ROSS TWP — Anthony Smaldino and Phil Madonna have baseball smarts, solid fundamentals and a love for the game.

They also have timing.

Their arrival could not have been timed better for Vincentian Academy coach Bud McKay.

The Royals reached the WPIAL Class A semifinals last spring, posting a 14-5 record. Then they graduated all eight of their starting position players.

“I had no right to expect us to do much of anything this year,” McKay admitted.

But Vincentian finds itself sporting an 11-6 record and back in the WPIAL playoffs.

Penn Township resident Smaldino and Mars resident Madonna have had plenty to do with that.

Both have been in the Royals' starting lineup all year — batting first and second, respectively — and have on-base percentages of .500 or better. Smaldino is hitting .340 and leads the team with 26 runs scored. Madonna is hitting .491 as the team's starting catcher.

And both are freshmen.

“Anthony has been filling a void for me at third base, but I'd actually prefer him in center field because of his running ability,” McKay said. “The kid can play anywhere.

“His hand speed is as good as I've seen at his age. Unless he's fooled by the pitch, nobody is going to sneak a fastball by him.”

Smaldino has started all three outfield positions and second base before settling in at third. He's been playing travel baseball since age 9.

“Honestly, I expected to play a lot this year,” Smaldino said. “It's single-A baseball and I believe I have the experience and ability to succeed at this level. Wherever they need me to play, I'll play. I'm here to help the team.

“To post these numbers ... I can't say I expected to do that.”

Smaldino got off to a fast start in Vero Beach, Fla., where Vincentian was competing in a season-opening tournament at the Los Angeles Dodgers spring training complex. He went 5-for-7 in a doubleheader there.

“That helped my cofidence a lot,” Smaldino admitted.

Smaldino and Madonna only stand 5-foot-5 and neither weighs more than 150 pounds.

“That gives us an advantage when it comes to the strike zone,” Madonna said. “We get good pitches to hit and it's always fun to be like a sleeper when you're that size. Nobody expects you to do much.”

Defensively, Madonna has a strong arm behind the plate. McKay said his “pop-up” time in throwing the ball to second is at 2.1 seconds.

“About 2.0 flat is considered good for a varsity catcher,” the coach said. “Phil is barely off that mark already. He's a senior-caliber catcher as a freshman.

“If that kid grows and matures physically, he can go a long way in this game.”

Madonna said he and Smaldino were in the Beaver Valley baseball program together, but played on different teams. He's been playing travel ball since age 9 as well.

Madonna's father played high school ball at Jeannette and is a passionate baseball fan.

“I've always loved the game. My dad instilled that in me,” Madonna said.

When it comes to hitting, both follow the basics.

“Just take a good swing and square the ball up,” Madonna said.

“I work on my on-base percentage,” Smaldino said. “I'm not gonna hit home runs. All I want are line drives.”

But they can hit the ball with authority.

“At Dodgertown, it was 410 feet to center, 380 to the power alleys ... Smaldino hit a ball that one-hopped off the fence,” McKay said. “These guys are primarily singles hitters, but they've got some pop.

“My biggest concern with those two kids was how they would handle playing on a major league-size field for the first time. After our first game, that concern was put to rest.”

Anthony Smaldino’s and Phil Madonna’s numbers as freshmen batting first and second for Vincentian this spring:• Anthony Smaldino — .340 batting average (17-for-50), 26 runs, 5 RBI, 15 walks, 9 strikeouts, .500 on-base percentage• Phil Madonna — .491 batting average (27-for-55), 15 runs, 11 RBI, 7 walks, 4 strikeouts, .562 on-base percentage