Bushy Run American Legion team wins state title

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 | 5:47 PM

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Bushy Run’s American Legion baseball team continued its lengthy postseason run Wednesday by winning the state tournament.

Jayden Kennedy tossed a two-hit shutout in a 1-0 victory against Stripes & Strikes in Erie. Stripes & Strikes reached the championship game by defeating Bristol, 12-0, at McDowell High School earlier in the day.

Bushy Run scored the game’s only run in the fourth inning when Carmen Metcalfe singled, swiped second and scored on a double by Evan Gigliotti.

Kennedy allowed two hits and two walks, hit a batter and struck out four. He also was the winning pitcher in the Region 7 championship game.

Despite the victory, Bushy Run might not be able to advance to the Mid-Atlantic Super Regional in Hanover, Md., because of a paperwork issue.

Pennsylvania American Legion director of activities Lewis Jones said some of the Bushy Run players did not complete the necessary clearance forms. Players 18 and older, as well as coaches and umpires, are required to file the forms.

“I cannot advance a team if they do not have the proper paperwork completed,” Jones said. “It is a national rule.”

Bushy Run assistant coach Zack Susalla said the paperwork issue was brought to his attention ahead of Tuesday’s game. The players in question attempted to obtain the information but weren’t able to complete the process before Wednesday’s championship game.

Susalla said coach Scott Peyman, who could not attend the game because of work obligations, was attempting to call officials for clarification.

If Bushy Run is denied the attempt to advance, Bristol would go instead. Stripes & Strikes also qualified.

No matter the outcome, Bushy Run still had a special run to the state championship.

“Jayden was incredible,” Susalla said. “He has heart. He gets the guys pumped up.

“We are a scrappy team. We have a good mix of veterans and youth. The veterans did a good job teaching the younger players and showing them what to expect.”

Peyman, who is at a convention in Connecticut, was not pleased he could not be with the team for the past three games.

“I have no idea how we did it,” Peyman said. “I did not expect us to win districts. I thought last year’s team was my shot at winning the state title.

“These guys did not beat themselves. Our pitchers threw strikes, and we did not make errors. We scored enough runs to win. As for Jayden, he has definitely been more focused and has been intense. He throws strikes and changes speeds.”

Kennedy said he trusts his defense, and his teammates motivated him. After the game, his teammates dumped water over him, and he ended up on the bottom of a dogpile.

“It felt good,” Kennedy said. “My confidence is up. I am not overpowering. I just try to keep batters off-­balance. We came here wanting to win and we took care of business.”

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.