WASHINGTON, Pa. – Winners of four-consecutive Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) titles, the Washington & Jefferson College baseball team will look to make another run at the title and an NCAA Tournament appearance this spring. 
 
W&J aims to become the first program to win five-straight PAC titles since Allegheny did so from 1960-64. 
 
2023 Season In Review: 
 
The Presidents finished with a 32-14 overall record and a 17-3 conference mark last year. W&J rolled to a resounding 12-3 victory over Saint Vincent in the title round of the 2023 Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship. With the win over the Bearcats, W&J secured its 10th appearance in the NCAA Tournament as they took home the PAC title for the 15th time in program history. 
 
"The 2022-23 season was a challenging year. In addition to a challenging schedule, we played three of the eight World Series participants, as well as five others that made it to a regional at their level," said head coach Jeff Mountain. "Our student-athletes did a great job of competing well in a lot of adverse situations. We got a lot of strong contributions from people that going into the year we probably didn't expect to get as many reps as they did. At the end of year, as we expect here, we played our best all-around baseball. I was proud of how our student-athletes competed, especially the last quarter of the season."
 
The out-of-conference slate was highlighted with a win over then 10th-ranked Baldwin Wallace on Feb. 26. The Presidents slugged out a 10-9 victory over the Yellow Jackets, who eventually advanced to the NCAA Division III College World Series by season's end. The Presidents' scored four runs in the seventh inning to rally back for the victory. A two-run single by Joe Lehner evened the score, before a passed ball ended up being the difference. W&J split a non-conference doubleheader with a strong Case Western Reserve squad on March 5, before opening conference play with a sweep of Geneva on March 15. 
 
Doubleheader sweeps of Keuka (March 20) and Wooster (March 24) highlighted W&J's annual trip to the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. A walk-off two-run single by Connor Helm (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) pushed the Presidents past the Fighting Scots, 5-4, in game one of the twinbill. 
 
In conference play, W&J secured sweeps over Saint Vincent, Chatham, Franciscan, Bethany, Thiel and Allegheny. Faced with the prospects of going on the road for the PAC Tournament, the Presidents delivered a doubleheader sweep over Allegheny on Senior Day to close the regular season. The Red and Black won by scores of 9-5 and 10-1 over the Gators. That sweep, coupled with a split by Grove City, gave W&J hosting rights for the conference tourney. 
 
W&J took advantage and earned three-consecutive wins to capture its four-straight conference titles. The Presidents secured an early lead and recorded an 8-4 victory over Westminster in the PAC Tournament opener. W&J scored in each of the first four innings against the Titans. RBI hits by Josh Dezenzo (Alliance, Ohio / Marlington) and Scout Zaas (Powell, Ohio / Wellington School) strengthened the Presidents' lead in the middle innings. The Presidents tacked on a pair of late-game insurance runs to finish off the victory. Tyler Horvat tossed 7.1 innings to pick up his 11th win of the season.
 
In the winner's bracket final, the Presidents trailed 3-0 entering the bottom of the sixth inning versus Grove City. The Red and Black worked itself back into a tie behind a three-run inning. Sam Schuster (Fairport Harbor, Ohio / Fairport Harding) started the rally with an RBI double before Horvat and Trevor Dean added an RBI apiece in the inning. Neither team scored over the final three innings, which set the stage for a walk-off victory for the Presidents. Jacob LaDuca (Clarence, N.Y./Canisius) smacked a leadoff opposite field home run in the 10th inning to propel the Presidents into the championship round. 
 
W&J rolled to victory in the title round. Nolan Lutz (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) smacked four hits and LaDuca recorded five RBI as W&J coasted to a 12-3 victory. Shane Fox put together a legendary effort on the mound, as the then-senior allowed one earned run over 7.1 innings. 

The Presidents went 1-2 at NCAA Regionals. The Presidents dropped a pair of games to Misericordia University, who eventually advanced all the way to the Division III World Series. W&J racked up 33 runs during its three-game NCAA run. The Presidents win came by an 18-9 score over Keystone. 
 

