Penn-Trafford Junior Legion finishes 2nd at state tournament

Oh so close.

The Penn-Trafford Junior American Legion baseball team finished second at the Pennsylvania State Championships, falling 1-0 to Upper Perkiomen in the finals Aug. 2 at Berwick.

It was Upper Perkiomen’s first title in 41 seasons. It lost to Murrysville in the 2022 finals and lost to Connellsville in the 2021 semifinals.

Penn-Trafford Juniors won a Pennsylvania American Legion Youth title in 2021 and coincidentally lost a game to Upper Perkiomen during that tournament.

Penn-Trafford coach Steve Freas, who coached the 2021 team, said he felt this team had the talent to bring home another title.

“We just didn’t get the timely hit,” Freas said. “It was one of the best games I’ve been involved in. The pitching and defense by both teams was phenomenal. Their right fielder saved the game.”

Penn-Trafford loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth inning and Logan Matrisch hit a shot down the right field line that the Upper Perkiomen fielder dove and caught.

“We probably would have scored three runs, but the kid made the play,” Freas said. “I was so proud of the teams’ effort. We’re 0-3 against Upper Perkiomen now.”

Ethan Septak was named tournament MVP.

Penn-Trafford defeated Back Mountain, 7-0, Saegertown, 11-1, and Lower Southampton, 9-3. It fell to Upper Perkiomen in pool play, 6-4.

Penn-Trafford (25-3) won the Westmoreland Junior Legion regular season and playoff titles. It defeated Murrysville in the best-of-three championship series, 2-1.

Penn-Trafford went 4-0 in the West Regional at Homer City by defeating S.W. Jack, 4-0, Saegertown, 8-3, Millcreek, 12-1, and Monroeville, 8-4.

“From top to bottom, I feel we’re pretty good,” Freas said. “Adding the extra hitter has benefitted us. We have 10 to 13 players I feel comfortable with in our lineup.

“We have strong hitting, play solid defense and have a good, balanced pitching staff.”

The top pitchers were Ben Grabowski, Dom Delio, Braden Kane, Zach Feldman, Septak, Nico Casciato and Evan Gigliotti. Coming into the state tournament, Delio was 6-0, Kane 4-0 and Feldman 3-0.

Septak led the team with 21 RBIs while Matrisch led the team with 27 runs scored and 23 hits. Septak was on the 2021 team.

“Logan is our table-setter,” Freas said.

Santino Sella collected 16 hits and scored 14 runs.

Grabowski and catcher Colton Tyburski banged out 18 hits.

“Colton works his tail off,” Freas said. “He does a great job controlling the pitching staff. He’s also a solid hitter.”

Septak played first when he wasn’t pitching. Grabowski played second, Delio shortstop and Feldman third. Kane started in left field, Matrisch in center and either Casciato or Sella in right.