Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 110

6 PG East: Thursday, July 21, 1988 East soccer teams view section shifts differently i 1 By Joe Greiner Only two East area boys soccers programs, Pittsburgh Central Catholic and Greensburg Central Catholic, were affected by the realignment in WPIAL boys soccer programs. And each team feels differently about the changes. The realignment advantage goes to Greensburg Central Catholic, which will return to Class AAA in Section 1 after a one-year stint as a member of Section 8 in Class AA. The Centurions' drop to Class AA was a fruitful one last year, as they finished with an 11-8 overall mark and a third-place spot. In the three previous years on the Gass AAA level, the Centurions won only seven of 51 games.

"I think the WPIAL moved us back into Section 1 because of all the traveling we had to do last year," said first-year coach Jan Johnston. "I've been an assistant coach here for a couple of years, so I've seen the good and the bad side of our program. I don't think the move back up will hurt this program. We're better than the first time we were up here. "I'll have seven starters return-" ing, but we did lose our leading scorer, Matt Ford.

Our complete defense will be coming back and that really helps. I think the players also like the move because it allows them to compete against the teams local to us. I think we'll be on the same tevel with the other teams because there have been a few coaching changes among the section teams in the off-season." At the other end of the spectrum is Pittsburgh Central Catholic. The Vikings have never even been close to contending for a playoff spot in Section 4, finishing with a 5-12 mark last year against teams like Gateway, Franklin Regional and Wood land Hills. Now the Vikings find themselves in Section 5, which rivals Section 6 (Mt.

Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Peters Township) in overall team strength. Last season, Section 5 placed five of its seven teams in the Post-Gazette Class AAA rankings at one time or another during the year. "We're going from the frying pah into the fire," said Vikings coach Frank Pacuilli. "We were just start? ing to get competitive with the teams in our old section and we were happy where we were.

Fox Chape) has been the best team in Section 4 the past few years, but now in Section 5 we're going to face teams like Butler, North Allegheny and Shaler, that are just as good as Fox Chapel was. I've never had to scout these teams before, so I can see a big adjustment being made on our part before section play starts. "The other point that doesn't prove beneficial to us is the fact that we'll be traveling a lot farther to our road games than in the past." Peter Wu Post-Gazette Janet Petrosky of the Braddock Hills I team is congratulated by Rose Urick-Ariondo (left) after the team's winning attempt. Michele Olszewski is in the background. Braddock Hills I wins Slickest Infield Contest WPIAL boys soccer realignment Here are the boys soccer sections after the WPIAL 's realignment.

'Denotes Class AA teams playing In Class AAA sections. Class AAA Section 1 Derry, Greensburg Central Catholic, Hempfield, Indiana, Latrobe, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, South-moreland. Section 3 Belle Vernon, Laurel Highlands. Ringgold, Trinity. West Mifflin, 'Charleroi, 'Wayneaburg.

Section 3 Ambridge, Blackhawk, Chartlers Valley, Hopewell, Keystone Oaks, Montour, Moon. Section 4 Fox Chapel, Franklin; Regional, Gateway, Klski Area, Penn: Hills, Plum, Woodland Hills. Section 5 Butler, Central Catholic, North Allegheny, North Catholic, North Hills, Seneca Valley, Shaler. Section 6 Baldwin, Bethel Canon-McMillan, Elizabeth Forward, Mt. Lebanon, Thomas Jefferson, Upper St.

Clair, Peters Township. Class AA Section 7 Canevln, Cartynton, OLSH, Seton-LaSalle, South Fayette, South Park, Vincentian. Section 8 Burrell, Dear Lakes, East Allegheny, Elderton, Hampton, Richland, Springdale. Section 9 Beaver, Center, Elfwood City, Freedom, Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy, West Allegheny, Wilmington. nates were Nancy DeCeccd and Maureen Duncan.

Ariondo is originally from California. The others' are from the Eastern suburbs. Henkel said his players thought they had a good chance to win. "They went in with a positive attitude," Henkel said. "The coach was nervous, but they were' positive.

I wish I had the formula for them winning it." Braddock Hills I competes in the Three Rivers Softball League. It has a 16-5 record this season and is tied for first place. Henkel, 50, has been coaching the team since 1972. an 18-throw sequence. The team that completes the throws in the best time is the winner.

