Plum Legion team looking to make waves in league play

Evan Sante is pulling double duty this summer.

In addition to playing for the Plum Pterodactyls in the Daily News adult baseball league, the soon-to-be high school graduate — he and his Plum senior classmates commence Thursday — is a member of the Plum Legion squad for the first time.

Before he takes the next step in his baseball and academic pursuits, the Washington & Jefferson commit is hoping for an opportunity to make a difference close to home.

Sante said he thinks the Legion squad can make waves over the next several weeks.

“I’m ready to have some fun and win some games,” said Sante, an outfielder who joined the Legion team after playing seven years in the Trafford-based All-American travel program.

“I also want to get as many at-bats as possible this summer before going off to college.”

Sante is one of 11 players from the high school team playing Legion. The group hopes to have a winning summer after an uncharacteristic 8-12 record this spring and no trip to the playoffs.

“Participation from those also on the high school team is on the rise,” Plum coach Greg Foster said.

Six of the 11 — Logan Foster, Jared Hoener, James and Kenny Rose, Logan Schlegel and Chandler Yocca — join Niko Otoole and Garick Poe as returning players from last year’s Legion team.

Hoener and Schlegel pitched for the high school team, as did Legion newcomer Brody Simmons. They are expected to help form the pitching core with past Junior Legion player Devin Ranegar.

With the potential for up to four games a week toward the end of the regular season, factoring in possible rescheduled games, Greg Foster emphasized the importance of a strong pitching rotation as the team battles for a top spot in the Allegheny South standings.

He also hopes the offense can provide a strong complement to the pitching staff and defense.

Yocca led the Mustangs in hitting this spring with a .349 average.

Also on the team are Tanner Conklin, Denny Ayres and Tyler Brown from the high school squad, Penn Hills residents AJ Collins and Michael Oliveri and former Plum Junior Legion player Chris Ryan.

“I think we can be a competitive team,” coach Foster said. “That’s what you hope going into every season. From what I’ve seen in practice, if they can be consistent in all three phases, we’ll have a chance to win every night. That’s all you can ask for.”

Plum was to begin its season May 28 against Monroeville, but rain and unplayable field conditions postponed the contest.

The same was true for a scheduled matchup with Elizabeth Forward the next day.

Plum kicked off the campaign last Saturday with a doubleheader split at Upper St. Clair. In Game 1, a 5-0 Plum victory, Ranegar pitched a complete game.

USC took Game 2 by a 3-2 score. Plum left 10 runners on base.

Plum hosted Bethel Park on Monday and scored a 14-4 victory behind a double and two triples from Sante and Simmons’ five-inning complete game with six strikeouts.

Plum is back in action Sunday at 2 p.m. at Highlands.

Overall, it will play the other eight teams in the league twice leading up to the start of the league playoffs July 8.

Also in the league are Baldwin, South Allegheny and South Park.

Bethel Park represented the league in the Region 6 tournament last year.