Right place, right time
YOUNGSTOWN — Timing is everything.
Incoming Moniteau senior Dawson Wallace and incoming Knoch senior Logan Cypher played summer baseball for Youngstown’s Colt U16 Palomino team this year. It was Wallace’s third year in the program, Cypher’s first.
Neither expected to play for a postseason all-star team through the Palomino program.
“They’ve done those teams for U18 and U14, but had not done it in U16 for a number of years,” Wallace said. “This year, they decided to put one together.”
“I never knew they even did something like that,” Cypher said. “I just figured I’d play ball for them this summer and when the season was over, that was it.”
Their season lasted a bit longer than they anticipated.
Not only did Youngstown form a U16 all-star tournament team, it advanced all the way to the national championship game, losing a 2-0 decision to an Illinois team in Marion, Ill.
“The coaches got together and figured it just made sense to have a U16 team,” said Andrew Sabella, the team’s coach. “It had probably been six years or so. These boys jelled together pretty quick and went on quite a run.
“We didn’t have a weakness, really. All 17 guys contributed along the way in some form.”
Youngstown reeled off 10 straight wins before bowing in the national final. The team won a tournament in Beaver Falls, then won the tournament in Greensboro, N.C., to reach the national tournament.
At nationals, Youngstown defeated Aroma Park (Ill.), 18-3, two-time defending champion Marion, 11-3, and Chiba, Japan, 10-3, before dropping the 2-0 decision.
“I think the guys were a little nervous with the atmosphere and everything in that last game,” Sabella said. “There were 2,000 people watching that final game. They’re just not used to that. And their pitcher did a good job throwing our timing off at the plate.”
Wallace and Cypher were major contributors to the team’s success at nationals. A pitcher-third baseman, Wallace hit No. 3 in Youngstown’s batting order and hit .615 with eight RBI in the four games. He was also the hard-luck losing pitcher in the final, allowing three hits and striking out seven through seven innings.
Wallace’s earned run average for the tournament was 0.70.
“I’m hoping to play college baseball and that postseason run should help me in that regard,” Wallace said. “I’ve heard from a lot of schools, some Division I, II and III. Youngstown plays in such a competitive league. I know it helped my game.”
Sabella referred to Wallace as one of the leaders on the team. He was phenomenal during that (national) tournament.“
Cypher played center field for Youngstown and batted sixth in the lineup. He hit .455 with seven RBI at nationals.
“Logan is an outstanding defensive outfielder,” Sabella said. “He runs down everything. He had a lot of clutch hits for us in the tournament.”
Cypher said it’s hard to describe the reason for the team’s success, other that “we just worked together and everything clicked at the right time. We’re just a bunch of guys who enjoy playing the game.
“I take pride in my defense in center field. It’s as important to save runs in baseball as it is to score them.”
Cypher has hopes of paying college baseball as well. He has not heard from any schools as of yet.
“I still have time,” he said. “This summer’s results will make that process a little easier, I hope.”
