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Sports

Mike Bittel Pitches Season for the Record Books

The 6'1" senior pitched four complete games, surrendering only two hits in 28 innings.

Although the Peters Township American Legion baseball team saw their season end on Sunday with a loss in the regional playoffs to Shaler, there is still a lot of hope for the future. Especially for pitcher Mike Bittel, who not only helped his team reach the playoffs, but set a couple of personal milestones as well.

The 6'1" right-hander threw two no-hitters and two one-hitters in the process, establishing a mark that is significant at any level, while becoming a force in manager Dave Edmunds’ nucleus of players who will be back next season to make a run for the title.

Bittel’s no-hitters came at a most opportune time in the schedule. The first was tossed on June 21 against Elizabeth Forward, and the other came July 9 against Baldwin. The two-one hitters came when Bittel surrendered hits in the seventh inning.

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Overall, the season for Bittel was one for the record books, as he pitched four complete games, surrendering only two hits in 28 innings.

“I really have to give a lot of credit to my teammates,” Bittel said. ”They made a lot of key plays for me, especially in the middle of the game. The outfielders and infielders really helped me out a lot. It’s good to have a strong defense behind you, and know you can count on them if I put the ball in play.”

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Bittel said he was able to improve his fastball, which he relied upon in most situations, but said his curveball is the pitch he uses to “put a batter away.”

He said he works out daily to improve the strength in his pitching arm, and is working to improve his slider to add another arsenal to his selection of pitches.

Bittel began playing baseball as a catcher, and would pitch on occasion. He became the closer for the baseball team this past season, and since then has been used mainly as one of the starters for the American Legion. Head coach and manager Dave Edmunds couldn’t be happier.

“He throws a well-above-average fastball, and his curveball is very good,” Edmunds said. “He keeps hitters off balance and has done a great job.”

Edmunds said Bittel turned in some big outings during the legion team’s playoff run. Others contributing to the success on the mound include Ryan Minteer, who was the team’s closer, and the other starters Devon Ulum and Lou Wickstrom.

“Ryan was probably the MVP of the WPIAL last year, Devon was my workhorse, and Lou was returning from his first year at college,” Edmunds said. “Overall this season, we’ve been pitching by committee. In (Legion ball) we go from high school rules of seven innings to nine innings, and we play by American League rules, where we can have a designated hitter for the pitcher. We hand a kid a ball, and can tell them that they are going the distance.”

Bittel believes his experience with the American Legion team will help him next season with the Peters Township High School team, where he will be a senior and a returning two-year letterman.

“I’ll be working to see if I can be the number one guy in the starting rotation, and in the days I’m not starting I’d like to be able to close for them,” he said.

It won’t be uncommon for a player who has developed his skills to return and help his high school team.

Next season, Edmunds said Bittel and the others who were part of this year’s roster should make next year’s American Legion team better as well.

Edmunds named Hunter Holcombe as a spot starter, and starters from PTHS as players who provide for a strong hitting team. 

They include second baseman Mike Chamberlin; first baseman Aaron Berliner; leftfielder Justin Miller; designated hitter Joey Grossi; centerfielder Dave Galaney; rightfielder Cole Snyder; catcher Brett DiCello; shortstop Michael Ranalli and third baseman Adam Becker.

“These are all Peters Township players who are going to be taking the places of those who graduated,” Edmunds said. “They know each other, and they complement each other on the field. You’re going to hear a lot about these players in the future.”

Bittel said he’s looking forward to his senior year and the chance to take PTHS to the championship, as well as returning to play American Legion ball, where he can improve himself as a pitcher, while hoping to land a spot on a college team.

“I’ve talked to a couple of colleges, and I plan to do some visits after baseball ends,” Bittel said. “I hope to be able to commit to one next October or November.”

As for the American Legion team, Edmunds said the season just finished was a success for all involved.

“This is the first Peters Township team to win the district outright in many, many years,” he said. “We had a great and successful season where everyone came together and improved.”

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