The spring sports season is underway, and some new faces are leading the Warrior Baseball team this year. The previous head coach, Aaron Tiracorda, stepped down after last season, creating an opening for the current head coach, Justin Koleno. In recent years, Koleno has coached in numerous settings, including girls’ varsity basketball and varsity football. He also currently teaches 7th-8th-grade English Language Arts. Koleno will be assisted by Vince McDowell, Travis McDowell, and Josh Cantolina. The Warriors will look to make another run in the district playoffs this season, but with the hope of a different outcome.
A vital member of the Warrior baseball team over the past few seasons, Lukas Colton, has since graduated, leaving the Warriors with big shoes to fill. There will be many Warriors returning this season, in particular three key members, including senior outfielder Coby Kephart, senior catcher Nick Parks, and junior pitcher and infielder Caleb Hudson, all of whom batted over .300. They also rallied for a combined 75 hits and 48 RBI’s. Other key returners include junior outfielder Kaleb-Warren Kio, junior pitcher and infielder Hansen Lannen, and senior pitcher and infielder Dylan McGonigal.
The Warriors made it to the District VI playoffs last season and lost a heartbreaker to Moshannon Valley 0-2 in the first round. Head coach Justin Koleno speaks on this season’s goals: “I want our team to continue to improve all season, so we are playing our best ball come playoff time. My end goal is to compete for a District 6 title. I would like that to be the standard every year for this program. Right now, I am excited to get out on the ball field consistently and get to work – a little warmer and a little drier weather would be great. It’s great to be a part of this program and back in this sport again.”
The Warriors started their 2026 campaign with a scrimmage against the Philipsburg-Osceola Mountaineers on March 10, and begin the regular season on the road against the Glendale Vikings on March 19 at 4:30 pm.
