WAYNESBURG, Pa. (April 29) – Former Waynesburg University standout Kyle Sasala ('13) was elevated to the position of acting manager of the Portland Sea Dogs, which is the AA affiliates of the Boston Red Sox, on Sunday, April 26. This is just the latest move in a coaching career that began following two outstanding years as the Yellow Jackets' starting shortstop.
Sasala transferred to Waynesburg prior to the 2012 season and immediately inserted himself as the leader of the team's infield. He was named second-team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) following his first season with the Yellow Jackets and repeated the feat in 2013.
The Cranberry Township, Pa. native finished in the top five of virtually every major offensive category for the 2012 Jackets and paced his teammates in games played, starts, runs scored, hits, triples and steals. Defensively, he led the squad with 122 assists. He had similar success in 2013, when he led the Orange and Black in runs, triples and games played, while finishing second in batting average, slugging, on-base percentage and total bases.
He was also a standout in the classroom and was lauded as a member of the 2013 PAC Spring Academic Honor Roll.
"Kyle came to Waynesburg and immediately established himself as one of the best athletes I had during my tenure," said former Waynesburg University head baseball coach Mike Humiston, who led the team for 16 years and spent several years before as an assistant coach. "He immediately took over at shortstop and was consistently at or near the top of the order on a daily basis."
After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and adding a master's in counseling from Waynesburg in 2015, Sasala really established himself in the coaching ranks at fellow PAC member Grove City, where he spent nine years with the Wolverines. His time in Mercer County was highlighted by a school-record 30 wins in 2023 that included a 16-4 record in conference play. He was also in the dugout for three 28-win squads and a 27-17 team in 2016 that won the ECAC D-III Southwest title. That championship carries significance for Sasala, as he served as interim head coach during that tournament run.
When he left Grove City, he was serving as the team's association head coach and recruiting coordinator.
Following his departure from the collegiate ranks, Sasala accepted a position in the Red Sox organization in 2024 as an infield coach with the Sea Dogs. Prior to the start of the current campaign, he transitioned to the role of defensive coach.
The Sea Dogs gave Sasala a memorable welcome during their April 26 game against the Hartford Yard Goats. Not only did the Dogs pick up a 3-2 victory, but they did it in no-hit fashion.
Sasala's promotion came after veteran Sea Dog manager Chad Epperson was called up to Boston to serve as the team's interim third base coach following multiple changes of the legendary club's staff, including manager Alex Cora.
At only 35 years old, Sasala is still seen as a young up-and-comer by many in the sport. As such, his college skipper doesn't believe that his journey up the ranks is any where close to being over.
"I think he'll be successful, because that's his mindset on everything," Humiston said. "From his work in the classroom to his personal relationships to baseball, he had to be the best he could be at everything no matter what. I'm confident that's what he'll be doing for a long time. He has that passion. He's going to do very, very well. He'll put in the hours. He's that guy. I wish him all the best."
Interestingly, Sasala isn't even the best-known Yellow Jacket with ties to the Major Leagues. San Diego Padres star closer Mason Miller, a 2020 Waynesburg graduate, faced Grove City during the 2019 PAC tournament. Despite having his best season in a Waynesburg uniform that season, Miller experienced control problems against the Wolverines that led to the Jackets losing the game and eventually being eliminated from the tournament.
Despite an obviously keen coach acumen, Humiston laughingly remembers an interaction he had with Sasala after the game.
"When we lost to Grove City, Mason didn't have his best day and he walked some people, gave up tome timely hits. Kyle came up to me after the game and I'm just not seeing it out of him," Humiston recalled with a chuckle, "I said 'Come on, he's the best pitcher in the conference period. Yeah, okay, whatever.'"
With the way Sasala's career track is trending, he just may get another chance to coach against the flame-throwing righty in the not too distant future. Only this time, it will be in a major league park.