2024 PAC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
School (first-place votes)	Points	2023 Records
1. W&J (10)	100	32-14, 17-3 PAC
2. Grove City (1)	87	30-11, 16-4 PAC
3. Allegheny	82	20-16, 13-7 PAC
4. Westminster	72	20-20, 13-7 PAC
5. Saint Vincent	67	22-18, 13-7 PAC
6. Chatham	54	19-18, 10-10 PAC
7. Waynesburg	44	14-24, 9-11 PAC
8. Thiel	33	11-28, 5-15 PAC
9. Bethany	26	18-22, 4-16 PAC
10. Geneva	24	16-23, 7-13 PAC
11. Franciscan	16	6-28, 3-17 PAC

 
 

W&J - Players To Watch
Name	Yr.	Pos.	Hometown/High School/Previous School
Dante DiMatteo	Jr.	P/OF	Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel
Drew Garth	Jr.	OF	Glenshaw, Pa./North Hills/Seton Hill
Jacob LaDuca	Jr.	SS	Clarence, N.Y./Canisius
Nolan Lutz	Sr.	1B/OF	McDonald, Pa./South Fayette

 

Team Captains: 
Jacob LaDuca, Nolan Lutz, Sam Schuster
 
"They each bring a unique skill set as leaders. Nolan was a linebacker, Sammy was a quarterback, and Jacob a hockey player in high school," Mountain said. "I think their backgrounds of success in these sports have lent itself to winning baseball, toughness, and strong leadership. All three are incredibly instinctive players. Their teammates voted for them, so it shows they command respect."
 
Position By Position Breakdown: 
 
Infield – W&J returns a pair of key returners in the infield as Lutz and LaDuca, both of whom earned All-PAC First Team honors a season ago. 
 
Lutz enjoyed a breakout season in his first full year as a starter. He recorded a team-best 1.095 OPS and logged a .385 batting average over 42 games (39 starts). Among PAC players, Lutz ranked second in slugging percentage (.634), tied for third in total bases (92), fourth in runs scored (44), tied for fourth in doubles (13), and eighth in batting average. Lutz hit six home runs, which tied for the team high. Lutz also posted a .457 on-base percentage and had 16 multi-hit efforts during the season. 
 
"Nolan is a really good hitter and he's tough and competitive," Mountain said. "In hindsight, he certainly deserved more reps earlier on in his career. He stuck with it, and I think he was probably healthier than what he was as a young player, or at least he learned to take care of himself well. Also, he was getting reps as a catcher in his younger years, which I think he could handle, but it seems with him focusing on first base and now the outfield as well, has lent itself to him blowing up offensively."
 
LaDuca finished with a .322 batting average, 40 runs scored and 34 RBI. He stole 14 bases and finished the campaign with 14 extra base hits. LaDuca saved his best work for the postseason. A two-time All-PAC selection, he was recognized as the 2023 PAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player following his role in guiding W&J to its fourth-straight title. 
 
"The experience he got as a freshman really helped him last year.  Jacob was a real clutch performer for us," Mountain stated. "He had an amazing year defensively. Made the routine play consistently, which is a big advantage at the Division III level. We are hoping he can take another step offensively.  He certainly finished the year well."
 
Dezenzo, who emerged as a key member of the lineup late last season, will look to pick up where he left off and secure a starting spot in the infield. Dezenzo could be counted upon at second or third base. He hit .348 with two home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored in 16 games (13 starts) last season. 
 
Other infielders that should compete for playing time in the infield include Joe Lehner (Painesville, Ohio / Lake Catholic), Ben Schuler (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette), and junior transfer Eli Owens (Alexandria, Va. / West Potomac). 
 
Lehner has appeared in 89 games (64 starts) with a .268 batting average, 11 doubles, seven home runs, and 44 RBI during that time. 
 
Catcher – Schuster returns with the most experience at the position. The senior shared time as the starter last season with the departed Dan Beistel. 
 
Schuster started 21 of 30 games in which he appeared and compiled a .301 average last spring. Schuster scored 18 runs and drove in 16 in 2023. As a captain, he will be relied upon to play a key role in terms of leadership in working with the pitching staff. 
 
