North Allegheny baseball team pitches its way into semifinals
Just a little more than two weeks ago, the North Allegheny baseball team had a .500 record and was in danger of perhaps missing the WPIAL playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Now, the Tigers are one step away from playing for a championship.
North Allegheny (13-9) plays Mt. Lebanon (13-8) 7 p.m. today in a WPIAL Class AAAA semifinal at the Burkett Complex in Robinson. The Tigers are on a four-game winning streak, including victories against Gateway (2-1 this past Tuesday) and Hempfield (10-0 the following day) during the postseason.
"We understand we're not going to be the favorite in any game we play," North Allegheny coach Andy Maddix said before the playoffs began. "We really are just happy to be there."
North Allegheny is playing as if it's not satisfied with just that -- the Tigers look like they want to win it all. And it's been pitching that's gotten them this far. Senior righthander Chris Helkowski allowed one run in starting the playoff opener against Gateway. Sophomore Mitchell Machi had a shutout going into the sixth in starting the quarterfinal game against Hempfield.
During North Allegheny's four-game winning streak dating back to the regular season, opponents have scored only a total of three runs against the Tigers.
Now, the Tigers are one step away from playing for a championship.
North Allegheny (13-9) plays Mt. Lebanon (13-8) 7 p.m. today in a WPIAL Class AAAA semifinal at the Burkett Complex in Robinson. The Tigers are on a four-game winning streak, including victories against Gateway (2-1 this past Tuesday) and Hempfield (10-0 the following day) during the postseason.
"We understand we're not going to be the favorite in any game we play," North Allegheny coach Andy Maddix said before the playoffs began. "We really are just happy to be there."
North Allegheny is playing as if it's not satisfied with just that -- the Tigers look like they want to win it all. And it's been pitching that's gotten them this far. Senior righthander Chris Helkowski allowed one run in starting the playoff opener against Gateway. Sophomore Mitchell Machi had a shutout going into the sixth in starting the quarterfinal game against Hempfield.
During North Allegheny's four-game winning streak dating back to the regular season, opponents have scored only a total of three runs against the Tigers.
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