Butler's Sessa lands on his feet
CENTER TWP — Once Duquesne University decided to fold its baseball program, Zac Sessa came close to folding his.
The left-hander had been recruited out of Butler High by the Dukes before the school's decision to end the program.
"I had hoped to play for a Division I school and that was my best shot," Sessa said. "Their coach was going to talk to me about it.
"My decisions came down to playing at Allegheny College or just going to Penn State," he added. "I was preparing to go to Penn State and concentrate on my studies."
That was before the College of Wooster called.
The Ohio-based Division III school has enjoyed 28 consecutive winning seasons under 29-year head coach Tim Pettorini, including a national runner-up finish in 2009.
Wooster finished 34-9 this season, getting bounced by Marietta (Ohio) in Division III regional play. It was the 20th regional appearance for the Scots under Pettorini.
But the team had only one left-hander on its roster — and 11 pitchers are returning next year.
Sessa is one of two incoming freshman left-handers joining Wooster's program in the fall.
"Zac will have his work cut out for him there," Butler coach Dave Florie said. "But if you want to challenge yourself, you go to a top-flight program, and that's what he's doing."
For the past year, Sessa has worked with pitching trainer Joel Dombkowski, a former Pitt assistant coach and a Cleveland Indians scout. Dombkowski recommended Sessa to Pettorini and Wooster recruiting coordinator Barry Craddock.
Dave Breath, a Western Pennsylvania resident who has been scouting players for Pettorini for all 29 of the latter's coaching years, saw Sessa pitch in Butler's 3-1 loss at North Allegheny.
"Dave has sent a lot of kids our way and I trust him," Pettorini said. "We've got eight Western Pennsylvania recruits coming into our program next year."
Sessa likes what he sees in Wooster.
"It's a chance to play ball for a consistent winner," he said. "They've got a pitching coach for left-handers and one for right-handers, which is pretty cool."
Sessa pitched in 27 of Butler's 43 varsity games over the past two years. He was 3-3 as a junior, 4-2 as a senior. He's been used as a starter and a reliever.
Sessa became the first player from Butler to participate in the Western Pennsylvania Elite Baseball League last summer. He was 3-1 for the Beaver County Sports Zone White Sox.
He is pitching in that league again, as well as pitching and playing first base for the Center Township American Legion team.
"Zac is a great student, a great kid and comes from a great family. He fits everything we look for in a young kid," Pettorini said.
Sessa plans to major in mathematics.
"I just want to play four years for them, win games, have fun and help maintain Wooster's winning tradition," Sessa said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to keep playing."
