BASEBALL

Schall helps BEA elevate its game

Vinny Pezzimenti

WINGATE — The circumstances seemed dire at best for the Bald Eagle Area baseball team.

Craig Houtz

Bald Eagle Area's Dylan Schall hits a 2 RBI double against Central Cambria in the 2nd inning of their 1st round District 6 AA playoff game on Friday, May 15, 2009.

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The Eagles trailed Philipsburg- Osceola 4-2 going into the top of the seventh inning. Not only that, Mounties ace Luke Curtis was cruising and BEA had its little known No. 8 hitter strolling to the plate.

P-O was three outs from victory. Simple enough, right?

Except that that No. 8 hitter quickly doubled to stoke a 3-run rally that would push the Eagles to a third straight victory heading into the District 6 Class AA playoffs.

BEA has stayed hot. So has that No. 8 hitter, who goes by the name of Dillon Schall.

The junior second baseman had five hits in 10 at-bats, with five RBIs and five runs scored, in the Eagles’ three-game tour de force through districts. He went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs in BEA’s 13-0 semifinal victory over Westmont Hilltop that vaulted the team into Thursday’s title

game against unbeaten Mount Union at Altoona’s Blair County Ballpark.

And to think that Schall had all of three varsity at-bats to his name heading into that regular season finale in Philipsburg.

In place of ill senior Derek Noll, Schall had two hits that day and hasn’t stopped hitting since.

“He’s been hot for us,” teammate A.J. Robinson said.

For that matter, all the Eagles have been hot, evidenced by their 41-0 combined margin of victory this postseason over Central Cambria, Bellwood- Antis and Westmont.

But no one could’ve predicted a month ago that Schall would be a big part of it. He played sparingly in eight of BEA’s first 19 games — usually as a pinch runner or late-game fielding replacement — and was 1-for-3.

“We planned on using him a lot more this year,” coach Jim Gardner said.

“I felt real confident having him on the field at any time.”

Gardner initially thought the Eagles would need Noll to pitch more, leaving an opening for Schall. The opening didn’t come until Noll was lost to mononucleosis after a May 9 victory over Bellefonte.

“I just worked all season waiting for my chance,” Schall said. “I understand that you have to put in your time for the team. My job was to be there and be ready to play when the time came.”

The time is now for Schall. BEA guaranteed itself a berth in the PIAA tournament with the win over Westmont, and Noll might not return at all this season.

“It’s not looking like it’s any time soon,” Gardner said. “It’s very difficult for him. We understand. He’s a senior and he’s worked all these years for this, and I now he has to sit by and watch.”

Schall acknowledged that he didn’t like gaining playing time at the expense of Noll, who has hit .308 with 11 RBIs and seven doubles in 19 games this season.

Noll batted in the middle of the lineup. Schall has remained near the bottom, but his numbers are worthy of a higher spot.

“He’s been clutch the last couple games,” Robinson said. “He’s been really working hard, and it’s paying off for him. I’m glad to see he got the opportunity. It’s unfortunate what happened to Derek, but he filled in and we didn’t skip a beat.”

Schall, who had just completed his second junior varsity season this time last year, admitted he was nervous at first playing in the playoff atmosphere.

“It’s a big part of the season,” he said. Which also makes the improved play of first baseman Tyler Womer and left fielder Joe Pillot ever so important for the Eagles. After collecting seven hits in 40 regular-season at-bats, Womer is 6-for-9 in the postseason. Pillot has 11 RBIs in the playoffs, which is half the number he had during the regular season.

The lineup is balanced and potent again for BEA, which will make a third straight trip to the PIAAs. Just look at the production from that No. 8 hitter.

“That was a goal that we had years ago, to have a lineup like that,” Gardner said. “We’ve been able to have one the last three years.

“I just think it wears other teams down. There’s no easy outs. We’ve got guys at the bottom of the lineup that are just as tough as the top of the lineup. I feel that’s a real strength of ours, especially against Double-A competition.”

Vinny Pezzimenti covers high school baseball for the Centre Daily Times. He can be reached at 231-4629 or vpezzime@centredaily.com