Walks galore for Serra’s Mark Black

Serra Catholic’s Mark Black (right) steps across home plate after hitting a home run during a WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal game against Avonworth on Monday. Waiting to greet him are Serra Catholic’s Jayden Mertz (left) and Alex Glumac.

By Jose Negron

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When the regular season ended for Serra Catholic on May 9, Mark Black became the first home run champion in program history.

A year after hitting five home runs during the regular season as a sophomore, Black blasted a whopping 10 homers, leading the WPIAL and setting a single-season program record in the process.

Despite the success and the number of baseballs he’s sent sailing over the fence, or even feet from the Youghiogheny River, it is a bit of a surprise to head coach Brian Dzurenda that Black hasn’t seen much to hit in three playoff games over the past few weeks.

Black has been intentionally walked more often, allowing teams to avoid the chance of giving up the long ball.

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