Shinsky wins pitching duel
WEST MIFFLIN — Knoch junior pitcher Cole Shinsky was a little overexcited when thinking about the Knights' PIAA Class AAA baseball quarterfinal against Montour.
The matchup was set to feature one Division I pitcher — Montour sophomore Trent Vietmeier is verbally committed to Louisiana State University — and Shinsky, who has offers from several programs.
“I actually thought about it maybe a day or two ago,” Shinsky said. “I got a little hyped up about it and I said to myself I need to relax and throw my game. I just had to throw my best game and he'll throw his best and we'll see what happens.”
Neither pitcher disappointed during the Knights' 3-0 win over the Spartans Thursday at West Mifflin High School.
Shinsky scattered six hits and threw seven scoreless innings in front of a crowd that had a scout from Central Michigan University in attendance.
“I think he kept the ball down and mixes pitches up well,” Spartans coach Glenn Vietmeier said. “We played last game (against Cathedral Prep) and saw a 90 MPH pitcher. I don't think he was overpowering, but he mixes pitches up well and had our guys fooled all game. We couldn't barrel up on him.”
Vietmeier did allow three runs, but limited Knoch (21-2) to four hits.
“It was fantastic. They both did an outstanding job,” Knoch coach George Bradley said. “Cole was moving the ball in and out, up and down and was able to keep them off-balance. Their kid was doing the same thing.”
The matchup was one Glenn Vietmeier wanted to see in the WPIAL semifinals.
A change in the district's playoff format, grouping the quarterfinals and semis together, meant both teams had to use different pitchers.
When the teams met in the WPIAL semifinals, Knoch's Alex Stobert limited the Spartans to two hits in a 2-0 Knights win.
Montour's Brian Dabney limited the Knights to five hits.
Knoch senior shortstop Chris Law was looking forward to seeing Vietmeier in the rematch.
“Every single person on our team was like Vietmeier, Vietmeier, Vietmeier all week,” Law said. “We didn't want to face Dabney, he's a great pitcher and we faced him last time, but we want to face the best.
“We want to win against the best. We don't want to play no scrub or anything. We want to face and compete against a No. 1. We did and we were the better team.”
Shinsky struck out six batters and only allowed two runners to reach second base.
Five of Montour's hits didn't leave the infield.
“He did his job, let him hit the ball, not many walks just let them get ground balls,” Law said. “He's doing his job by doing strikes and we're behind him.”
His best pitch may have been his last.
Montour was building a rally after Luc Nolder and Brady Minetti singled with two outs.
Shinsky then rang up Frank Guerra with a fastball on the inside of the plate to end the game.
“I always keep them off-balance, but they find a way to get on base,” Shinsky said. “They don't hit it hard. I just mix it up a lot. My catcher is a great catcher and he calls it for me.”
