The Beaver Area baseball team is on their way to states. They defeated all four of their opponents in the WPIAL playoffs taking the gold in a 13-2 blowout against Blackhawk May 29.

The boys ended their regular season with a game cut short. The team traveled to Hopewell to scrimmage the Vikings May 9. It’s a good thing the game was rained out because the boys were not having a great game. After four innings they were losing 18-3. Seniors Austin Thompson, Zach Hansen, and sophomore James Finch were pitching.

The team played in their first-round playoff game May 15. The Bobcats traveled to Belle Vernon. The Bobcats pulled out a 5-0 win advancing to the next round. Senior Alec Berg pitched an outstanding six innings only allowing one hit. Then senior Mason Rose came in to close the last inning keeping the score down. Seniors Harrison Pontoli, Mike Champ, and Berg all had two hits.

“We were nervous at first, but when we got into the game it felt natural,” said Pontoli.

The Bobcats swung into round two against the Highland Golden Rams May 20. The team dominated the field and came out with a big 10-0 win. Senior Jack Yanssens pitched a phenomenal game—despite getting smacked in the face with a line drive. Senior Dom Petrella relieved the injured Yanssens to pitch to the Rams’ last batter.

“It was a great game. All of us thought that it was going to be pitchers’ duel, but we had one big inning and blew the game open. I was pitching a great game, but I got hit in the face in the top of the fifth inning with two outs. I was really disappointed because I only needed to get one more out and it would of been a complete game shutout, but I’m glad we won and my face is fine,” said Yanssens.

Then the Beaver Area baseball team traveled to W&J to take on Yough May 22 for round three. It was a nail-biter. The Bobcats were down 2-0 in the top of the seventh but roared back to win the game 7-2. Pitchers Berg and Rose threw an amazing game.

“I really thought I blew the game for my teammates, but I’m super proud of the team for not giving up and winning that game,” said Rose.

Despite the nearly biblical rainy weather, the Bobcats travelled to the Wild Things minor league stadium in Washington, PA to take on section rivals the Blackhawk Cougars for the WPIAL championship title—the team which stole the Section 2 title from the cats.

The Beaver Bobcats took home the gold after a massive 13-2 win. Yanssens pitched a solid game against the Cougars and senior Champ belted a phenomenal home run in the fifth inning.

“This has been our goal since freshman year; all of the work has finally paid off,” said Pontoli.

But before the celectration cool, the Bobcats now move to round one of the PIAA. The boys play Monday. Location, time, and opponent will be announced later today.