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Friday May 16, 2008
Trojans Season Ends With 7-2 Loss

The Blackhawk Cougars took advantage of four Trojan miscues on their way to a 7-2 win Saturday afternoon in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs at the Burkett Sports Complex in Robinson Township.  The fifth seeded Cougars scored two runs in the second inning off Derry starter Scott Dixon.  The Trojans defense then imploded in the fourth inning, allowing the Cougars to score four times.  Dixon, who pitched well, was lifted for Tony Patton.  Patton was able to shut the Cougar offense down in the final three inning's.  Derry scored both of its runs in the top of the seventh inning, and stranded two runner's on base when the game ended.  Derry was only able to muster two singles in the game.  Check back later for complete details on today's game.  The Trojans finish with an overall mark of (11-8). 

Friday May 16, 2008
Trojans To Play Cougars Saturday At 1:00 p.m.

Friday's scheduled first round WPIAL playoff game between Derry and Blackhawk has been postponed due to inclement weather.  The game was rescheduled for tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at the Burkett Sports Complex in Robinson Township.  Originally the game was to be played at Gateway High School at 2:00 p.m. and was then moved to Shaler's Matulevic Field at 5:00 p.m.  After continuous rain pelted the area, the game was moved to Saturday.  For driving directions to the Burkett Complex, please click here, or visit the Driving Directions link on the main page.

Friday May 9, 2008
Trojans Will Face Cougars In Opening Round Of Playoffs

Blackhawk will be the Trojan's first opponent in the WPIAL playoffs next Friday afternoon.  The game is set for Gateway High School beginning at 2:00 p.m.  The Cougars finished 10-2 in Section 1 play, and 12-4 overall, good for second place in the conference behind (11-1) Hampton.  Check back later this weekend for a complete story, match-ups and driving directions to Gateway.
 

Thursday May 8, 2008
Trojans Get By Vikings On Way To WPIAL Playoffs
Derry Comes Through In Must Win Situation
Game Box Score and Play By Play

The Trojan baseball team wrapped up a postseason berth for the first time since 2005 Wednesday afternoon, by defeating the Mount Pleasant Vikings 8-6 at Grandview Field.  The Trojans jumped on Viking starter Chet Welc for three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead.  Josh Mroskey, who had singled to start the game, scored on a Scott Dixon sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.  Tony Patton's two-run double later in the inning plated Jordan Carnathan and Nathan Kohuth, who both walked.  After Mount Pleasant fought back and tied the score in the top of the second inning, the Trojans tacked on three more runs to make it a 6-3 game. Scott Dixon's bases clearing double was the big hit, driving in all three runs.  The Vikings would not go away however, as they plated two runs in the top of the fifth inning to make it a 6-5 contest.  Derry would answer the Viking rally with two more runs in the sixth to put the game away.  Mroskey singled in Jordan Hope, who delivered a one out base hit, and pinch hitter Tyler Pakos, who walked and stole second base, to set the table for Mroskey's clutch hit. 

Sophomore Scott Dixon earned the mound win going six innings and striking out nine, while surrendering five earned runs.  Junior Nathan Kohuth came on in the seventh with a runner aboard and nobody out, and was able to get a key double play ball to help notch his first save of the season.

The Trojans finish the regular season at (11-8) overall and (9-5) in section play, good enough for a third place finish behind both Laurel Highlands (12-2) and Greensburg Salem (12-2), who shared the section title.  Click here for the updated team statistics.

Derry will now await an opponent in the WPIAL playoffs, which are tentatively set to begin next Wednesday.  Check back for more details.
 

Tuesday May 6, 2008
Trojans Still One Win Away From Playoff Contention After Extra Inning Loss
Late Heroics Lift Laurel Highlands to 8-7 Thriller
Game Box Score and Play By Play

If High School baseball games were five inning's long, the Derry Trojans would be unbeaten in section play, literally.  Instead, the Trojans need a win in their section finale against Mount Pleasant on Wednesday, to secure a WPIAL playoff berth.  Derry had the chance to wrap up a spot in the postseason on Monday afternoon at first place Laurel Highlands, and for the first five inning's, it looked like they would do just that.  The Trojans built a 6-0 lead and were getting a strong pitching performance from senior Matt Maloy.  A couple of costly error's to begin the inning led to a four run Mustang fifth.  Tony Patton then came on to try and shut LH down, and was able to do so until the bottom of the seventh.  With a Mustang aboard and two outs, Mason Tupta launched the first offering from Patton just over the left field fence for a two-run homerun.  Just like that the Mustangs tied the game at 6-6. 

