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Canon-McMillan right at home in PIAA playoffs

3 min read
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The sights and sounds from the first round of the PIAA baseball playoffs will seem awfully familiar to Canon-McMillan’s baseball team.

That’s because the Big Macs will be playing their Class 6A first round game against Dallastown at 4 p.m. Monday at Wild Things Park, which served as C-M’s home field this season while upgrades were being made at McDowell Field.

It’s unusual for teams in the PIAA playoffs to receive a site that also serves as their home field, so Canon-McMillan head coach Tim Bruzdewicz is thankful.

“It’s really our pseudo-home field. What people don’t realize is that we don’t practice on it,” said Bruzdewicz. “When you say home field, it’s a little misleading. We’re happy to be close to home, hit in our own gym, so yes, there is a comfort level there.”

The Big Macs (17-5), fresh from wrapping up a WPIAL title with a win over North Allegheny in a game also played Wednesday evening at Wild Things Park, is one of seven local baseball and softball teams in the state playoffs.

All playoff games are Monday.

In Class 4A baseball, Ringgold, the WPIAL runner-up, will travel to Punxsutawney for a first-round game against District 9 champion St. Mary’s at 3 p.m. WPIAL champion South Fayette will play District 10 champion Meadville at Ross Memorial Park in North Franklin Township, also at 3 p.m.

In Class A softball, defending state champion West Greene will play District 6 runner-up Glendale, at 2 p.m., at Peterswood Park. Monessen, the District 7 runner-up, takes on District 10 champion Cambridge Springs at Penn State Behrend in Erie. First pitch is at 2 p.m.

Chartiers-Houston, the third-place finisher in District 7, will also be at Penn State Behrend in Erie for a 4 p.m. game against District 10 champion Saegertown.

And in Class 4A softball, WPIAL champion Belle Vernon will play District 6 champion Bellefonte at 2 p.m. The game is at Peterswood Park, at the field next to West Greene’s Class A game against Glendale.

Dallastown, the District 3 third-place finisher, has about a four-trip from the high school, located southeast of Harrisburg. The Wildcats are 18-5 and won the York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association title and took third place in District 3 with a 2-1 win over Governor Mifflin.

“One thing we know about (Dallastown) is that they are well-weathered,” Bruzdewicz said. “They made it to the state championship game (last year). Their whole pitching staff is back. This is going to be a tight game regardless. I believe you are looking at two of the top five teams in the state right here.”

Bruzdewicz has the Big Macs playing well, winning nine of their last 10. Zach Rohaley started in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over North Allegheny in the district finals, but Bruzdewicz said a decision for Monday’s start has not been made yet.

“I am sure Zach (Rohaley) wants the ball, but he has been on short rest,” said Bruzdewicz. “He’s taken his turn every time. We’re not sure what we’re going to do yet. We have three or four guys who can get the job done. … I’m not quite sure who I am leaning to. It’s a tough call.”

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