Mt. Lebanon advances to PIAA finals with win over Cedar Cliff
By putting together a complete game, Mt. Lebanon shed the pressure of losing and found itself playing for a state championship on the final day of the 2023 high school baseball season.
On June 13 at Mount Aloysius College’s Calandra-Smith Field, the Blue Devils (16-10) defeated Cedar Cliff, 7-2, and advanced to the PIAA Class 6A championship game played June 16 against Father Judge (17-1) at Penn State University’s Medlar Field.
“With the exception of the WPIAL championship, these games all have been lose and go home. It is very hard to be under the pressure of being in these games,” said Lebo manager Patt McCloskey. “You have to be very lucky to win but you also have to be able to play one of those complete games.”
Back on April 10, the Blue Devils were 0-8 and facing the prospect of no postseason. Mt. Lebanon then won 10 of its next 12 games to gain a playoff spot. Next, the Blue Devils won the WPIAL championship. With the win against Cedar Cliff, the Blue Devils were 16-2 since that eight-game losing stretch.
“We had already faced three elimination games before even getting into the playoffs and this was our sixth time in a row that we have been under that kind of pressure,” McCloskey said. “I am very proud of the way the kids have responded. We have played consistent.”
Against Cedar Cliff (20-7), Mt. Lebanon put together a complete game. Coupled with their consistent defense and pitching, the Blue Devils clubbed 11 hits. They also pounded out seven runs, the most during their postseason run. The Colts had gone 23 straight games without allowing more than seven runs.
“Good pitching, good defense and good hitting,” McCloskey emphasized. “We were on it and I couldn’t be happier for our seniors.”
McCloskey had an inkling the Blue Devils would knock out the hits and runs. Before boarding the bus to Cresson, they took batting practice in the cages near their home field.
“The kids had crazy energy,” he said of that 9 a.m. session. “We also had our best pregame of the year. We never hit that well but these seniors were determined to win. That’s leadership right there.”
McCloskey also noted the seniors were a week removed from graduation and most of their classmates were on vacation.
“It’s very difficult to stay focused when all of your friends are at the beach,” he said. “That’s why I am so happy for every one.”
McCloskey was particularly pleased with Tyler Smith. The Auburn recruit pitched the final inning and struck out the side.
“For him to punch our ticket to states means a lot,” said McCloskey of the moment that brought him to tears because Smith has been on the varsity for four years.
“Doesn’t matter what level it is, getting the last three outs are the hardest three outs,” he continued. “So for this guy to come in and do it, I couldn’t be happier for him. I am overcome with emotion.”
Smith agreed the moment was special.
“It was pretty cool to be in position to close out the game and take my team to the state championship,” he said. “(McCloskey) has been my coach for the last four years. He’s passionate and believes in us. He’s our biggest fan. So I appreciate that.”
The Blue Devils were thankful for Smith’s play at first base as well as his bat. He doubled and singled and scored two runs.
“I just went up there and tired to get a good pitch and put my best swing on it,” he said of his 2-for-3 showing at the plate. “I was able to do that.
“Yes,” he added, “I was surprised to get seven runs. In playoffs there are a lot of really good pitchers and we haven’t gotten anything like that before. It was really great to see the bats come together and win the game with them instead of pitching.”
Tanner Donati ignited the offense, leading off the game with a single. Smith’s doubled before Matt Delvaux and Nolan Smith drove home the runners with a base hit and sacrifice fly respectively.
Mt. Lebanon exploded for four runs in the fifth. Jake Tinnemeyer singled before Donati tagged an RBI triple. Tyler Smith and Delvaux followed with base hits before Brock Stacy stroked a two-run single.
“It is very hard to score runs in playoffs so we were trying to read a couple of things and put some pressure on them but it became clear that we needed to let Tanner swing,” said McCloskey. “He has been mashing the ball all year long and he got that cookie fastball and hammered it. My hat is off to him. That was unbelievable.”
While Lebo manufactured its final run on a series of walks to Tinnemeyer, Delvaux, and Nolan Smith along with an fielder’s choice error on a ball hit by David Shields, the Blue Devils enjoyed another unreal pitching performance from Delvaux. In six frames of work, he scattered four hits and struck out five.
“I don’t have a lot to worry about when we put up seven runs,” Delvaux said. “We came out great offensively and that’s a great feeling as a pitcher.”
McCloskey noted that Lebo’s starting pitching has been effective all season long. All three starters – Smith, Delvaux and David Shields – have been productive and the relievers, including Owen Mitchell, have contributed.
“It has been a complete staff effort,” he said. “Our pitching carried us. Our defense carried us but we hadn’t been hitting the last few games because the last two pitchers we faced had outstanding breaking balls and offspeed pitches.
“To see somebody more traditional this game gave us a chance,” he added. “We were on it.”
Lebo’s defense was on and thus gave Cedar Cliff little chance to mount much offense, let alone win. Tinnemeyer made two outstanding plays at third base while Brock Stacy had a couple of circus catches in left field. Nate Girod was steady at shortstop and Brett Hamel handled his share of hard-hit balls to second base.
“Each infielder to a man had to make one great play and you combine that with our outfield, which has been solid, that was a difference maker” McCloskey said. “High school baseball turns on a dime. So we were fortunate to have those guys make great plays. When you get a well-pitched game and you hit a little bit and play great defense, well you can’t be happier.”