Braddock Hills I coach Bob Henkel, whose team was made up mostly of players from the Eastern suburbs, credited his team's success to practice. "You can't just start two weeks before the thingi and start wheeling the ball around," Henkel said. "We practiced a lot. Their arms are very sore." The Braddock Hills I team was made up of Jan Petrosky (first base), Michele Olszewski (second base), Sue Zelenko (third base), Rose Ariondo (shortstop) and Cindy Baum (catcher). The alter Saving its best for last, the Braddock Hills I women's Softball team turned out to be one of the best in the Slickest Infield Contest last week.

Braddock Hills I won the women's A Division of the Slickest Infield with a time of 30.44 seconds. The team got the time on its fourth and final attempt. Its previous best was 38.84. The Slickest Infield, which was sponsored by the Dapper Dan Club and held at Renzie Park in McKeesport, is a Softball throwing contest that: involves four infielders and a catcher. The contest uses an "around the horn" type drill that involes South Pittsburgh gambles and wins big with Halligan not surprising in light of the fact the Pirates didn't plug the game over the SEMIPRO E2ASS.BALL people was concerned," said East manager Tom McCarthy of St.

John's. "The people there were the parents, friends, aunts and uncles. The only difference playing at the Stadium made was the players having fun." PA as promised. "We appreciate what the. Pirates did for us, but without the plugs it might as well have been played at.

Leech Farm as far as drawing Federation League stats, standings EAST DIVISION Blair Love, Banksvllle(9); Jim Luttlg, S. Pgh. (9); Pta. Lou Gaetano, Banksvllle (8); Dave Sella, S. St.

John's 22 5 0 44 Pgh. (8); Jeff Rublnsak, West Mifflin (8); Eric Banksvllle 19 5 0 38 Dejohn, Reed's (8); Tim Ganch, 20th Ward (8); South Pittsburgh 12 13 0 24 Dervanlk, Robinson (8); Shawn Tralnor. Mt. Lebanon 9 18 1 19 Banksvllle (8); Gerry Simon, Mt. Lebanon (7k WestMlttlln 3 22 0 6 Torre Bowen, Mt.

Lebanon (7); Steve Klrby, Banksvllle(7); Jim Hoffman, 20th Ward (7); Ron WEST DIVISION Dzlezgowskl, 20th Ward (7); Cart Vuono, Mt. school but have a great Legion season." While Halligan likes playing on South Pittsburgh, he says there's a plan afoot to move Penn Hills' team from the Tri-County League to the Fed League next summer. If that' move materializes, he says he'll gladly rejoin his old team. "It would make it easier for travel," Halligan said. "It'd be nice to just go up to Penn Hills High School or someplace else close and play.

"Plus I think we'll have a good team. If we could pick up some players from Plum and Monroeville I think we could compete with any: team in this league." Stars of Sunday's West victory in the Fed All-Star Game were two North Pittsburgh players, pitcher Todd Bibza and shortstop Paul Westwood. Bibza fired three shutout innings in his farewell appearance before leaving for a six-year Navy stint. Westwood was 2-for-2 with a homer, double and three RBI. Westwood's three-run homer over the left-center field wall keyed a five-run West rally in the top of the first.

The game only drew approximately 250 people, disappointing but By- Mark Madden Post-Gazette Sports Writer Most Fed League teams investigate players before signing them, watching them at college games or trying them out at practice. But South Pittsburgh manager Bernie gambled when he took Penn Hills' Dan Halligan sight unseen and it's paid off. "I wanted to know if I could try out, and I just got told to come to the next game," said Halligan, who plays at Slippery Rock University. "I got my uniform as soon as I got there." Added Klis, "I had talked to Slippery Rock's coach Jeff Messer, and he said this kid could pitch, hit and play the outfield. That was good enough for me.

I just grabbed him." Klis and South Pittsburgh like what they've seen of Halligan so far. Halligan has played every position but catcher for SP and is hitting .466 (27-for-58), ninth-best in the Fed League. He is also among Fed leaders in runs batted in (28), runs (22) and steals (14). Halligan was l-for-2 in the Fed League All-Star Game played Sunday at Three Rivers Stadium. Halligan played for the East Division, pie.

Lebanon (7). where it's coming from." Halligan, who has two homers, is 6-feet, 170 pounds. Halligan graduated from Penn Hills in 1985. He attended Pensacola, Junior College for two years but didn't play baseball his sophomore year. He then transferred to Slippery Rock, where he played this past spring.

