By BRIAN HERMAN
Sports Editor
The date was May 15, 2005.
The site was Murrysville’s Haymaker Park.
Playing against highly touted Pine-Richland, junior shortstop Robert “Bean” Heller almost singlehandedly carried Ringgold to a quarterfinal win over the eventual WPIAL Class AAA champions.
Heller, the Rams’ leadoff hitter, had four of the team’s six hits including a home run but it wasn’t enough as Ringgold ended the campaign with a tough 7-6 loss after falling behind 7-1.
Little did anyone know at the time that it would be Heller’s last baseball game for the Rams.
Instead of returning this season to the baseball field, Heller chose to run track.
“It was a surprise,” admitted long-time Ringgold track coach Scott Frederick.
Heller, however, doesn’t think it’s a big deal considering he ran track as a freshman and sophomore before switching uniforms.
“I like baseball but I want to get ready for college,” said Heller, who will play football at Slippery Rock after setting the all-time rushing (3,738 yards) and scoring (242 points) marks at Ringgold.
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