Murrysville, Latrobe set to battle for District 31 American Legion baseball title

With the Pennsylvania American Legion Region 7 tournament beginning Saturday, how do Murrysville coach Bob Bozzuto and Latrobe coach Jason Bush handle Wednesday’s District 31 championship game, set for 5:30 p.m. at Greater Latrobe High School?

Both coaches are taking the same approach by agreeing with former New York Jets coach Herman Edwards, who said, “You play to win the game.”

“We’re treating this like any other game,” Bozzuto said. “There is a lot of tradition, and we’re playing a great program in Latrobe. They’ve been very consistent, and it’s a nice challenge for us.

“… We have to play the best possible game.”

Latrobe and Murrysville played once this season, and the game ended in a 4-4 tie. It was a game both teams let slip away.

Latrobe took a 4-0 lead in the fifth inning by taking advantage of two Murrysville errors. Murrysville tied the score in the sixth inning by taking advantage of Latrobe miscues.

“Both teams walked away disappointed that they didn’t win,” Bush said. “You only get so many chances to play for a championship.

“We’ll do what we can to win it. We have a game plan, and hopefully we can execute it. Obviously, the pitchers we use probably won’t be eligible to pitch until Monday.”

But both teams have deep and strong pitching staffs.

Murrysville’s top hurlers are Colin Watson (1.71 earned run average), Erik Streussnig (1.34), Blake Bertucci (1.05) Cole Brinker (1.05) and Josh Hudak (1.50). Max Bernadowski, who was one of the top pitchers for Franklin Regional, hasn’t thrown this summer.

Latrobe can counter on the mound with Jack Stynchula (7-0), Haden Sierocky (5-0), Tyler Smith (5-0) and Cole Short (5-0). Logan Bradish, who no-hit Lower Burrell, is another pitcher Bush can use.

“You need a lot of arms in the regions and states,” Bush said. “We have a lot of guys to go with.

“We’re a pitch-to-contact staff. Our pitchers rely on our defense, which has been great.”

And both teams have potent bats the pitchers have to control.

Murrysville’s top hitters are Bernadowski (.420), first baseman Nolan Boehm (.418, 17 RBIs), outfielder Brody Reese (.418, 22 RBIs), Bertucci (.405) and Brinker (.380).

Erick Batista leads the Jethawks. He’s batting .480 and has scored 50 runs.

“He set the table for us from the leadoff spot,” Bush said.

Other top hitters include Bradish (.480), Smith (.416) and Sierocky (39 RBIs).

“It was nice that some of the older players decided to come back for one more year,” Bush said. “They’ve been great all season, and they don’t want to see the season to end too soon.”

Both teams are 4-0 in the playoffs. Murrysville swept Mt. Pleasant and Bushy Run in two games, while Latrobe swept Yough and Hempfield East.

The two teams might not have to wait long to get a rematch. If they both are victorious Saturday, they square off Sunday.

The District 31 champion will face Bedford at 1:05 p.m. The District 31 runner-up battles host Claysburg at 7:05 p.m. The third place team from the district will face St. Michel at 10:15 a.m., and the fourth place team gets Philipsburg at 4:05 p.m.

The third-place game features Hempfield East against Bushy Run at Penn-Trafford at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.