Apollo-Ridge baseball team turns to its seniors

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, March 10, 2018 | 7:48 PM

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With a roster that boasts six seniors, two sophomores and five incoming freshman, there will be no in between this year for Apollo-Ridge baseball coach Eric Andring and his Vikings.

Coaches are going to have to coach, seniors are going to have to coach, talented freshman are going to need to step up. If everything comes together, the Vikings might find themselves in the WPIAL Class 2A postseason picture.

“Why not us?” asked Andring, who is in his second season as the Viking's skipper. “Serra Catholic is Serra Catholic, but I believe that we can play with everybody else in the (Section 3-2A).

“I think the best thing about it is that my seniors have openly welcomed this freshmen group in, and the thing with them is that they're all baseball players.”

Call them “Apollo 13,” because it's going to take all 13 players on the roster to get Apollo-Ridge (5-10, 5-9) to the Class 2A postseason for the first time since 2014. Andring has placed a lot of responsibility on his six seniors, specifically Daniel Rametta, TJ Stiffy and Daniel Johnson. He has given them the go-ahead to prepare the freshmen for varsity baseball.

”When we practice, I always make sure I split them up with the freshmen,” Andring said. “I tell them, ‘I want you to show them the way,' and all three have really responded.”

Stiffy and fellow senior Daniel Johnson will pick up the bulk of the innings on the hill. Andring said Stiffy's multitude of pitches that can be delivered from either a side-armed or overhand release makes him tough to face. Both picked up a few starts last season, Stiffy finishing with a 1-1 record and Johnson 0-1. Sophomore Cam Bush will provide depth.

Andring has all his arms in order but took a hit behind the plate when he got word sophomore Donnie Biddle will sit out the season and rest his injured shoulder. Andring said Biddle already is making a case to be the Vikings first-base coach.

“He's a real spark plug,” Andring said.

Rametta will move to catcher, a position he played as a sophomore. Freshman Zach Hreha will get a look behind the plate and could earn time there.

When he's not on the hill, Stiffy will play first base. Otherwise, standout quarterback and Mercyhurst football commit Kyle Fitzroy makes a nice target and provides a long reach at first base.

The 6-foot-4 senior decided to go out for the team for the first time in his high-school career, and don't be surprised if Fitzroy takes the hill late in the season. Andring and his staff have been working with Fitzroy, and the coach said the righty can throw strikes and has potential.

There's a battle at second base between sophomore Braden Astolos and freshman Bryce Lorenti. Each brings something different to the position, but Astolos might have the inside track having finished last season at the position.

Shortstop will be either Rametta or Johnson, and third base is a toss up and will get clearer once Andring sees how fast Fitzroy develops and at first and Hreha comes along at catcher.

“I tell the boys that every time the pitcher changes, things will change in the field,” Andring said.

Bush will play left field, with seniors Tyler Tamski in center and Austin Shermenti in left field.

As a team, the Vikings lost a lot of pop in their bats from last year. Rametta is the top hitter returning. He finished third on the team in batting average (.295) but led the team with 13 RBIs. While it's still too early, Andring said he likes Tamski in the leadoff spot followed by Bush, Rametta, Johnson, Stiffy and Fitzroy.

“I think they know that if they're interested in playing any extra baseball at the end of the season, they need to compete and work on things every single day,” Andring said. “I'll take my nine starters against any nine starters in the section.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge