Trafford crushes unbeaten Saint Marys at Junior American Legion regional

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, July 19, 2024 | 10:00 PM

Trafford extended its winning streak to 16 games by handing Saint Marys its first loss of the season in the Junior American Legion Western Regional on Friday at Homer City.

After spotting Saint Marys an early lead, Trafford brought out the bats and rolled to a 15-2 victory in a game stopped in the fifth inning because of the 10-run rule.

Saint Marys grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Trafford responded with six runs in the bottom of the inning highlighted by winning pitcher Evan Gigliotti’s two-run single.

Trafford stretched its lead to 11-2 in the third inning as Bryce Ruby drove in two runs with a single and then added four more in the fourth inning.

Caden Lipko worked the final two innings and didn’t allow a hit while striking out three.

Ruby had a double, single and three RBIs. Gigliotti drove in three runs while Noah Rattigan and Dom Delio had two hits. Cameron King drove in two runs.

Trafford returns to action at 4 p.m. Sunday against Titusville.

In other action, Wesleyville defeated Monroeville, 9-3, and S.W. Jack beat Ligonier, 13-3.

Region 7 tournament

Pennsylvania American Legion baseball regional tournaments kick off Saturday across the state.

The Region 7 is being held at Claysburg High School. The tournament begins at 10:15 a.m. with Bushy Run (18-4-1) facing St. Michael (14-5). Latrobe (28-2-3) tangles with Bedford (14-5) at 1:05 p.m.

Hempfield East (15-8-1) battles Philipsburg (13-6) at 4:05 p.m. and the nightcap at 7:05 p.m. has Murrysville (19-4-1) going against tournament host Claysburg (9-4).

The double-elimination tournament continues Sunday with four games.

Region 6 tournament

There were three games to open the six-team Region 6 tournament Friday at Chippewa Park in Beaver Falls.

Ambridge defeated Uniontown, 11-5, and will face Belle Vernon 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

Connellsville won a pair of games. It defeated Charleroi, 7-4, and then blanked tournament host, Blackhawk, 5-0. Connellsville advances a winner’s bracket matchup Sunday.

Uniontown will face Blackhawk 2:30 p.m. Saturday, while Charleroi faces the Belle Vernon/Ambridge loser.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Penn-Trafford