2006 Fox Chapel Baseball Sponsors a Clinic. photos courtesy Robin Baum and Fox Chapel Baseball Boosters

Five games were left in the Foxes’ 10-3 season. They were up against North Allegheny, the kings of WPIAL baseball and reigning 2005 champions. Only one could be king, of this game anyway. The lead seesawed back and forth several times between the two schools. Fox Chapel went up 11-8. But the lead pivoted three more times, and North Allegheny ended the game on top. It dropped the Foxes into a clash for third-place and a bid for playoffs.

Coach John Broderick’s squad was now in a do or die stretch. One loss in the remaining games and they wouldn’t make playoffs. However the squad, in that loss to Allegheny, proved they had what it takes make the assault. “It was a four-game playoff for us, a four-game must-win series,” Broderick says. “We are in an excellent section: Butler, North Hills, Shaler, Seneca Valley,” each team a baseball juggernaut. But the Foxes did it: they slew the giants, took third in the section (one game out of first) and made playoffs at 14-4.

“Senior co-captains Nate Planavsky [second base] and Chris Karas [pitcher] both have provided great senior leadership,” says the coach. A herd of juniors propelled the Foxes’ attack. “We made a commitment,” Broderick says, “to this core when they were freshmen after seeing their talent, potential and work ethic.” Four started three years: Joe Norro (.519 batting avg), Chris Murphy (.477 avg), John Hastings, and Tipf Hamer. Three others saw playing time: Harley Miller, Kevin Killian, and designated hitter Derek Planavsky.

"Norro and Murphy are on track to set career records next year after playing four years,” John notes. “Both are leaders at the plate, but we really had contributions from everybody. We had a balanced attack this season."