He has two more years of eligibility. Halligan pitched for Slippery. Rock this past spring, posting a 2-3 record with a 2.42 earned-run average. He says he is projected as a third baseman for next season, but will still pitch relief. Halligan thinks Fed competition stacks up with the level he played at at Slippery Rock and also with the baseball he played with the Penn Hills team in the Tri-County Sandlot League last summer.

"It's a lot better than college and a lot better than the Tri-County League," Halligan said. "The pitch-ing's a lot better, too, but I always seem to hit the ball in the summer. A lot of times I'd start slow in high which lost the game to the West, 11-5. Ironically, Klis had originally planned to use Halligan strictly as a pitcher, but inserted him in the; lineup because of injuries. He's stayed there since.

"We play him wherever we need him, although his best position is probably outfield," Klis said. "He can really hit. He's a good line-drive hitter and good contact hitter. We pitch him some, but we want to keep his bat in the lineup every day." Halligan doesn't mind changing positions, although he prefers third base. "It's hard to adjust to first and second," he said.

"I played short, third and center in high school. Now I play everywhere for example, if the other team has good left-handed power, I get put in right. I like third best and center field's OK, but I'll play anywhere as long as I can hit. "I'm hitting pretty good for South Pittsburgh. I'm a line-drive hitter, but I'm even generating a little power, although I have no idea Nonn Kinsourgn zi 44 Triples Shawn Tralnor, Banksvllle (8); 1j 2 20th Ward 8 3 21 John's (5); Jim Hoffman, 20th Ward (4); Mark Robinson 10 17 1 21 Ansani, S.

Pgh. (4); Tom Meyers, N. Pgh. (4); Heeds 8 16 1 17 jm Luttigi s. Pgh.

(4); Ray Rentier, Mt. Lebanon (3); Dave Rellly, 20th Ward (3); Joe STATISTICS DeiSardo, 20th Ward (3); Jason Huber, Belle- LJrfinhlH vue (3); Jack Sahlaney. Banksvllle (3); Bob uauina Brooks, Banksvllle (3): Joe Lacey. N. Pgh.

(3); TMm At Tom Horew, St. John's (3); Kevin Mattls, West Phil George, St. John's 43 23 .535 Mifflin (3): Teaka Olllard, Bellavue (3); Doug Glen Holland, Reed's 88 48 .523 -Hetzler, Bellevue (3); Glen Holland. Reed's (3); jim uinig, o. egn.

a Mike Claus, St. John's (3). ls a i ea fa a Penn Hills' playoff string about to break THsThZ ii i rZZXZZil Ir '111 Rob Armenl0' Robinson (9): Joe DeiSardo. Pnh 11 3t 20th Ward (7); Paul Westwood. N.

Pgh. (6C Joe JDSsso Ward 83 39 470 Null. Bellevue (6): Jim Chloda, Banksvllle (6); taSl fp 97 1I Rk Dervanlk, Robinson (6); Carl Vuono, Mt. is? i.u,ii tl Al Hurey. Robinson (4); Phil George.

St. John's 49 JJg (4); Tom Horew. St. John's (4); Mark Schmidt. Mmrh.k 8 lohn-.

al 17 '21ft N. Pgh. (4); Lou Gaetano, Banksvllle (4); Jim II Hoffman. 20th Ward (4); Teska Dlllard. Belle- jZESfiESF 76 4W vue (4); Alan Howe.

St. John'. (4); Shawn rTKsKs 55 23 Ml Tralnor. Bankjv.ll. 4).

Bob Brooks, Banksvllle 65 27 .415 Rune batted In Lw Muraco, 20th Ward Brian Lohman, Mt. Lebanon 70 29 .414 Tom Horw- J3 Jeff Rublnsak. West Mifflin 48 19 .413 N- PJ- I3 Mark Schmidt N. Poh. 85 35 .412 ward (33); Rick Dervanlk, Robinson (32); Rob Joe Lacey Pah 78 32 .410 'Armenlo, Robinson (30); Carl Vuono, Mt.

Joe Null Bellevue 88 36 .409 Lebanon (29); Joe Null. Bellevue (29); Jim Mike Bell Reed's 59 24 407 Luttlg, S. Pgh. (28); Dan Halligan, S. Pgh.

