Monroeville Junior Legion is headed to the state playoffs after a run in the Western Regional tournament which saw the team automatically qualify by making the championship game.
The state tournament, an eight-team, double-elimination format, will begin Friday in Berwick and continue through to the title game next Wednesday (Aug. 2).
“We’re proud to represent the league and the Monroeville Baseball and Softball Association at states,” Monroeville Junior Legion coach Rich Otterman said.
Monroeville is 6-3 in postseason games between the Westmoreland County and regional playoffs after finishing 10-6 in the regular season.
It will head into the state playoffs as the No. 2 seed from the Western Region.
Penn Township got the better of Monroeville, 8-4, in the regional title game Monday at First Commonwealth Field in Homer City.
Grady Dunsmore paced the Monroeville offense with a double, an RBI and two walks.
Craig Werner pitched a pair of innings and allowed one run, while Ryan Deselich worked one scoreless inning.
Monroeville clinched third place in the Westmoreland County playoffs with a resounding 13-2 victory over Connellsville on July 11.
Two days later, in a play-in game for a spot at regionals, Monroeville topped Brookville, Indiana County’s No. 2 team, by an 11-1 count.
Monroeville fell to Homer City, 2-1, in its regional opener last Friday but rebounded to beat rival Murrysville, 6-4, on Saturday and Edinboro Post 439, 9-4, on Sunday.
Murrysville was 0-2 in pool play going into Sunday’s games. Its victory over Homer City sent Monroeville to the regional title game as opposed to the third-place game.
“Murrysville’s players and coaches showed everybody something about competing despite already having been eliminated from making it to states,” Otterman said.
“It’s been a joy to play in the Westmoreland County league with Penn Township and Murrysville. Steve Freas (Penn Township) and Bobby Sadler (Murrysville and Franklin Regional head coach) run first-class programs. They’re terrific teachers who develop and serve their players, and have great families in the program. We’re proud to call them friends.”
Saegertown qualified as the No. 3 team from the Western Region by beating Edinboro in the third-place play-in game.
