While Norwin has boasted a great baseball program for more than a decade, the Knights had perhaps their most talent ever four seasons ago. Justin Turcovski was one of more than a dozen players on the Knights’ roster that went on to play collegiately. Now a redshirt junior at the University of Pitt-Johnstown, Turcovski has emerged as one of the most successful players from that group. He’s the featured athlete in this edition of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

When Turcovski was a freshman at Norwin in 2018, the Knights went 7-8 overall, including 5-5 in section play. In the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs, Norwin lost to Canon-McMillan in the first round to conclude the campaign.

The following year, Norwin improved to 14-7 overall, including 6-4 in the section. Back in the WPIAL Class 6A postseason, the Knights defeated Mount Lebanon, but fell to Pine-Richland in the quarterfinals.

With Norwin poised for a breakthrough season, the 2020 campaign was cancelled as a result of COVID.

The Knights returned to the diamond in Turcovski’s senior campaign in 2021, achieving a mark of 14-4, including 7-3 in the section. In the Class 6A playoffs, Norwin ousted Seneca Valley, but fell to Hempfield Area in the semifinals to end the season.

Following his time at Norwin, Turcovski matriculated to the University of Pitt-Johnstown, joining the Mountain Cats as an outfielder for the 2022 season. He played in 42 games for UPJ, including 39 starts, hitting .289 with 25 runs, 23 RBIs, five home runs, and seven stolen bases. That campaign, the Mountain Cats went 20-27-1, including 7-21 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

The next season, Turcovski was limited by injury, playing in just 18 games, including 14 starts. During that action, he batted .204 with eight runs, six runs batted in, a pair of homers, and one steal. The Mountain Cats achieved a mark of 18-31, including 11-17 in the PSAC.

Back to health last season, Turcovski emerged as one of the better hitters in the league. He started 48 contests, batting .260 with 32 runs, 44 RBIs, six homers, and eight steals. For his efforts, he was recognized as a Second-Team All-PSAC performer. Collectively, UPJ went 19-30, including 8-20 in the conference.

Playing in 2025 as a redshirt junior, Turcovski has started all 34 games, hitting .310 with 20 runs, 20 RBIs, five home runs, and six stolen bases. The Mountain Cats sit at 11-23 overall, including 3-13 in the PSAC.

Justin dedicated time to answer questions about his biggest area of improvement during his time at UPJ, his fondest memory at Norwin, and to which movie he can recite nearly every line.

Q: You've been one of the top offensive players for UPJ this season. What has been key to your success at the plate?

A: Honestly, two things stand out. First is staying rooted in my faith, which sounds crazy but if you allow him, God works in incredible ways that seemingly have nothing to do with sports or other activities alike, but when you lay it out on paper, you see it for what it is and understand he equips you with the tools. Secondly, Coach Roberts has been an awesome guy to have in my corner. Trusting his knowledge and understanding of the game has put me in a great position for success.

Q: What has been your biggest area of improvement since you began your college career?

A: Learning how to not let the highs get too high and lows get too low...staying somewhere in the middle and trekking forward.

Q: You were recognized as an All-PSAC performer last year. What did that honor mean to you?

A: I mean recognition is always nice - it gives a bit of help to all the training you do for the season.

Q: What team and individual goals did you establish this season?

A: My goal was to win; I'm not too big on setting individual goals.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of playing at Point Stadium?

A: It gives off a fun classic vibe; being in the city and with a lot of history on that field.

Q: What led to your decision to attend UPJ?

A: I loved the campus right away, but I'd be lying if I said baseball wasn't the driving factor.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: Major: criminology. If we're talking "ideal", hitting the lottery and not needing a profession is ideal. Second-most ideal profession would be maybe working in the justice system somewhere that is warm.

Q: Aside from baseball, what has been your favorite aspect of college?

A: Meeting tons of new people with different backgrounds.

Q: Norwin has produced countless college baseball players. What are the biggest factors in that success?

A: Iron sharpens iron. There is a ton of talent and people who are willing to work hard and they bounce off each other.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: Broadly speaking... playing football my senior year - that was one of the best decisions I made in high school.

Q: Who was the best player you faced in high school?

A: I'm not going to lie, I couldn't tell you any pitchers other than ours.

Q: If you could change one rule about college baseball, what would it be?

A: Extra innings starts with a runner on second base.

Q: To which movie or TV show can you quote nearly every line?

A: "Southpaw" with Jake Gyllenhaal.

Q: What is your favorite social media app?

A: I am not a big fan of social media, but YouTube is probably my favorite.

Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island with one teammate, who would you choose? Why?

A: Devon Boyles; he is a skilled huntsman & big enough to scare a bear.