Published: June 23, 2007 11:52 pm      

Pa. star displays D-I talent

OAK HILL — Brett Weibley made a stellar play at third base. Then another, and another.

He later belted a laser over the left-field fence, part of his contribution to Hollidaysburg’s 9-5 win over Doylestown in a Pennsylvania battle at the Mountain State Baseball Classic.

Each time, a spectator declared, “That’s why he’s going to Kent State.”

Weibley’s talents were obvious as Hollidaysburg won its final bracket game of the tournament. Division I college scouts were certainly aware of Weibley’s skills.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Weibley is a prized five-tool player. He chose Kent State over WVU, Coastal Carolina, St. John’s and Pittsburgh.

The chance to be part of an up-and-coming program is part of what sold Weibley on the Golden Flashes, who won the Mid-American Conference championship last month. Kent went on to play in an NCAA regional, losing to host Missouri and Miami.

Kent also defeated College World Series qualifier Louisville in the regular season.

“They have a very good program,” he said. “They have been to at least eight (NCAA) regionals. And I feel really good about the coaching staff. Coach (Scott) Stricklin came from Georgia Tech. At one time he was the No. 2 recruiter in the nation.”

Weibley is coming off a big high school season in which he hit .431 with five home runs and 36 runs batted in. He also slugged .712 and hit 12 doubles for the Hollidaysburg Tigers, who finished 13-8 and lost to perennial power State College in the district championship.

Weibley had a perfect day at the plate Saturday. He walked and was hit by a pitch before mashing a two-run homer in the fourth and adding an RBI double in the sixth.

He also showed off his defensive abilities. He effortlessly snagged a line drive just to his right, and also displayed his arm strength by throwing a strike to first from the third-base line to retire another runner.

— E-mail: gfauber@

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