Brody Bartenstein (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) and Luke Alvarez (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth-Forward) also return behind the plate, while Carl Wagner (Honey Brook, Pa./Westtown School) joins as a newcomer. 
 
 
Outfielder – Despite the loss of Horvat, Sante, and Dean to graduation, W&J will have plenty of options in the outfield to fill the void.

"Those three, along with all our graduated seniors, will be missed. We need all returners, no matter the experience, to take steps forward," said Mountain. "Opportunities are there for people to get reps based on fall performance, off-season development, preseason performance, and in season practice and game performance. The group of newcomers is strong.  Drew Garth has had a big impact on things here, both in the weight room, with mindset, and on the field, and a game hasn't been played yet. Coming from the elite program he played at, he will be ready.  We just need a consistent approach toward success and failure from him and he will do well."
 
Returning after seeing significant playing time last season is Zaas. The junior compiled a .313 batting average in 40 games (36 starts) as a sophomore. Zaas finished the season with four home runs, 28 RBI, 24 runs scored, and 12 doubles. Zaas will be counted upon to provide the same consistent performance in 2024. 
 
Drew Garth (Glenshaw, Pa./North Hills) joins the mix in the outfield, and will look to make an impact as a transfer from Division II power Seton Hill University. Garth appeared in 59 games (44 starts) with the Griffins. He excelled in 2022 as a freshman when he hit five home runs with 21 RBI and 18 runs scored. Garth added four doubles and three triples during his first season at SHU. 
 
Dante DiMatteo (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel), who has seen most of his time on the mound for the Presidents, could see a jump in time as an outfielder this spring. DiMatteo slugged his first collegiate home run in a win at Thiel last season. He made four starts as a position player and scored five runs. 
 
John Klein (Vienna, Va./Madison) has appeared in 55 games (7 starts) during his first two seasons at W&J. Klein, who served as a defensive replacement last season, will look to make the most of some openings in the outfield. 
 
Lehner, Knox Meier (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep), Brent Kurtz (Washington, Pa. / Trinity), and Zach Scherzer (Douglassville, Pa. / Daniel Boone) are among those who return, while Zac Stern (Coraopolis, Pa./Montour) and Paddy Hernjak (Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley) are a few of the newcomers to the position. 
 

Pitching – Following the losses of its top starter (Horvat) and one of its top relievers (Mason Kolbe), W&J will need some key pieces to step up and stay healthy to help fortify its pitching staff this season. 
 
"We need willing and consistent competitors, and a consistent mindset of attacking the strike zone. This is the least experience we've returned in a long time, and it's scary," Mountain said. "I've told the pitchers repeatedly that we have always had a person or people emerge and become frontline aces/bullpen guys. Who will it be this year? You had to pull the ball from Tyler Horvat's hand when it was time for him to be done for the day, whether he had a good performance or not.  He was an elite competitor. It's that type of mindset that we need from pitchers this year for our team to have sustained success. Coach Bashioum has basically taken over the pitching staff, and it has led to better results so far.  At some point, for any team to be successful the performance must match the potential, and that's the case with our arms."
 
Some starting options include Ethan Marszalek (Katy, Texas/Seven Lakes), who started six games and made seven appearances last season. Marszalek put together a 3-1 record with a 3.24 earned-run average. He tossed six scoreless innings in a win over Keuka on March 20. 
 
Nate Nolan (McDonald, Pa./West Allegheny) made seven starts in his first year with the Presidents. Nolan earned five wins over 42.1 innings of work. He recorded conference wins over Chatham, Bethany and Allegheny. 
 
Anthony Pass (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny) and Chase Perry (Ponte Vedra, Fla./Nease) both look to break out after abbreviated freshman campaigns last season. Perry put together three scoreless appearances and struck out seven over five innings. Pass earned selection as an All-Star in the Valley Baseball League. 
 
DiMatteo could look to make the jump from the bullpen into the rotation. The junior has been the top weapon out of the Presidents' bullpen the past two seasons. DiMatteo has compiled a 3.84 ERA and struck out 70 over 54 innings of work. Opponents have had a difficult time centering him up, as he has allowed just a .197 batting average during his 35 career appearances. 
 
