WILCOX — They’ve played as the Elk-McKean All-Stars. They’ve played as the Johnsonburg Rams.
Most recently, they were branded as Wilcox American Legion Post #467. The group of baseball players from Elk County has found success wherever it goes.
While competition formats have changed, the nucleus of players has stayed the same. After falling in the championship game of the Pennsylvania Region 8 Legion baseball tournament, the group will lose its top two pitchers to college ball.
However, the majority of Scott Zimmerman’s group isn’t done just yet. Many have at least another year of high school ball, plus potentially two more years of Legion ball, to chase a state championship that eluded the group in 2021.
In early June, Johnsonburg High, led by coach Mike Porter, was poised for a deep run into PIAA’s Class 2A postseason.
Left-handed pitcher Gabe Watts out-dueled Kane righty Carson Whiteman in the 2A title game, sending Jburg into the state playoffs. The once undefeated Rams were stopped in the state quarterfinals by Shenango, however, ending Jburgs season at 22-1.
A week later, Watts and Whiteman teamed up to headline a dream pitching staff, which dominated the Elk County Legion Baseball League en route to Wilcox’s 11-1 regular season finish.
Wilcox’s season would eventually end a game short of the state playoffs, as Watts and Whiteman’s combined nine innings of one-run ball weren’t enough to overcome nine shutout frames by French Creek Valley Post #205 on Tuesday.
Watts will head north to play at St. Bonaventure University in the fall while Whiteman ventures west to Gannon University. Unfortunately for District 9 and the Elk Legion league, however, virtually all of their teammates will wear the same uniforms again in 2022.
“We’re going to lose two stud pitchers in (Watts) and (Whiteman). That’s a big loss,” said Zimmmerman, who led Wilcox to a 14-2 finish. “Those two are exceptional. You have to re-group, but we do have a lot of good, young pitching. They’re all good.”
Seemingly, Wilcox’s entire roster could not only pitch, but pitch well.
Luke Zimmerman and Colin Porter, two of Jburg’s top arms in the spring, combined to shut down West Erie County in Wilcox’s regional semifinal victory. The day before, Aiden Zimmerman shined in the team’s shutout win to close pool play.
The list could continue.
“We want to win Region 8 and get onto the state playoffs next year,” Scott Zimmerman said. “That was our goal this year; we just came up one run short. Next year, our goal is to get to states and win. We expect big things out of this team, and they produce, so that’s what we want.”
Even longer than the group’s list of reliable pitching options is its arsenal of dangerous hitters. Jburg hit .359 as a team in the spring and, with the addition of a few bats from Kane, transitioned seamlessly into Legion ball, scoring 10 runs or more in 10 different games.
“They adjusted well,” Scott Zimmerman said of the switch from high school ball to Legion. “They definitely don’t get excited. They’ve been in big games before. We just didn’t come through with it (in the Regional final).”
Aside from Whiteman and Watts, Wilcox expects the entirety of its roster to return next season. Jburg will only lose Watts and Dalton Stahli, an infielder/pitcher that anchored Wilcox’s infield from the shortstop position this year.
“They should be exceptional,” Scott Zimmerman said. “Hopefully, a few more Ridgway kids will sign up for Legion next year so we can get some more depth.”
A dedicated coaching staff has helped drive the group’s success. Scott Zimmerman, Mike Porter, Casey Zimmerman and Tony Allegretto have been at the helm since the group’s days in the Little League World Series as Elk-McKean.
“My assistants are what make the wheels turn,” Scott Zimmerman said. “They’re really good at what they do, and without them, I mean,” Zimmerman said with a chuckle.
As age restrictions loom, the group only has a limited number of games remaining together.
However, Wilcox will get another chance at a state championship next year. And Jburg will get the same in the spring circuit.
“Those kids did a phenomenal job all year,” Scott Zimmerman said. “They played hard and we’re very proud of what they accomplished.”
