Although the Connellsville baseball team hasn’t played a game yet this season, coach Rob Orndorff sees a team filled with winners.

“If wins and losses were determination, focus, work ethic, dedication and effort, we would already be undefeated,” Orndorff said. “This group has shown those things more than in any of the last six years that I’ve been here, and that has got me excited.”

The Falcons are coming off a 8-12 season, which included a fifth-place finish in Section 2-AAAA. Gone are graduates Ty Henry (pitcher), Mike Parlak (catcher), J.R. Blocker (center field), Ryan Huey (infield), Michael Durstine (pitcher), Evan Onusko (second base) and Jacob Wiltrout (outfield).

Connellsville lost some talented players, but Orndorff believes this team won’t lack experience.

“I see a group with experience in the game,” Orndorff said. “We’re a heavy junior class, and they’ve had baseball success in the different levels that they’ve come up through. Unlike any group that we’ve had in the recent past, they’ve bonded well. They’ve jelled together, and you don’t see a separation (among the classes). You see 30 guys that work hard, are focused, dedicated and disciplined, all with a common goal.”

Senior Brock Bonadio, entering his fourth year as a starter, believes the team is coming into the season with a singular focus.

“We all have the same goal in mind,” Bonadio said. “We all want to win. In past years, we’ve been OK with losing, but everyone wants to do their best and help the team any way they can.”

Bonadio is locked in as the team’s starting shortstop. Junior Austin Puskar will move from first base to center field this season. Other than those two spots, many positions are up for grabs.

Junior John Przybylinski and sophomore Derek Orndorff are candidates to play catcher. Senior Dakota McWilliams and junior Corey Fogle can play first, and junior Seth Bruner and Orndorff are possibilities at second. Fogle and junior Jacob Farris are capable third basemen.

In the outfield, juniors Colby Shipley and Jimmy Malone should see time in left. Senior Luke Bigham and junior Riley Anderson are possible right fielders.

Fogle, Malone, McWilliams and Shipley will comprise the starting rotation at the beginning of the season.

“Our top four all have different pitching styles, so we can use them in different situations,” Rob Orndorff said.

Senior Luke Kisiel can play in the infield and will provide pitching depth. Fogle, Puskar and Bonadio could prove to be the big bats.

According to Rob Orndorff, filling out a lineup card won’t be easy.

“It’s a situation where if we start nine guys, it doesn’t mean they are the only guys that can play,” Orndorff said. “We can put guys in and it will be a seamless transition. Coming up with a starting nine may be my toughest decision.”

Orndorff, who will be assisted by Mark Riggin, Ray Orndorff, John Warrick and Butch Kooser, believes the team is capable of big things. Now, it’s all about getting the players to believe the same thing.

“We’ve focused on the culture of the team, and we’re trying to get them to remember that they are just as good as anybody they step on the field against,” he said. “It’s how they prepare themselves. We don’t want them thinking if they are going to win today. We want them thinking how are they going to win today. A lot of it is the kids believing in themselves. What our program has done in years past and even what they have done just a year or two ago has no bearing on this year.”

The Falcons will take a spring training trip to the Ripken Experience from Thursday through March 14 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. They will play four exhibition games and have an intrasquad game.

Connellsville will play its first game locally when it hosts Mt. Pleasant in an exhibition game March 25.

Jason Black is the local sports editor of the Daily Courier. Reach him at jblack@tribweb.com.

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