Ethan Boring (Ligonier, Pa./Ligonier Valley) appeared in 17 games last season out of the Presidents' bullpen. Boring posted a strong 2.66 ERA as one of the top relievers for the Presidents last year. 
 
Other returning bullpen pieces include Julian Elizondo (Manassas, Va. / Osbourn), Brandon Bastian (Barto, Pa. / The Hill School), and Alex Tomsic (Beaver Falls, Pa. / Blackhawk) among others. 
 
 
2024 Newcomers:
27             Andrew Colaizzi                      Jr.            IF               6-6            246           R/R           Washington, DC / Jackson-Reed
29             Eli Owens                                Jr.              IF               6-1            180           L/R          Alexandria, Va. / West Potomac
44             Drew Garth                             Jr.              OF/1B      6-0            228           L/L             Glenshaw, Pa. / North Hills
30             Bobby Budacki                        Fr.             RHP/IF     6-2            201           R/R           New Brighton, Pa. / New Brighton
31             CJ Leuch                                 Fr.             RHP          5-9            177           R/R           Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Hills
32             Liam Sayer                              Fr.             IF               6-1            217           R/R          Berwyn, Pa. / Westtown School         
35             Teddy Platt                              Fr.             IF               5-11         170           R/R            Venetia, Pa. / Peters Township
43             Thomas McLaren                    Fr.             RHP          6-0            185           R/R           Mars, Pa. / Mars Area                            
46             Brian Feldman                         Fr.             OF/1B      5-10         170           L/L              Gibsonia, Pa. / Eden Christian Academy
51             Zac Stern                                 Fr.             RHP/OF   6-0            154           L/R            Coraopolis, Pa. / Montour
52             Andrew Miko                           Fr.             OF/RHP  5-10         180           R/R               Portage, Pa. / Portage                            
58             Paddy Hernjak                         Fr.             OF             5-9            170           R/R           Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley                          
56             Brendan Cruz                           Fr.             IF/RHP    5-11         186           R/R              Carnegie, Pa. / Chartiers Valley          
60             Carl Wagner                             Fr.             C                5-10         190           R/R           Honey Brook, Pa. / Westtown School
 
 
Looking At The Schedule: 
 
W&J opens its 2024 campaign with a rigorous non-conference matchup. The Presidents open the 2024 regular season on Saturday, Feb. 10 when they travel to third-ranked Baldwin Wallace University. The out-of-league schedule also features games against No. 25 Ithaca, No. 9 Wisconsin – La Crosse, and No. 8 Marietta. W&J will face the Bombers of Ithaca and Case Western Reserve on Feb. 24 at the W&J Invitational. Conference play commences on Wednesday, March 27 with a home doubleheader versus Saint Vincent. Senior Day will be held in conjunction with a doubleheader against Thiel on April 27. The six-team PAC Tournament will be held at W&J on May 8-11. 
 
"As we've progressed as a program, we've believed in playing a tough non-league schedule," Mountain said. "As I seem to tell the players every year, this is probably our most difficult schedule yet.  Two of the eight world series teams, two other Super Regional teams, four other regional teams.  Combined 2023 winning percentage of non-league opponents is .638.  If you win 100 games in MLB, your winning percentage is .617, so that should give a good indication of what we are up against."
 
Last Word From Mountain: "It's getting more and more difficult, especially in the league.  Most, if not all, programs are in better shape than they were ten years ago, with several of those programs in far better shape.  As I've said repeatedly in meetings, the last time we didn't win a conference tournament that was played, our freshmen were in 7th grade, and the last time we didn't play in a conference tournament title game, our freshmen were in kindergarten. So, there's a level of expectations and confidence here, but execution and performance are what will determine our success. Along with our preparation of course.  We still never know who we are going to compete against team to team that will play a fifth or even sixth year, and that makes it difficult, as our most impactful players the last five years have gone on to play at Radford, St. Louis, Ohio State, Bryant, and Adams State while obtaining graduate degrees.  It's a huge advantage for those programs and a disadvantage for us."