Derry added a run in the eighth inning, but again, after two outs in the bottom of the eighth, the Mustangs tied the score on a premature double steal.  It was a controversial play because it looked as if Trojan second baseman Seth Kohuth made the tag prior to the run scoring, however the base umpire said Kohuth never touched him.  Then was the question of whether the runner was out of the baseline.  After some discussion, the ruling favored the Mustangs and they tied the score at 7-7.  In the bottom of the ninth, a two out single by Kevin Gmitter to centerfield sealed the win, in what was an unbelievable game.  For a complete box score and play by play, click on the link under the headline of this story.  Click here for updated team statistics.

The Trojans will host Mount Pleasant on Senior day at Grandview Field, and it would be fitting to send the five Trojan seniors into the playoffs with a victory.  Game time is 4:00 p.m. 

Saturday May 3, 2008
Trojans One Victory Away From Playoff Berth
Game Box Score and Play By Play
Photo Gallery

The Trojan baseball team flirted with disaster Friday afternoon by almost letting another game slip away, but in the end, Derry prevailed with a 9-7 win at Grandview Field. 

The Trojans (8-4) built a 7-2 lead after two innings, but the Little Indians chipped away at the lead, and scored the tying run in the top of the sixth after two outs, to knot the game at 7-7.  Derry, who had blown a 3-1 sixth inning lead just two days ago at Greensburg Salem, did not let this one slip away scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth.  Sophomore Justin Rectenwald got things started with a double to right field.  After a failed bunt attempt, Junior Josh Mroskey hit a ground ball that was misplayed by the Indiana second baseman, allowing Rectenwald to score.  Mrsokey hustled into second base on the play.  After a strikeout and an intentional walk to Scott Dixon, Jordan Carnathan walked, and Nathan Kohuth followed with a base on balls to bring home Mroskey with the Trojan ninth and final run.  Junior Tony Patton then shut the door in the top of the seventh to get the pitching win, in relief of Kohuth.  Patton, now (5-1) on the season, pitched the final three inning's, giving up just one earned run.  Rectenwald finished with two hits on the day.  Click here for updated team statistics.

Derry is now one win away from clinching a WPIAL playoff berth.  The Trojans can get in with a victory over either Laurel Highlands Monday or Mount Pleasant Wednesday, or a loss by Indiana against Yough Monday or Kittanning Wednesday.
 

Friday May 2, 2008
Trojans Pound Uniontown
Game Box Score and Play By Play

The Trojans collected fourteen hits on their way to an easy five inning, 13-2 win over Uniontown Thursday afternoon at Wharton Field.  Scott Dixon and Jordan Carnathan pumped in three hits a piece.  Carnathan also added four RBI.  Nathan Kohuth, Josh Mroskey, and Pat Meloy also pounded out two hits a piece. 

Tony Patton pitched the first two innings to pick up the win.  Sophomore Ronnie Polo hurled the third and fourth frames, and Senior Matt Maloy threw the final inning of scoreless relief.  The trio combined on a four hitter.

Derry (7-4) will host Indiana (7-4) Friday in a section showdown which will put one of the two teams in a prime position for making postseason play.

Thursday May 1, 2008
Salem Deals Tough Loss To Trojans
Derry loses three run lead late in defeat
Game Box Score and Play By Play

It was another tough loss for the Trojans Wednesday afternoon against Greensburg Salem.  None tougher than for Sophomore right-hander Scott Dixon who battled through much adversity the whole game, only to be tagged with the loss giving up seven unearned runs.  Although Dixon was not getting some obvious strike calls, he did manage to take a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, when the wheels fell off.  Three Trojan error's in the inning, and one big hit, a bases clearing triple down the right field line turned a 3-1 Derry lead into an 8-3 Golden Lion advantage.  Derry jumped out to a 3-0 lead after four innings, and made some fine defensive plays, prior to the mistakes in the sixth.  Derry would add one run in the seventh to set the final at 8-4.  The Trojans also stranded four runners in scoring position.  Derry (6-4) will play at Uniontown (1-9) Thursday at 4:00 p.m.  Click here for updated team statistics.

