The varsity baseball team had a fast start to their playoff run. They beat Hempfield and Fox Chapel in the Class AAAA first round and quarterfinals, respectively. Unfortunately, they lost 3-0 to Norwin in the semifinals. However, the Black Hawks still have at least one more game to play.

On Wednesday, May 27, at 6:30 p.m., BP will play in the consolation game against Shaler Area High School. The game will be played at Ross Memorial Park in Washington, PA.

Ross Memorial Park is owned by Washington and Jefferson College. The park is next to the park used by the Washington Wild Things.

This game is important to BP for two reasons. If BP wins, they will get third place in Class AAAA. However, there is a bigger motivation for a victory.

“If we win, we go to states,” Colin Loughman said. “We have to win to get in [to play in states].”

Loughman is an important part to the team’s offense, and he should produce in the Shaler game.

One should also expect great things from other Black Hawks (13-8), like Corey Augenstein, Joe Zufall, Tylar Shoemaker, and Jon Scarsella.

Augenstein’s and Zufall’s success is dependent on whoever starts the game. However, either one should do very well. Augenstein pitched a complete game shutout in the first game of the playoffs, a 3-0 win over Hempfield, in which he only gave up seven hits, but struck out 13. Even though he then earned the loss in the 3-0 Norwin semifinal match, he proved he could be counted on to help BP. Meanwhile, Zufall earned the win in the quarterfinal match against Fox Chapel, a 2-1 win. He struck out seven in that game.

On the other hand, Shoemaker and Scarsella have carried the offense. In the Fox Chapel game, Shoemaker had the go-ahead sacrifice fly, which scored Mason Pritchard. Also in that game, Scarsella had a key bunt that led to the run. He also hit a double in the Norwin loss.

Shaler (17-5) goes into the consolation game after a 6-2 loss to Central Catholic in the Class AAAA Semifinals. Sam Ireland lost that game. However, Shaler won their two previous playoff games, a 4-1 victory over Canon-McMillan, and a 1-0 win over Plum, with Jake Potock on the mound. In the Canon-Mac win, Potock pitched a complete game and struck out seven. BP should expect this in the consolation game.

On the offensive side, Noah Seelhorst should be the biggest force for Shaler. He has a .636 hitting average.

Expect a great game as BP vies for third place and a spot in states.