Dontae Giddens' return from the Hank Aaron Invitational was a proud one. The Penn Hills shortstop found an easy way to show his improvement year-over-year.

Last summer, Giddens was unable to produce a hit in eight at-bats while he was at the Jackie Robinson Complex in Vero Beach, Fla. When Giddens went back earlier this month, he hit .667 (6-of-9).

"It was great to see that improvement," Giddens said.

The Hank Aaron Invitational was founded in 2015 and is the premier diversity-focused baseball development experience for high school-aged baseball players in the United States. The four-day event mixes on-field development and games in addition to providing opportunities for learning and a chance to hear speakers talk about what baseball is like at the next level.

Current MLB players who came through the program including Taj Bradley, Lawrence Butler, Justin Crawford, Hunter Greene and Michael Harris II, among others. There are more than 30 current minor leaguers and more than 150 college players who have played in the event.

"Being selected for the Hank Aaron Invitational for the second straight year was an honor," Giddens said. "It showed me the work I've put in is paying off. Competing against some of the best players in the country pushed me to get better and gave me a lot of confidence."

Giddens helped Penn Hills halt a 34-game losing streak last spring when the Indians beat Carrick in April. Penn Hills struggled with numbers and finished 1-15.

Giddens hopes to continue to build his profile during his senior year.

"Being part of an event like this means a lot because it gives me the chance to compete at a high level and continue growing as a player," Giddens said. "My goal is to play Division I baseball, keep developing my game, and make an impact wherever I end up."

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

The Pittsburgh Hardball Academy announced today that one of their players, West Mifflin student Eli Kurta, was chosen to attend the MLB Breakthrough Series in Vero Beach, Fla.

​The MLB Breakthrough Series has produced a long list of notable alumni who have gone on to play professionally.

Pitt baseball relief pitcher David Leslie took the unconventional route to Division I baseball. Leslie, a Butler graduate, initially started at Division III Grove City College. Leslie, a graduate student, has made a splash in the ACC Tournament.

He threw the final three innings and struck out six batters to help the No. 14 seed Panthers pull an 8-6 upset win over the third-seeded Seminoles. He allowed one unearned run and walked tow hitters.

"I'm glad we get to play again," Leslie said in an interview with the ACC Network. "I didn't know if that was going to be the last game I ever played. I'm so glad we rallied together and got it done."

The game was tied at 5 when Leslie entered the game. The Seminoles tested Leslie immediately, as he had to work out of a bases-loaded jam.
Hunter Carns opened the inning by reaching first on an error by Pitt shortstop Caden Dulin.  One batter later, Leslie hit Gabe Fraser with a pitch.

After Leslie struck out Carter McCulley, his second strikeout of the inning, Chase Williams drew a walk to load the bases. Leslie was able to get Cal Fisher to fly out to right field to avoid the danger.

Leslie said he didn't do anything to wild. So far this season, Leslie, a graduate student, has a 4-5 record and has recorded a save. His ERA sits at 6.37 for the season.

"Fastball, curveball, changeup that's what I roll with," Leslie said. "I'll show a slider. It's mainly those three pitches. All it comes down was executing one pitch at a time. Fastball's in, curveball and changeup is down. It sounds simple, but it's tough."

Florida State took the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning when Ben Barrett reached on a fielding error by Pitt second baseman Trey Fenderson, scoring John Stuetzer.

Pitt rallied in the ninth inning when AJ Nessler got on base with a one-out single. One batter later, Lorenzo Carrier drew a walk. Kai Wagner was facing a 1-2 count from Brodie Purcell when he connected with a pitch that changed the game. Wagner hit a 394-foot blast to center field that put Pitt ahead 8-6.

Leslie recorded two strikeouts and got a groundout in the bottom of the ninth to closer out the game. Leslie said he felt the adrenaline after he crushed

"It was," Leslie said. "I had a tough time keeping my mind focus. But I felt it after that home run, I don't know who wouldn't feel it."