Wednesday April 30, 2008
Trojans And Salem Square Off Today

The Trojan baseball team will battle Greensburg Salem later today for second place in Section 2-AAA.  The last time the two teams met, the Trojans lost a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning, and dropped a 6-3 decision.  Salem (7-2) was scheduled to play at Laurel Highlands Tuesday, but the game has been pushed back to May 6th.  The WPIAL rules state section games must be made up at the next available date, however these two teams decided to place the game at the end of the section season.  This should be looked into, and will hopefully fuel the Trojans (6-3) on Wednesday when they take the field at 4:00 p.m.  Check back to see all of the details.

Monday April 28, 2008
Weather Washes Out Trojans and Uniontown

Today's game between Derry and Uniontown has been postponed due to the inclement weather.  The two teams will meet on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at Uniontown.  Derry (6-3) will visit Greensburg Salem on Wednesday at 4:00.  The game will be played at Greensburg Salem High School.  The (7-2) Golden Lions are scheduled to play at Laurel Highlands on Tuesday.
 

Saturday April 26, 2008
Trojans Win In Extra Innings For Second Straight Game
Game Box Score and Play By Play

The Trojan baseball team took on Kiski School on Friday at beautiful Andreni field, and came away with a hard fought 10-6 win.  Derry scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to seal the victory.

The Trojans built a 6-2 lead after scoring two runs in the first, one in the third, and three in the fourth.  Kiski School however chipped away at the lead, and plated one run in the fourth, and three in the fifth on four hits, to make it a 6-5 game.  Then after holding the Trojans in the top of the seventh, Kiski struck again on a two-out single by designated hitter Jake Testa to tie the score at 6-6 and send the game into extra inning's.  In the Trojan eighth, Scott Dixon led off by driving a ball deep to left field.  The Kiski fielder was able to get to the ball right at the foul line, but could not make the catch, allowing Dixon to race all the way to third base.  Jordan Carnathan than lined a ground rule double to right field scoring Dixon.  There was some debate whether Carnathan's ball made it over the fence, and although the Kiski player admittedly put his hand up as if to say it was a home run, the base umpire ruled that the ball bounced over.  It would not matter though, as pinch runner Jesse Hart would score when Nathan Kohuth laced a double just inside the third base bag, to give Derry an 8-6 lead.  The Trojans would tack on two more runs in the inning on a double by Tony Patton, and a groundout by Josh Cantanzarite, respectively.

Senior Pat Meloy, getting his first start this season, had a stellar game going 2-2 with a walk, and he made an outstanding catch in right field with nobody out in the Kiski seventh inning.  Seth and Nathan Kohuth, along with Matt Maloy each added two hits a piece for the Trojans.  Maloy pitched the first four inning's giving up just three runs.  Tony Patton got the win in relief, and sophomore Ronnie Polo pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth to earn his first varsity save. 

Derry, (8-6) overall and (6-3) in section play will be at Uniontown Monday at 4:00 p.m.  Click here for updated team statistics.

Thursday April 24, 2008
Trojans Fight Back In Win Over Wildcats
Game Box Score and Play By Play

Derry spotted Kittanning a 3-1 lead after five innings Wednesday afternoon, but the Trojans would survive the storm clouds and the game, scoring two runs in the sixth, and adding a single tally in the top of the ninth, to pull out a 4-3 win.  Nathan Kohuth, who did not figure in the decision, pitched brilliantly going 6 1/3 inning's before giving way to Scott Dixon.  Kohuth struck out ten Wildcat hitters.  Dixon kept Kittanning at bay the rest of the way striking out four in 2 2/3 inning's of work to pick up the win.

Kittanning led 3-0 after four innings, before Derry scored a single run the top of the fifth, to make it a 3-1 game.  Kohuth tripled and scored on a Tony Patton sacrifice fly.  The Trojans would the get out of a jam in the home half of the fifth.  After a leadoff double, and a fifteen minute rain delay, the Trojans found themselves in trouble.  After an error put runner's at the corner's, catcher Jimmy Hauser would gun down a Wildcat trying to steal.  Kohuth would then strike the next two hitters out in what proved to be a big hold.  In the top of the sixth, Derry scored twice to tie the game at three.  After one out, Josh Mroskey singled and Seth Kohuth walked.  After a strikeout, Jordan Carnathan came to the plate, and after a passed ball advanced both runner's up one base, Carnathan lifted a fly ball to left field that dropped in off the glove of the Kittanning fielder to give Derry new life.

