It was something that each team thought would be “cool,” but didn’t think it would actually happen. But, now it’s become a reality – Ellwood City and Riverside will meet next week for the WPIAL Class AA championship.
First Ellwood City:
In Ellwood City’s semifinal matchup against South Fayette, offense was definitely something that wasn’t lacking. The two teams combined for 16 hits and 25 runs, but the Wolverines had the upper hand, defeating the Lions, 14-11.
The Wolverines jumped out to an early lead as they put up five runs in the first inning. They added to the lead in the next two innings, putting up four more runs. With a 9-0 lead, the game was over, right?
South Fayette had other ideas. The Lions would go on to score 11 runs in the final four innings of the game, putting the heat back on Ellwood.
Yet, Ellwood City would score another run in the fifth and a well-needed four spot in the sixth to seal the deal.
Ellwood City’s Matt Germanoski and Greg Lynn led the way for the Wolverines with two hits apiece. Germanoski, Anthony Carusone, and Matt Morella had two RBIs to lead the way in that category.
On the mound, Anthony Carusone and Christian Kerns combined efforts for the victory.
Now Riverside:
This semifinal matchup between the Panthers and the Shady Side Academy Indians was the complete opposite of Ellwood’s game – Riverside had just four hits and two runs, but it was enough to beat their opponent, 2-1, to advance them to the title game.
Riverside’s Rob Hardy struck out six batters en route to a complete game, 1-run victory over the tough Shady Side Academy team, who was 17-2 going into Monday’s matchup.
Shady Side tied the game in the fourth inning, but Riverside answered in the very next inning as Devin Kelosky doubled home Vinny Howells with the go-ahead run. That would be enough for Hardy and the rest of the Panthers.
The Meeting:
Ellwood City and Riverside must wait as the WPIAL determines the exact date and time for their championship matchup, but they game is planned to take place at Consol Energy Field in Washington Pa. on May 29 or 30.
