1955 Chestnut Ridge Baseball Team
Class of 2013
1955 Chestnut Ridge Baseball Team
Opponent Score
Robert Smith 24-0
Woodbury 12-3
Replogle 3-1
Bedford 4-1
Robert Smith 12-3
Replogle 6-2
Woodbury 16-5
Everett 10-2
Saxton Liberty 3-1
Bedford 9-0
On May 19, 1955, Principal Weimert, at the awards day assembly, presented to captains Stan Corley and Don Benna, the 1955 Bedford County High School Baseball League Championship trophy. This trophy represented the achievement of the undefeated 10-0 Lions baseball team. This award was the first ever team championship in the history of the new Chestnut Ridge School District. The Chestnut Ridge School District was formed in 1953, but the new high school was not completed until the fall of 1955. The 1954 and 1955 students held their classes at the former Schellsburg-Napier High School and the baseball team played their games at the Schellsburg field along Route 30. The school took the Chestnut Ridge High School name and the Lion mascot as its symbol. It was a proud group of 16 young men who accepted that trophy for an undefeated championship season.
In March, new head coach John Koza welcomed a group of returning veterans and new candidates for the Lions ball team. Mr. Koza proved to be an outstanding coach and a hard-driving leader. Hopes were high for a winning season. The Bedford County High School Baseball League had been formed in 1949, and Saxton Liberty had captured the championship six years in a row, from 1949-1954.
The Lions were determined to end that streak. Also giving the Lions impetus was the beginning of a baseball program at Bedford High School, the first ever baseball program at Bedford. In the formation of the new Ridge jointure, some former Ridge athletes were now attending Bedford. Team captain Stan Corley said “With a great new coach in Mr. Koza and with our experienced and skilled players, we were determined to bring a winning season to the new Chestnut Ridge athletic program. The league championship was in our minds.”
Key victories during the season were over Saxton Liberty, Everett, and Bedford. The third game of the season saw the Lions face Al Mills, the Everett ace, who had pitched two no-hitters and allowed no runs in 14 innings. He was knocked out of the game in a 10-2 Ridge victory. The next game, the Lions came away with a 3-1 victory over the six-time defending champion Saxton Liberty behind Stan Corley, who allowed only three hits and struck out 13.
Unfortunately, poor weather conditions did not allow Chestnut Ridge to face Everett or Saxton Liberty a second time. Ridge had clinched the championship and those two games were not needed at the end of the season. The Lions also beat the new Bedford team twice in the season, 4-1 and 9-0. Those were key victories as Bedford finished second in the league.
Every member was a key contributor to the undefeated season. Ace pitcher Stan Corley finished the year with a 7-0 record and Paul Horner was 3-0. Jack Deaner and Dean Horner were the leading average hitters of the season, and Ross Cook, Art Miltenberger, Cecil Evans, Tom Whitcomb, and other team members added key hits during the season. Don Benna was a smooth fielding center fielder, and Evans, Deaner, Cook, and Horner were a slick fielding infield. Whitcomb was the speed merchant on the team and was very dangerous on the basepaths. This team leadership was the key factor in leading the Lions to the undefeated season and ending the Saxton Liberty hold on the Bedford County championship.
Outstanding Individual Accomplishments
1. Stan Corley - Signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and played Class A ball in Valdosta, Georgia, and Matoon, Illinois. He later became an outstanding pitcher in area adult baseball leagues.
2. Jack Deaner - Signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and played Class A ball in Olean, New York, and Matoon, Illinois. He later became well known as a great player in the local county league.
3. Many other members of the team played for years in the Bedford County Adult League.
….
Opponent Score
Robert Smith 24-0
Woodbury 12-3
Replogle 3-1
Bedford 4-1
Robert Smith 12-3
Replogle 6-2
Woodbury 16-5
Everett 10-2
Saxton Liberty 3-1
Bedford 9-0
On May 19, 1955, Principal Weimert, at the awards day assembly, presented to captains Stan Corley and Don Benna, the 1955 Bedford County High School Baseball League Championship trophy. This trophy represented the achievement of the undefeated 10-0 Lions baseball team. This award was the first ever team championship in the history of the new Chestnut Ridge School District. The Chestnut Ridge School District was formed in 1953, but the new high school was not completed until the fall of 1955. The 1954 and 1955 students held their classes at the former Schellsburg-Napier High School and the baseball team played their games at the Schellsburg field along Route 30. The school took the Chestnut Ridge High School name and the Lion mascot as its symbol. It was a proud group of 16 young men who accepted that trophy for an undefeated championship season.
In March, new head coach John Koza welcomed a group of returning veterans and new candidates for the Lions ball team. Mr. Koza proved to be an outstanding coach and a hard-driving leader. Hopes were high for a winning season. The Bedford County High School Baseball League had been formed in 1949, and Saxton Liberty had captured the championship six years in a row, from 1949-1954.
The Lions were determined to end that streak. Also giving the Lions impetus was the beginning of a baseball program at Bedford High School, the first ever baseball program at Bedford. In the formation of the new Ridge jointure, some former Ridge athletes were now attending Bedford. Team captain Stan Corley said “With a great new coach in Mr. Koza and with our experienced and skilled players, we were determined to bring a winning season to the new Chestnut Ridge athletic program. The league championship was in our minds.”
Key victories during the season were over Saxton Liberty, Everett, and Bedford. The third game of the season saw the Lions face Al Mills, the Everett ace, who had pitched two no-hitters and allowed no runs in 14 innings. He was knocked out of the game in a 10-2 Ridge victory. The next game, the Lions came away with a 3-1 victory over the six-time defending champion Saxton Liberty behind Stan Corley, who allowed only three hits and struck out 13.
Unfortunately, poor weather conditions did not allow Chestnut Ridge to face Everett or Saxton Liberty a second time. Ridge had clinched the championship and those two games were not needed at the end of the season. The Lions also beat the new Bedford team twice in the season, 4-1 and 9-0. Those were key victories as Bedford finished second in the league.
Every member was a key contributor to the undefeated season. Ace pitcher Stan Corley finished the year with a 7-0 record and Paul Horner was 3-0. Jack Deaner and Dean Horner were the leading average hitters of the season, and Ross Cook, Art Miltenberger, Cecil Evans, Tom Whitcomb, and other team members added key hits during the season. Don Benna was a smooth fielding center fielder, and Evans, Deaner, Cook, and Horner were a slick fielding infield. Whitcomb was the speed merchant on the team and was very dangerous on the basepaths. This team leadership was the key factor in leading the Lions to the undefeated season and ending the Saxton Liberty hold on the Bedford County championship.
Outstanding Individual Accomplishments
1. Stan Corley - Signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and played Class A ball in Valdosta, Georgia, and Matoon, Illinois. He later became an outstanding pitcher in area adult baseball leagues.
2. Jack Deaner - Signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and played Class A ball in Olean, New York, and Matoon, Illinois. He later became well known as a great player in the local county league.
3. Many other members of the team played for years in the Bedford County Adult League.
….
Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County, Pennsylvania