Connellsville edges Penn Township for regional title; Murrysville advances
Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long reaches for high throw as Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle scores a run at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, Juy 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford’s Jonathan Lovre gets back to first base ahead of a tag from Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle (20) scores a run as Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long can’t find the handle of a throw at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday July 25, 2022, Connellsville’s Jonathan Kelly (6) scores the second run of the game after Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long couldn’t come up with a low throw during the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone (10) makes a sliding catch of a pop-up by Penn-Trafford’s Drew Sherwin while catcher Kace Shearer looks on at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford pitcher Jonathan Lovre delivers a pitch at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford Junior Legion players watch from the dugout during the Western Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone lays down a bunt for a single in the Junior Legion Western Regional Championship game against Penn Township July 25, 2022 at Homer City.
Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle (20) scores a run as Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long can’t find the handle of a throw at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday.
Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long reaches for high throw as Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle scores a run at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, Juy 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford’s Jonathan Lovre gets back to first base ahead of a tag from Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle (20) scores a run as Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long can’t find the handle of a throw at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday July 25, 2022, Connellsville’s Jonathan Kelly (6) scores the second run of the game after Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long couldn’t come up with a low throw during the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone (10) makes a sliding catch of a pop-up by Penn-Trafford’s Drew Sherwin while catcher Kace Shearer looks on at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford pitcher Jonathan Lovre delivers a pitch at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford Junior Legion players watch from the dugout during the Western Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone lays down a bunt for a single in the Junior Legion Western Regional Championship game against Penn Township July 25, 2022 at Homer City.
Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long reaches for high throw as Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle scores a run at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday.
Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long reaches for high throw as Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle scores a run at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, Juy 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford’s Jonathan Lovre gets back to first base ahead of a tag from Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle (20) scores a run as Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long can’t find the handle of a throw at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday July 25, 2022, Connellsville’s Jonathan Kelly (6) scores the second run of the game after Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long couldn’t come up with a low throw during the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone (10) makes a sliding catch of a pop-up by Penn-Trafford’s Drew Sherwin while catcher Kace Shearer looks on at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford pitcher Jonathan Lovre delivers a pitch at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford Junior Legion players watch from the dugout during the Western Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone lays down a bunt for a single in the Junior Legion Western Regional Championship game against Penn Township July 25, 2022 at Homer City.
Penn-Trafford’s Jonathan Lovre gets back to first base ahead of a tag from Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday.
Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long reaches for high throw as Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle scores a run at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, Juy 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford’s Jonathan Lovre gets back to first base ahead of a tag from Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle (20) scores a run as Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long can’t find the handle of a throw at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday July 25, 2022, Connellsville’s Jonathan Kelly (6) scores the second run of the game after Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long couldn’t come up with a low throw during the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone (10) makes a sliding catch of a pop-up by Penn-Trafford’s Drew Sherwin while catcher Kace Shearer looks on at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford pitcher Jonathan Lovre delivers a pitch at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford Junior Legion players watch from the dugout during the Western Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone lays down a bunt for a single in the Junior Legion Western Regional Championship game against Penn Township July 25, 2022 at Homer City.
Connellsville’s Jonathan Kelly (6) scores the second run of the game after Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long couldn’t come up with a low throw during the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday.
Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long reaches for high throw as Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle scores a run at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, Juy 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford’s Jonathan Lovre gets back to first base ahead of a tag from Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle (20) scores a run as Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long can’t find the handle of a throw at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday July 25, 2022, Connellsville’s Jonathan Kelly (6) scores the second run of the game after Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long couldn’t come up with a low throw during the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone (10) makes a sliding catch of a pop-up by Penn-Trafford’s Drew Sherwin while catcher Kace Shearer looks on at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford pitcher Jonathan Lovre delivers a pitch at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford Junior Legion players watch from the dugout during the Western Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone lays down a bunt for a single in the Junior Legion Western Regional Championship game against Penn Township July 25, 2022 at Homer City.
Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone (10) makes a sliding catch of a pop-up by Penn-Trafford’s Drew Sherwin while catcher Kace Shearer looks on at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday.
Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long reaches for high throw as Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle scores a run at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, Juy 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford’s Jonathan Lovre gets back to first base ahead of a tag from Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle (20) scores a run as Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long can’t find the handle of a throw at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday July 25, 2022, Connellsville’s Jonathan Kelly (6) scores the second run of the game after Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long couldn’t come up with a low throw during the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone (10) makes a sliding catch of a pop-up by Penn-Trafford’s Drew Sherwin while catcher Kace Shearer looks on at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford pitcher Jonathan Lovre delivers a pitch at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford Junior Legion players watch from the dugout during the Western Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone lays down a bunt for a single in the Junior Legion Western Regional Championship game against Penn Township July 25, 2022 at Homer City.
Penn-Trafford pitcher Jonathan Lovre delivers a pitch at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022.
Paul Schofield | Tribune-Review Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long reaches for high throw as Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle scores a run at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, Juy 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford’s Jonathan Lovre gets back to first base ahead of a tag from Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle (20) scores a run as Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long can’t find the handle of a throw at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday July 25, 2022, Connellsville’s Jonathan Kelly (6) scores the second run of the game after Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long couldn’t come up with a low throw during the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone (10) makes a sliding catch of a pop-up by Penn-Trafford’s Drew Sherwin while catcher Kace Shearer looks on at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford pitcher Jonathan Lovre delivers a pitch at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford Junior Legion players watch from the dugout during the Western Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone lays down a bunt for a single in the Junior Legion Western Regional Championship game against Penn Township July 25, 2022 at Homer City.
Penn-Trafford Junior Legion players watch from the dugout during the Western Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022.
Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long reaches for high throw as Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle scores a run at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, Juy 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford’s Jonathan Lovre gets back to first base ahead of a tag from Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Connellsville’s Alex Van Sickle (20) scores a run as Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long can’t find the handle of a throw at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday July 25, 2022, Connellsville’s Jonathan Kelly (6) scores the second run of the game after Penn-Trafford catcher Brandon Long couldn’t come up with a low throw during the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone (10) makes a sliding catch of a pop-up by Penn-Trafford’s Drew Sherwin while catcher Kace Shearer looks on at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City on Monday, July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford pitcher Jonathan Lovre delivers a pitch at the Junior Legion Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Penn-Trafford Junior Legion players watch from the dugout during the Western Regional at Homer City July 25, 2022. Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone lays down a bunt for a single in the Junior Legion Western Regional Championship game against Penn Township July 25, 2022 at Homer City.
Connellsville first baseman Matt Firestone lays down a bunt for a single in the Junior Legion Western Regional Championship game against Penn Township July 25, 2022 at Homer City.
When Penn Township captured the 2021 Junior Legion Western Regional and state title, the Warriors defeated Connellsville four times.
Connellsville exacted a little revenge Monday, defeating Penn-Township, 4-2, in the regional championship game behind a strong pitching performance from Mason Miller.
“The pitcher wasn’t overpowering, but he did a good job spotting the ball and keeping our batters off balance,” Penn Township coach Steve Freas said. “We had our opportunities. We just didn’t cash in on them.”
Connellsville scored a run in the first inning and added three in the fifth on two errors. Jonathan Kelly scored on a ground out and Alex Van Sickle on a sacrifice fly.
Penn Township scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on a triple by Braden Kane and an RBI single by Cameron Metcalfe.
Jonathan Lovre was the tough-luck loser.
Ethan Septak had two hits for the Warriors.
Connellsville and Penn Township advance to the state tournament, which begins Saturday at Homer City.
They will be joined by Murrysville, which defeated Wesleyville, 8-0, in the third-place game.
Josh Hudak tossed a three-hit shutout. He struck out 15 and walked only one. He helped his own cause with a double.
Chase Lemke drove in a run with a double and single for the Eagles.
“Josh stepped up in a big way,” Murrysville coach Bobby Saddler said. “He was dominating.”
Murrysville had only six hits but took advantage of walks and errors.
Connellsville and Penn Township met in the state finals in 2021.
Games will be played at Homer City First Commonwealth Bank Field and the White Township Complex in Indiana.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
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