An error and a walk led to three unearned runs in the fourth inning, which was enough for Swoyersville to defeat Hempfield East, 4-1, in an American Legion winners’ bracket game at the state tournament in DuBois.
Hempfield East pitcher Lance Dailey was a tough-luck loser. He allowed only two hits and one earned run. He walked three and struck out three.
Hempfield East, which had defeated Paxton and South Parkland in the tournament, will face Region 8 champion Hopewell.
Hopewell edged Bristol, 5-4, and South Parkland beat French Creek Valley, 7-4.
South Parkland and Swoyersville will play in the other game. The victory by Swoyersville clinched a berth in the Great Lakes Region. Hempfield East, Hopewell and South Parkland are vying for the other spot.
Hempfield East scored its run in the sixth inning, when Reid Amundson doubled and scored on Hunter Eperesi’s single.
Amundson and Noah Sweeney each had two hits for Hempfield East off winning pitcher Nate Baranski, who walked one and struck out eight.
Swoyersville, located near Wilkes-Barre, defeated Hempfield East in the state tournament last season.