Dixon held the Wildcats down in the seventh and eighth inning's, but the Trojans could not get the big hit, until the ninth.  Scott Dixon led of with a double to the gap in left centerfield.  Carnathan then laid down a bunt that Wildcat pitcher Nate Stephens tossed over the head of  the first baseman, allowing Dixon to score what proved to be the winning run.  Dixon then allowed one Wildcat hitter to reach in the bottom of the 9th, but was able to shut the door on a 4-3 win.

The Trojans are now (6-3) in section play and are in sole possession of third place, one game behind Greensburg Salem (7-2), and two games behind first place Laurel Highlands (8-1).  Derry will play a non-section game Friday at Kiski School beginning at 4:00 p.m.  The Trojans will return to section action Monday at Uniontown.  Click here to view updated team statistics.

Tuesday April 22, 2008
Trojans Pound Yough Behind Patton's No Hit Performance
Game Box Score and Play By Play

Trojan Junior righthander Tony Patton tossed a no-hitter Monday afternoon in a 10-0 Derry whitewash of the Yough Cougars.  Patton fanned five hitters, and allowed just three base runner's in five inning's of work, while only throwing 60 pitches.  The game was called after five due to the 10-run mercy rule.  Derry picked up five quick runs in the bottom of the first inning as Scott Dixon knocked in Josh Mroskey and Seth Kohuth with a single.  After Dixon stole second base, Jordan Carnathan singled for one of his three hits on the day, to bring home Dixon and give Derry a 3-0 lead.  Patton then helped his own cause by driving in Carnathan with a single.  Courtesy runner Nathan Harr then scored to make it 5-0 when the Cougar first baseman could not handle a ball hit by Josh Cantanzarite.

Patton walked two batters in the bottom of the first, but did a great job to get out of the jam, and would not allow another runner until Andy Ruess reached on an error to lead off the fifth inning. 

Junior Nathan Kohuth belted a two-run homerun to deep left centerfield in the third inning to give Derry a 7-0 lead.  Kohuth finished with two hits on the afternoon. 

The Trojans are now (5-3) in conference play, and have won three straight section contests.  Derry will play at Kittanning on Wednesday.  The Wildcats suffered a 6-1 loss to Laurel Highlands on Monday and have dropped five straight section games, after starting the year (3-0).  The Trojans were beaten by the Wildcats 3-2 in the first meeting between the two teams.  Game time is 4:00 p.m.  Click here to view updated team statistics.

Sunday April 20, 2008
Trojans Get Key Section Win Over Indiana
Game Box Score and Play By Play

Derry ended first half of section play on Saturday going in a positive direction, with a 7-5 win at Indiana's White Township Recreation Complex.  Sophomore Scott Dixon picked up the pitching win, giving up just one earned run in five inning's.  Junior Tony Patton entered in the sixth inning, and finished the game to pick up the save.  It was a solid win for the Trojans, especially offensively, as Derry pounded out nine hits, and most importantly, came through in some big situations.  "I thought today we found a way to win because we did the little things offensively such as getting bunts down, stealing bases, taking the extra base, and getting some timely two out hitting with runners in scoring position," said Derry coach John Flickinger.  "This was certainly a stepping stone game for us, as we enter the second half of the section season on Monday at Yough."  

Defensively the Trojans did not play a stellar game, and Flickinger believes that when the team plays a complete game, they can be very dangerous.  "I will knock on wood when I say this, but our pitching has been solid all year.  We just have not made some routine plays, and have been making too many mental mistakes on defense.  We know what we are capable of, we just have to get it done in crucial situations," Flickinger added.

Indiana took a 2-1 lead after one inning, but the Trojans tied the score in the third inning as Seth Kohuth reached on an error, stole second, and score on Dixon's single.  Jordan Hope then came through with a huge two out two-run single in the fourth inning, to give Derry a 4-2 lead.  The Trojans would add to the lead in the fifth, scoring three runs to take a 7-2 lead.  Indiana was able to tack on a run in the bottom of the fifth and two in the sixth, but Derry held on for the win.  Dixon, who added an RBI double in the first inning, and Kohuth paced Derry with two hits a piece. 

The Trojans are now (4-3) in section play and start the section half of action tomorrow at Yough.  "I have a feeling this will come down to the wire," Flickinger added.  "No team is safe right now in our section because we all have to play each other one more time.  It will be interesting to see how the pitching match-ups will go the rest of the way.  We have seen every teams number one guy, and that is ok, because we are starting to gain a lot of confidence."

Click here to view updated team statistics.

