Bushy Run was seeded eighth in the District 31 American Legion playoffs, but it played the opening round like it was seeded No. 1.  That's because Bushy Run knocked out No. 1 Hempfield East in the opening round, sweeping the best-of-three series with a 15-8 win in Game 2 at Penn-Trafford High School.  An eight-run fourth inning erased an 8-7 deficit and sends Bushy Run into the semifinals against the highest remaining seed.  The other three first-round games are headed for a deciding third game on Tuesday.  Corey Lucarelli and Nick Markovic each homered for Bushy Run. 


» West Hempfield 11, Latrobe 10 (8 innings) -- Tyler Lilja doubled home Zach Zimmerman with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, and West Hempfield evened its best-of-three series, 1-1, against Latrobe.  The deciding Game 3 will be 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Latrobe Legion-Keener field.  West Hempfield built an 8-3 lead after four innings, but Latrobe scored six times in the fifth inning to grab a 9-8 lead. West Hempfield reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the inning by scoring two runs. Latrobe, however, tied the score with a single tally in the sixth inning. Tim Norris and Anthony Fanelli each had three hits, and Doug Ansick homered for West Hempfield. Nate Campbell had three hits and Eric Shaffer homered for Latrobe. 

 

» Irwin 7, Murrysville 5 - Irwin took advantage of two Murrysville errors in the bottom of the sixth inning and tied the best-of-three series at 1-1. Game 3 will be 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Haymaker Park in Murrysville.  Joe Antrilli's sacrifice fly scored the winning run and Dylin Brooks scored on a single by Anthony Maroadi, who also doubled.  Nate Ellwood was the winning pitcher, and Josh Staniscia had a triple, double and single.  Irwin led, 5-0, after three innings, but Murrysville tied the score in the fifth inning. Trae Deri had two doubles for Irwin.

 

» Kiski Valley 6, Greensburg 3 - Kiski Valley was held to one infield hit through six innings, but the visitors banged out four hits and scored three runs in the seventh inning to even the best-of-three series.  Game 3 will be 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Freeport Community Park.  Greensburg led, 2-0, after one inning and 3-1 after three innings before Kiski Valley rallied.  Mark Wolczko doubled home two runs in the seventh inning.  Kiski's coach Dave Montgomery was happy with the way his kids rallied back.  "I wasn't worried when we weren't hitting early," Montgomery said. "We've come from behind a lot this season. When you put the ball in play that many times as we did, you expect to get a few hits."

Greensburg jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a double by John Szmed and a single by Jeff Huczko. After a Nate Sphon triple and RBI hit by Bill Lombardi in the third inning made it 3-1, Greensburg's bats went silent.  "We knew coming in we weren't going to be playing the same team we beat, 18-7," Greensburg coach Terry Mularski said. "They came out early and made a lot of great diving catches. I have to tip my cap to their pitcher. He did a great job keeping us off balance."