Bushy Run Legion beats Latrobe, wins Region 7 for 2nd consecutive season

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 | 8:38 PM

Bushy Run American Legion coach Scott Peyman planned for a bullpen game if his team reached the Region 7 championship game Wednesday at Forest Hills High School in Sidman.

But pitcher Jayden Kennedy let the bullpen rest. The Jeannette rising senior allowed one run on six hits, and Bushy Run won its second consecutive Region 7 title by defeating Latrobe, 4-1.

Earlier in the day, pitcher Jon Lovre tossed a two-hitter in a 4-1 victory over Claysburg. Lovre and Bushy Run beat Claysburg, 9-3, on Day 1 of the tournament.

Bushy Run will head to the state tournament Saturday in Erie.

“Jayden surprised me,” Peyman said. “I’ve never seen him so fired up. He really wanted this game. The team fed off him, and after the game they dumped water on him and dogpiled him. It was neat to see. Everyone was excited for him.”

Kennedy struck out three and walked one.

Bushy Run, which walked off Latrobe, 2-1, on Tuesday, grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Lovre opened with a single and scored when Noah Rattigan singled to right field and the ball got past the fielder for an error. Rattigan ended up on third and scored on a wild pitch.

The lead went to 4-0 in the third inning when Brody Hoffman walked and scored on a double by Jake Sincak. Carmen Metcalfe singled in Sincak.

Latrobe’s biggest threat came in the sixth inning, but it ran itself out of a bigger inning. Jack Stynchula singled and moved to second on a single by Ty Wisniewski.

Stynchula, who had two hits, scored on a double by Mason Hrubes. Wisniewski was thrown out at home trying to score.

Mason Fridley walked, but during the at-bat Hrubes was caught attempting to steal third.

“Winning this tournament was a total team effort,” Peyman said. “Everyone contributed. I probably could not pick an MVP because we had so many contributions. The pitching was outstanding; we got timely hitting, and the defense was solid.”

Lovre won two games and hit well. Evan Gigliotti pitched well in three games, including the Tuesday game against Latrobe. Hoffman, Sincak, Rattigan and Jordan White hit well.

Earlier in the day, Claysburg took a 1-0 lead in the first inning but never threatened again.

Bushy Run tied the score in the second inning when Rattigan walked and was bunted to second by White. Rattigan swiped third and scored on a passed ball.

Bushy Run took the lead for good in the fourth inning when White singled and advanced to second on an error. He scored on Amauri Thomas’ single.

Bushy Run iced the win by scoring twice in the fifth inning. Hoffman walked, and Sincak singled and reached third on an error that allowed Hoffman to score. Sincak scored on a sacrifice fly by Metcalfe.

Sincak had two hits.

“I was surprised we won the district, and to win the region in something else,” Peyman said. “But these guys were fun to watch play, and they came together. That’s what made this season so special.”

Pennsylvania American Legion

State Tournament at Erie McDowell H.S.

Saturday’s schedule

Game 1: North Parkland (Region 2) vs. Stripes and Strikes (Region 5), 10:15 a.m.

Game 3: Bristol (Region 3) vs. Paxton (Region 4), 4:05 p.m.

Game 2: French Creek Valley (Region 8) vs. Bushy Run (Region 7), 1:15 p.m.

Game 4: Connellsville (Region 6) vs. Millcreek (Host), 7:05 p.m.

Sunday’s schedule

Winner’s bracket

Game 7: Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4:05 p.m.

Game 8: Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7:05 p.m.

Loser’s bracket

Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 3 loser, 4:05 p.m.

Game 6: Game 2 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 7:05 p.m.

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.