(28); Dave Rell'ly, 20th Ward 84 34 :405 Jason Pn" Q1; SJ; Rick Dervanlk, Robinson 99 40 .404 (26); Glen Holland Reed 's (26): Mark Frank Butter. St. John's 55 22 .400" Ansani, South Pittsburgh (25); Jim Chiefs, Banksvllle (25); John Kuzemchak, St. John's DouMee John Kuzemchak. St.

John's (25); Jay Duderstadt, N. Pgh. (25); Dave Rellfy. (11); Frank Rotello, Reed's (11); Tom Horew. 20th Ward (24); Tim Ganch, 20th Ward (24); St.

John s(10); Jeff Bachner, Reed's (10); Joe Snawn Tralnor, Banksvllle (24); Dave Sella. Swissvale. "If it wasn't for the pitching of Mike Iannac-chione 7-2 this year, we probably would have finished last," Kiesel said. "The only consistent hitters we've had are Dan Macioce and Steve' Henderson." Swissvale got a big win last Thursday, 5-1 over league-leader Monroeville. Mike Perry tossed a five-hitter to lift his record to 4-1.

Furman had RBI. Swissvale lost to Lincoln Place Sunday, 5-4. Troy Mele hit a two-run homer in the in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 4-4. But Lincoln Place scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth. As for his team's two final games, Swissvale coach Tom Gribbin said, "McKeesport has played us tough.

We split two one-run decisions with them. We beat East Allegheny twice early in the season. The main thing to do is to get momentum going into the playoffs. We don't want to go in on a losing note." DeiSardo, 20th Ward (10); Ken Creehan, ooum rinsouron tjy. lou uooiano, oannsvuio Reed's (10); Mark Schmidt, N.

Pgh. (9); Glen (23). Holland, Reed's (9); Jason Huber, Bellevue (9); (Sttthtlc compile by Bob Schmrin American Legion baseball standings At this time of year, Penn Hills coach Jim Kiesel is usually getting ready for the Allegheny County playoffs. This year, he's preparing to watch the playoffs. For the first time in six years, it looks like Penn Hills will not be in the playoffs.

It has been in the playoffs eight of the 10 previous years. The top three teams in the Mon-Yough River League make the playoffs and Monroeville already has a spot locked up with a 15-4 record. Swissvale has a stronghold on second place with a 13-6 record and can clinch a berth by winning one of its two remaining games against McKeesport (7-12) or East Allegheny (3-16). Lincoln Place is 13-7 and Penn Hills 12-8 with one game remaining. The top three teams go to the playoffs, and Penn Hills' best hope is for a third-place tie.

Lincoln Place must lose to Port Vue (9-9) and Penn Hills must beat West Mifflin (4-14) for a tie. A one-game playoff will break the deadlock. "It would take divine intervention for us to make it," Kiesel said. "Lincoln Place is at Port MOSI.YOUGH LEOOSJ BASEBALL Vue, which is a tough place to play It's very disappointing because we thought this might be our best team going into the season. Things just did not jell for us this year.

It's been very frustrating." Penn Hills got out of the gate on the wrong foot when it lost the season opener to Monroeville, 12-0, and then dropped a 5-3 decision to Swissvale. "This is a foreign feeling for me," Kiesel said of missing the playoffs. "We've got some criticism from some of the fans. We can hear it. All of a sudden, we're not geniuses anymore.

But people don't understand how competitive American Legion is anymore." A 6-3 loss to Swissvale last Friday just about killed Penn Hills' hopes for a playoff spot. Swissvale pitcher Ralph Cecere walked 12, but allowed just five hits. Mike Furman had two doubles, a triple and two runs batted in to lead North Hills League Shaler N. Allegheny Berkeley Hills Ninth Ward Hampton North Boros Pine-Richland South Hills League WEST Starting for Princeton Pirates suits Tim McDowell Pis 13 2 0 26 11 4 0 22 10 5 0 20 9 6 0 18 7 9 0 14 1 13 0 2 1 13 0 2 Pts 11 3 0 22 8 6 0 16 7 7 0 14 6 9 0 12 4 11 0 8 Pta 14 2 0 28 11 6 0 22 8 9 1 17 7 8 1 15 4 11 0 8 4 12 0 8 Mt. Lebanon Peters Twp.

