Seton Hill CF Jack Whalen makes SportsCenter's No. 1 play with diving catch | TribLIVE.com
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Seton Hill CF Jack Whalen makes SportsCenter's No. 1 play with diving catch

Bill Beckner
| Sunday, May 21, 2023 2:29 p.m.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Norwin’s Jack Whalen drives in two runs with a base hit against Upper St. Clair on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at Norwin High School.

Jumpin’ Jack Flash continues to make his mark at Seton Hill. And he’s only a freshman.

Jack Whalen made a outstanding, over-the-shoulder catch in Saturday’s Atlantic Region elimination game against East Stroudsburg and the play was the No. 1 highlight on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10.

The center fielder out of Norwin ran under the high drive and made a diving grab to take away extra bases from Parker Frey, whose long drive was headed for the fence.

The play came in the second inning. The Griffins (46-11) went on to a 10-4 victory to stay alive in the double-elimination bracket.

HE DID IT!!! Jack Whalen's catch is the NUMBER ONE play on #SCTop10! It's the third straight year a @SHGriffBaseball outfielder has made it on SportsCenter joining Derek Orndorff and Neal McDermott. @Jack1Whalen pic.twitter.com/5MnpqLD1BZ

— Westmoreland Sports Network (@WestmorelandSN) May 21, 2023

Whalen, who set a team and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference record this season with 46 stolen bases, also went 2 for 3 with a triple and two runs scored in the win.

Sophomore Max Mandler also threw his highlight into the hat with a ninth-inning snag in right field. He also made a jumping grab for a brow-raising putout as he slid to the turf to rob Jeremy Platkiewicz. Mandler squeezed the ball in the top of his glove and held on.

???? #SCTop10 ???? Um, we have ANOTHER nominee! Max Mandler’s outstanding catch in right field helped put the game away in Seton Hill’s 10-4 victory over East Stroudsburg in the NCAA Atlantic Regional. @ESPNAssignDesk pic.twitter.com/hnxJOXvlzd

— Westmoreland Sports Network (@WestmorelandSN) May 21, 2023

Seton Hill has been a regular on the ESPN Top Plays, with a number of other impressive catches turning heads in center on the Griffins’ home field.

Former outfielder Derek Orndorff pulled down another second-inning gem during a regular-season game in 2021. His catch was the No. 4 play that night on SportsCenter.

Orndorff, who moved on to play at Liberty, made ESPN’s highlights three times in his career, including the No. 1 play last February against Florida.

Orndorff with a leaping grab out in center field. pic.twitter.com/kGFG3Q2FF8

— Liberty Baseball (@LibertyBaseball) February 26, 2022

BB: A familiar face on this morning's #SCtop10. Derek Orndorff makes his second appearance this season on SportsCenter with another amazing catch. pic.twitter.com/ZmEJIOqCfO

— SHUGriffin Athletics (@GriffinsSports) June 9, 2021

This Derek Orndorff catch is ????????!!#NCAABaseball x ???? @LibertyBaseball pic.twitter.com/q27pXLaq6b

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) February 19, 2022


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