Burkey leads Hempfield East to playoff victory

Hempfield East pitcher Connor Burkey missed part of the season with a hand injury.

He recovered in time for the District 31 American Legion playoffs, which began Tuesday, and he didn’t miss a beat.

Burkey pitched a complete game with nine strikeouts as Hempfield East defeated Young Township, 10-1, in Game 1 of the best-of-3 series at Seton Hill. Burkey helped his own cause with two hits, three runs scored and two RBIs.

Maxwell Short drove in three runs, and Dom Rosensteel, Anthony DeMarco and Aiden Lukhart had two hits each for East.

Dustin Coleman was the losing pitcher.

Game 2 is 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at West Lebanon.

Bushy Run 14, Blairsville 3 – Matt Lichota struck out seven and Jordan Sabol collected three hits to lead the regular-season champions to a win in Game 1.

Game 2 is 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Saylor Park in Black Lick.

Sabol had a two run single in an eight-run first inning.

Latrobe 10, Somerset 0 — Winning pitcher Haden Sierocky’s two-run single in a six-run fourth inning helped Latrobe pull away from Somerset in Game 1.

Sierocky allowed three hits and struck out eight. He worked out of a bases-loaded no-out jam in the first inning

Lou Amatucci and Colt Short had two hits each for Latrobe.

Game 2 is 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Somerset High School.

Murrysville 11, Homer City 3 — Joshua Siegel had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs to lead Murrysville in Game 1 at Haymaker Park.

Marko Rudek had a double and single, Cole Brinker had two hits and two RBIs and winning pitcher Max Bernadowski had two hits. He also struck out nine.

Game 2 is 5:30 p.m. at First Commonwealth Park in Homer City.