Josh Rizzo is the sports editor of PIttsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

Peters Township graduate Jack Natili will see his stock continue to rise on the Major League Baseball draft boards. Natili, who is a catcher at the University of Cincinnati, smashed three home runs on Sunday and drove in four runs to help the Bearcats beat Central Florida on the road. The win helped the Bearcats take the series.

Natili, who is one of the highest-regarded catchers in this year's class, started his career with Rutgers.  Natili, who is in his second season with Cincinnati, has batted .323 in 41 starts this season. He has hit a career-high 10 home runs and driven in 43 runs so far this season. Natili hit nine home runs last season and produced 53 RBIs.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_osh Rizzo.

Dave Bednar and Mason Miller both had their moments of elation at the World Baseball Classic Sunday night at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla. The two WPIAL alums worked out of jams with runners in scoring position to help Team USA move onto the final of the WBC with a 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic.

Miller, who played for Bethel Park and Waynesburg, struck out Gerald Perdomo to close out the game on a slider that replay showed was below the strike zone. Things weren't easy for Miller, who now pitches for the San Diego Padres after breaking into the league with the Oakland A's.

Junior Caminero opened the bottom of the ninth with a strikeout. Julio Rodriguez then drew a walk from Miller.

Caminero would move from first to third following a wild pitch by Miller and a groundout by Oneil Cruz.  Caminero gave the Dominican Republic its only lead with a solo home run off Paul Skenes in the second inning. Team USA wouldn't provide Skenes with any run support until the fourth, when Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony each hit solo home runs.

Skenes, who was the National League Cy Young winner for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, threw 4.1 innings and allowed six hits and struck out two to earn the win. Bednar, a Mars graduate, came in during the seventh inning. He forced Rodriguez to pop out to open the inning, but found himself in trouble when Austin Wells doubled to right.

Perdomo singled and pushed Wells to third. Bednar, who now pitches for the New York Yankees, then got Fernando Tatis r. and Kendel Marte to strike out to end the innings.

The USA will play the winner of Venezuela and Italy in the championship Wednesday in Miami.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges Story ideas can be send to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

Penn Hills graduate Josh Zambito will have another step on his baseball odyssey. Zambito started at the University of Maine and has made stops at Motlow State (Tenn.) Community College and St. Andrews (N.C) University.

Zambito appeared in 42 games at St. Andrews, which plays at the NAIA level, last season. Zambito hit .280 with three home runs and 34 RBIs. He scored 16 runs.

Point Park had an excellent season last spring. The Pioneers finished 41-13 and won the Mountain East Conference championship. The Pioneers couldn't play in the Division II playoffs because they are still transitioning from NAIA to Division II.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X at @J_oshRizzo.

Peters Township graduate Jack Natili is making a splash in the Cape Cod League with the Cotuit Kettleers. Natili ranks second in the prestigious summer league with five home runs and has driven in 15 runs.

According to an article by Abby Halpin on the Cape Cod Summer League's website, Natili has impressed Cotuit coach Loren Hibbs with his ability to be coached. Through the first two weeks of the season, Natili was only batting .188. But Natili's bat has heated up since he came through with his first extra-base hit on June 29.

Natili transferred to Cincinnati this past season after playing his freshman season at Rutgers. After hitting .230 with the Scarlet Knights as a freshman, the catching prospect made a big leap with the Bearcats. Natili hit .338 and smashed nine home runs and drove in 53 runs for Cincinnati.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher at Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshrizzo.

The Franklin Regional baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Penn Hills by collecting a four-inning, 18-0 win in Section 3-5A action Wednesday on the road. Panthers pitcher Jonah Willochell didn't allow allowed one hit and struck out 10 batters.

Narayan Ramchan led Franklin Regional by smashing a home run to center field in the first inning. Ramchan collected two hits and had a game-high five RBIs. Anthony Mitchell and Brady Yarabinetz also drove in three runs apieces for Franklin Regional.

Anthony Sipple had the lone hit for the Indians.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshrizzo.