This season was twice as nice for the Riverside baseball team. Not only did the Panthers (26-1) repeat as the PIAA Class AA champs, they secured the WPIAL crown that eluded them in 2005. Their leader was pitcher-shortstop John Elms, who, as Player of the Year, headlines the PG West all-star squad. Players from eight of 31 teams are represented, with two selections each from Riverside and Blackhawk. Players from Fort Cherry and Burgettstown Area were considered in the Washington Sunday edition; those from Quaker Valley and Sewickley Academy were eligible in the PG North. (Burgettstown's Jake Wojcik and the Quakers' Greg Frederick were named.)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

John Elms

Riverside

Senior, Pitcher/Shortstop

Nobody may, indeed, be perfect. But Elms' pitching record was this season, as he went 14-0 in leading the Panthers (26-1) to the WPIAL Class AA title and a second consecutive PIAA title. He was especially proficient in the playoffs, firing a complete-game victory in each of his five starts, including a five-inning no-hitter against Carlynton in the first round of WPIAL play. A right-handed craftsman, Elms also had a 2.20 ERA this season, with 112 strikeouts and 30 walks in 82²/₃ innings. He finished his varsity career with a 25-1 record, including victories in his final 24 starts. Elms, a 5-9, 160-pounder, also thrived at the plate, batting .392 (31 for 79) with six doubles, one triple, six homers and 36 RBIs. He has gotten a lot of interest from small-college programs, but hasn't made a selection.

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Vince Lloyd

Beaver Falls

Senior, Pitcher/Outfielder

Lloyd struck out in an attempt to make the Tigers varsity as a sophomore, then struck out opposing hitters with great frequency for two years. A 6-1, 195-pound right-hander, Lloyd registered 86 strikeouts this season, breaking the school record of 77 he had set in 2005. He rang up 17 against Laurel in a May 3 victory that essentially clinched a playoff berth. Lloyd, an overpowering pitcher, also had 26 RBIs. He will play at Slippery Rock University.

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Jason Brognano

Blackhawk

Senior, Catcher

Known for his defensive prowess, Brognano emerged as a top-notch hitter as well this season. He batted .483 (29 for 60) with seven doubles, five homers, 31 RBIs and only six strikeouts. Brognano deployed strong-arm tactics, too, throwing out six of 10 would-be base stealers and dissuaded many others from trying. A crackerjack student with a 3.95 grade point average, Brognano will attend Penn State and try to walk onto the team.

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Mathias Bable

Blackhawk

Senior, Pitcher/Outfielder

Bable, a right-hander, fires his fastball in the high 80s. But his extensive repertoire of pitches, including a marvelous splitter, is the key to his success. This season, Bable recorded a 6-3 record, a 3.16 ERA, and 77 strikeouts and 33 walks in 61²/₃ innings. He was 5-0 last season, his first with the varsity, giving him an 11-3 mark overall. Bable has gotten interest from some Division I programs, but is leaning toward attending a community college in Texas.

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Matt Barnes

Langley

Senior, Pitcher/Shortstop

Barnes was a gem on the diamond, leading Langley to the City League title. A right-hander, he compiled a 12-3 record and a 1.25 ERA this season, while striking out 88 and walking seven in 67 innings. Barnes batted .508 (35 for 69) with nine doubles, three triples, five homers, 42 RBIs and just three strikeouts. This Crafton Heights resident was 26-8 in four seasons. Barnes (6-1, 175) also was a football and basketball standout, but will play baseball at the College of Wooster.

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Bryce Pfeuffer

Montour

Junior, Pitcher/Shortstop

Pfeuffer, literally, was at the center of the Spartans' success, as he sparkled in the middle of the diamond. He is a top-flight fielder who made first-team all-section for the second year in a row. Pfeuffer also was an offensive spark for the Section 3-AAA champions (16-7), batting .329 (26 for 79) with eight doubles, one triple, 24 RBIs and 24 runs. On the mound, he went 3-0 with four saves. Pfeuffer is a quality football and basketball player as well.

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Casey Williams

Moon Area

Senior, Catcher

In clutch situations, the Tigers reveled in having Casey at the bat. His big hits under pressure helped the Tigers (14-12) make the playoffs and advance to the WPIAL and PIAA Class AAA semifinals. Williams batted .390 (30 for 77) with four doubles, three triples, seven homers, 28 RBIs and 24 runs. He also was outstanding on defense in his three seasons as a starter, displaying a marvelous arm. Williams (6-0, 180) will play football at Bucknell University.

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Christian Valeriano

Riverside

Senior, Outfielder

This Lehigh University recruit helped engineer the Panthers' run to a 26-1 record, a WPIAL Class AA title and a second consecutive PIAA crown. Valeriano (6-3, 210), a switch hitter, batted better than .500 each of the past two seasons. This spring, he hit .515 (34 for 66) with nine doubles, two triples, six homers, 41 RBIs, 36 runs. Valeriano, a swift center fielder with a strong left arm, started for four seasons. He is a repeat selection on the PG West all-star team.

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Rick Hocanson

Rochester Area

Senior, Pitcher/First Baseman

Featuring a fastball in the high 80s, Hocanson, a southpaw, merited lots of left-handed compliments during his three varsity seasons. This year, he went 7-3 with 106 strikeouts to lead the Rams (16-7) to the Section 3-A title. That included a 15-strikeout effort against Union. Hocanson (6-2, 220) registered more than 230 strikeouts with the Rochester varsity, and was a solid first baseman and hitter, too. He has committed to Slippery Rock University.

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Zak Sinclair

West Allegheny

Sophomore, Pitcher/Utility

Sinclair, a sizable right-hander (6-4, 200), showed big-time skills and promise this season. He compiled a 6-3 record and a 2.20 ERA for the Indians (12-8), the Section 3-AAA runners-up. In 54 innings, he struck out 69 and walked 23, and earned first-team all-section honors. Sinclair also played middle infield or outfield, depending on who was pitching. In two varsity seasons, he is 9-4 with 118 strikeouts. Sinclair is considered a Division I prospect.