Class A Quarterfinal
Schuylkill Haven (19-6) vs. Juniata Valley (15-7)
When/Where: Today, 3:30 p.m., Greene Township Park, Scotland
Tickets: $6 adults, $3 students
How they got here: District 11 champion Schuylkill Haven routed District 12 champion Masterman 12-2 in five innings. District 6 runner-up Juniata Valley rallied to defeat District 3 champion Lancaster County Christian 2-1.
Up Next: Winner advances to Monday's semifinals and will play either District 1 champion Devon Prep or District 4 champion Canton at a site and time to be determined.
About the Hurricanes
Head coach: Scott Buffington (37th season)
PIAA playoff history: Haven notched its first state playoff win since 2002 with Monday's victory. In the PIAA postseason for the fourth time overall, Hurricanes are 7-3 all-time, reaching Class AA state finals in 1983 and Class A title game in 2002.
Projected Lineup: RF Zavier Webb (.400, 29 RS, 34 H, 30 SB), C Danny Blugis (.338, 27 H, 20 RBIs), 2B Ryan Fink (.359, 20 RS, 28 H, 22 RBIs, 4 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 16 SB), 1B Alec Bailey (.365, 15 RS, 27 H, 8 2B, 19 RBIs), P Nick Behm (.289, 22 H, 13 RBIs; pitching - 12-1, 1.71 ERA, 109 K, 78 IP), 3B Blayne Moyer (.250, 17 H, 12 RBIs), LF Mike Feryo (.311, 16 RS, 23 H, 13 RBIs), SS Mike Ulsh (.313, 15 RS, 21 H), CF Vinnie Fanelli (.324, 17 RS, 23 H, 16 RBIs)
Notes: Hurricanes have gotten quick starts in their last two victories, building 6-0 leads after two innings in wins over Tri-Valley and Masterman. ... Webb and Blugis have at least one hit in five postseason games, with Webb hitting .571 (8-for-14) with eight stolen bases in that stretch. ... Behm has not allowed an earned run in 23 innings, pitching complete-game shutouts against Williams Valley, Nativity and Tri-Valley in that span. ... Strong pitching by Fanelli and Ulsh in state opener allowed Haven to keep Behm rested. He'll pitch today for first time in a week. ... Hurricanes need to continue to do what they've been doing of late to advance. Be aggressive at the plate and on the basepaths, play solid defense behind Behm and get an early lead.
About the Green Hornets
Head coach: Bill Peters
Players to Watch: 2B Kordell Collins (.357, 30 RS, 25 H, 11 RBIs, 18 SB), SS Bryce Hensor (.507, 23 RS, 37 H, 25 RBIs, 4 2B, 5 3B, 20 SB), Inf. Konner Barton (.382, 20 R, 26 H, 18 RBIs, 6 2B), RF Jesse Claar (.406, 13 RS, 26 H, 17 RBIs, 5 2B), P Caleb Taylor (.230, 14 H, 10 RBIs, HR; pitching - 2-2, 2.20 ERA), C Sam Singer (.297, 19 H, 10 RBIs), 3B Zach Beam (.308, 20 H), DH Sam Gildea (.262, 16 H), OF Zack Faubert (.373, 19 RS, 19 H, 6 2B)
Notes: Based in Alexandria, the Green Hornets compete in the North Division of the Inter-County League, where they compiled an 11-3 record and finished third behind Mount Union and Bellwood-Antis. ... Defeated Conemaugh Valley 3-0 and Williamsburg 9-0 in the District 6 playoffs before losing 4-1 to Bishop McCort in the title game. ... Hensor is only a freshman. ... Barton is the Hornets' pitching ace, throwing a complete-game one-hitter with 10 strikeouts in Juniata Valley's 2-1 victory over Lancaster County Christian. He's ineligible to pitch today. ... The Hornets trailed LCC 1-0 until the sixth, when they scored two runs to grab the lead. Barton tied the game with a single, and Claar delivered the game-winning single. ... Taylor should get start today. He tossed a three-hit shutout and fanned eight in District 6 semifinals.
Directions: Take Interstate 81 south to Exit 20 (Scotland). Off ramp, make right onto Olde Scotland Road, then right onto Black Gap Road (Route 997). Park will be just ahead on the left.
- Compiled by Leroy Boyer