The varsity baseball team started the season with three straight victories, and ended the season winning three straight en route to a playoff berth.

After missing the playoffs last year, BP will play Hempfield in the first round of the playoffs at Gateway on Wednesday, May 13 at 4:30 p.m.

However, BP might be kicked out of the playoffs early.

BP (6-6, 11-7) and Hempfield (10-0, 14-6) are opposites in terms of their seasons and records.

BP never won more than three-in-a-row, but never lost more than two-in-a-row.

In addition, they were .500 in conference games, but did very well in non-section games, going 5-1. This includes wins against Fox Chapel (8-2, 13-7) and Chartiers Valley (8-2, 13-5).

These victories, along with a pair of crucial victories (1-0 on 4/17, 7-2 on 5/4) over Baldwin, helped BP squeak into the playoffs with the last seed in Class AAAA Section 5 over Baldwin, who was also 6-6 in conference play.

On the other hand, Hempfield had a fairly easy route to the playoffs. After starting the season 0-2, Hempfield went 8-1 in their nine games; after another two-game losing streak, Hempfield won six of their final seven games. This helped them win the Class AAAA Section 2 title and advance into the playoffs.

However, Hempfield struggled in non-section games, going 4-6. And, even though all these losses were to teams 9-11 or better, this shows that Hempfield could not close out games against non-conference opponents.

Even though Hempfield looks to be at an disadvantage due to their record against non-section opponents, they are definitely ahead in the batting category.

They are led by Dom Mori, who leads the team with 23 hits and 24 RBIs.

Hempfield is also helped tremendously at the plate by Eric Loucks and Niko Honaker.

Loucks has 18 hits, runs, and RBIs each, while hitting five doubles and three home runs during the season.

Honaker also did well at the plate, securing 12 hits, 14 runs, and 15 RBI’s while hitting five doubles.

Pitcher Matt Tarabek also contributed 14 RBIs, 19 runs, 19 hits, six doubles, and a home run.

Due to this spectacular production, BP will have its hands full when trying to control the Hempfield bats.

BP also has good hitting production. Tyler Shoemaker and Joe Zufall have six RBIs each, while Lou Ridgeway has three RBIs and three doubles for the season.

Luke Haley also contributes three doubles and two RBIs, and completes a dangerous part of BP’s lineup.

However, the other BP hitters have a combined four RBIs and two doubles.

Thus, BP may have good batters, but not as good as Hempfield.

Pitching is another case of “BP is good, but Hempfield is better.” The pitching staff is led by Corey Augenstein, who is 4-0 for the season. He has pitched eleven innings, but has not allowed an earned run this season. He has also struck out 26 batters.

Zufall also helps on the mound. He went 3-1 with a 1.31 ERA and 13 strikeouts.

Hempfield is led by three star pitchers. Jordan Fiedor is 3-1 for the season, but has not allowed an earned run this season and pitched 10 innings. And, even though he walked eight, he struck out 17.

Tarabek is also a big contributor. For the season, he was 4-0 with a 0.50 ERA after only allowing one earned run in 14 innings. He walked four, but struck out 18.

The Hempfield pitching trio is rounded out by Nick Ross, who is 4-0. He has two saves for the season; and, even though he has a 2.17 ERA (three earned runs allowed in 9⅔ innings), he only walked one while striking out 14.

With this trio, BP will be pressed for hits at any point of the game. 

Final result: Hempfield’s only disadvantage is allowing a plethora of walks. Other than this, Hempfield should be able to glide past BP in the first round of the playoffs. Hempfield wins, 5-2.