NA gets gritty to grab berth in final
Posey’s pitching carries Tigers into 6A title game vs. Mt. Lebanon
Andrew Heck’s team knows better than to allow itself to be haunted by the past. However, the lessons No. 2 North Allegheny learned in last year’s exit from the WPIAL playoffs were well on display in its 52 victory against No. 6 Butler in the Class 6A semifinals Tuesday evening at Boyce Mayview Park.
A known powerhouse, the Tigers (16-6) have admittedly at times taken opponents lightly. They’ve also, in certain instances, relied upon their big bats and star power to produce victories. But neither took place against the Golden Tornadoes (13-9).
Matched against a formidable opponent in Butler starting pitcher Colin Casteel, North Allegheny was able to grind out a victory not by hitting towering homers, but rather by manufacturing runs. The Tigers had just three hits — all singles — to their credit when the final out was recorded Tuesday evening, but gained a lead thanks to the entire squad finding a way to take advantage of the opposition’s miscues.
“Against a pitcher like this, we know we won’t be able to do anything flashy,” Heck said after the victory. “We knew we had to scrap runs today. That’s what we’ve learned from our past playoff losses. We’ve learned how to scrap runs together.”
North Allegheny’s first two runs were scored by Harron Lee and Spencer Barnett, who reached base in the bottom of the first inning via walks. Designated hitter Andrew Hart drove home the first with a single, which was followed by Barnett scoring on a passed ball the next at-bat.
After Butler tied the game on a two-run home run to left field by Lance Slater in the top of the third, the Tigers responded with a three- run bottom of the fourth inning that featured only one hit. A costly throwing error on a play at the plate with two-runners in scoring position resulted in Hart and Ian Zahorchak crossing home with ease. Anthony Varlotta, the player who reached base via the error, came around to score two batters later on a safety squeeze from August Maslo.
The offensive effort wasn’t much, but with Dylan Posey on the hill, five runs was more than enough for North Allegheny.
Although the 6-foot-4 junior claimed to not have his best stuff, what he did have kept the Butler bats quiet. Aside from the two-run homer, Posey was dominant, striking out seven while allowing just four hits and two walks in a complete game victory.
“I didn’t have my best stuff, but I still wanted to be out there,” Posey said. “I wanted to be out there and provide for my team. I wanted to help us get the win.”
Casteel was the hardluck-loser for Butler, throwing six strong innings while allowing five runs — two earned — on three hits and four walks while striking out eight.
Last spring, the topseeded Tigers were upset in the WPIAL quarterfinals by No. 7-seeded Upper St. Clair. This year, North Allegheny avoided an upset against another plucky underdog to advance to the Class 6A final. The Tigers next challenge will come against No. 5 Mt. Lebanon next week at Wild Things Park for the District 7 crown.
“It’s going to be an awesome matchup,” Hart said. “You’re going to have two really great left- handed pitchers throwing. It’s going to be a really close ballgame. I’m already excited.”