JOHNSTOWN —
Color the Johnston Realty team green.
The Altoona representative in the national AAABA tournament has few players remaining from last year’s roster.
However, first-year manager Mel Curtis has seen some improvement in his team that could bode well for the young players this year.
“We are young in tournament experience. We basically have just three players off last year’s roster,” Curtis said. “But, we played very well in regionals, at times. We just want to come in and try to win one game at a time.”
Johnston defeated Elk County 8-3 in the first regional game and battled Miami before falling 8-5. The Altoona entry was overwhelmed by eventual regional champion Philadelphia, 12-0 – which Johnston will face at noon today in Lilly.
Altoona earned a spot in the national tournament by virtue of hosting the regional tourney.
Johnston will start 6-foot-4 right-hander Andy Lytle today against Philadelphia and will follow with left-hander Sean Dixon in the second game.
“(Lytle) has been our workhorse,” Curtis said about the pitcher for Allegany College of Maryland. “He throws real well. We will ride him as long as we can.”
Curtis was a coach for the Johnston squad for three years under previous manager Kurt Farabaugh. He understands what it takes to win in the national tournament.
“Our realistic goal is to play to our potential and be there Wednesday or Thursday,” Curtis said. “A lot of it will be how we will perform in our first game. Because of our being young, it is important to start out with a good, solid win.”
Offensively, Johnston is led by second baseman Neil Schroth, who led the Altoona City League with a .510 batting average.
First baseman John Shaffer (.434) and shortstop Mike Marcinko (.358), were also near the top of the league in hitting.
The other starters are catcher Mason Hershey, third baseman Andy Glass, and outfielders Jake Wadlick (center), Joe Pillot (right), and Al Mann (center).
The Johnston squad lost its first game last year and was eliminated in two games, something that Curtis hopes to avoid this year.
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