May 30, 2007 By The 2 min read

California will be shooting for its second consecutive WPIAL Class A baseball championship today when the top-seeded Trojans take on Springdale at Consol Energy Park in Washington at 5 p.m. California (20-2) is expected to send left-handed senior ace Zack Jeney to the mound, while the second-seeded Dynamos (19-3) likely will counter with junior Mike Devine.

The Trojans, coached by Don Hartman, defeated Chartiers-Houston in the quarterfinals, 5-3 in eight innings, and Serra Catholic in the semifinals, 10-5, thanks to a six-run seventh.

California is now 15-3 in the WPIAL playoffs since 2001 under Hartman. The last three games have all been victories the Trojans’ earned in their final at bat.

Springdale, coached by Dan Pschirer, knocked off Carmichaels, 12-6 and Laurel 6-1 to reach the final. Both teams received byes in the first round.

California’s probable batting order begins with sophomore right fielder Ben Carson, followed by senior shortstop Mike Galis, junior third baseman Matt Hartman, Jeney, senior catcher J.D. Hawk, junior first baseman Travis VanOlst, junior center fielder Brandon Rossi, freshman second baseman Wade Stinnett and freshman left fielder Zach Edmiston.

The Dynamos are expected to counter with senior center fielder Beau Citrone, junior first baseman Taylor Shaw, Devine, senior third baseman Ray Arch, junior left fielder Aaron Figore, senior shortstop Dan Jacobs, sophomore right fielder Andy Weber, junior catcher Brian Zoeller and freshman second baseman Tim Devine.

The Trojans defeated Geibel Catholic, 5-4, in last year’s WPIAL final thanks to a two-run homer by winning pitcher Jeney in the top of the seventh.

California will be shooting for its fourth WPIAL baseball title.