Josh Hudak played a big role in helping the Murrysville Junior American Legion team to a state title in 2022.
He repeated his performance for the Murrysville American Legion team in a 5-3 win against Philipsburg on Monday at the Region 7 tournament at Claysburg.
Hudak snapped a 3-3 tie with a two-run double in the top of the sixth inning and then, after allowing the first two runs on in the bottom of the seventh inning, he struck out the side to end the threat.
Murrysville, which will host the state tournament at North Allegheny High School beginning July 27, stayed alive for the title and eliminated the Central Penn champion.
Murrysville grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Max Bernadowski and Blake Bertucci singled. A throwing error and Bertucci’s steal attempt allowed Bernadowski to score, and Bertucci scored on a single by Brody Reese.
Bernadowski singled home Marko Rudek in the second inning.
Philipsburg scored two runs in the fourth inning and tied the score on an inside-the-park home run by Isaac Tiracorda in the fifth inning.
Bernadowski and Bertucci each had two singles.
Bedford 3, Hempfield East 0 — Ty Decker tossed a five-hit shutout to carry Bedford to a victory against Hempfield East in an elimination game.
Bedford scored a run in the first inning on a single by Kole Clark, who went 2 for 3.
Tyler Martin had two of the five hits for Hempfield East. Josh Cayer allowed one earned run and struck out five.
Bushy Run 6, Claysburg 1 — Bushy Run stayed unbeaten by handing host Claysburg a 6-1 defeat.
The win puts unbeaten Bushy Run in Wednesday’s championship game no matter what happens on Tuesday.
Claysburg will face Murrysville at 3:40 p.m. and Bedford battles Bushy Run at 6:45 p.m.
Nico Casciato’s bases loaded hit in the first inning drove in two runs and gave Bushy Run a 4-0 lead.
Winning pitcher Jonny Lovre had a no-hitter into the sixth inning. He allowed two hits.
David Newsom had a double and single for Bushy Run and Brody Hoffman had two singles. Bushy Run was issued eight walks.
Rain postpones Junior games
Rain on Monday forced the postponement of the third-place and championship games at the Junior American Legion Western Regional at Homer City.
The games were moved to Tuesday at First Commonwealth Park. Monroeville will face Titusville at 5 p.m. in the third place game followed by the Trafford and S.W. Jack championship game.
Belle Vernon advances
Belle Vernon won the Region 6 tournament at Blackhawk by beating Connellsville, 9-8, and advances to the American Legion Stae tournament beginning Saturday at North Allegheny.
West Point 6, Massapequa, N.Y. 0 — Morgan Maiers hit a grand slam in the sixth inning, and West Point 12U Major team advanced in the Little League Mid-Atlantic Regional in Bristol. Conn.
West Point will face Railroaders Little League of Brunswick, Md., which defeated Mamie Johnson Little League from Washington D.C., 2-0, 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Rian Starz drove in the first run for West Point on a ground out. Maiers also had three hits and two stolen bases. Lexi Stabile was the winning pitcher. She allowed four hits and struck out three.
