Bushy Run captures regular-season title, gets top seed for District 31 playoffs

When the District 31 American Legion season began, Bushy Run coach Scott Peyman set high goals for his squad.

Despite getting off to a late start because of Penn-Trafford’s extended high school baseball season, which lasted for two games in the PIAA Class 5A playoffs, Bushy Run was able to achieve two goals — qualify for the District 31 playoffs and win the regular-season title.

Bushy Run completed its 18-game schedule and posted a league-best 14-3-1 record. It begins the District 31 playoffs at noon Tuesday riding a nine-game winning streak. Latrobe and Homer City also had late starts to the season because of the success of the Latrobe and Indiana high school teams but got up to speed and qualified for the playoffs.

Bushy Run will face Blairsville (2-16) at Penn-Trafford in Game 1 of the best-of-three opening-round series. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday at Saylor Park in Black Lick, which is located on Rt. 119, three miles north of Rt. 22.

The other opening-round games Tuesday include Somerset (8-10) at Latrobe at 2 p.m., Homer City (8-10) at Murrysville at 4 p.m. and Hempfield East (13-5) hosting Young Township (8-9-1) at 5:30 p.m. at Seton Hill.

“We weren’t canceled because of our turf like other teams,” Peyman said. “We had a stretch of eight or nine games in seven days, and I saw that we were getting tired. But we had a couple days off. And we’re in good shape now. We should be 100%.”

Peyman said he wants to see his squad remain hungry and pursue the District 31 playoff crown and then the Region 7 title.

District 31 president and Latrobe coach Jason Bush said he expects the playoffs to be competitive.

“Don’t let the records of Homer City and Somerset fool you,” Bush said. “They are competitive squads and someone you can’t take lightly. You should prepare for a battle.”

Latrobe has won the past two District 31 playoff titles and Bush would like a three-peat. Latrobe is playing host to the state tournament.

The best opening series on paper pits Hempfield East and Young Township, which features players from Armstrong, Apollo-Ridge, West Shamokin and Kiski School high schools.

Hempfield East, which has players from Greensburg Central Catholic, Greensburg Salem and Hempfield, has strong starting pitching.

“Young Township has Haden (Brink), one of the top pitchers in the league,” Hempfield East coach Jason Willis said. “We’ll have our hands full. We have a strong staff too. It should be a great battle.”

Willis can counter Brink with Connor Burkey, Jake Smith and his son Jason.

“We have a couple guys struggling,” Willis said. “Hopefully they can right themselves.”

District 31 American Legion Playoffs

First round (Best-of-three)

8-Blairsville (2-16) vs. 1-Bushy Run (14-3-1)

Coaches: Dan Yantis, Blairsville; Scott Peyman, Bushy Run

Key players: Niko Vadala (pitcher) and Sam Yantis (centerfielder), Blairsville; Nolan Marasti (pitcher) and Brody Hoffman (shortstop), Bushy Run

Schedule

Tuesday, noon at Penn-Trafford High School, Harrison City

Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. at Saylor Park, Black Lick

Thursday (if necessary), 5:30 p.m. at Penn-Trafford High School

This season’s results: Bushy Run won 10-0 and 15-1.

7-Homer City (8-10) vs. 2-Murrysville (14-4)

Coaches: Scott Bauer, Homer City; Don Brinker, Murrysville

Key players: Caleb Palmer (pitcher) and Braden Dunn (utility player), Homer City; Cole Brinker (second baseman) and Blake Bertucci (pitcher), Murrysville

Schedule

Tuesday, 4 p.m. at Haymaker Park, Murrysville

Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. at First Commonwealth Park, Homer City

Thursday (if necessary), 5:30 p.m. at Haymaker Park, Murrysville

This season’s results: Murrysville won 13-3 and 7-4.

6-Somerset (8-10) vs. 3-Latrobe (13-5)

Coaches: Bart Close, Somerset; Jason Bush, Latrobe

Key players: Eric Harris (pitcher) and Kahne Foltz (shortstop), Somerset; Logan Bradish (pitcher) and Vinny Amatucci (third baseman), Latrobe

Schedule

Tuesday, 2 p.m. at Legion Keener Field, Latrobe

Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. at Somerset High School, Somerset

Thursday (if necessary), 5:30 p.m. at Legion Keener Field

This season’s results: Latrobe won 10-0 and 11-1.

5-Young Township (8-9-1) vs. 4-Hempfield East (13-5)

Coaches: Ryan Staats, Young Township; Jason Willis, Hempfield East

Key players: Haden Brink (shortstop) and Dustin Coleman (pitcher), Young Township; Connor Burkey (pitcher) and Dom Rosensteel (outfield), Hempfield East

Schedule

Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. at Seton Hill University, Greensburg

Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. at Bertolino Field, West Lebanon

Thursday (if necessary), 5:30 p.m. at Seton Hill

This season’s results: Hempfield East won 2-0 and 10-9.