Knoch baseball advancing pair
JEFFERSON TWP — Two versatile, multiyear starters on the Knoch varsity baseball team have signed letters of intent to advance their playing careers to college.
Jacob Stallsmith, a pitcher-outfielder who will be starting his third season with the Knights this spring, is headed to California (Pa.) University of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Brady Wozniak, a fourth-year starter this spring as an infielder, will be joining Washington College, a Division III school in Chestertown. Md.
“Both of these guys are leaders on our team,” Knoch baseball coach Bill Stoops said. “They work well with our younger players. Both know the game really well.”
Stallsmith hit .310 for the Knights last season. He hits fifth in Knoch’s batting order. Before choosing California, he considered John Carroll, Tiffin, Allegheny and Hood College. The son of Mark and Becky Stallsmith of Cabot, he plans to major in finance.
“The coaches have been there for a long time and they win a lot,” Stallsmith said of the Vulcans. The facilities are really nice, too, and the team seems to have a good brotherhood.“
Mike Conte is 736-554 in 27 years as California’s baseball coach. He is one of three 700-win coaches in the PSAC and has guided the Vulcans to the PSAC Tournament 19 times, including 11 of the last 14 seasons.
California was 29-21 last year, 15-13 in conference play.
“Coach Conte would not have recruited Jacob if he didn’t feel he could succeed at that level,” Stoops said. “He’s a great judge of talent and Jacob knows and understands the game.”
Stallsmith said his goal is to start for the Vulcans as a freshman and keep improving as a player.
“This spring, I want to be a leader on the (Knoch) team, hit ,.450, help us win section and WPIAL championships and beyond,” Stallsmith said.
Stoops described Wozniak as one of those players “you can put just about anywhere on the field.”
He played first base his freshman year, third base as a sophomore, shortstop last season and will play shortstop again this spring. Wozniak hit .362 with 20 hits and 12 RBI a year ago.
He considered Gannon, Mercyhurst, Marietta, Washington & Jefferson and Allegheny before deciding to join the Shoremen. The son of Jeff and Brooke Wozniak of Saxonburg, Wozniak plans to major in business administration with a minor in computer science.
“Washington seemed to be the program that wanted me the most,” Wozniak said. “I got a lot of calls and texts from them. I like the area the school’s located, near the shore, and the academics are right for me there.”
The Shoremen had reeled off a streak of five winning seasons before slipping to 12-27 overall, 2-16 in conference play under first-year coach Tom Fiala last spring.
“They lost a lot of guys to the (transfer) portal with a coaching change going on,” Wozniak said. “I fully expect them to get back on track this year.”
“Brady played summer ball out that way and they (Washington) followed him,” Stoops sad. “They came around a lot and really liked him.”
As for his final baseball season with the Knights, Wozniak said he “wants to have a good season ... and just win.”
