Tornadoes nearly capped run with gold
STATE COLLEGE — David nearly slayed Goliath.
First-year coach David Langton had his work cut out when he faced the winningest coach in PIAA history, Dan Oliastro.
Langton's Red Tornadoes didn't go down without a fight, tying the Class 3A state championship at two apiece in the sixth inning. Oliastro's 56 years of experience coaching high school baseball paid dividends when a series of bunts kept all the pressure solely on Mount Carmel's infield. The pressure burst the tune of three errors, including when Noah Shimko juggled the game away by allowing the game-winning run to cross.
Oliastro was at the helm for the Panthers the same year Gil Hodges guided the "Miracle Mets" to a World Series title. That same year, 1969, Ted Williams was managing the Washington Senators — now the Texas Rangers — and Billy Martin was guiding the Minnesota Twins, the original Senators. Wrap your head around all of that.
In that span, Oliastro has racked up a 735-447 record. His 735 wins are nearly 80 more than Hopewell's Joe Colella. He also holds the most WPIAL titles, with seven, and has just come off his record sixth state championship, having won one in 2005, '06, '11, '12, and '23.
"He doesn't take anything off. Every day, he is always pushing," relief pitcher Hunter Garvin said. "He does everything."
The 81-year-old was doing infield warmups, handing in the lineup card, strutting to the mound to switch pitchers in the seventh inning, and coaching from the third base box in 86-degree heat all afternoon. He also doesn't do it alone, as his first-base coach, John Marnicio, has been with him for 55 years.
Conversely, what Langton accomplished is nothing to be upset about. He tripled the program's state playoff wins in his first season at the helm and had them going for their first state title. Their only state playoff win before this season came last summer, a 4-1 victory over Mid-Valley. He also doubled the Red Tornadoes' District title count.
"It was an incredible year, incredible team effort. It was a roller coaster ride," Langton said. "This team has fought back all season. It's been like that all year."
Oliastro, who says he's taking it year by year to decide whether it's time to retire, didn't have much advice for Langton and his path ahead, but could tell "he's a great coach." He did, however, say the Red Tornadoes' skipper should come to expect new things every year, just as the veteran does, such as witnessing his first perfect game, which Zach Hare achieved weeks ago.
Efficiency is king
Speaking of Hare, much of the talk heading into Thursday's game was around the Slippery Rock commit's arm. Deservingly so. He ranged from 77 to 90 miles per hour with his pitches Thursday, and the results matched the hype. He struck out 11 with another five hitters reaching two strike counts. He started 15 batters off with first-pitch strikes, lasting 61/3 innings.
The Red Tornadoes ended his hitless streak at 361/3 innings, 34 in the postseason. He also gave up his first run in 31 innings when Jon Morgante scored on an infield error. The Red Tornadoes also waited him out with five three-ball counts and three walks.
"There's no room for any plays off, going in there competing from first pitch to last," Hare said. "That was the greatest team we played all year. Their lineup is hard. It really humbled me and allowed me to grow as a player."
Lukas Carpenter was just as proficient, hitting 87 mph with his fastball. His change of speeds allowed him to get out of some sticky situations and allowed his teammates to rally in the sixth. He issued two walks, but worked a first pitch strike six times on 16 batters. He also got 11 swings and misses and seven fouls to go with one strikeout.
One of them
In the pregame meeting, Mount Carmel coach Langton was seen with Clarke Cartright and Ed Straub. Straub was wearing a gold medal around his neck and taking in the sights and sounds. He left with a silver medal and was easily the happiest person on the third base sideline.
"He's our guy. He keeps the dugout loose," Langton said. "He's a part of this team. He loves baseball. He's Mount Carmel through and through."
Langton, a former Mount Carmel standout in multiple sports, knows something about that. He, too, was drawn to come home after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach at Southern Columbia.
Rally, rally, the pitcher ...
Mount Carmel's fans flocked in heavy numbers to Happy Valley. They are always happy to support the student athletes — regardless of the day, time or place.
The sea of red fans, easily in the hundreds, at Medlar Field at Lubarno Park, should know what they are chanting. Just before the Red Tornadoes struck for two runs, they were yelling "overrated" at Hare, who had only allowed one hit up to that point.
Maybe they were working for a bit as things were seemingly falling apart at the seams for Hare, but he didn't seem fazed.
"I've heard overrated a couple of times, but that's the most I've heard it in a game," Hare said of the chants. "I'm fortunate enough to have that great of a season that people are saying that, so I'm just going to take it."
It's safe to say his teammates heard the chants, too. Who knows? Maybe they, in turn, used it as motivation to get their ace some run support.
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