Trojans look for revenge vs. BEA in state final
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STATE COLLEGE -- One more game. That is all that stands between Mount Union and being etched into the record books as state champions once again.
Mount Union will play in the PIAA Class 2A state championship this morning at 10:30 a.m. against Bald Eagle Area. The Trojans (24-2) and Eagles (21-4) are set to battle it out for the third time this season. This time the contest is at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, which is located on Penn State University's campus.
Mount Union came into the state tournament as the District 6 runners-up, hoisting a 21-2 record. The Trojans went on the road in round one of states and defeated Wyalusing Valley, 7-3. In the state quarterfinals, Mount Union mercy-ruled Calvary Christian before knocking off Kutztown in the state semifinals, 5-2, to punch its ticket to the championship game.
Coach Tim Hick's squad will be more than familiar with the opponent in the opposite dugout come Friday morning. The Trojans and Eagles have already battled it out twice this spring, with Bald Eagle coming out on top in both games.
In early May, Round 1 went the way of the Eagles by a 1-0 score. A few weeks later, the Trojans fell in the D6 final by an 11-5 score.
"The first game is kind of how I expected it to go with them [Bald Eagle]. Just a good defensive game with not a lot of offense," Hicks said. "In the district final we just didn't play well defensively...We just got to make sure that we play good defense. We want to throw strikes and hopefully, we can find a way to score some runs."
Something to keep in mind is whether or not Bald Eagle ace Tyler Serb will be able to silence the big bats of Mount Union who are led by catcher Braylan Knable. The Eagles will be very pleased to keep the state final a low-scoring pitchers' duel.
The Mt. Union-Bald Eagle Area matchup shapes up for the perfect ending for both of these talented teams in 2023. The Trojans hope third time's a charm against the Bald Eagles on the state's biggest stage today.