Scott Huff previews the four PIAA Class AAAA baseball games featuring SOL teams.
By Scott Huff
The sixteen surviving baseball teams in the state of Pennsylvania will begin competition on Monday for the chance to advance to the 2012 PIAA Quad-A championship game to be played on Friday – June 15th – on the campus of Penn State University. The eventual champion in the ‘one-and-done playoff format’ will finish the season with a four-game winning streak in the state playoffs.
The Sweet 16 includes the top four District One teams - all from the Suburban One League – Central Bucks South (1-1), Council Rock South (1-2), Hatboro-Horsham (1-3), and Upper Dublin (1-4). The fifth team from district one – Coatesville (1-5) earned its spot in the state playoff with a playback final win over SOL member Central Bucks West.
PIAA Quad-A State Playoffs
Monday – June 4th
Central Dauphin Rams (3-3) vs. Central Bucks South Titans (1-1)
@ Immaculata University – 4 pm
Central Dauphinhas something in common with CB South in that the Rams did not have an impressive regular season. Central Dauphin finished the season with a 6-6-conference record and was the fourth place team in the Commonwealth Conference (same fourth place finish as the Titans).
The record earned the Rams a less than impressive 14 seed in the District 3 playoffs, but Central Dauphin fought through the bracket to earn the third and final seed from the district. The Rams lost 15-2 in the semifinal round eventual district champion Cedar Crest (3-1), but Central Dauphin bounced back from that defeat to edge Red Land – 4-1 – and advanced to the state playoffs.
In that huge victory for the Rams, pitcher Nate Tessitore was masterful. His supporting cast included Blake Lazur, Tim Hobbs, Garrett McCutcheon, Tyler Naperiala, AJ Aull, and Eli Miller.
Central Bucks South continues to loving its life as the Titans have collected a District One trophy after a less than impressive 8-6 Suburban One League Continental Conference record. CB South was a fourth place finisher in the conference, and was the 12th and final seed in the district playoffs.
The Titans have been extremely impressive during the district championship run with wins over Conestoga, Spring-Ford, Central Bucks West, Hatboro-Horsham, and Council Rock South. Odds makers would not have made CB South a favorite in any of those games.
In the District One title game, the Titans received a superlative performance from junior Bobby Witteman who limited the potent Rock South bats to just two hits as CB South captured a 2-0 win. The only runs of the game were scored on a two-run double off the bat of catcher Jon Mullin.
The Titans have received fine seasons from Brian Happ, Dylan Glassmire, Chris Coia, Chris Veal, Will Foy, Will Sasser, Kyle Lewis, and Matt Radwanski. Ricky Dennis provides pitching depth along with Witteman.
The winner gets – The winner of the Central Dauphin-Central Bucks South game will advance to the PIAA State Quarterfinal game on Thursday against the winner of the La Salle-Upper Dublin first round game.
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (1-4) vs. La Salle Explorers (12-1)
@ Temple University – Ambler Campus – 1 pm
Upper Dublinfinished its season as the Suburban One League American Conference co-champions with a record of 14-4. The Cardinals advanced to the PIAA District One semifinal game with wins over both Wissahickon and Methacton.
In that PIAA District One semifinal, Upper Dublin lost to Council Rock South. In the consolation game for third place, Upper Dublin was defeated by Hatboro-Horsham to earn the fourth seed from the district.
The Cardinals have received excellent seasons from Jared Zarwin, Andrew Yekel, Luke Felix, Jesse Kohler, Andrew Carber, Dan Brown, Eric Goldstein, Morey Herschgordon, Bryn D’Andrea and Zach Walsh.
La Salle finished the season as the first place team in the Philadelphia Catholic League (Red Division) with a perfect 12-0 record. The Explorers lost in the PCL finals to Neuman-Goretti but rallied to defeat Frankford in the District 12 final – 14-1.
La Salle has received fine seasons from Dom Cuoci, Kevin Long, PJ Acierno, Corey Balanda, Colin Pyne, and Tyler Kozeniewski.
The winner gets - The winner of the Upper Dublin-La Salle game will advance to the PIAA State Quarterfinal game on Thursday against the winner of the Central Dauphin-Central Bucks South game.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters [1-3] vs. Nazareth Blue Eagles [11-1]
@ Parkland High School – noon
Hatboro-Horsham finished the season as the Suburban One League Continental Conference champion with a 12-2 conference record. The Hatters advanced to the PIAA District One semifinal game with wins over both West Chester Rustin and Downingtown West.
In that district semifinal, eventual district champion Central Bucks South defeated Hatboro-Horsham. In the consolation game, the Hatters earned the number three seed from the district with a win over Upper Dublin.
Hatboro-Horsham has had outstanding seasons played by Chris Hens, Connor Crookham, Casey Saverio, Tyler Zingle, Zach Grim, and Casey O’Donnell.
Nazareth finished the season as the second place finisher in the Lehigh Valley Conference Northern Division. The Blue Eagles moved into the District 11 finals with a pair of district wins.
In the District 11 finals, Nazareth edged Liberty 2-1. The victory gave the Eagles back-to-back district championships.
The Blue Eagles feature the talents of Dan Shephard (90+ fast ball), Dan Horvath, Mike Garzillo, Billy Deutsch, and Anthony Gaetaniello.
The winner gets – The winner of the Hatboro-Horsham-Nazareth game will advance to the PIAA State Quarterfinal game on Thursday against the winner of the Wyoming Valley West (2-1) – Penn Manor (3-2) game.
Council Rock South Golden Hawks [1-2] vs. Frankford Pioneers [12-2]
@Spring-Ford High School – 3 pm
Council Rock South finished the regular season as the champion of the Suburban One League National Conference with a record of 13-1. The Golden Hawks advanced to the PIAA District One finals with playoff wins over North Penn, Coatesville, and Upper Dublin.
In the District One final game at Immaculata University, Rock South could manage just two hits in a 2-0 loss to Central Bucks South. Brian Donnelly threw a solid game giving up just five hits against the Titans.
The Golden Hawks feature outstanding players in Zach Fitzgerald, Bret DeStefano, Jeff Miller, Dan Callahan, Zak Gross, Kane Price, Michael Ckaykin, and Steve Wright.
Frankford finished the season as the Philadelphia Public League champion with a 13-1 regular season record. The Pioneers advanced to the Philadelphia City League and District 12 championship game with wins over Washington and GAMP.
In that District 12 title game, Frankford was outgunned by La Salle 14-1.
The Pioneers feature Rafael Cruz, Hector Cerda, Augusto Ortega, Kevin Montero, Ricky Alvarez, and Ramon Rosario.
The winner gets – The winner of the Council Rock South-Frankford game will advance to the PIAA State Quarterfinal game on Thursday against the winner of the Cedar Crest [3-1]-Coatesville [1-5] game.
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