After a playoff-less 2014 campaign, the Black Hawks’ baseball team is once again back in the WPIAL playoffs after defeating the Baldwin Highlanders, 7-2 on Tuesday, May 5.

Senior left-hander Corey Augenstein took the ball for Bethel. In his previous two starts before the Baldwin game, he pitched very well, and he carried that momentum into this play-in game.

Augenstein yet again put the team on his back and threw a complete game to lead the team to a 7-2 win against the Highlanders. Over seven innings of work, he only allowed two runs (one earned), five hits, and two walks, and he struck out nine hitters.

After the game, Augenstein said, “My excitement level was really high, and my plan was to just go after them (Baldwin hitters). I knew my guys would be behind me.”

The offense gave Augenstein a big lead and that was a huge advantage for him as the he went deeper and deeper into the game.

Coach Fisher was also excited after the game, and he said, “Unbelievable. I couldn’t be more proud of our boys.” He went on to say, “They had their backs up against the wall and never quit.”

With the postseason now on the minds of the Black Hawk players, they’ll eagerly await to see who their opponent will be in the first round on either Monday or Tuesday.

Until then, the team will play a few tune-up games leading up to the first round of the playoffs.

Today, the Black Hawks face Chartiers Valley in a non-section game at Purkey, and they’ll face McKeesport in another non-section game Thursday in McKeesport.

On Saturday, the team will play Keystone Oaks in an early scrimmage game at 9 a.m. at Purkey.

The playoff brackets are expected to be released this Friday; expect the Black Hawks to have a tough opponent in the first round.