Justin Wiercinski
represents a triple threat

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Justin Wiercinski may not be in school over these hot summer months, but he’s hardly on vacation.
For now, the Northeast Philadelphia resident’s days are filled by working his summer job as a landscaper. And all of his free time is pretty much spent on the baseball diamond.
The pitcher and second baseman is a regular in the PennDel League, as well as with the Loudenslager American Legion team. He practices as often as possible, with games three times a week.
"It definitely keeps me busy," Wiercinski said with a laugh. "But I love to play baseball and want to play as much as I can."
While his PennDel League team is still making a run at postseason play, with the playoffs rapidly approaching, the Loudenslager squad already has had its shot, losing in the Philadelphia County American Legion semifinals.
"Overall, I think it was a good season," said coach Will Doggett, who led the Loudenslager squad to an overall 13-6 record this year. "We played well, and we’ve come a long way since the beginning of the season."
After finishing in second place during the regular season, Loudenslager made it to the second round of the playoffs and faced off against Ivy Ridge in a best-of-three-games series.
Loudenslager lost the first game, 11-9, on July 16. The following afternoon the team lost again, 12-2.
"I thought we had our chances but we blew them," said Doggett, referring to the 11 runners Loudenslager left on base during the second game against Ivy Ridge. "We’ve actually come through in those situations in the past — that’s how we ended up in second place. Today we had chances to tie up the game twice and couldn’t get it done."
The two runners who did cross home plate were John Furphy, who singled and eventually scored, thanks to an RBI single by Wiercinski in the second inning, and Tim Freiling, who slammed an out-of-the-park homer in the seventh.
"Our bats were definitely stronger in the beginning of the year," said Wiercinski. "I think our bats kind of fell apart by the end."
This season was Wiercinski’s debut on the Loudenslager team. Because of age restrictions, it also was the 18-year-old’s last.
"It was definitely a lot of fun," he said. "I really like all the guys, and it’s always great to play baseball in the summer."
Wiercinski heard of the team through coach Doggett, who happens to be a good friend of his father’s. In fact, most of the Loudenslager roster seems to have a lot of history together. Doggett’s son Dave — who graduated from Frankford High School — plays infield for the summer squad. And the rest of guys have been playing ball together for most of their lives.
"I grew up with a bunch of these guys," said Wiercinski. "It’s fun because I actually know a lot of guys on other teams, too. It’s all the neighborhood kids and it’s a little friendly competition out there. It’s fun."
Last year Wiercinski was recruited to play baseball with the Knights of Chestnut Hill College. As a freshman, the right-handed hurler got some time on the hill, but he also experienced some growing pains, walking 16 and striking out 23 batters in 36 innings.
"I love playing college ball," said Wiercinski, who is armed with an 80-mph fastball, as well as a slider, change-up and curve. "I’ve been playing baseball since tee-ball, and to get to a college level is exciting."
Wiercinski will return to his Chestnut Hill dorm room in the fall to continue his athletic and academic career. For now he’s undecided about the profession he’d like to pursue, though he’s considering a major in criminal justice.
"It’s still up in the air. I kind of went to school for baseball," he said. "Now I have to figure out what I want to do after that." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com