Class AAA Semifinal
Pope John Paul II (21-6) vs. Tamaqua (20-6)
When/Where: Today, 6:30 p.m., Parkland High School, Allentown
Tickets: $8 adults, $4 students
How they got here: District 11 champion Tamaqua defeated District 12 runner-up Franklin Towne Charter 12-2 in six innings and District 4 champion Jersey Shore 4-3. District 1 champion Pope John Paul II defeated District 3 runner-up West Perry 3-1 and District 3 third-place finisher Northeastern 4-1.
Up Next: Winner advances to Friday's PIAA Class AAA Championship Game against either District 1 runner-up Harriton or District 10 champion Erie Cathedral Prep. Game time is 6 p.m. at Penn State University's Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
About the Golden Panthers
Head coach: John Duffy (1st season)/Kevin O'Brien (acting head coach)
PIAA playoff history: This is Pope John Paul II's first venture into the PIAA baseball playoffs.
Projected Lineup: CF Kyle Miller, 1B Chris Kucewicz, SS James Bleming (.444, 20 RS, 6 2B), LF Joey Pedorenko, RF Evan Myers (2-for-2, 2 RBIs in quarterfinals), RHP Trevor O'Brien (3-1), C Sean Williamson, 3B Luke DeLeo, 2B Billy Hitman
Notes: School is in its fourth year after the merger of St. Pius X and Kennedy Kenrick. Located near Royersford, Montgomery County. ... Head coach Duffy has been confined to an assistant role in the dugout for the remainder of the season. He was ejected after throwing a temper tantrum while arguing a safe call at home plate in the seventh inning of PJP's 1-0 loss to Methacton in the PAC-10 final. He sat out the District 1 opener, then was suspended for the rest of the year by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The parents protested, circulating a petition, and players brought his jersey to each game and hung it in the dugout. His suspension was lifted Wednesday, and he was back in the dugout for Thursday's win. ... Went 5-14 last year before Duffy turned things around this year. ... Seeded fourth, Panthers won the District 1 title by beating Upper Moreland 8-3, No. 1 Holy Ghost Prep 3-1 and Harriton 3-2. Harriton is still alive, playing in other state semifinal. ... Played in highly-competitive Pioneer Athletic Conference, finishing second in regular season to Boyertown. Split regular-season games with state qualifiers Methacton, Spring-Ford and Boyertown. Beat Spring-Ford 5-4 in PAC semifinals on walk-off single by Williamson before losing 1-0 to Methacton. ... O'Brien, the coach's son, will pitch at Immaculata next spring. He gave up two hits and struck out four over 4.2 innings in first-round win over West Perry. ... Team's pitching ace is Widener-bound right-hander John Lafferty (10-3), who allowed four hits over 6.2 innings in quarterfinal win. He was the winning pitcher in all three District 1 playoff victories. ... Senior lefty Dan Zurowski (6-1, 4 saves) is the team's closer. ... Bleming is a Lehigh recruit. ... Aggressive team at the plate and on the bases.
About the Blue Raiders
Head coach: Jeff Reading (13th season), 171-115
PIAA playoff history: Blue Raiders are 6-2 all-time in PIAA postseason, and in state semifinals for first time since reaching Class AA title game in 2003.
Projected Lineup: SS Bo Rottet (.449, 44 H, 27 RS, 21 RBI, 12 2B), 2B Nate MacDonald (.265, 20 RS, 22 H, 18 RBIs), C Matt Roberts (.488, 42 H, 36 RBIs, 13 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR), 1B Brett Kosciolek (.333, 20 RS, 29 H, 16 RBIs, 4 2B, 4 HR), P Ian Nicholls (4-0, 2.84 ERA)/DH Owen Bates (.360, 18 H, 15 RBIs), LF Adam Bates (.280, 14 RS, 21 H), 3B Connor Hartung (.222, 14 H), CF Daylon Barron (.182), RF Matt Minchhoff (.262, 17 H).
Notes: Advanced to state semifinals on Kosciolek's two-out, two-strike, two-run, walk-off triple to left-center in the bottom of the seventh inning that gave the Blue Raiders a 4-3 win over Jersey Shore. The controversial play - the ball was nearly caught in left-center in a diving attempt - was a heated topic over the weekend online. ... Kosciolek is hitting .857 (6-for-7) in state playoffs with triple, homer and five RBIs. Roberts (5-for-7) and MacDonald (3-for-4) have also been hot at plate. ... Blue Raiders played at Parkland already this season, defeating Bethlehem Catholic 7-3 in District 11 Class AAA semifinals. Nicholls pitched in that game, giving up eight hits and three runs in 2.1 innings before being relieved. Tamaqua also played at Parkland in last year's district semifinals, beating Lehighton. ... Nicholls tossed a complete-game three-hitter in state opener against Franklin Towne Charter, striking out six. For the Blue Raiders to win today, he'll need a similar effort and the Blue Raiders have to play solid defense. Tamaqua can't walk people and give the Panthers free bases.
Directions: Take Route 309 South to Interstate 78 to Route 22 East to Cedar Crest Boulevard exit. Off ramp, make a right. Go past shopping center, travel 1-2 miles, and school will be on left. Follow road around school to baseball field.
- Compiled by Leroy Boyer