McCarren leads OLSH baseball
Phil McCarren never planned to become a high school baseball coach.
“Sometimes, life has its own plan. You just follow along,” the 1995 Butler graduate said.
A former shortstop for the Golden Tornado, he hit .397 his senior year and was named team MVP. McCarren went on to Duquesne University and played for two years there, primarily as a relief pitcher.
“I originally wanted to go into architecture,” he said. “Then it was psychology ... From there, I leaned toward theology and the mystery of life.”
McCarren wound up getting his master's degree in theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and became a religion teacher at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School in Coraopolis in 2004. A year later, he became assistant coach of the OLSH baseball team.
Now McCarren is in his eighth year as head baseball coach of the Chargers — and has become architect of a Class 2A power.
“We've been fortunate to have quality kids over the years and we've won through discipline and fundamentals,” McCarren, 40, said. “It's important to me to develop good young people, not just baseball players.
“We've been consistent through the years. It's always fun to win.”
McCarren is 110-44 overall at OLSH, 61-19 in section play. The Chargers have won 49 of their last 58 section games.
His teams have won three section championships, earned five WPIAL playoff berths and was runner-up in the 2013 WPIAL tourney.
This year's team may be McCarren's best yet.
The Chargers enter today's game at Shenango riding a five-game winning streak — outscoring opponents 49-1 during that stretch — and with a 10-1 overall record, 7-1 in Section 2-2A.
OLSH has a team batting average of .372 and a team earned run average of 0.42.
“We're always strong on the mental side of baseball,” McCarren said. “The brain is such an important part of this game.
“I enjoy my time together with these guys. These kids are very coachable. They play together and they want to learn.”
McCarren has four OLSH graduates playing college baseball right now, including Slippery Rock University pitcher Preston Falascino. Two of his current seniors have already committed to Division II schools.
“It's a privilege to be able to help kids head in the right direction toward successful lives,” McCarren said. “I didn't envision becoming a teacher and coach when I was younger.
“But I'm glad I'm here.”
