Mustangs face long trip in PIAA opener; 5 area teams begin state playoffs today
Laurel Highlands will begin its third ever venture into the PIAA baseball tournament with a long road trip.
The Mustangs and four area softball teams all will have far to go in their first-round state playoff games today.
Laurel Highlands, the lone local baseball team in the PIAA field, travels to Mercyhurst University in Erie where it will face District 10 champion Erie Cathedral Prep (21-2) in a Class AAAA game at 2 p.m.
The Mustangs (16-7) earned a spot in the state playoffs be defeating Knoch, 4-3, in a WPIAL third-place consolation game.
WPIAL runners-up West Greene (Class A), Frazier (Class AA) and Elizabeth Forward (Class AAAA) have each qualified for the PIAA postseason as did Southmoreland which won the Class AAA third-place game, 9-8, over South Allegheny.
The Lady Pioneers (14-4) meet District 6 champion Conemaugh Valley (18-3) in a 4 p.m. game at Conemaugh Valley High School in Johnstown. West Greene had its 14-game winning streak snapped in a 3-2 loos to Union in the district final.
The Lady Commodores (18-1) play unbeaten District 5 champion Everett (21-0) in a 4:30 p.m. game at Everett High School. Frazier suffered its first loss of the season to Neshannock, 9-1, in the district final.
The Lady Warriors (16-3) go up against District 3 champion Hamburg Area (19-3) in a 4 p.m. game at Hamburg Area High School. Elizabeth Forward fell to Beaver, 6-0, in its district final.
The Lady Scotties (14-4) clash with District 6 champion Bald Eagle Area (16-4) in a 4 p.m. game at Milesburg Little League Complex.
Today’s winners in the single-elimination tournament advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday.