Last Updated: Fri Jul 05, 2024 - 12:38AM
While the Penn-Trafford baseball team has been a strong program for more than a decade, the Warriors could never get over the hump in the WPIAL playoffs. That changed this spring, however, as PT captured gold for the first time in program history.
The Warriors opened the season in March at Myrtle Beach, claiming a pair of wins against Mount Pleasant Area and Putnam Science Academy.
Upon their return to Western Pennsylvania, the Warriors dropped their section opener to Fox Chapel Area. That would serve as the lone loss for more than a month, however, as PT rebounded with a victory against the Foxes, jumpstarting a 13-game winning streak. During the surge, Penn-Trafford swept section adversaries Armstrong, Plum, Penn Hills, and Gateway, winning most of those contests in decisive fashion. The Warriors also claimed nonsection triumphs against Butler Area, Trinity, Connellsville Area, and Greensburg Central Catholic.
With a chance to win the Class 5A Section 1 title outright in the final series, the Warriors sustained a pair of losses to Franklin Regional, creating a nearly-unprecedented four-way tie atop the standings with the Panthers, Foxes, and Mustangs.
Despite an impressive win against Class 6A powerhouse North Allegheny to wrap up the regular season, the Warriors were seeded seventh by the WPIAL baseball committee.
Seemingly motivated by that, the Warriors dominated Moon Area 8-2 in the opening round of the Class 5A bracket. PT then followed with a 2-0 win against Fox Chapel in the quarterfinals, and blasted rival FR 10-3 the following day to secure a spot in the WPIAL Championship game.
Playing under the lights at Wild Things Park in Washington, the Warriors made history by upsetting fourth-seeded Bethel Park 4-3, capturing their first district crown. In the win, PT scored all of its runs in the fourth inning, providing just enough offense for starting pitcher Brandon Roher, who worked four innings to earn the victory. Dom Delio also posted two strong innings of relief, while Hunter Brown worked the seventh inning to capture the save. Offensively, Braydon Stone and Ian Temple each collected a pair of hits.
Penn-Trafford continued its success in the PIAA postseason opener, edging Lower Dauphin 3-2. However, PT fell in heartbreaking fashion 3-2 against Hollidaysburg in the Class 5A quarterfinals, capping off the memorable year at 21-4 under the guidance of second-year head coach Lou Cortazzo.