Northeastern Legion continues its postseason run

Northeastern did not win the Pennsylvania Legion baseball championship, having dropped a 9-0 decision to Quakertown in Wednesday’s finals. But the York County and Region 4 champion did come away from North Allegheny High School with a consolation prize that was almost as valuable: a berth in the Mid-Atlantic Regional.

As the Pennsylvania runner-up, Northeastern will join Quakertown at the Mid-Atlantics in Ridge, Maryland from August 7-11. It is another eight-team, double-elimination, tournament with the regional champion moving on to the Legion World Series.

Quakertown was the only team to beat Northeastern in the state tourney. The Region 2 champion repeated as state champion with a three-run explosion out of the gate in the bottom of the first inning.

Northeastern had a couple chances to get back in the game, stranding runners in scoring position in both the second and third innings.

Quakertown scored three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-0 lead.

Northeastern would have needed to win this game and an additional “if necessary” game to earn the state crown, as Quakertown had no loses in the double-elimination tournament.

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The Road to the Finals

Day 1, Northeastern 6, Bristol 0: On Saturday, Drew Barshinger, Donovan Blake and Zachary Ball pitched a combined shutout. There was little doubt about the contest as Northeastern scored twice in the first and three times in the third for a quick 5-0 lead. Brinden Floyd was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Quinn Shindler was 2-for-2 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.

Day 2, Quakertown 8, Northeastern 4: Northeastern was pushed into the losers’ bracket after Quakertown scored five runs in the first inning. A three-run rally in the fifth made the game more competitive, but Northeastern totaled only three hits. Brandt Johnson had two RBIs.

Day 3, Northeastern 5, Belle Vernon 3 : In its first elimination game, Northeastern scored in each of the first three innings to build a 4-1 lead. Derek Gross’s double in the second made it 2-1, and a two-run single by Ryan Wilson in the third made it a three-run cushion. Shindler threw 6 2/3 innings without giving up an earned run.

Day 4, Northeastern 4, Wesleyville 2: This contest, which was delayed, moved and interrupted by rain, put Northeastern into the Mid-Atlantic Regional. A four-run first inning was all Northeastern needed offensively, with Floyd and Johnson each driving in two runs. Barshinger pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts and five walks. The contest was held at Plum High School.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Northeastern Legion continues its postseason run