Trib HSSN baseball player of the week for April 21, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, April 21, 2024 | 7:57 PM

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Trib HSSN baseball player of the week: Gio Lonero

School: Seton LaSalle

Class: Senior

Positions: Pitcher, shortstop

What coach says: “With Gio, its business as usual,” Seton LaSalle coach Brad Bestic said of Gio’s success at the plate. “He exudes this confidence that puts him in the headspace that he is going to be successful and win every at- bat. Whether he knows it or not, it is starting to carry over to other hitters on the team, which is special.

“He is so incredibly patient and understands that he is going to be attacked as a hitter differently than most. On top of that, he cashes in on mistakes. Hitting is so difficult in a number of ways, but he is making it look so easy, even though it is the hundreds of hours of work he puts in behind the scenes that is leading to this continued success.

“He has been exemplary in all facets of the game. His fielding percentage is perfect on the season. Oh, and he also is tied for the lead on the team with eight stolen bases.

“There is no doubt that he wants to do everything in his power to will this team to championships. He has had such a special career here at Seton LaSalle it would only be fitting for that to be the ending chapter. However, there is still a lot of baseball to be played. Although it can be fun to dream about the future, he is very invested in the now and helping the team in any way that he can.”

#Earned: It was a perfect week at the plate for the leading hitter in the WPIAL. LoNero went 3 for 3 in all three of Seton LaSalle’s games this week. Going back to his final two at-bats from the previous week, LoNero has 11 hits in his last 11 at-bats. Against Laurel on Monday, he singled, doubled and tripled, scored three runs and drove in two. The next day against the Spartans, the senior had three singles, two runs scored and an RBI. Then on Saturday against New Brighton, LoNero singled, double tripled and scored three runs with two RBIs. Through nine games, LoNero is batting a mind-numbing .818 (18 for 22) with six doubles, three triples and two homers. He has scored 18 runs and has 17 RBIs with 10 walks and no strikeouts.

Background: LoNero’s first name is DiMaggio, named after the New York Yankees all-time great, Joe DiMaggio. While Gio’s grandfather debated that the name DiMaggio was a last name, Gio’s father, a big Yankees fan and proud Italian, paid homage to both by winning the debate. DiMaggio, a Canonsburg resident, now goes by Gio. LoNero is a North Alabama recruit who visited the campus two years ago and felt at home. He has stuck by his early choice. As a pitcher this season, LoNero has started three games and is 1-0 with a 1.27 ERA while allowing five hits, two walks and striking out 20 in 11 innings pitched.

2024 Trib HSSN Baseball Players of the Week

Week 2 – Tommy Schafale, North Catholic

Week 1 – Ryan Petras, Bethel Park

Tags: Seton La Salle