Comets’ Umerich instrumental in state championship

Mike Umerich just finished his sophomore year but already has veteran experience.

Umerich spent the past two seasons leading off and playing second base for the Abington Heights baseball team that took home the PIAA Class AAA state championship on June 12.

“You always hope it’s going to happen but don’t think it actually will until it does,” he said. “When it does, it’s a great feeling. It can’t be put into words.”

Baseball is only one of his talents. He goes from varsity baseball, to American Legion baseball, to football to basketball.

On the football field this past season, Umerich rotated in at wide receiver and also returned kicks and punts on special teams. On the basketball court, he’s a guard.

“I make sure that school comes before all my sports,” he said. “I go to practice, then do my school work, then go right to sleep and do it again.”

Many star athletes sacrifice a sport or two to narrow their focus. But Umerich doesn’t seem ready to do that.

“It’s nice not to stop during the year,” he said. “It keeps you active. It keeps you from getting lazy.”

On the baseball field, the speedster’s job has been to get on base, set the tone and give Cory Spangenberg, Tony Castellano and Steve Mills something to work with.

He enjoys stealing bases. But he didn’t have the green light much this year since coaches wanted the first baseman holding him on in order to open a gap for Spangenberg, who followed him in the lineup.

Right now, the lefty is spending his summer playing American Legion baseball with Abington VFW.

Due to the Comets’ state run, many games were canceled. So the Legion squad pretty much will play every day through the end of July.

He said last year’s state playoff run with the Legion squad prepared him for the challenges of this season, especially the advanced pitching.

Umerich prides himself on his ability to stay calm and relaxed in the face of high pressure.

“I was trying to take it as a normal game,” he said. “We had our techno music blasting, trying to stay relaxed. That’s what we live by. And we went out and played like it was another game.”

Joining the varsity team as a freshman could’ve had something to do with that.

“I think that helped a lot because it gave me some experience,” Umerich said. “The team really invited me with open arms. They made me feel right at home. I kind of felt right away in with the rest of the guys.”

He said playing as a team was key in the Comets’ championship run.

In his personal development, he said listening to coaches and teammates has helped him a great deal

“I think I’ve learned to be more patient at the plate and that practice really does help and to take advice from other players and coaches really helps you in the long run,” he said. “Playing together as a team really did help us get as far as possible.”

Throughout the summer Umerich said he must work on his arm strength. He hopes to move from second base to shortstop next year and take over for the now-graduated Spangenberg,

He’ll also be trying to increase his speed.

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