Lancers may be team of destiny

Neshannock coach Mike Kirkwood doesn't know if his team will win its first PIAA baseball title today, but he can't help shake the feeling the Lancers may be a team of destiny.

Whether it was a pre-game wink, a gold dollar at home plate or the reminders of a fallen star pitcher at Neshannock, Kirkwood said his team's undefeated playoff run has been sprinkled with "weird and crazy" premonitions.

"After seeing some of the things that have happened," Kirkwood said, "if you don't believe in it, you have to start believing."

Kirkwood feels that two former members of the Neshannock baseball family are watching over their beloved team's championship run.

Anthony Ascione, the late star of Neshannock's 1991 WPIAL champion, and Kirkwood's late father, Don, have provided an easing influence and subtle motivation for the team.

They will be in the hearts and minds of the Neshannock coaches and players when the Lancers (23-1) play District 4 champion Muncy (20-5) at 11 a.m. at Commerce Bank Park in Harrisburg in the PIAA Class A finals.

"It's very calming to know that they are looking down," senior center fielder Brian Chrobak said.

Don Kirkwood, who attended every one of his son's games, died two years ago at age 65 after suffering a stroke. Ascione died in a car wreck at age 24, six years after leading Kirkwood's Neshannock team to the 1991 PIAA finals.

Kirkwood wears No. 26 as a tribute to Ascione, who flipped on an icy road driving to start his new job as an assistant sports information director at Geneva College.

Chrobak is a neighbor of the Asciones. He was in brother Mark's wedding and the two families are close friends. Chrobak has dedicated his season to Ascione. He wears a 1991 WPIAL championship T-shirt under his jersey at every practice.

"I've been thinking about it every day for a while now," Chrobak said. "I think if he were here, he would be just as excited as we are."

Said Ascione's mom, Maryanne, "Baseball was part of Anthony, and this really means a lot to us."

Kirkwood, 39, said there have been too many strange little occurrences during his team's seven-game playoff winning streak to write off as mere coincidence or happenstance.

"Some different things have happened that have been premonitions, like we have guardian angels watching down on us," Kirkwood said.

Kirkwood's first sign came when senior Colby Beeson moved from Santa Cruz, Calif., to Neshannock, located near New Castle. Beeson immediately became one of the top catchers in the WPIAL.

"How does a kid like him, from California, end up in Neshannock?" Kirkwood said. "I thought my dad must have sent him here."

When Kirkwood shook Beeson's hand during player introductions at the WPIAL finals, he thought of his father.

"Colby didn't say a word. He just winked at me."

Kirkwood said his ailing father would do the same thing -- give a hand shake and a wink -- after being hospitalized by a stroke.

Later, in the second inning of a scoreless game, Beeson came to bat and -- as Kirkwood looked into the sky above the outfield fence -- homered to get the Lancers started in a 15-0 win.

Lastly, in the PIAA semifinals, came another hint that someone was looking out for the Lancers.

Kirkwood said his father enjoyed giving gold-dollar coins as small gifts to his 19 grandchildren. He always gave them the Sacagawea, and the children wouldn't spend the coins because "they were from grandpa."

When the coaches gathered at home plate at Falconi Field on Monday, the umpire pulled out a coin to determine the home team.

"It was a Sacagawea," Kirkwood said. "I felt so at ease at that point."

Neshannock, of course, won the toss.

Now, with some help on their side, the Lancers are hoping to win a state title.

Muncy (20-5) vs. Neshannock (23-1)

When: 11 a.m., today

Where: Commerce Bank Park, Harrisburg