Friday April 18, 2008
Wildcats Beat Trojans At PNC

Latrobe busted out in the Fourth inning scoring four runs, and never looking back on their way to a 14-1 decision of the Trojans Thursday.  The game, played at beautiful PNC Park was a great experience for both teams, and all Varsity players from each team had a chance to experience the playing surface and get an at bat.  "This was an experience that these kids will be talking about for the rest of their lives," said Derry coach John Flickinger.  "Losing the game did not put a damper on the day because there were many moments that each and every kid got to experience, and it was nice to see their eyes light up."   Latrobe led 2-1 after three inning's, getting two runs off Trojan starter Tony Patton in the first inning.  Patton settled down and held the Wildcats down until departing in the third inning trailing by 1.  "I was not going to keep Tony in there any longer because I had my hands tied with pitching.  If you use Tony one more inning, he will not be eligible to pitch on Saturday against Indiana.  The section games are obviously the most important, and we may need Tony to pitch some inning's Saturday.  Due to some unfortunate circumstances, we lost a pitcher for a week on Thursday, and he was not able to help us today, like I had hoped." 

The Trojans play at Indiana on Saturday.  Check back soon for a photo gallery of the game at PNC Park.
 

Thursday April 17, 2008
Trojans Back In Race After Convincing Win Over MP
Game Box Score and Play By Play

The Trojan baseball team is right back in the section race after beating up on the Mount Pleasant Vikings 11-4 Wednesday afternoon.  Derry, who has dropped three very close section games in the past couple of weeks, broke out in a big way Wednesday, and evened their section mark at (3-3).  Mount Pleasant dropped to (3-3) in section play.

The Trojans jumped out on top 2-0 in the first inning, as Junior Josh Mroskey singled and stole second.  He later scored on a Scott Dixon double.  Dixon then was plated by a two-out single off the bat of Tony Patton.  After the Vikings cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the inning, Derry scored three times in the top of the third to take a 5-1 lead and never look back.  Nathan Kohuth's two-out two run single with the bases loaded was the key hit in the inning.  Senior Jordan Carnathan's leadoff double in the fourth inning led to another Trojan run to make it 6-1.  Derry put the game away in the final two frames, scoring five runs on six hits.  The team finished with 14 hits on the day, to make a winner out of Junior Nathan Kohuth, who pitched six innings, and gave up just two unearned runs on two hits, while striking out four.  Sophomore Nick Sofranko pitched the final inning.  Mroskey, Dixon and Carnathan each had three hits, while Sophomore Justin Rectenwald added two.

Derry will play Latrobe this afternoon at beautiful PNC Park at 3:00 p.m.  Click here to view updated team statistics and we hope to see you at PNC later today.  The Trojans will get back into section play Saturday at 12:00 p.m. at Indiana.  The time has been changed from the originally scheduled 1:00 p.m. start.

Tuesday April 15, 2008
Trojans Fall To Mustangs In Another Nail Biter
Game Box Score and Play By Play

You have to wonder what it will take for the Derry Varsity baseball team to win a close came.  In three section losses, the Trojans have been beaten 3-2 by Kittanning, 6-3 in eight inning's against Greensburg Salem, after squandering a two run lead in the seventh, and most recently against Laurel Highlands after leading 1-0 after five innings.

Monday afternoon, Sophomore Scott Dixon turned in another masterful pitching performance, only to see the Mustangs score two unearned runs to take a 2-1 lead after six innings.  After Derry tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth on a wild pitch that scored first year senior Nathan Harr, the Trojans had life. Harr, who made an outstanding hustling play,  just beat the tag of Mustang catcher Zach Dascenzo.  Laurel Highlands, however, would score twice in the top of the seventh to take a 4-2 lead.  Derry did leave the potential tying run on base, when starting pitcher Ethan Mildren induced Dixon to ground out to third to end the game.

Mildren, also a sophomore, and listed as one of the top three pitchers in the WPIAL Class AAA, was able to work out of several jams to pick up the victory.  He struck out four in a complete game effort.  Dixon pitched 6 1/3 inning's and suffered a tough loss.  He fanned nine Mustang hitters.  Derry out hit the Mustangs in the game.  The Trojans (2-3) will travel to Mount Pleasant  (3-2) on Wednesday with game time slated for 4:00 p.m.  The Vikings were 5-3 losers against Greensburg Salem on Monday.  Click here to view the updated section standings.

The Trojan JV's dropped an 8-6 decision at Laurel Highlands Monday.  Sophomore Ronnie Polo was 4-4 and Junior Brett Cmar added three hits for the Trojans.

