So often this season, Leechburg has faced more experienced teams while fielding one of the youngest softball teams in the school's spectacular run of 15-plus seasons. Now, Leechburg, a frequent participant in the PIAA playoffs, faces a team today that is making its state playoff debut. The West Middlesex Big Red, which had never won a playoff game in school softball history, will provide the opposition for Leechburg at 3 p.m. today at the Lincoln Avenue Complex, Meadville. Leechburg entered the 2004 season with a considerable amount of question marks. One by one, those doubts were erased as the Blue Devils strung together a 13-game winning streak that took Leechburg to the WPIAL Class A title game last Friday. With just one senior starter and two junior regulars, the young Blue Devils upset favored Shady Side Academy and Beth-Center before dropping an 8-1 decision to perennial stalwart Sto-Rox in the WPIAL title game at California (Pa.) University's Lilley Field. Two bad innings over 14 games isn't bad, but it was enough to allow Sto-Rox to capture a record fifth straight WPIAL crown. Now, the newly crowned WPIAL runner-up will enter the PIAA tournament against a West Middlesex team that has earned an 19-2 overall record. Leechburg (14-3) faces a Big Red team that won the District 10 championship last Thursday with a 5-3 victory over Linesville. West Middlesex also defeated Union City, 5-1, in a first-round game and secured a 3-1 victory over Saegertown in the District 10 semifinals. "To be here is quite an achievement," said Leechburg coach Jim Oberdorf. "They've done a great job. We'll ruffle some feathers in the states." Lost in the misplays that led to the loss against Sto-rox was the fact that Leechburg hit Vikings pitcher Lindsay Vevers well, even when making outs. The Sto-Rox junior managed just seven strikeouts while the Blue Devils had five hits --including two doubles -- and scored the only run off Vevers thus far in the postseason. Nicole Habarka won all three playoff games for the Big Red, striking out 26 batters in 20 innings. Oberdorf is expected to counter with junior Emily Sprankle, one of three starters who played on last year's team that made it to the second round of the PIAA tournament. Sprankle was a first baseman at the time. "If we can win two games in the states, we have a chance to face this group again," Oberdorf said Friday, gesturing toward a Sto-Rox team walking off the field with their gold medals. "We knew everything they were going to do, we had everybody in the right places, but I think my freshmen and sophomores were in awe," Oberdorf added. "I attribute this to being a very young team." Leechburg had an off day scheduled for Saturday and a batting practice Sunday night leading up to today's contest. The PIAA finals are scheduled for June 18 at Shippenburg University's Robb Field, where Leechburg won Class A championships in 1992 and '95. Additional Information:
Leechburg vs. West Middlesex
What: First round PIAA Class A softball playoffs. Where: Lincoln Park Complex, Meadville. When: 3 p.m. today. Admission: $5 adults; $3 students. Winner plays: Moshannon Valley/Smethport winner Thursday at a site and time to be determined. If you go: From Leechburg, take PA Route 356 across the Freeport Bridge and continue about a mile past the Cabot intersection (Pennzoil Mart), turning right at Penn United Tech onto Bonniebrook Road, continue on Bonniebrook until reaching U.S. Route 422, left on 422 until reaching Interstate 79, take 79 north to the first Meadville exit, right off ramp onto U.S. 6 East, continue on 6 through a bypass that skirts downtown Meadville, take Route 27 exit ramp (Terrace Ave.) to stop sign. Left at stop sign and make an immediate left onto Stevens, take Stevens to stop sign and make a right onto Lincoln Aveneu and continue to the multi-field complex at end of street.
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