It’s not towing the company line; this is real stuff.

“We preach it every day,” longtime coach Matt Basciano said. “The kids know that is what is expected if we are going to be successful. It’s just become our culture.”

There is more to that culture than camaraderie. The Wildcats also know how to win.

Latrobe (8-2, 6-0), the WPIAL Class 4A runner-up last season after a surprising postseason run, is in first place in Section 2 and ranked No. 3 in 4A by TribLive.

A driver’s education instructor in addition to his duties as a social studies teacher, Basciano keeps his team’s eyes on the road, managing egos and keeping his players aligned with the same goals and unselfish play.

“The most impressive part so far would be how close the team has become,” Basciano said. “We lost some great leaders last year that really brought the team together. This year they are really becoming close and working on becoming that total team. I think that kind of leads to our strong start defensively and pitching. They just go out and do whatever it takes.”

Asked to single out some key players who are leading the charge, Basciano held steadfast to his postulation.

“Too many to mention,” he said. “The entire roster has done their job and continues to work to get better.”

Fair enough. The stats revealed that Mason Leonard was hitting .423, Jake Cramer .409 and Luke Nipar-Smith .379, while Riley Smith was the clear ace of the pitching staff with a 3-0 record and 0.88 ERA.

Cramer had nine runs scored, and Nipar-Smith was the top RBI man with 10.

The Wildcats had only hit one home run through eight games, but, conversely, they had yet to give up a long ball.

The defense has been solid too, perhaps a nod to the trust in the team concept.

“The reason our team is good is because we all know our place and no individual is better than the next guy,” Nipar-Smith said. “We just find ways to win by working together and building off each other. Coach Bas preaches team every day … If one guy is late to practice, we all run. If one guy makes a mental mistake, we all run. It’s all about holding yourself accountable.”

Cramer bought into the family dynamic from the start.

“We go out to eat as a team and have team dinners,” he said. “Obviously, bus rides to and from away games are fun because of everyone enjoying each other. We really enjoy practice together, too. Having fun at practice is really a huge part for us.

“Just having fun with each other and enjoying the time together is really what makes our bond special.”

Earlier in the week, Belle Vernon (6-1, 3-0) was on Latrobe’s heels, while Albert Gallatin (2-6, 2-1) was in third place in the section.

“I said going into this season that this was going to be a very good, competitive section,” Basciano said. “I think it will come down to the last week for the section and playoffs.”

Latrobe’s losses are to St. Vincent-St. Mary in Ohio and nearby Hempfield, which won its first 11 games.

The 9-6 loss to Hempfield was more enlightening than disappointing.

“We learned that we can play with the big boys,” Basciano said. “We never quit in that game and kept coming back. Even though we lost, we learned to keep fighting and to never quit till the last out.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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