Sunday April 13, 2008
Trojans Set To Take On Wildcats At PNC Thursday

Both the Derry and Latrobe baseball teams met their respective quota's of 500 Pirate tickets sold, and therefore will get the chance to play Thursday at beautiful PNC Park in Pittsburgh.  The game will begin no earlier than 3:00 p.m., however the contest could get started a little later, depending on how quickly the field can get turned over from the game before. 

Fans attending can park in any available lot surrounding PNC Park, and city parking charges will apply.  Spectators should enter the ballpark ONLY at the Post-Gazette Rotunda, located at the home plate entrance of the park near the Honus Wagner Statue, and are not permitted on the playing field at anytime. 

There is no cost for admission to the game, however there will be security at the door checking bags.  Spectators are permitted to enter the park with a clear 20-ounce bottle of water.  Anything else brought into the game must meet the requirements set forth by the Pirates.  Please be sure to click here and read the criteria for bringing food and beverages into the ballpark.

We are looking forward to a great day, and we hope to see you all at the park.  The Derry High School is taking three busses to the game, and we thank Angie Bumar for coordinating the trip, as well as Mrs. Kathy Perry, Mrs. Roberta Kuhns, Dr. David Welling, and the Derry School Board for approving it. 

Saturday April 12, 2008
Trojans and Indiana To Play Next Saturday

Fridays game between Derry and Indiana has been rescheduled for 1:00 p.m. next Saturday April 19th at the White Township Recreation Complex in Indiana.  Derry will take a (2-2) section record into their home game Monday against (3-1) Laurel Highlands.  The Mustangs only loss came at the hands of Kittanning 6-3.  Derry will play at Mount Pleasant Wednesday, before heading to PNC park Thursday to take on Latrobe.  The Southmoreland exhibition game scheduled for Friday has been cancelled.
 

Wednesday April 9, 2008
GS Deals Trojans Another Tough Loss
Game Box Score and Play By Play

For the second time in less than a week, the Trojan Baseball team dropped a tough decision, this time it was Greensburg Salem that was able to overcome a two-run deficit in the top of the seventh inning, to pull out a 6-3 win.  The Golden Lions used two consecutive infield singles, to push across the tying run after two outs.

In the eighth, the Golden Lions were helped by an unfortunates bounce, as Sophomore Nick Sofranko struck out a GS batter, only to see the ball catch the back of home plate and bounce over the backstop.  That, along with a costly Trojan error and wild pitch, led to a three run inning.

Junior Josh Mroskey continued his hot hitting with three on the afternoon, including a double with one out in the bottom of the seventh in a tied game.  Unfortunately, Jordan Carnathan's one hop smash to second base was fielded beautifully on a backhand by Steve Deems, who threw on to first to retire the side, and keep teh GS hoped alive.  Junior Nathan Kohuth also added two hits for Derry.  Starting pitcher Scott Dixon was brilliant through six innings, striking out seven, and not allowing a walk until the seventh, prior to getting relieved by Sofranko, who was the hard luck loser.  

Derry is now (2-2) in section play and the Trojans travel to Indiana on Friday against the (2-2) Indians at 4:00 p.m.  The game will be played at the White Township Recreation Complex.  Please see the driving directions on the main page.  Click here to see updated team statistics.
 

Monday April 7, 2008
Patton Tosses One Hitter In Trojan Blanking Of Red Raiders
Game Box Score and Play By Play
Photo Gallery

Junior Tony Patton did it with his arm and the bat on Monday afternoon, leading the Trojan baseball team to a convincing 10-0 shutout of the Uniontown Red Raiders.  Derry, who came within one hit of pulling out a one run game against Kittanning on Friday, did not have to feel much pressure on Monday, pounding out 12 hits and not committing an error.  Patton was stellar on the mound, allowing just a first inning single, striking out nine, and not allowing a single walk.  He also smashed two doubles to help his cause.

Junior Josh Mroskey also finished with two hits for the Trojans, and Sophomore Scott Dixon added three RBI.  Derry is now (2-1) in section play, good for sole possession of second place.  Derry plays host to (1-1) Greensburg Salem on Wednesday at Grandview Field.  Game time is 4:00 p.m.  Click here to view updated team statistics.

Saturday April 5, 2008
Trojans Fall To Wildcats
Game Box Score and Play By Play

The Trojan baseball team came within one pitch of pulling out an exciting victory Friday afternoon at Grandview Field.  That, however, was not the case as the Kittanning Wildcats held on for a 3-2 win. 

