2014 MSA Sports Diamond Studs Baseball All-Star Team

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, June 18, 2014 | 12:27 PM

Blackhawk’s Brendan McKay and Norwin’s J.J. Matijevic were history makers. They did things this baseball season that hadn’t ever been done in the WPIAL before.

McKay and Matijevic were so dominant and so terrific that the MSA Sports staff had trouble separating the two for Player of the Year honors. So, MSA decided to do a rare thing. They picked McKay and Matijevic as co-Player of the Year.

McKay and Matijevic lead MSA’s Diamond Studs team, which is made up of the top 10 players in the WPIAL. The team is heavy with pitchers, but some of the pitchers also excelled in the field and as hitters.

Here is a look at the MSA Sports Diamond Studs team as well as the co-Player of the Year.

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR

BRENDAN McKAY, BLACKHAWK
PITCHER-FIRST BASEMAN-SENIOR

Some believe McKay could be the best pitcher in WPIAL history. You certainly could make a point for it.

McKay put himself in the national spotlight when he ran together a scoreless streak of 72 1/3 innings, dating back to last season. The streak, which was broken by West Allegheny in the WPIAL semifinals, ties for the second-longest ever in high school baseball in the country.

McKay (6 feet 1, 220 pounds) finished his career with a 30-2 record and allowed only 24 runs, 18 earned in his career. He was close to unhittable for much of this season. He finished 8-1 with 130 strikeouts in 63 innings and only 12 walks. He gave up only six runs (five earned). But McKay also hit better than .400 with two home runs and eight doubles.

McKay was drafted in the 34^th round by the San Diego Padres. But it is unlikely he will sign and will instead play for the University of Louisville.

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR

J.J. MATIJEVIC, NORWIN
SHORTSTOP-SENIOR

Matijevic made history. He is believed to possibly be the first player to win the WPIAL triple crown – tops in average, home runs and RBIs during the regular season. He hit .607  (34 of 56), had 10 home runs and 37 RBIs in helping Norwin to a WPIAL Class AAAA playoff berth.

Matijevic, who is 6-2, 200, also did something else that is unheard of in WPIAL circles. He hit a home run in six consecutive games.

Matijevic was taken in the 22^nd round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Boston Red Sox. But it is unlikely he will sign with the Red Sox. He has already signed with the University of Arizona.

TYLER SMITH, PENN-TRAFFORD
PITCHER-SENIOR

Smith was one of the best all-around players in the WPIAL. He was 6-3 as a pitcher with a 1.51 ERA and 78 strikeouts. But he also was a highly successful hitter, batting .493 with five home runs and 35 RBIs. He will play at Canisius.

ALEX PANTUSO, BALDWIN
PITCHER-SENIOR

Pantuso was one of the main reasons Baldwin made it to the WPIAL Class AAAA championship for the first time in school history. He was 5-2 as a pitcher with a 2.13 ERA. He struck out 75 in 52 2/3 innings. He also hit .349 with six home runs. He is a Slippery Rock University recruit.

A.J. OLASZ, WEST MIFFLIN
PITCHER-SENIOR

Olasz couldn’t pitch after mid-April because of a shoulder injury. But when he pitched, Olasz was one of the best in the WPIAL. He finished 4-0 with a 0.78 ERA. He struck out 42 in 23 innings. Olasz wasn’t able to pitch in the WPIAL playoffs, but he still hit and helped West Mifflin reach the Class AAA semifinals. He had 21 RBIs in the regular season. Olasz will pitch next season at the University of Cincinnati.

TAYLOR LEHMAN, KEYSTONE OAKS
PITCHER-SENIOR

Lehman is a 6-7, 215-pound left-hander who has signed with Penn State. He was also taken in the 34^th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Miami Marlins. Lehman finished 5-2 with a 1.46 ERA. He struck out 74 in 47 2/3 innings and also had a .423 batting average with 15 RBIs.

BRANDON DONOVAN, STEEL VALLEY
PITCHER-JUNIOR

Steel Valley won its first WPIAL baseball title in school history and Donovan was a driving force behind the Ironmen’s success. He hit .478 with eight double, three triples, two home runs and 37 RBIs. As a pitcher, he was 7-0 with a save. In 46 2/3 innings, he gave up only 28 hits and had a 1.50 ERA. He has 78 strikeouts. Donovan has a 13-2 career record.

ERNIE BURKES, NESHANNOCK
SHORTSTOP-SENIOR

Burkes was one of the best athletes in the WPIAL. He competed in four sports, and was a four-year starter in football, basketball and baseball. He ran track for the past two years. Burkes (5-9, 160) hit over .500 for Neshannock and was named the WPIAL Class AA player of the year by the WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association. Burkes will play football at Mount Union.

DUSTIN LANDER, SOUTH SIDE BEAVER
PITCHER, OUTFIELDER-JUNIOR

Lander dusted off many opposing batters this season and helped South Side to its first playoff appearance in 14 years. Lander had a perfect 8-0 record and one of his victories was a no-hitter against Shady Side Academy in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs. He had 78 strikeouts and also hit around .400 from his leadoff position.

JOSH LUKO, CALIFORNIA
PITCHER-SENIOR

Luko was named the Class A pitcher of the year by the WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association. Luko finished the year with a perfect 10-0 record, including a win against Carmichaels in the WPIAL final. Luko had a 0.82 ERA and struck out 70 in 59 1/3 innings. He had excellent control, walking only two batters. Luko also had a batting average around .400 with 14 RBIs.

Tags: Baldwin, Blackhawk, California, Keystone Oaks, Penn-Trafford Boys Baseball, West Mifflin