Bushy Run's season comes to shocking end

Bushy Run entered the Pennsylvania American Legion Region 7 tournament on a roll. Its pitchers didn’t allow a run in five District 31 playoff games.

But after an opening-round win, Bushy Run’s season came to a sudden end two days later.

Beech Creek scored four runs in the top of the fifth as a three-run double by Cayde McCloskey broke open a close game and propelled Beech Creek to an 8-4 victory Sunday at Latrobe’s Legion-Keener Field.

The loss came a day after Bushy Run lost to Hempfield East, 12-2.

Bushy Run coach Scott Peyman felt his team was built to make a run in the tournament because of its deep pitching staff. After Tyler Horvat gave them a strong performance in Game 1 against Mifflin County, starting pitchers Bobby Kusinsky and Max Pisi weren’t as sharp in the next two games.

McCloskey’s double came after Bushy Run pitchers walked three consecutive batters.

Asher Corl had a double and single for Beech Creek.

Kusinsky doubled, and Mario Disso and Hunter DeStefano had two hits each for Bushy Run, which out-hit Beech Creek, 10-9.

Rain played havoc with the rest of the schedule Sunday. The 2 p.m. game between Bedford and Mifflin County was pushed back to 8 p.m. and played at Latrobe High School.

The winners’ bracket game between Hempfield East and Latrobe is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Legion-Keener or Latrobe.

Region 7 tournament director Jason Bush said the decision on where that game will be played will come Monday morning after checking the weather and field conditions.

Bush hopes to get back on schedule if weather permits.