1962 WPIAL Champions

    The Ellwood City Lincoln High School Wolverines ended its 1962 WPIAL baseball season with Coach Bill Spelmans team being crowned the District Seven Champions for the first time in school history.
    Although their sophomore right handed pitcher, Bob Poholsky was uncharacteristically erratic in giving six base on balls, he gave up only five hits to hurl Ellwood City to a 4-1 triumph over the McKeesport Tigers before twelve hundred fans at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.
    This was Ellwood City’s twenty-third victory on the season with only two loses (Beaver Falls & Canon-McMillan). The win was the tenth straight win for Poholsky and his fourth in the elimination tournament.
    The Wolverines started the game strong when leadoff batter John Pratt opened the game with a soft single to left, up next Blythe singled to right moving Pratt to third. Blythe moved to second on a fielder’s choice at first on Jim Bukac’s hit and Toy Laitinen blasted a shot up third that scored Pratt and Blythe before he stole second and scored on Randy Chesko’s single.
    Ellwood City scored their final run in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly. Laitinen started the inning of fright when he singled to center but was forced at second by Bob Latiano who promptly stole second and advanced to third when a wild pitch landed in the Wolverines dugout. After Bill Pratt walked, Chesko’s sacrifice fly scored Latiano.
    If you would like to share any memories you may have of this team or any of its players, please leave a comment below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com

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