The Bethel Park American Legion baseball team was hoping for a rematch with Baldwin in the Allegheny County playoffs.

But for that to happen, both teams had to win two games. Bethel Park got its wish, and, thanks to a complete-game five-hitter from Casey Delpersio (3-1) in the rematch, Bethel Park earned a berth in the Region 6 playoffs with a convincing, 7-1 victory.

"It's always tough to beat a team three times in a row," Bethel park manager Jeff Boris said. "My kids deserve a lot of credit because Baldwin had scored 10 or more runs in its last five or six games. Casey really shut them down.

"Baldwin beat us twice in the regular season, and one was in extra innings."

With those two victories in hand, Baldwin captured the Southern League title with a 15-5 record. Bethel Park finished third at 12-5. Peters Township/Canon-McMillan posted a 12-7 record but was awarded second place because it played more games than Bethel Park.

"We had the toughest draw of any team in the [county] playoffs," Boris said.

"We had to face two teams that had lost only twice. Winning those games is an accomplishment the kids can be proud of."

Bethel Park beat Shaler, 11-5. Shaler, the co-champions of the Allegheny River League, was 20-2 before the game.

"David Pyles pitched six innings against Shaler," said Boris, referring to the right-hander with a 3-0 record.

"He's my ace. He pitched for Bethel Park's [high school] varsity team as a tenth-grader."

Next was a second-round game against defending Region 6 champion West Allegheny, 18-2 after an 11-1 win victory against West Mifflin in the first round.

"John Burns [3-1 with two saves] pitched 6²/₃ innings and Alan Wallace [3-0 with one save] closed out the victory," said Boris, referring to the 4-2 victory that gave Bethel Park the rematch it craved.

Baldwin set up the rematch with a pair of easy wins, opening with a 14-0 victory against Penn Hills and following with a 10-0 win against Mount Washington.

"We had a lot of bad luck with the weather, and our field doesn't drain well," said Boris, referring to the fact that Bethel Park did not complete its regular-season schedule.

"That put a strain on our pitching down the stretch, but they've done a great job the last three weeks."

Zach McGonagle, a shortstop who played at Washington & Jefferson College in the spring, is Bethel Park's top hitter. His average is over .400, and he has four home runs as the team's leadoff hitter.

First baseman Jake Kulkbrenner, third baseman Ryan Kragnes, catcher Chris Schmitt and outfielder Mark Forster also have made significant contributions.

"I'm looking forward to the Region 6 playoffs, but disappointed that three of our players are going on vacation with their families," Boris said. "It's a shame because we are hard to beat when we have everybody."

Bethel Park opens the Region 6 playoffs at 9:30 a.m. Saturday against Beaver County champion Hopewell at Chippewa Park Field near Beaver Falls.

The host team for the region playoff is Blackhawk, and games will be played at Chippewa Park Field and at the Blackhawk and Beaver Falls high school fields.