Bethel Char. U. St. EA8T Allegheny River League Pta Freeport 16 4 2 34 Plum 14 7 1 29 Highlands 11 8 1 23 Springdale 7 12 1 IS New Kensington 1 18 13 Westmoreland North Division Pt Lower Burrell 17 4 0 34 Manor 14 5 1 29 Norwin 14 5 0 28 Murrysville 12 8 0 24 Bushy Run 10 10 1 21 Jeannette 6 13 1 13 N. Hempfield 3 14 17 Trafford 2 13 2 6" Westmorsland South Division Pta West Newton 19 2 0 38 Mount Pleasant 13 7 0 26 Derry 11 7 1 23 Unity 10 9 1 21 Latrobe 10 10 1 21 W.

Hempfield 5 14 1 11 Fort Allen 5 17 1 11 S. Greensburg 4 12 1 9 Butlor County League Minor league players from the East South S. Whitehall Pleasant Carrick Brookllne Nanw, tchool Club, affiliation AB 2B 38 HR RBI Avg Gary Green, Allderdice Las Vegas Padres (AAA) 206 56 31 10 1 0 25 .272 Mike Berger, C. Cath. Jacksonville Expos (AA) 107 28 17 3 2 3 12 .262 Indianapolis Expos (AAA) 78 18 10 6 2 0 5 .231 Tom Johnson, Allderdice Virginia Royals (Afr 323 74 40 12 2 3 33 .229 Nama.achool Club, affiliation IP ER BB 80 ERA Bill Fulton, Penn Hills Columbus Yanks (AAA) 51 44 22 19 18 31 5 2 3.31 Tim Conroy, Gateway Louisville Cards (AAA) 41 34 26 24 29 41 2 3 5.18 Chris George.

Plum Belolt Brewers (A) 22V4 22 14 9 4 19 1 2 3.63 Tim McDowell, Gateway Princeton Pirates (A) 29 35 19 13 10 23 2 3 3.95 Ben Pierce, Penn Hills Appleton Royals (A) 10 6 3 3 5 5 1 0 2.61 ball City Royals (R) 14 13 4 4 11 18 1 0 2.57 work," said McDowell. "I mostly use my fastball, but I throw the curve a lot and I'm using the changeup more than I ever did before. I still need to work on it some more." As the son of a former professional pitcher, McDowell said his first month of minor-league competition is what he expected. "This is my opportunity to learn more about the game," he said. Only Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax and the all-time strikeout leader, Nolan Ryan, have whiffed more batters on a per-inning basis during their careers than Sam McDowell.

Does Tim McDowell feel he has to live up to his father's reputation as a strikeout artist? "I'm not blessed with his arm, so I just go out there and do the best I By David Assad Three starting assignments for the Princeton, W.Va., Pirates of the Appalachian League have lowered Gateway graduate Tim McDowell's earned run average from 4.90 to 3.95. McDowell began his pro baseball career with the Class A short-season affiliate of his hometown major league team by appearing in relief five times. His fortunes on the mound began to improve once his outings became more extensive. "I prefer to start," said McDowell. "It's more my game than when come in to relieve.

I feel I have more' control over the outcome. I've been inconsistent sometimes, especially out of the bullpen. I feel the more innings I get in, the more Pta 30 26 26 24 18 14 8 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lyndora Mon-Yough River Leagu Monroeville 15 4 Swissvale 13 6 Lincoln Place 13 7 Penn 12 8 Port Vue 9 9 McKeesport 7 12 West Mifflin 4 14 E. Allegheny 3 16 Ohio River League Wash. Heights 13 4 Robinson 13 5 C.l.T 12 5 Moon 5 8 West 4 12 Sto-Ken-Rox 3 16 Pta 17 5 0 34 16 4 0 32 14 5 0 28 13 6 1 27 12 10 0 24 10 8 1 21 9 10 0 18 9 13 0 18 8 14 0 18 13 0 10 4 13 0 8 2 16 0 4 He is the son of former Cleveland Indians ace "Sudden" Sam McDowell.

In two previous starts, McDowell (2-3) defeated the Kingsport Mets at home and was left with a no-decision during a Pirates loss on the road. "Right now, I'm having a little trouble getting all my pitches to consistent I can be." During McDowell's start last week against the Pulaski, Braves, the Pirates lost, 8-3. McDowell hurled five innings, gave up four hits, three walks and five runs, but only two of them earned. He also struck out two. Pta 27 28 24 12 9 6 Prospect Meridian can, he said..