Laurel Highlands graduate Lion selects WCCC
Less than 10% of baseball players in college advance to the professional ranks.
Recent Laurel Highlands graduate Noah Lion understands that, which is one of the reasons he will play baseball at Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) while also pursuing a degree in plumbing.
“It all started with the degree I wanted to pursue, but I also wanted to continue playing baseball,” Lion said. “I wanted to find a good career, and if there was a four-year college that had what I wanted to study for four years, I would have gone there.”
Lion had a solid senior season with the Mustangs, as he led the team among qualifiers in batting average (.413), on-base-percentage (.526), slugging percentage (.522), OPS (1.048) and hits (19).
Lion was second in Section 2-4A in on-base-percentage, fifth in batting average and seventh in slugging percentage.
Following high school season, Lion continued his career with the Uniontown American Legion Baseball team that is divided among players from Laurel Highlands and Uniontown Area High School.
Lion had his legion season end early due to a dislocated knee that will require surgery, but the setback shouldn’t impact his career with the Wolfpack.
“Once I get past the surgery and rehab, I will be able to come back,” Lion said. “It was tough to not be able to play with my legion teammates, but injuries are part of the game. I’m just glad it wasn’t that severe.”
Lion believes he will be a jack-of-all-trades player at WCCC, which he is content with.
“Wherever they need me to fill in is where I will probably play,” Lion said. “I am fine with that as long as I can get on the field. I have been playing baseball all my life, so it is awesome to get to play at the next level. It is a small school but they had a solid season this past spring.”
Noah also played football for the Mustangs, but baseball has always been his No. 1 sport.
Lion and Sevi Vecchiolla have spent many years together on the baseball diamond, and the duo will play several more for the Wolfpack. They will also room together near the Youngwood campus.
Lion’s brother, Evan, will be a sophomore at Laurel Highlands this year. His father, Pat, is a coach for the Mustangs in football, and has also been involved in the baseball team and junior legion squad for Uniontown while also serving as an official.
“I definitely want to thank my family, first and foremost,” Noah Lion said. “I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for them. I am excited to see what my brother can do these next few years. I also want to thank my coaches, friends and teammates for all their help and support. I am blessed to have them in my life.”