Successful season ends at state tournament for Belle Vernon American Legion baseball

The best season in Belle Vernon American Legion baseball program history came to an end Monday.

Northeastern scored four runs in the first three innings and held on for a 5-3 win in an elimination game of the Pennsylvania Legion State Tournament at North Allegheny.

Ryan Wilson went 2 for 3 with three RBIs to lead the offensive attack for Northeastern (19-3).

Brinden Floyd added a pair of hits and Derek Gross doubled, singled and drove in another run for the winners.

“You know, our kids battled hard. We’re missing a few, but I still have kids that are sophomores in high school going up against a kid that’s throwing 85-88 miles per hour,” Belle Vernon coach Tom Jackson said. “They scored early, and we got one back, then they added another run then two more. We blanked them for a few innings, but then the kid they had come in and close us out is going Division I next year. They’re a very good team.”

After Northeastern got on the board in the top of the first on Connor Rippo’s sacrifice fly, Belle Vernon (19-4) answered right back in the bottom half of the frame.

Jake Wessel tormented Northeastern starter Quinn Shindler — who will play at Division II Mansfield next season — drawing five pick-off attempts after reaching via walk. The sixth pick-off attempt was booted by the first baseman, which allowed Wessel to get all the way to third base.

On the next pitch, JB Crovak reached on an error, allowing Wessel to score and tie the game.

Northeastern answered right back with Gross smacking an RBI double to left to give his team a 2-1 lead.

After Belle Vernon was held scoreless in the bottom half, Northeastern plated another pair of runs on a two-run single by Wilson.

All four runs were charged to AJ Wardropper, who got the start for Belle Vernon. Wardropper ended his day going 3 1/3 innings. He was charged with four runs, all earned, on six hits. He walked three and struck out three.

“AJ did a great job. I don’t think anyone really gapped the ball on us. They can hit and put it in play. They placed the ball really well. They’re a college-heavy team,” Jackson said. “If we won, I’d really like our chances. I’m really happy because our guys never back down from them.”

Belle Vernon started putting bats on the ball in the bottom of the sixth, getting back into the game with a pair of runs.

Crovak led off with a single before Shindler got Kaden Faychak to strike out looking and Colton Lee to fly out.

Jaxson Bozek blooped a single just over second base to move Crovak to third and Cole Matusik walked to load the bases.

Wardropper followed with grounder to third that was booted by Northeastern’s Brandon Charleston which allowed Crovak and Bozek to score and cut the lead to one.

Unfortunately for Belle Vernon, Matusik was left stranded at second as Shindler struck out Alex Nash swinging for the last out of the inning.

“It took a few innings to get our timing against that kind of pitching,” Jackson said. “We started to see we were wearing (Shindler) down a little bit. He’s still a five-inning pitcher coming out of high school. We put the ball in play, put some pressure on them and took advantage of some mistakes.”

Wilson drove in an insurance run to make it 5-3 in the top of the seventh for Northeastern.

After getting the first out of the last inning, Shindler hit Wessel and was lifted for Connor Rippo. He ended up earning the save with the game-winning run at the plate, getting Lee to pop out to the mound to end the game — and the season for Belle Vernon.

“We went 19-4 this year and it really was a great season,” Jackson said. “Looking ahead, we have a real chance of being dominant next year. Crovak, Charlie Nigut, (AJ) Grese will be back. Hopefully we can work on EF’s (Cy) Herchelroath coming and pitching for us next year. Belle Vernon guys like Connor Bergman, Lucas Judy, Parker Lind. Scott Callaway is going to work on getting us some guys from Thomas Jefferson.

“Plus, we’re going to have those younger guys that are playing in the PONY League World Series this year that will help us out. Belle Vernon baseball is really set up for the foreseeable future, I’m excited for what we can do next season.”