By JEREMY SELLEW
Local baseball teams found out where they’ll be heading next week as the WPIAL released the 2021 playoff brackets for all six classes Friday afternoon.
Eight local teams will represent the Mon Valley when playoff action begins Wednesday with six teams taking the field. Two teams will wait until Thursday to being postseason play.
Three local teams will take part in the Class 2A tournament and start play Wednesday, led by No. 4 seed Serra Catholic.
The Eagles (16-3) will face No. 13 Fort Cherry at 7 p.m. at Peterswood Park in Peters Township.
Head coach Brian Dzurenda is excited for his team’s draw, especially after recently coming off a COVID shutdown.
“I really like our spot,” Dzurenda said. “You have to play the best to be the best. I really love the opening night game.”
California, the defending Class A champion, returns to the playoffs in Class 2A as the No. 9 seed. The Trojans (12-3) will face No. 8 Shady Side Academy (10-4) at Hempfield for a 4:30 p.m. first pitch.
Undoubtedly, the toughest draw in the 2A bracket – locally speaking – goes to Bentworth. The Bearcats (7-11) were seeded 16th and will have the tough task of playing No. 1 seed Seton LaSalle (18-1) at Bethel Park. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m. there.
In Class 3A, a young Yough team earned the No. 9 seed. They’ll play Thursday at noon at Highlands against No. 8 Deer Lakes (9-6).
The Cougars (7-4) finished second in Section 4 behind No. 4 seed McGuffey.
It’s been a while, but South Allegheny is back in the baseball playoffs in the 3A bracket.
The Gladiators (8-10) were seeded 13th and will play the No. 4 Highlanders Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Washington & Jefferson’s field, right next to Wild Things Park.
Belle Vernon Area (6-8) needed a thrilling walk-off win Thursday to reach the playoffs. The Leopards are seeded 11th in Class 4A, where No. 6 Highlands (12-8) awaits.
The two teams will face off Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at Plum. The winner faces No. 3 Blackhawk, which received a first-round bye in the 13-team field.
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