Prep Baseball Report

Preseason Preview: Blackhawk HS (District 7)



By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The 2012 season was exciting to say the least for the Blackhawk Cougars. The season saw the Cougars finish with a record of 22-3, a Section Championship, a Class AAA WPIAL Championship, an appearance in the PIAA Semi-finals and the No. 1 ranking in the Prep Baseball Report team rankings at one point. Unfortunately, many of the talented players who helped lead that charge have since graduated.

Don't feel too bad for the Cougars and Head Coach Bob Amalia, there are some very talented prospects returning to attempt to repeat last year's accomplishments. Amalia sees inexperience as his team's main weakness leading into the new season, but is quite confident in a very talented junior class.

Following is a breakdown of the players likely to make an impact on the success of the Cougars 2013 season.

Class of 2013:

  • 2B/RHP Collin McCowin - 5'11", 170-pound senior who scored eight runs in limited action last year.

Class of 2014:

  • Brendan McKayLHP/1B Brendan McKay - 6'2", 210-pound prospect who is ranked No. 5 in the PBR Class of 2014 rankings in PA and No. 29 in the PBR combined rankings. McKay has gone 15-1 in two years of varsity competition with a combined ERA of less than 1.00. The Midwest Future Games participant in 2012 will be one of the top pitchers in the state for the next two years. McKay is a potential two-way player in college, having hit over .400 in both of his first two seasons.
  • SS/OF/RHP Cody Bain - 6'0", 180-pound junior who was also a Midwest Future Games participant. Bain runs a 6.90 60-yard dash and has the athleticism to play a number of positions.
  • C Jake Emge - 6'1", 185-pound junior who will try to fill the void at catcher left by the departure of his brother Matt to Ohio State.
  • LHP/OF Rich Rowe - 5'9", 160-pound lefty who should see time on the mound.

Class of 2015:

  • IF Joe Campagna - 5'10", 180-pound sophomore who should see time in the infield.
  • 3B/RHP Dante Parente - 6'0", 180-pound lefty stick who will battle for time in the infield and on the mound.

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