Kiski Valley gains strength in numbers

Things are looking up again for the Kiski Valley American Legion baseball team.

Up and over the outfield fence is where people usually look after power hitter and Slippery Rock recruit Tyler Garrone connects.

Garrone and Ryan Siegel, who's headed to Division I Coastal Carolina in South Carolina, have returned to the Kiski Valley lineup after playing in the Western Pennsylvania Elite Baseball League last summer.

With those two standouts leading a solid and more experienced group, Kiski Valley could become a contender in Westmoreland County again, according to Manager Dave Montgomery and assistant coach and twin brother, Dennis.

Kiski Valley is 4-0 in Westmoreland County Northwest Division play and 6-3 overall.

"If we make the playoffs, I think we can make some noise," said Dennis Montgomery, who serves as the Kiski Valley spokesperson.

In 2007 and '08, the Vikings advanced to the Region 7 Tournament, which includes teams from the Westmoreland, Cambria County, Central Penn, Indiana County, and Jefferson County leagues.

Last season, Kiski Valley was 6-12 in division games and didn't qualify for the county playoffs, which is a step before regionals.

"We were due to have six starters back (in '09), but none of them came back," Dennis Montgomery said. "We were basically starting over again."

This year, Kiski Valley features 13 players from Freeport High School, four from Kiski Area, and one from Leechburg.

With building blocks like Garrone, Kiski Valley is in a much better position this season.

Garrone, a Kiski Area graduate and first baseman, is hitting .525 with three home runs, including a blast over the center field fence at Freeport Community Park and 17 RBI.

"He's been a one-man wrecking crew," Dennis Montgomery said.

Siegel, a Freeport graduate and center fielder, hasn't played yet because of a back injury but is expected to return to the lineup within a week, according to Dennis Montgomery. Garrone figures to see better pitches to hit after Siegel enters the lineup.

Ryan Dunn (Freeport) has been a major contributor, going 2-0 as a pitcher and hitting .500. Dunn took over at second base after Jarrod Mancine, who has committed to Division III Wooster, decided not to return to the Kiski Valley team.

"We've got more experience this year," Dunn said. "We're playing together well right now. (Garrone and Siegel) are great players. You can learn a lot from watching them swing. I try to take after them."

At shortstop, the Vikings have another Division I recruit in Ricky Francart (Freeport), who is headed to St. Peter's.

The other primary starting pitchers for Kiski Valley are Dan Brickeen (Freeport), John Fetchko (Freeport), and Tyler Swarmer (Leechburg). Brickeen is 2-1, Fetchko 1-0, and Swarmer 0-1.

Swarmer's fastball has been timed at 83 miles per hour, according to Dennis Montgomery. Swarmer was Kiski Valley's ace pitcher last season and helped lead Leechburg to the WPIAL Class A playoffs this spring.

Third baseman Jake Campbell (Freeport) and outfielder Matt Wolczko (Kiski Area) also have emerged as steady contributors for Kiski Valley.

"It's still early, but we're looking pretty good," Dunn said.