Kittanning built a 3-0 lead after four innings.  Derry could not buy a hit through the first four frames, and the Wildcats made sure that even the hard hit balls were landing in their gloves, as they made some very nice defensive plays. 

The Trojans would strike for two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Scott Dixon led off with a triple to right centerfield.  Jordan Carnathan then reached on an error allowing Dixon to score.  Pinch runner Pat Meloy would then score on a Nick Sofranko infield single, to make it a 3-2 game.  The Trojans would load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, and on a 3-2 pitch, Nathan Kohuth grounded sharply to the first baseman to end the game.  Jordan Hope got the final inning going with a single up the middle, followed by a Dixon single.  Carnathan ripped a ground ball that was fielded by the Wildcat second baseman, who threw on to first for the second out of the inning.  Tony Patton was then intentionally walked to get to Kohuth.

Kohuth was pulled from the mound after suffering a finger cut while running the bases in the second inning.  Junior Brett Mickinac, and Sofranko did an outstanding job keeping the Wildcats at bay for the remaining five innings.  Dixon led the Trojans with two hits.  Derry will host Uniontown on Monday at Grandview Field, beginning at 4:15 p.m.  Click here to view the updated team statistics.

Wednesday April 2, 2008
Trojans Mount Comeback In Win Over Yough
Game Box Score and Play By Play

After pounding out 35 hits in its first three games, the Trojan bats were cooled off by Yough senior starting pitcher Pat Sior, who limited the Derry bats to just five hits over five innings.  Trojan starter Scott Dixon was also impressive, giving up just two earned runs, scattering eight hits over seven inning's, and striking out seven without allowing a walk.  When it was all said and done, the Trojans bounced back from a 6-4 deficit by scoring five runs on just two hits in the bottom of the 6th inning to take a 9-6 lead.  The Trojans were aided by three hit batsmen in the inning.  The big hit was a two out, two-run double by Dixon down the left field line.  Tony Patton then singled home two more runs in the inning.  Patton was the only Trojan to finish with two hits.  Senior Jordan Carnathan had one hit, and was on base three times.  Dixon shut the Cougars down in the seventh, to preserve the Trojan win. 

Derry will play at Kittanning on Friday beginning at 4:00 p.m.  Click here for updated statistics, and see the updated team standings by clicking here, or following the links on the welcome page.

Tuesday April 1, 2008
Trojans Pound Centurions
Game Box Score

Until yesterday, the Derry baseball season had gotten off to a rocky start.  Eleven errors in two games against two quality teams in Penn Trafford and Norwin was the big catalyst.  One thing Derry did not lack was hits, and Tuesday the Trojans added 17 more to their total, and put a whipping on #6 ranked Class AA Greensburg Central Catholic 13-2.  The game ended after six innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.  Although the Trojans were still not stellar in the field, the bats more than made up for it, as for the third straight game, they scored two runs in the first inning.  After allowing GCC to score a run in the bottom half of the first cutting the lead to 2-1, Derry exploded with two tallies in the second and three more in the third to make it a 7-1 game.  The Trojans put the game away scoring five times in the top of the sixth inning and cruised to a convincing win.  The team now has 35 hits in their first three games.  Junior Brett Mickinac banged out three hits, and Josh Mroskey, Jordan Carnathan, Justin Rectenwald, Tony Patton and Nathan Kohuth each added two.  Kohuth pitched 2 2/3 inning's in relief to pick up the win.  Mickinac added two solid inning's of relief, allowing just one base runner.  Starter Matt Maloy gave up just one run before leaving the game with a blister on his throwing hand. 

 Derry (1-2) begins section play on Wednesday hosting Yough at 4:15.  Click here to see the updated team statistics.

Wednesday March 26, 2008
Knights Use Late Rally To Defeat Trojans
Game Box Score

For the second straight game, the Derry Trojan baseball team finished with nine hits, and came up on the short end of the stick.  Wednesday the Trojans played their first home game of the 2008 season, and built an 11-6 lead over Norwin , only to see the Knights score six times in the sixth inning to grab the lead 12-11 and hold on for the win.  Once again the Trojans were plagued by errors that led to big innings.  Derry committed two miscues in Norwin's big sixth inning outburst. 

Sophomore Scott Dixon and junior Jimmy Hauser again paced the way for the Trojan offensive attack.  Dixon had three hits including a triple and double, while Hauser pounded out two doubles. 

Derry will play at Greensburg Central Catholic on Monday at 4:00.  For updated team statistics, click here or follow the links on the home page.

Tuesday March 25, 2008
Warriors Take Advantage Of Trojan Miscues In 11-3 Win
Game Box Score

The Trojan Varsity Baseball team dropped an 11-3 decision to the Penn Trafford Warriors on Tuesday in both team's first game game of the 2008 season.  The Trojans took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning getting hits from Josh Mroskey, Scott Dixon and Jordan Carnathan.  PT tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the first, and took a 3-2 lead after two innings.  The Warriors then exploded in the third inning scoring five times, and taking advantage of four Trojan errors to increase the lead to 8-2.  Derry added a single run in the fifth inning as Jimmy Hauser doubled, and scored on a Mroskey single to cut the lead to 8-3.  PT would put the game away with three tallies in the sixth with just one hit, a homerun by Chris Rasky, who finished with three hits.  Dixon was a perfect 2-2 at the plate, but suffered the pitching loss.  Tony Patton, along with Mroskey and Hauser also had two hits for the Trojans.  Derry will host Norwin on Thursday at Grandview Field.  Game time is 4:00.  The Derry JV's were 10-7 winners over Penn Trafford.  Sophomore Ronnie Polo picked up the pitching victory.

Tuesday March 18th, 2008

Determined Trojans ready for 2008 Season

“This has been by far the toughest season to pick a Varsity and JV team in quite a while,” Flickinger said. 

Flickinger says the margin is so slim in some areas that a JV player can get called up at any time. “We told the kids on the JV to keep improving and playing hard because their chance could come at any time.  This becomes a grueling season every year with the changing of weather and postponements, and we are going to need a total team effort and as much solid pitching as possible to make that happen.  Two or three arms will usually not get you to the playoffs, and that is certainly a popular team goal.” 

The Trojan Varsity opens exhibition play at Quad-A Penn Trafford on Tuesday March 25^th at 4:00 p.m.

Other Notes: Joining Coach Slezak’s staff in 2008 is former Trojan standout Greg Lasinski.  Greg has handled the off season conditioning program and also served as an assistant coach during the fall ball season. He will primarily work with pitchers.  Coach Craig Paouncic comes from Blairsville where he was a standout baseball player, and helped to coach in the Junior American Legion level.  Craig will run the Junior Varsity team.  Volunteer assistants Dave Krinock and Marty Rectenwald will each begin their second season on the staff.  Both have been tremendous additions to the program.  Marty will work with the pitchers, while Dave will serve as the team’s first base coach.  Learn more about all the coaches by following the “Meet The Coaches” link on this website.

Trojan Varsity To Play At PNC Park

The 2008 Varsity Baseball season is just about to get underway, and we are pleased to announce that the Trojan Varsity will play at beautiful PNC Park in Pittsburgh against Latrobe on Thursday April 17th, at 3:00 p.m.  Both teams have to sell 500 Pirates tickets, and are on their way to achieving that goal.  We are pleased that the Pirates organization accepted us as one of their High School feature games, and we are all looking forward to a great experience.  We thank the parents and all the businesses that helped support this game, and we hope to continue this in years to come.  We will have more information on the game in the near future.  For more information on how you can help this fundraiser, please email me at flick1974@yahoo.com.
 

Future Trojan Players Shine In First Baseball Camp

Youngsters gain valuable experience in three day camp

Click here to view the Camp Photo Gallery

The Trojan Baseball team and coaches were pleased to support the Derry Area Youth Athletic Association in holding the first Derry Baseball Camp at Grandview Field's this past summer.  Nearly thirty baseball players came out for the three day event, and were taught the finer points of baseball, such as proper throwing technique,  situational defensive drills and smart base running.  Hitting and pitching techniques were also a part of the camp. 

Derry Varsity Coach John Flickinger said the camp was a good opportunity to not only teach the kids, but to get to know them as well.  "The kids were extremely attentive and really did a great job."  "These players are the future of Derry Baseball and it just makes sense to get to see their abilities at such an early age."

Derry Head Coach Bob Slezak was also happy with the kids work ethic.  "Everything they were taught they tried," Slezak said.  "Hopefully they take their experience with them and build on it with their coaches in their summer league's."  Slezak also hopes that the kids remember baseball for more than just a few months.  "Hopefully these kids will not put their gloves away when the season is over and then not pick them up again until late March."  He said that even though kids play other sports, if you get a chance, break out the glove or bat and take some time to remember correct technique.  It will mean so much when the next season comes around.

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